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 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 3 decades. 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.
Pastor 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. 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. Before working in ministry full-time, she worked in finance, retirement administration and consulting.
Pastor Ernest Hopson
Pastor of FPC Evangelism
Pastor Hopson has an extensive background in corporate America with a gift of organization. He 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, lead FPC Evangelism on the Southwest side of Indy.
Pastor Almita "Cookie" Dilosa
Executive Pastor
Almita Dilosa, affectionately known as "Cookie" since childhood, hails from Gary, IN, where she was born and raised. She is married with seven children, six daughters and one son. Cookie is also a proud grandmother.
Cookie's musical journey began at the age of 8 when someone prophetically spoke over her life, declaring that she would sing for the Glory of God across nations. Since 1999, she has been leading choirs and Praise and Worship teams, dedicating her gifts to the service of God.
She is a committed member of Fervent Prayer Church, where she serves under Lead Pastor James W. Jackson. Cookie was the church's first Chief of Staff and is now the first Executive Pastor.
Min. Nichelle Smith Min. Sean Foster
Exec. Admin
Min. Nichelle oversees all business of FPC.
Nichelle has been a business owner over 30 years and has coached several other business owners to greatness. She is married with two young adults and is a loving Grandmother.
She ensures all FPC business operates in excellence.
Nichelle has been a business owner over 30 years and has coached several other business owners to greatness. She is married with two young adults and is a loving Grandmother.
She ensures all FPC business operates in excellence.
Min Sean leads all volunteer staff of FPC
He has an extensive and impressive background in leadership. With endless knowledge of kingdom principles. He is married and a devoted family man. He bring excellence to the team.
He has an extensive and impressive background in leadership. With endless knowledge of kingdom principles. He is married and a devoted family man. He bring excellence to the team.