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FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

Profile Overview

Pastor Esther Obasi-ike, Ph.D., is a distinguished leader, dynamic preacher of the gospel, and an internationally recognized inspirational speaker. With a multifaceted career spanning over three decades, she has made significant strides as a conference facilitator, mentor, consultant for governmental and non-governmental organizations, counselor, educator, and media guest. Her journey began in 1984 when she dedicated her life to Christ and in 1987 was elected to Christian Union leadership, and she has since emerged as a transformative force in Christian leadership.

Queen Esthers’ Next Generation (QENG)

In 2015, Pastor Esther launched QENG to mentor girls aged 13-20 years. This program was developed based on comprehensive research conducted among mothers to identify mentorship needs. The QENG program admits a limited number of participants to facilitate personalized mentorship experiences. Since its inception, QENG has successfully mentored 586 girls from various backgrounds across Africa benefiting from this transformative program. Pastor Esther envisions QENG as a premier organization committed to holistic mentorship for young girls aspiring to become selfless leaders. Graduates are encouraged to serve as volunteers within the initiative.  The program emphasizes moral decision-making rooted in biblical principles and prepares participants for leadership roles that will shape a transformed Africa by 2050.

Pioneering Missionary Work

In 1996, Pastor Esther joined her husband, Pastor Prince Obasi-ike who started in 1995, as pioneer missionaries for the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Eastern Africa. Her ordination as a pastor in 1997 marked the beginning of her impactful leadership at RCCG and globally. Under the Obasi-ikes’ stewardship, RCCG has become a beacon of hope and empowerment within the community.

Founder of Queen Esthers’ Generation (QEG)

Pastor Esther is the visionary Founder and President of Queen Esthers’ Generation (QEG), an influential interdenominational women’s movement established in March 1996. Rooted in a divine vision received in 1990, QEG aims to Transform, Equip, Empower, and Engage Women for Christian Service. The organization operates through six key arms:

  1. A monthly outreach (Gathering of Stars& Queens)aimed to bring women into intimacy with God
  2. Queen Esthers’ Next Generation (QENG): Focused on mentoring young girls.
  3. Covenant Wealth Partners (CWP): Funding evangelism initiatives.
  4. Covenant Prayer Partners (CPP): Providing spiritual support through regular fasting and prayer sessions.
  5. Covenant Compassion Arm (CCA): Addressing the physical and educational needs of the underprivileged.
  6. Covenant Development Partners: Overseeing community development projects.

QEG has expanded its reach to eight counties in Kenya and established chapters in Canada, the USA, India, Rwanda, and Australia. This extensive network underscores Pastor Esther’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity while promoting reconciliation through faith.

Leadership Development and Succession Planning

Pastor Esther’s commitment to leadership succession is evident through intentional mentorship programs designed for younger women. Both QEG and QENG have established leadership succession plans through intentional mentorship initiatives designed for younger women and girls. Many of Pastor Esther’s mentees are younger than she is; they are empowered to mentor others under her guidance. Many of her mentees are now empowered leaders who actively participate in decision-making processes within QEG. This intergenerational approach ensures sustainable leadership development. The upcoming mentorship intake for 2025 is scheduled for December. Pastor Esther’s mentorship agenda also extends to younger women called to ministry, assisting them in nurturing their skills for more effective service.

Community Impact Initiatives

Pastor Esther’s influence extends beyond mentorship; she actively engages with communities through various initiatives:

  • Educational Outreach: Weekly Bible studies at thirteen secondary schools in Nairobi.
  • Substance Abuse Programs: Collaborating with local organizations to provide education and support for at-risk youth.
  • Philanthropic Efforts: Establishing scholarships and economic empowerment programs for vulnerable populations.

The Obasi-ikes’ foundation has also provided full scholarships to individuals overcoming challenges such as addiction.

Vision for Institutionalization

To ensure an enduring legacy, and in alignment with Martin Luther King Jr.’s assertion that “a move that changes only people is called a revolt; any move that changes both people and structures is a REVOLUTION,” Pastor Esther aims to institutionalize her initiatives by establishing a world-class Institute for Leadership, Mentorship, and Development on four acres of land in Kitengela, situating the investment within Maasai land where women and girls still face cultural and traditional marginalization.. This institute will address cultural challenges faced by women and girls while fostering leadership development within marginalized communities.

The Kijabe county government named streets after the Institute; Queens Way, Queens Avenue and Queens Close. Unfortunately, two of the street signs were removed at night by individuals that were unhappy that streets on their ancestral land are named after women. The discrimination explains the impact of culture and traditions on the female gender in some communities and stresses the urgency and importance of women and girls’ mentorship through institutionalization.

An advocate for Kingdom influence

Despite facing challenges such as resistance from traditionalists—illustrated by the removal of street signs named after the institute—Pastor Esther remains steadfast in her mission.

Pastor Esther advocates for Kingdom Influence in the marketplace and priesthood of believers; consequently, she leads a marketplace mentorship programme for female captain of industries called the Primemovers, an initiative of Living on the Edge Ministry, where Pastor Esther leads the Kenya chapter. This is a 6-month intensive mentorship training designed to help top female marketplace leaders discover and fulfil their Christian Service ambitions. The aim of this programme is to provide high quality and personalized training to groups of not more than six women over 6-month periods for effective focused engagement. Primemovers Kenya started in 2022, have graduated ten women and currently have 4 women undergoing mentorship, set to graduate in 2025.

Pastor Esther’s mentorship passion is not restricted to women and girls only but extends to men and boys as well. Her intercultural transformational leadership style has for over thirty-seven years been shaping great servant leaders who are positively influencing societies through policy making, good governance and servant leadership. As the pastor in charge of RCCG Solution Centre, she has put structures in place that raise leaders. As part of her leadership development initiative, she and her team engage with secondary schools around the church environs where they hold weekly bible studies for thirteen secondary schools in Nairobi. Periodically she ministers with her team to these students both spiritually and materially. In collaboration with likeminded organizations, Pastor Esther and her team provide drug and substance abuse education programmes for Kibera boys and this year, graduated 17 boys from the alcohol and substance abuse programme. After graduation the boys undergo Christian discipleship classes in the church. The Obasi-ikes’ foundation among other scholarships, has offered full scholarship to a former drug addict now in Bible School studying Theology.

Pastor Esther’s mentorship style covers individuals, groups and communities. Since 1996, her church has been engaged in mentoring the Turkana County Residents and together with her husband, has greatly transformed the church in Turkana County. The church provides scholarships for education, facilitates both formal and informal trainings, engage in economic empowerment through small scale businesses, drill boreholes for communities and through theological colleges mentors those called into ministry for church planting with most of them on salaries.  Their story about Turkana can be likened to what the Bible says – “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).

Widows are not left out of this mentorship programme; she has an organized widows group called Queen Esthers’ Renewed Generation Welfare Group and through her mentorship and empowerment, this group initiated an investment fund to assist one another. Additionally, Pastor Esther led a team to Rwanda to listen to the plight of widowed survivors of the genocide, pray with them and offer them assistance on two occasions through QEG.

Pastor Esther is a Kingdom Philanthropist who advocates against systems that encourage hand-outs, rather she desires to see everyone live an accomplished life. Her passion through her initiatives and networks empowers many through skill acquisitions. Her women ministry has trained several women on tailoring; she initiated Maendeleo Savings and Credit CO- Operative Society (SACCO) that facilitates low interest loans which enables members start up income generating activities, meet basic family needs and pay school fees. In partnership with Coca-Cola in 2008, she assisted six people with starting small scale businesses though the six failed, which was one of the reasons why Pastor Esther proceeded to do her Ph.D to understand the economic mindset of an African.

Moreover, Pastor Esther leads her church members to prison outreaches for social transformation; she founded a legal/ medical outfit that offers free services to the needy and hosts an annual free medical and legal camps with leading hospitals in Kenya and team of lawyers respectively. Through community services, her women ministry initiated a clean-up at the Mbagathi hospital and donated a water tank to the health center in Kibera. She routinely holds free feeding programs for slum children. During the COVID-19 Pandemic she mobilized volunteers who made and donated over five thousand masks to the needy.

Academically Equipped to Lead

Pastor Esther Obasi-ike, Ph.D., has made significant academic achievements that complement her extensive leadership and mentorship roles. Her educational background is marked by a commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by marginalized communities, particularly women.

  1. Doctorate in Missiology: Pastor Esther earned her Ph.D. in Missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary in California, USA. Her dissertation, titled, Understanding the Poverty Perspective of Women in Kibera: Its Missiological Implications for RCCG Mission, was to enquire into the dynamics at play in the economic reality of the underprivileged African and was inspired by the failure of a project she had partnered with Coca-Cola.  It also reflects her deep engagement with the socio-economic realities of underprivileged populations. This academic pursuit underscores her dedication to developing effective strategies for community transformation through faith-based initiatives.
  2. Master’s Degree: She holds a Master’s degree from Africa International University in Nairobi, Kenya, further enhancing her theological and practical understanding of ministry and community development.
  3. Professional Development: Pastor Esther has undergone training at the prestigious Haggai Institute in Hawaii, USA, where she honed her skills in leadership and evangelism. Her role as a facilitator in the Kenya chapter of the institute demonstrates her commitment to equipping others with essential leadership skills.

These academic credentials not only establish Pastor Esther as a knowledgeable leader but also empower her to implement informed strategies through her various initiatives, including the Queen Esthers’ Generation (QEG) and Queen Esthers’ Next Generation (QENG). Her educational achievements play a crucial role in shaping her vision for empowering women and girls across Africa, ensuring that her mentorship programs are grounded in solid theoretical frameworks and practical applications. In summary, Pastor Esther Obasi-ike’s academic accomplishments significantly enhance her capacity to lead transformative initiatives that address critical issues within communities, particularly those affecting women and children.

Recognition and Awards

Pastor Esther Obasi-ike’s commitment to mentorship transcends gender boundaries; she actively engages men and boys as well. Her transformational leadership style has shaped servant leaders who positively influence policy-making and governance across communities.

As pastor-in-charge at RCCG Solution Centre Nairobi, she has implemented structures that foster leadership development. Her outreach initiatives include weekly Bible studies at thirteen secondary schools in Nairobi and collaborative drug education programs targeting youth at risk.

Through her extensive network of initiatives—including scholarships for education and economic empowerment programs—Pastor Esther embodies the spirit of philanthropy that seeks not merely to provide handouts but to empower individuals towards self-sufficiency.

Pastor Esther continues to lead with purpose, and her contributions have garnered numerous accolades recognizing her contributions:

  1. 2009: Mark of Excellence Award in Leadership and Ministry by The Institute of Christian Leadership and Theology Education.
  2. 2010: Nigeria High Commissioner’s Award for exemplary community service.
  3. 2013: Distinguished Leadership Award from Africa International University.
  4. 2019: Runners Up in the Mentorship category during UTUMISHI BORA Awards.
  5. 2024: Winner of the East Africa Women of Excellence Award in the category of ‘Women of Impact’.
  6. 2024: Winner of Utumishi Bora award, mentorship category

These honors reflect her unwavering dedication to empowering others and fostering positive change within society.

As she champions holistic development for women and children across Africa, her vision remains clear: to cultivate leaders who will drive transformative change well into the future.

A Family Woman

Pastor Esther is a family woman. She is married to Pastor Prince Okechukwu Obasi-ike and both work as a team to fulfill their purpose. They have enjoyed 31 years of marriage and are blessed parents of two adult sons. 

A Governance expert

Pastor Esther sits on several boards and in 2021 was appointed the Chair of Board of Trustees for Africa International University Nairobi, Kenya.  She is the Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for RCCG Kenya and a board member of Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK).

Conclusion

Pastor Esther Obasi-ike exemplifies transformational leadership through her unwavering commitment to mentorship and community service. Her initiatives empower individuals across generations to achieve their potential while promoting social justice and equity. As she continues to inspire countless lives through her work with QEG and QENG, Pastor Esther remains a formidable force for positive change in Africa and beyond.