She had it all – a flourishing career in IT project management and the corporate world at her feet. But deep down, Pastor Tessy Aikpitanyi knew something was missing.
In a bold move that would change her life forever, she walked away from her tech success and embarked on a spiritual journey leading her to become a beloved and powerful spiritual leader.
"I started seeking a deeper relationship with God,” she shares. “I wasn’t thinking about ministry; I just wanted to know Him more.”
This deep dive into spirituality led her to a pivotal realization: many people go to church but lack a personal relationship with Jesus. It ignited her desire to help others cultivate their own relationships with God.
Now, she's dedicated to transforming lives, all thanks to a personal quest that helped her discover her true place in the world.
She began evangelizing, distributing books, and sharing her testimony. Then, a life-changing dream gave her clear direction.
"I had a dream where Jesus gave me a book and told me to write and share it with others so they could come to know Him intimately," she says.
She began her work in Canada, where she first registered her ministry: Tessy Tanyi Ministries, which was later established as Your Solution Today Ministries. However, her journey didn’t stop there.
"The Lord spoke to me and told me that He was calling me to the United States," she explains. Despite settling comfortably in Canada with her family, she felt a powerful pull to move to the U.S. and pursue a formal theological education.
Tessy enrolled at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, pursuing a Master’s in Divinity. After graduating in 2021, she felt God’s call to further her education with a Doctorate in Ministry. The decision to leave Canada was not easy, but Tessy’s faith gave her the courage to leave her “comfort zone” and embrace the unknown.
"I had dreams where I felt the Lord was calling me to leave my comfort zone," she says. The move to the U.S. marked a new chapter in her life and ministry.
Today, she is an inspirational leader whose ministry touches countless lives in Texas and beyond. She has become a beacon of hope through her unwavering faith, offering spiritual guidance, practical support, and community empowermentRev. Christopher Tunji-Ekundayo (MDiv.) is president and lead chaplain of SPAR of Hope Ministries, Inc. He met Pastor Tessy when they were seminary students and shared what made her work in the community so impactful.
“Her ability to connect with people of all backgrounds and make them feel heard is remarkable,” he says. “She can offer spiritual guidance that resonates on a deep level.
Her willingness to follow her calling has allowed her to expand her knowledge in ministry and share it with others. Pastor Tessy has peer-reviewed over 10 texts ranging in topics from preaching techniques to exploring scripture. These include Deep Preaching. Creating Sermons That Go Beyond the Superficial and What Saint Paul Really Said: Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity?
Throughout her career, she has worked with six mentees. She has also had her own work peer-reviewed by others in the field of 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 Ekundayo.
Pastor Tessy's approach to ministry is rooted in her desire to empower others. She sees her role not just as a spiritual guide but also as a mentor and supporter.
David Maldonado, a teacher of the word of God and Information Technology Professional, met Pastor Tessy while she was an IT Project Manager with Kenneth Copeland Ministries. While there, she shared her expertise in IT and ministry with him.
“She is a great spiritual mentor that will teach you great principles and how to apply the word of God in each situation to find His perfect will,” he states.
"One of the aspects of my profession that I love is making a difference in families," Pastor Tessy shares. Through prayer, counselling, and community outreach, she has witnessed marriages restored and peace return to homes.
Her ministry is a platform to address various needs, from spiritual guidance to practical support. "The Balanced Woman," one of its key programs, is a conference dedicated to helping women find life balance.
Pastor Tessy manages to balance ministry, family, and personal growth. As a mother of two, she understands the challenges of juggling multiple roles.
"Many women came to me asking how I manage to juggle all these responsibilities," she explains.
"Many women feel called by God but don’t think they can answer that calling because they have children and careers."
In response, she created the conference to help women balance their family, career, and spiritual responsibilities. Through her mentorship, she helps women fulfil their calling while managing and thriving in other areas of their lives.
Her focus on enriching women's lives has allowed her to participate in panel discussions with Faith Healing Chapel in Texas and Queen Esther Tribe Ministries. This Maryland-based ministry recognized her with an award for Women's Leadership.
Pastor Tessy’s boldness sets her apart as a leader. She is unafraid to preach the truth, even when it may not be popular.
“There is a temptation to compromise the gospel's message so that people will like or follow you,” she explains. “But I’ve had ministers and congregants tell me, ‘You preach the real gospel message. You preach the truth, and you don’t sugarcoat it.’ ”
Grace Lawal, President and founder of Grace Like Rain Ministries, met Pastor Tessy 11 years ago through mutual involvement in a community outreach program. Grace has witnessed sermons from Pastor Tessy that meet people emotionally and intellectually.
“She has a way of weaving together theological insights with real-life applications that leave her congregation both inspired and challenged to grow,” Grace notes.
Pastor Tessy’s adaptability has been crucial to her ministry’s success, especially as she navigated significant life changes. Moving from Nigeria to Canada and then to the U.S. required tremendous faith and flexibility.
"I had to leave everything behind, including a full five-bedroom house, to move into a much smaller apartment with my kids," she recalls. Following God’s calling has allowed her to reach diverse communities and make a meaningful impact.
Her inspirational leadership extends beyond her church activities. She is actively involved in community outreach, both locally and internationally. Pastor Tessy’s charity, ‘Hands of Dorcas,’ focuses on supporting orphans and widows through food, clothing, and empowerment programs.
Additionally, she frequently travels to Africa for medical outreaches, providing free healthcare to underserved areas while sharing the gospel.
Temi Odeyale, pastor and Mary Kay Independent National Sales Director, met Pastor Tessy at a conference and then later joined forces with her at the ‘Balanced Woman’ conference. Odeyale describes Pastor Tessy as a “pillar of strength.”
“She consistently goes out of her way to help those in need, whether it's offering a listening ear, providing thoughtful advice, or giving her time to support community initiatives,” Temi states.
“Her kindness is evident in every interaction, and her supportive nature makes her a pillar of strength for those around her.
Pastor Tessy received an honorary doctorate in philosophy and humanitarian advocacy from the College of Chaplaincy and Psychology, Nigeria, for her outreach work. The Nigerian Union of Journalists also recognized her humanitarian work by nominating her for an excellence award.
In the U.S., she is particularly passionate about addressing young people's challenges.
"I want to establish youth programs to help people struggling with identity and purpose," she says. Her focus on empowering women and youth underscores her commitment to building stronger, healthier communities.
Pastor Tessy’s vision for the future is one of continued transformation and empowerment. She hopes to expand her ministry's reach, especially in the U.S., where she plans to set up youth empowerment centers and marriage counselling programs.
Her goal is to show people that: "Jesus is the solution they need" and to help them experience the fulfilment that comes from a personal relationship with Christ.
By fostering a sense of community, Pastor Tessy offers a path to healing and transformation for all who seek it.
