Eagles Conference 2026: Leaders Challenge Youths to ‘Emerge’ for Kingdom, Economic Impact

Christian leaders, professionals, and young people have been challenged to rise above limitations, maximise their professions, and build meaningful relationships as instruments of spiritual and societal transformation.

The charge was given at the 2026 Eagles Conference, organised by the *Eagles’ Assembly, Oritamefa Baptist Church*, Total Garden, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The four-day conference, held from **Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, August 2, 2026**, was themed **“Emerge”**, with **Isaiah 60:1** — *“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee”* — as its scriptural anchor.

The conference emerged from **The Eagles Assembly**, the vision of the Senior Pastor of Oritamefa Baptist Church, **Revd. Dr Adediran Adeleke** focused on helping young believers understand their potential and translate their faith into measurable impact in the Church, workplace, and society. The first edition held in 2024 made this year’s edition the third.

Speaking on the intersection of faith and professional calling, **Rev. Barr. Gbenga Owa**, a legal practitioner, author, pastor, and chairman of the Board of Development Associates International (DAI Nigeria), urged Christians to use their respective professions as platforms for amplifying the Gospel.

Owa, who has more than 35 years of ministry and mentorship experience, illustrated his message with an experience from his legal practice. He recounted defending an accused person who was eventually acquitted and later gave his life to Christ.

The experience, he explained, demonstrated how professional encounters can become opportunities for Christian influence and transformation.

In a session on mindset and economic relevance, **Dr Victor ‘Gbenga Afolabi**, Group CEO of Hazon Holdings and founder of Eko Innovation Centre, challenged participants to rethink their approach to wealth creation and economic participation.

Afolabi stressed that mindset plays a critical role in determining financial relevance and economic impact. He imparted the youths in attendance for wealth creation and urged young people to be optimistic, intentional, and ambitious about taking their place in the economic space.

He further challenged participants to seek opportunities to dominate their spheres of influence and contribute to the economic development of their communities, Nigeria, and the global economy.

**Pastor James Owolabi**, Founder and General President of Bridge of Grace Bible Fellowship of Churches and Chancellor of Catalyst Christian Schools, turned attention to the power of habits.

Drawing on more than two decades of ministry experience across the United States and West Africa, Owolabi said developing godly habits was critical to achieving sustainable emergence.

He explained that the habits individuals cultivate would ultimately influence their spiritual development, leadership capacity, and performance in the corporate environment.

*Dr Adetutu Afolabi**, healthcare executive, pharmacist, entrepreneur, and founder of the Marriage and Money movement, stressed that emergence is shaped by relationships.

She urged participants to become deliberate about the people they allow into their lives, stressing that godly relationships can influence personal growth, character, and destiny.

According to her, believers must carefully evaluate their relationships and surround themselves with people who encourage faith, accountability, excellence, and purposeful living.

Other ministers and speakers at the conference included **Pastor Bunmi Elesho**, Assistant Pastor In Charge of Province and Group CEO of Mediplan Holdings; **Pastor Yomi Ajayi**, worship minister, songwriter and revivalist; and **Revd. Dr Adediran Adeleke**, Pastor of Oritamefa Baptist Church and visionary of The Eagles Assembly.

Through worship, preaching, teaching, and leadership-focused sessions, Eagles Conference 2026 sought to equip participants to move beyond potential to purposeful action.

The conference ended with a renewed call for young Christians to **“arise and shine”** by developing godly character, embracing excellence, building strategic relationships and using their professional and economic influence to advance the Gospel and contribute to society.

The message of the conference was unmistakable: *emergence is not merely about being seen; it is about becoming equipped, positioned, and purposeful enough to make lasting impact.*