Faith in Action: Leadership, Youth and Practical Theology at Ibadan’s Hope for Me Conference 2026
Raising an Unstoppable Generation in Ibadan
This week in Ibadan, faith steps decisively into public space as thousands of young people prepare to gather for a major international youth convergence designed to shape belief into action. The Hope for Me Conference 2026, themed “Unstoppable Generation,” is scheduled to hold on Saturday, 7 February 2026, from 9:00 a.m., at the International Conference Centre (Thomas Hall), University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The conference is convened by Pastor Eben Alonge through David’s Court Ministries, in partnership with David’s Court Global Leadership Academy and Eyes of Compassion Foundation. It is envisioned as a platform that intentionally blends spiritual formation with practical leadership development, responding to the realities confronting young people in contemporary society.
According to information made available by the organisers, the conference is structured to combine biblical exposition, intense prayer sessions, leadership mentoring, and contextual engagement. The goal is not merely inspiration, but transformation—helping young people translate faith into everyday living, service, and influence.
A notable lineup of ministers and thought leaders from Nigeria’s Christian and leadership landscape will anchor the event. Confirmed speakers include Ambassador Sola Solagbade, Barrister Louis Akanmo, Pastor Godswill Oyor, Evangelist Damilola Mike-Bamiloye, Dr. Funso Somorin, with Pastor Eben Alonge serving as host. Their collective presence reflects a convergence of spiritual depth, public leadership, and generational mentorship.
Central to the conference design are specialised Breakout Sessions, which address pressing issues shaping youth identity and destiny today. Pastor Eben Alonge will lead a session titled “Break the Rules, Reinvent, BECOME,” challenging participants to rethink limitations and embrace purpose-driven innovation. Rev. Paul Olu Oni will address “Sexual Purity Among Young People,” while Princess Adetoun Agboola will speak on “Being an Unstoppable Girl-Child.” Another session, led by Rev. Solomon Olayiwola, focuses on “Evangelism by Fire Among Young People,” reinforcing mission as lived witness rather than abstract doctrine.
Beyond its spiritual and intellectual focus, the conference also carries a strong compassion-driven vision. Organisers anticipate a turnout of over 60,000 participants, many of them students from schools across Ibadan, and have made provisions to cater for the material needs of attendees. This emphasis reflects a theology that recognises the inseparability of spiritual nurture and human welfare.
Hosted at one of Nigeria’s foremost academic institutions and marked by its scale, substance, and social vision, the Hope for Me Conference 2026 positions itself as more than an event. It is a lived expression of faith engaging society—an illustration of Practical Theology in motion.
At its core, this gathering represents practical theology in deed. It takes the gospel beyond the church walls and intentionally into the marketplace of life, into schools, leadership spaces, public discourse, culture, and the everyday struggles of young people. Here, the gospel is not only proclaimed; it is performed. Theology becomes visible in leadership training, ethical conversations, gender empowerment, evangelistic zeal, and acts of compassion.
Within the vision of Practical Theology in Motion, this conference stands as a powerful case study of theology lived and embodied in public space. It affirms a conviction that also shapes my own scholarly journey: theology is not complete until it moves, from belief to practice, from reflection to action, and from the sanctuary to society.
As I keep studying Practical Theology, I am increasingly convinced that faith must be read not only through texts and classrooms, but also through lived experiences such as this. The Hope for Me Conference demonstrates how theology becomes credible when it engages real human questions, identity, sexuality, leadership, purpose, service, and compassion, and responds with both spiritual depth and practical wisdom.
This is a holistic gospel at work, addressing the spiritual, intellectual, moral, emotional, and material dimensions of life. In an era where many young people feel disconnected from institutional religion, such initiatives remind us that faith can still speak powerfully, creatively, and relevantly to contemporary realities.
Indeed, this is Practical Theology in motion, a living dialogue between God’s revelation and human experience. It shows that when the church steps boldly into the public square with humility, wisdom, and intentional formation, it does not lose its soul; it finds its mission. And in raising an Unstoppable Generation, the church is reminded that its calling is not only to prepare people for heaven but also to influence the world holistically, faithfully, and redemptively, for the glory of God and the flourishing of humanity.
Ayodele John Alonge
Friday February 6, 2026 , 11:00am (EST)
Columbia, Decatur, Atlanta, Georgia
