A Bible-Based Church on Philippi Drive
Philippi Church of Christ sits at 3760 Philippi Drive in Greenville, North Carolina, where it has long served as a Bible-based congregation that preaches and teaches the Word of God in every service. Under the leadership of Dr. Dameion L. Royal and Lady Melessha Royal, the church has built its identity around a simple declaration: "All We Do Is Win." Members and visitors describe Philippi as a safe and sacred place, a community where the timeless message of Jesus Christ is presented in a clear, understandable way through preaching, teaching, and praise.
Sunday Mornings and Thursday Evenings Online
The church gathers for worship every Sunday at 8:45 AM, both in person and online. The online feed is carried through Facebook Live and YouTube, so anyone who cannot attend in the Greenville area can still take part in the service. On Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM, Philippi hosts a Virtual Bible Study, giving the congregation a midweek rhythm of reflection on Scripture.
Worship at Philippi blends heartfelt, expressive praise with steady Biblical preaching. The church believes in lifting voices in worship and keeping praises in the heart and on the lips. Music is directed by Lady Melessha Royal, who also serves as the church's Minister of the Gospel, and the congregation is invited to come as they are to experience God's presence.
Pastor Dameion and Lady Melessha Royal
Dr. Dameion L. Royal became senior pastor of Philippi Church of Christ in 2015, succeeding the late Bishop Randy B. Royal. A native of New Bern, North Carolina, Pastor Royal began preaching as a teenager under the late Dr. Andrew McKinley Cogdell and was ordained by the Goldsboro Raleigh District Assembly in 1994. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders and went on to earn a Master of Theological Studies, a Master of Religious Education, a Master of Divinity Equivalency, and a Doctorate of Ministry Degree in Leadership and Management from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Pastor Royal is married to Lady Melessha Royal, who serves the church as a Minister of the Gospel and leads both the Women's Ministry and the Music Department. A graduate of NC State with degrees in Psychology and Nutrition, Lady Royal is also a conference speaker, workshop facilitator, and co-founder of Contending for the Faith Church Ministries. Together, the Royals have three children: Dameion Jr., Isaiah, and Sarah, and they lead Philippi with a shared passion for seeing lives transformed by God's power.
What Philippi Believes
Philippi Church of Christ holds to a classical evangelical statement of faith centered on the Bible as the inspired, infallible Word of God. The church teaches belief in one God revealed in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and proclaims that Jesus Christ is "The Way, The Truth, and The Life" as written in John 14:6.
Salvation, according to the church, comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, leading to repentance, justification, and freedom from the guilt and penalty of sin. Philippi practices two ordinances: water baptism, administered to believers as an outward sign of inward change, and the Lord's Supper, observed as a memorial of Christ's redemptive death and a celebration of Christian unity.
The church believes in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, including the indwelling of every believer, the fruit of the Spirit, and the continuing operation of the spiritual gifts within the body of Christ. Philippi also affirms the bodily resurrection of Christ, His personal return in power and glory, the resurrection of the saved to eternal life and the lost to eternal death, and the ultimate defeat of Satan, whose work was conquered through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
SOAR Nation: A Youth Ministry on the Rise
One of the most visible expressions of Philippi's ministry is SOAR Nation, the church's youth program rooted in Isaiah 40:28-31. The name reflects the promise that "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles." SOAR Nation is dedicated to guiding young people to grow and prosper in Christ through dynamic worship, engaging Bible study, and faith-filled activities.
Several rhythms mark SOAR Nation throughout the month. On every third Sunday, youth gather for Youth Church, a service designed for younger members that includes a lesson on God's Word, music, games, and snacks. On every fourth Sunday, the church celebrates Youth Sunday, allowing young people to demonstrate their gifts before God and the congregation. The Youth Choir brings together singers ages 5 through 18, and Eagle Scholars recognizes students academically after each report-card cycle, also on fourth Sundays.
Parents, youth, and volunteers stay connected through the BAND app, the ministry's internal communication platform. Adults who wish to serve in youth ministry complete a volunteer interest form and undergo a mandatory background check at the church's expense. The youth ministry's vision is to see a generation rising like eagles, equipped with unshakable faith, divine purpose, and a heart to impact their community.
Outreach as a Way of Life
Outreach is woven into the identity of Philippi Church of Christ. The church describes itself as committed to being the hands and feet of Jesus, meeting needs, building relationships, and bringing hope to the Greenville community.
One of the most consistent expressions of this calling is the Weekly Food Giveaway, held every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to noon. Volunteers and recipients come together for food distribution that helps families facing hardship. Philippi also operates a shelter ministry every fourth Sunday, extending the church's care to those experiencing homelessness.
Each Christmas season, Philippi partners with Toys for Tots to provide new toys for local children, working to ensure that families in the community feel seen, valued, and loved. The church has also hosted a Black Business Expo on fourth Sundays to celebrate and uplift Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs within Philippi and the surrounding community.
Women's Ministry and Life Together
Under Lady Melessha Royal's leadership, the Women's Ministry of Philippi Church of Christ provides a space for women to grow in faith, build meaningful relationships, and serve the church family and the wider community. The ministry complements the broader life of the congregation, which includes opportunities for fellowship, Bible study, and discipleship for every age and stage of life.
Becoming a Member
Those interested in joining Philippi are invited to complete a New Membership form, which gathers basic information and asks about each person's faith journey, baptism history, and interest in future baptism. Membership is described as joining a loving, faith-filled community where members can grow spiritually, serve others, and build lasting relationships through powerful preaching, engaging Bible study, and impactful ministry involvement.
Visitors are welcomed warmly. Whether someone is a first-time guest, a returning friend, or a longtime member, the church's message is the same: there is always room. Philippi extends a standing invitation to join in person at 3760 Philippi Drive, online through Facebook Live or YouTube, or midweek through the Thursday evening Virtual Bible Study.
Giving and Staying Connected
Philippi makes giving straightforward. Members and supporters can give online through Tithe.ly, by text message, or in person during services. A downloadable brochure provides an overview of the church's ministries, and updates are shared regularly through the church's Facebook page and YouTube channel, where sermons and live streams are posted.
From its Sunday pulpit to its Wednesday food line, from SOAR Nation's young worshippers to its fourth-Sunday shelter ministry, Philippi Church of Christ continues to grow as a Greenville community where the Gospel is taught, lives are changed, and the love of Christ reaches into every corner of the city it calls home.