Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Folashade Ajayi, Ololade Aina to Headline 2026 Christian Women’s Conference

 

Pastor (Mrs.) Folashade Rebecca Ajayi, Convener of the Lagos State Christian Women’s Conference, is a public speaker, relationship strategist, mental and emotional health therapist, and life skills expert.

She is passionate about empowering women to become better versions of themselves and to live purposeful and impactful lives.

In this interview with Gracious Akintayo, she spoke about the theme of the upcoming 2026 Christian Women’s Conference, B.I.R.T.H., and other sundry issues. Excerpt:

Kindly tell us about the 2026 Women’s Conference.

The 2026 Women’s Conference marks the 16th edition of our annual Christian Women’s Conference. It is designed to inspire women to discover who God has created them to be and to intentionally grow into that woman.

This year’s theme, B.I.R.T.H. – Becoming Influential, Radiant, Transformational and Honourable – is anchored on Proverbs 4:18: “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.”

It is a call for every woman to understand that her journey is progressive. God expects us to keep growing, shining, influencing our generation, and becoming better.

What does this year’s theme mean to you personally?

B.I.R.T.H. is not just a conference theme; it is a journey of becoming.

It is a reminder that becoming is a continuous process. You do not arrive at your best version in a day. It involves processes of learning, unlearning, healing, growth, and transformation.

For me, Becoming Influential means using the opportunity God has given you to make a positive difference. Radiant speaks to allowing the light of Christ and the beauty of who God created you to be to shine. Transformational is about living a life that produces positive change wherever you find yourself, while Honourable speaks to character, integrity, and living an impactful life.

Who is your target audience, or is it for a particular set of women?

The conference is for every woman. Our target is not limited to married women, single women, young women, or elderly women.

We have women at different stages of life, and each woman has something to learn and to contribute.

Whether you are a student, career woman, entrepreneur, wife, mother, widow, young woman, professional, minister, or leader, there is something for you.

Our message is simple: Wherever you are in your journey as a woman, there is room for you to grow, shine, and become better.

What should participants expect from the conference?

The conference will be another eye-opener – an atmosphere of spiritual revival, learning, networking, and transformation.

We will focus on different issues concerning a woman’s life – not only her spirituality, but also her mental and emotional wellbeing, health, relationships, purpose, and personal development.

There will be insightful teachings, interactive sessions, a health seminar, business development sessions, fellowship, and networking opportunities.

Beyond all the activities lined up, my expectation is that every participant will leave asking herself: “From this point onward, what must I do differently?”

Who are your facilitators and what sessions are lined up?

We have a line-up of dynamic speakers and respected facilitators who will bring their expertise from different perspectives.

Among them are Apostle Ruth Eno Essien, Pastor (Mrs.) Boade Akinola, Dr. Lara Oyadotun, who will be speaking on “The Power of Rest,” and Pastor Sunmbo Adeoye, who will lead a business-focused session.

There will also be other engaging activities, including a pageant, cooking competition, and routine health examinations.

The idea is to create a wholesome conference where women can be spiritually refreshed while also gaining practical knowledge that improves their everyday lives.

What makes this conference different from other women’s conferences?

What makes the B.I.R.T.H. Conference difference is our intentionality in creating a platform where faith meets practical life skills.

We are not just bringing women together for another programme. We want women to come, experience transformation, and leave with practical applications for their lives.

We also deliberately address the woman as a whole. A woman can be spiritually strong and still need support in her emotional wellbeing, relationships, health, finances, purpose, or personal development.

This is our 16th edition. We have learned from previous experiences and improved the conference based on the needs of today’s women.

As the convener, what lesson has God taught you in the process of planning the conference?

God has taught me that when He gives you an assignment, He also makes provision for the grace and the people needed to accomplish it.

I have also learned that leadership is not about doing everything alone. You have to trust people, delegate, collaborate, and give others opportunities to contribute.

Most importantly, I have learned that the conference is first God’s assignment before it becomes ours. While we plan, organize, and coordinate, we must not lose sight of the One who gave us the vision.

How do you balance your roles as a woman, leader, wife/mother, and minister?

It is a continuous learning process. I do not believe there is a perfect formula for balance.

What has helped me is understanding seasons and priorities. There are times when family requires more attention, and there are times when ministry or work requires more attention.

I have also learned to delegate, work with a team, and avoid the mindset of trying to do everything alone. Importantly, I try to be intentional about self-care. A woman cannot keep pouring into others while neglecting herself.

For me, balance is not about doing everything at the same time. It is about knowing what deserves attention in every season and giving it your best.

What is one challenge rarely talked about that Christian women face today?

One major challenge is the pressure to appear strong while silently struggling.

Sometimes Christian women are expected to have everything together because of their faith. A woman may be experiencing emotional exhaustion, marital difficulties, identity struggles, financial pressure, loneliness, or mental health challenges, but she feels she cannot talk about them.

We need to create safe spaces where women can say, “I need help,” without being judged.

Faith does not mean we should deny our humanity. We can be women of faith and still seek counsel, support, professional assistance, and healthy relationships.

We need women who are not only spiritually strong but also emotionally healthy and mentally resilient.

What is your prayer for every woman who will participate in the conference?

My prayer is that every woman who comes to B.I.R.T.H. will encounter God in a personal and transformational way.

When she leaves, she will not simply say, “I attended a conference.” She will be able to say, “Something changed in me, and I am ready to B.I.R.T.H. a new dimension of my life.”

And that every limitation, fear, negative mindset, and barrier standing between her and her purpose will be broken.

May she become influential without losing her values, radiant without losing her identity, transformational without compromising her convictions, and honourable in character and conduct.

And as Proverbs 4:18 declares, may her path continue to shine brighter and brighter.