Get To Know Our Team and its Leader
James W. Jackson
Lead Pastor
Pastor Jackson, the Lead Pastor of Fervent Prayer Church, began his ministry with approximately ten members in the former School #75 on the west side of Indianapolis with his wife of 29 years Dietrich L. Jackson, and their four daughters. Pastor Jackson's goal is to promote healing and deliverance through the power of prayer and faith around the world. He has aligned himself with a great pastoral leadership team and as a result, has been a blessing to the city of Indianapolis for nearly 27 years. Pastor Jackson is the President of the Fervent Care Child Care and Christian Academy, which began under his leadership 24 years ago and has served thousands of children on the Eastside of Indianapolis. He is also the President of the Far Eastside Action Coalition that is home to Clean For Green, a youth employment and mentoring program that began in 2012 that continues to employ and prepare youth in Indianapolis for life and the workforce.
Pastor Jackson has hosted a weekly radio Prayer Ministry since 1998 and has also been the lead host of The Community Connection, the host of Unity In The Community on Saturdays, and is the lead host of Real People Real Voices that airs every Sunday afternoon on WHMB TV40 reaching hundreds of thousands of people for Jesus Christ every week. He is also a social media influencer who hosts a daily devotional on Facebook and YouTube that reaches people all over America, South Africa, Bulgaria, Nigeria, Pakistan, Australia, Japan, and other parts of the world.In 2010, Pastor Jackson was the first Pastor in the city of Indianapolis' history to be appointed to the police merit board by Mayor Greg Ballard. Pastor Jackson also served on the Board of Public Safety for the city of Indianapolis and is a former member of the board for the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE). In 2019, he graduated from the FBI Citizens Academy in Indianapolis and is also a graduate of the RNC’s Inaugural Diversity Series in Indiana 2021. Pastor Jackson holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Indiana Wesleyan University/Wesley Seminary and is currently a third-year doctrinal student at IWU.
He was awarded a 2014 Recipient of the Mayor‘s Community Service Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award from IWU in 2018, the 2014 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award from Perry Township Schools, the Indianapolis Legends Award 2017, and Crime Fighter of the Year Award 2016 from IMPD. Pastor Jackson is currently serving his second term as commissioner and has received numerous other acknowledgments and certificates of appreciation for his work in the community.
He was awarded a 2014 Recipient of the Mayor‘s Community Service Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award from IWU in 2018, the 2014 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award from Perry Township Schools, the Indianapolis Legends Award 2017, and Crime Fighter of the Year Award 2016 from IMPD. Pastor Jackson is currently serving his second term as commissioner and has received numerous other acknowledgments and certificates of appreciation for his work in the community.
Dietrich "Dee" Jackson
Co-Pastor
Pastor Dee, originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, is First Lady and Co-Pastor of Fervent Prayer Church. President of Fervent In Style Boutique (proceeds of such are used to fund outreaches of the ministry), and administrator of Fervent Care Childcare and Christian Academy.
Pastor Dee believes in helping people outside of the church walls. She leads Ferventfeeders, a program that provides free food to our community with the help of Gleaners food bank. Before working in ministry full-time, she worked in finance, retirement administration and consulting.
Pastor Dee believes in helping people outside of the church walls. She leads Ferventfeeders, a program that provides free food to our community with the help of Gleaners food bank. Before working in ministry full-time, she worked in finance, retirement administration and consulting.
Ernest Hopson
Lead Pastor of FPC North
Pastor Hopson has been on the Fervent Prayer Church leadership team for many years and has helped the church in various ways. He and his wife, Helen Hopson, are the lead Pastor and First Lady at FPC North, located in Fishers, IN.
Pastor "Cookie" Dilosa
Executive Pastor
Pastor Cookie is the extension of Pastor Jackson. God uses her mightily in word & deed. She is a tremendous asset to FPC
Min. Nichelle Smith
Chief of Staff
Min. Nichelle oversees operations of paid and volunteer staff. She ensures everything operates in excellence.