The Friendship Church International, FCI, Kaduna Cathedral has commenced its 2026 three-day power-packed conference with a one-minute silence in honour of the late Bishop John O. Dickson.
The conference is holding at the church auditorium on Samaru Air Force Road, Kakuri, Kaduna, and has witnessed a massive turnout of Christian clerics from different denominations and thousands of worshippers from within and outside Kaduna State.
The conference, themed "Transformation", is aimed at spiritually transforming the lives of people through intensive prayers, the Word of God, and sound biblical teachings.
The goal is to put believers on the right path, encourage patriotism, productivity, and righteous living in order to make their lives meaningful and impactful to society.
Speaking at the opening session, the host, Pastor Miss Esther Dickson, said the 2026 edition was designed to bring spiritual revival, healing and direction to families, youths, and leaders.
A major highlight of the conference is the celebration of the 70th posthumous birthday of the late Bishop John O. Dickson, who passed away earlier this year. Bishop Dickson spent several decades propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ both in Nigeria and across the world.
Hundreds of Christian faithfuls at the conference offered special prayers for the repose of the late Bishop and remembered his selfless sacrifices to humanity, the Church, and the spread of Christianity.
In a tribute sermon, Pastor Esther Dickson described her late husband as a man of prayer, a builder of men, and a general in the faith whose life was a sermon.
As part of activities to mark the birthday of the late Bishop John O. Dickson, Pastor Miss Esther Dickson put smiles on the faces of three widows by presenting each of them with a bag of rice. She said other generous birthday gifts would be presented on the second and third days of the conference.
She urged Christians to emulate the Christ-like lifestyle of Bishop Dickson for the transformation of their lives, families, and communities.
The conference has drawn top Christian clerics from across the country. Among those in attendance and ministering are Bishop Dr. Emmanuel Macjohns of God Pleasers Worldwide, Rev. Freedman Ekre of Council Mission House, Abuja, and other respected pastors, evangelists, and ministers from various denominations.
The men of God have been preaching extensively on holiness, purpose, national unity and the need for Christians to be the light and salt in a troubled nation.
The FCI Choir added colour, value and flavour to the conference with powerful ministrations in songs, hymns and praise. Their renditions lifted the atmosphere and prepared hearts for deeper encounters with God.
Clerics have also been engaging in deliverance sessions, counseling, and prayers for Nigeria and Kaduna State, seeking peace and security across the country.
Pastor Esther Dickson called on Christians to be patriotic, hardworking and agents of positive change in their communities.
She stressed that true transformation begins when a person’s life is aligned with God’s purpose.
The 3-day conference will run until Sunday, July 19th, 2026, with expectations of more teachings, prophetic ministrations and a grand thanksgiving service to round it off.