Pastor Tessy Aikpitanyi, a guidepost of faith and advocate for community empowerment, has spent years fostering spiritual and social change.
Born and raised in Nigeria, Pastor Tessy’s journey from a career in IT to full-time ministry is a testament to her dedication to bringing people together through faith.
Now based in Fort Worth, Texas, she believes that “faithful togetherness” is the key to healing individuals, families, and ultimately, the world.
“I’ve always felt a sense of being unfulfilled,” Pastor Tessy says. Despite a successful career in IT as a business analyst and project manager, she sensed a void that her professional accomplishments couldn’t fill.
It wasn’t until she began seeking a deeper relationship with God that she found her true calling: “As I pressed into Him, I wasn’t thinking about ministry. I just wanted to know Him more,” Pastor Tessy recalls.
Her quest for spiritual fulfilment transformed into a mission to help others find their connection with God. This calling led her from Nigeria to Canada and eventually to the U.S., where her ministry, “Your Solution Today,” is making a profound impact. Pastor Tessy’s message is simple yet powerful: the strength of community and shared faith can bring healing and transformation.
Rev. Christopher Tunji-Ekundayo, president and lead chaplain of SPAR of Hope Ministries, Inc., met Pastor Tessy six years ago when they were seminary students. Tunji-Ekundayo’s expertise lies in her ability to be a spiritual asset to others.
“Tessy’s ability to foster community, promote understanding, and offer spiritual support would greatly benefit any community,” he says.
Community is the heart of her ministry, which emphasizes the importance of coming together, not just within the walls of a church, but in everyday life. She believes people can overcome the most significant challenges when they unite in faith.
“Seeing people transform and develop a true relationship with Jesus is incredibly rewarding,” she says.
Pastor Tessy’s own transformation began in 2017 when she was a student minister at Christ Apostolic Church, Vineyard of Comfort in Alberta, Canada. From there, she became ordained and licensed to practice ministry in Canada in 2019.
Afterwards, she became a licensed chaplain with Canadian Christian Ministries in 2021. That same year, she obtained her master’s degree in divinity from Oral Roberts University and gained a license to also preach in the U.S. — all of which coincided with a full-time job in IT and raising her children.
Today, she is pursuing her Doctor of Ministry and has peer-reviewed over 10 texts on topics ranging from preaching techniques to exploring scripture. These include ‘Preaching with Cultural Intelligence, Understanding the People Who Hear Our Sermons’, and ‘The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament.’
Pastor Tessy Aikpitanyi has mentored six promising individuals throughout her inspiring career, helping them grow into their spiritual leadership. Her work has also gained recognition from esteemed peers in the ministry, including Dr. Daniel Isgrigg, Associate Professor and Pentecostal Historian at Oral Roberts University, Edward Ssentongo, pastor of Pure River of Water of Life Ministry, and Christopher Tunyi Ekundajor. Their reviews further solidify her influence and impact in the world of faith.
Pastor Tessy has also joined panel discussions with Faith Healing Chapel in Texas and Queen Esther Tribe Ministries. In this Maryland-based ministry, she was recognized with an award for Women Leadership.
Through her own experience of balancing multiple responsibilities, Pastor Tessy realized the need to support other women facing similar challenges.
One of the cornerstones of her ministry is “The Balanced Woman,” a program that empowers women to find balance in their roles as mothers, professionals, and individuals. “When women are empowered, families are transformed,” Pastor Tessy asserts.
Through workshops, conferences, and one-on-one counseling, she helps women navigate their responsibilities and discover their purpose. By focusing on the well-being of women, she believes the positive effects ripple out to benefit entire families and communities.
Her work has inspired testimonials from individuals struggling with troubled marriages, trying to advance their careers, or those simply seeking a closer connection to God.
“I finally found freedom in Christ,” one woman testified via email following a conference. “No more religion, but relationship.”
Pastor Tessy’s journey has been marked by adaptability and a willingness to embrace change. Whether it was leaving her settled life in Canada to move to the U.S. or starting anew in unfamiliar environments, she has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to adapt.
“People often ask me, ‘How did you do it?’ The truth is, it wasn’t easy,” she admits. Yet, her faith and commitment to her calling gave her the courage to enter the unknown.
This has not only allowed her to thrive in different cultural contexts but also made her relatable to the diverse communities she serves. Her genuine compassion, coupled with this, sets her apart as a pastor who can connect with people from all walks of life.
Grace Lawal, President and founder of Grace Like Rain Ministries, met Pastor Tessy 11 years ago through mutual involvement in a community outreach program and saw this connection up close.
“Tessy’s humility is one of her most admirable attributes,” Lawal says. “Despite her extensive knowledge and experience, she remains approachable and grounded.”
Her holistic approach to ministry focuses on spiritual and practical needs and she actively participates in outreach programs that provide tangible support to those in need. One of her key projects is a charity called “Hands of Dorcas,” which supports orphans and widows through food, clothing, and empowerment programs.
“We take this work to Africa, where we hold events for the less fortunate, reminding them that they are not alone and that God loves them,” Pastor Tessy explains. Her ministry also includes medical outreach and evangelistic efforts at the local and international levels. Her commitment to community service reflects her belief that faith is not just about personal spirituality but about reaching out to others and making a positive difference in their lives.
For her outreach work, she received an honorary doctorate degree in philosophy and humanitarian advocacy from the College of Chaplaincy and Psychology, Nigeria. The Nigerian Union of Journalists also recognized her humanitarian work by nominating her for an award of excellence.
Temi Odeyale, pastor and Mary Kay Independent National Sales Director, met Pastor Tessy at a women’s conference and later worked with her at a “Balanced Woman” conference. Odeyale notes Pastor Tessy’s ability to guide others spiritually.
“Tessy has a natural gift for offering spiritual guidance, inspiring her congregation, addressing difficult topics with grace, and it’s clear that her calling as a pastor is something she is deeply passionate about,” she says.
Pastor Tessy’s boldness in preaching the gospel truth is another aspect that defines her pastoral identity: “We live in a time when many people are more concerned with how many followers they have on social media,” she notes. However, Pastor Tessy remains unapologetically committed to preaching a message of righteous living and complete commitment to God.
She emphasizes that following God requires a wholehearted dedication, a message that resonates in a world often seeking fulfillment in material possessions and fleeting pleasures. Her unwavering stance on this matter has garnered respect and admiration from her congregation and fellow ministers alike.
David Maldonado, a teacher of the word of God and Information Technology Professional, witnessed the intersection of Pastor Tessy’s expertise in IT and ministry while she was IT Project Manager at Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Her understanding and application of scripture resonated with him most.
“I admire her knowledge of the word of God,” Maldonado explains. “Whenever you speak to her asking for counsel, she goes immediately to the word of God, and gives you scriptures that provide direction and comfort in the situation.”
To expand her ministry’s impact, particularly among young people and families, Pastor Tessy plans to establish youth empowerment centers in the U.S. where individuals can receive support for issues like addiction, depression, and identity struggles.
“Many of the challenges in families and with youth stem from a lack of support at home,” she says. She hopes to foster a generation grounded in faith and purpose by addressing these root issues.
Her journey is a powerful testament to the transformative power of community and faith. Her compassion and boldness have enabled her to unite people, fostering environments where individuals can experience healing and growth.
“When you have Jesus, you have everything,” she affirms.
For Pastor Tessy, the power of community lies in its ability to draw people closer to God and to each other, offering a path toward a more healed and united world.
and then