A true woman of God, the Reverend Conitras M. Houston Dickens strives for excellence in ministry through the Word of God, the Work of God, and the Will of God. She sincerely loves God and God’s people; therefore, she professes boldly the words of 1 Corinthians 2:9 “…no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him”!
Pastor “C” as she is affectionately called, is partnered in marriage and ministry to the Reverend Akil Dickens. They are the proud parents of one son, Caleb. Pastor “C” is the devoted daughter of Bonita Houston and Harold Houston, Jr., beloved sister of Brian and Harold III, and loving aunt of Jade.
An ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Pastor “C” was trained for ministry in the Atlanta-North Georgia Conference of the Sixth Episcopal District (state of Georgia). She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interpersonal & Organizational Communications with a minor in Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Pastor “C” then pursued her theological education at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology where she earned a Master of Divinity Degree with special concentration in Homiletics. During her time at Candler, Pastor “C” continued to strive towards excellence by being among only six students to be admitted into the Master of Divinity Thesis Program.
Pastor “C” is grateful for the opportunities that she has been given to serve the Lord’s people. After humbly serving as the Youth Pastor and Assistant Pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church in Fairburn, GA for five years, Pastor “C” served with zeal and fervor as the first female and youngest pastor at each of the churches she was privileged to serve. Pastor “C” has positively impacted and experienced growth within the congregations of Saint Luke A.M.E. Church-Athens, GA, Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church-Columbus, GA, and Trinity A.M.E. Church-Atlanta, GA. Each of these congregations worked with Pastor “C” to complete substantial renovations. Additionally, at Trinity, Pastor C served as the Board Chair of the Early Learning Center where she aided in increasing the Quality-Rated status of the Center while also implementing technological advances and much more.
In October of 2021, Bishop John Franklin White appointed Pastor “C” as the third Senior Pastor of DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lisle, IL. Pastor “C” and the DuPage family are excited to have this opportunity to expand the Kingdom of God together, both virtually and physically.
Outside of her service to her local congregation, Pastor “C” is the Founder and Director of Gabriel’s House, Incorporated—a non-profit youth center instilling values of self-worth through performing arts, life skills training, and academic enrichment. She is the Special Assistant to the Chief Information Officer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and served as the Finance Chair of the Sixth Episcopal District (state of Georgia) of the A.M.E. Church until her departure in 2021. Pastor “C” is also a 2019 graduate of Leadership Georgia—the state’s oldest and most successful leadership organization. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Pastor “C” is truly passionate about the work of God has sent her to do—not only at DuPage, but also around the entire world. For this reason, Pastor “C” continues to travel preaching and teaching the Good News while mentoring and encouraging Christians of all ages within the United States and abroad.
Beyond all the technical information, the Reverend Conitras M. Houston Dickens loves the Lord. Since childhood, she has always pursued a walk with Christ. Pastor “C” is known for the following quote: “Since God is a God of excellence, God’s children SHALL excel!”