“Your life is too small to be the purpose of your life.” – Pastor David Sola-Popoola

Introduction

Pastor David Sola-Popoola embodies a powerful synergy of roles: medical doctor, counselor, and personal development coach, all stemming from a deep Nigerian heritage anchored in faith, family, and resilience. 

From the examination room to the pulpit, Pastor David has consistently been driven by a profound passion to empower lives – spiritually, economically, socially, and mentally. Today, as the visionary founder and Lead Pastor of Hilltop City Church in Colorado Springs, his mission is to inspire individuals and communities to embrace abundant, purposeful, and truly transformed lives. His calling wasn’t a sudden thunderbolt, but a gradual yet undeniable revelation, a divine purpose whispered even before his birth, guiding him beyond the confines of traditional medical practice into a ministry uniquely designed to meet the diverse needs of a modern world. 

Join Afrik Digest as we explore the inspiring journey and multifaceted vision of this remarkable leader.
***

My Background & Call into the Ministry

I’m Dr. David Sola-Popoola—a pastor, medical doctor, counselor, and personal development coach. Born and raised in Nigeria, my journey began in a community deeply anchored in faith, family, and resilience. From practicing medicine to mentoring and preaching, I’ve consistently felt driven by a passion to empower lives spiritually, economically, socially, and mentally. Today, as the Lead Pastor and founder of Hilltop City Church in Colorado, I serve with a mission to inspire individuals and communities to live abundantly, purposeful, and transformed lives. My calling to ministry was a gradual yet profound revelation. Even while pursuing medicine, I felt an undeniable tug toward helping people beyond physical health, addressing their spiritual and emotional needs. Through deep personal encounters and prophetic confirmations even before my birth, I came to understand God’s purpose for me stretched far beyond medical practice. Although I was born into a clergy home, I gave my life to Jesus while in high school, and I have not stopped since then, from youth fellowships pastor, to campus fellowship minister to pastoring in multiple foreign countries outside of Nigeria, wherever He leads. The transition wasn’t easy, but obedience brought clarity. I felt called to establish a ministry that would uniquely cater to diverse communities, especially those seeking spiritual connection and practical guidance. Today, through preaching, counseling, and community empowerment initiatives, I’m living that divine purpose, witnessing lives transformed by the same grace that shaped mine.

Our Vision and Mission

At Hilltop City Church, our vision is to raise empowered believers to reign in their unique spheres as God’s light, bringing our world to His light. Our mission encompasses several key objectives such as empowering through the word, creating a supernatural atmosphere, cultivating an atmosphere of worship and service, building a strong, loving community, and raising influential leaders. By living out this vision and mission, we have been extending God into the community we found it; we take active participation in the community seriously, which fosters spiritual growth and empowers individuals to make a positive impact in their respective spheres.​

Community Partnerships and Ministry Initiatives
Collaboration is integral to our ministry. We have partnered with organizations like the Association of Related Churches (ARC), a cooperative of independent churches that strategically resource church planters and pastors to help them reach people with the message of Jesus. Through such partnerships, we address local challenges by pooling resources and efforts to serve our community more effectively. Potters House Dallas and New Impact Ministry.

One of our key initiatives at Hilltop City Church is iLeap (International Leadership Activation Program). Through iLeap, we host dynamic sessions featuring respected leaders and professionals to equip and empower individuals spiritually, economically, socially, and mentally. Another important initiative is our food bank. While not unique, it’s connected to who we are. We started this almost at the same time we started the church, from the example of Jesus feeding 5,000 and more after ministering to them in Matthew 14, we want to feed over 5 million people every year. That’s our goal, it’s just an example of how we show that our God is concerned about every aspect of a person. And finally, our prayer-focused gathering called Tarry, designed to deepen intimacy with God, strengthen faith, and foster spiritual renewal through dedicated prayer and worship. These programs significantly impact both our congregation and the broader community by providing practical, transformative experiences that resonate beyond church walls.

Faith in Today’s World
At Hilltop City Church, we encourage our congregation to authentically live out their faith with wisdom, courage, and relevance. Inspired by one of our founding scriptures (we have 2), Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG), “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world… Keep an open house; be generous with your lives,” our teachings emphasize practical, relational Christianity that moves beyond mere religious routines. To us, a message that cannot be relevant from Monday -Sunday is not relevant. Through sermons, leadership training, and personal mentoring, we empower individuals to confidently embody their faith, shining brightly without fear or compromise. By modeling Christ-like love, generosity, and excellence in everyday life, our members illuminate God’s presence, naturally drawing others to Christ, and demonstrating that authentic faith remains appealing and essential, even in our sophisticated, ever-evolving world. Something else we talk about a lot is this: people can argue about Jesus with you with facts, but they can’t argue your testimonies with you. We encourage members to freely share their salvation stories, their testimonies, and what God has done for them. That is personal. It’s a truth that the lies, distractions, and confusion of the modern age can’t take away. Revelation 12:11” And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death.”

Preserving and incorporating African cultural traditions in the church while embracing the faith

At Hilltop City Church, we celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures within our congregation, including African traditions. While our primary focus is on fostering a multicultural community united by faith, we recognize the value of cultural heritage in enriching our collective worship experience. We incorporate elements such as diverse musical styles and communal fellowship practices that resonate with various cultural backgrounds, including those from African traditions. This approach allows us to honor cultural expressions while ensuring that our faith remains the central unifying factor. By doing so, we create an inclusive environment where all members feel valued and can connect deeply with their faith.​ One event we look forward to annually is Feast of Nations, usually done on the Sunday before Thanksgiving in November, where we get to experience home again as Africans, or any other cultures, allowing expressions through food and creating deep connections

The Role of Worship and Cultural Identity
Music and worship are integral to creating a familiar and welcoming atmosphere at Hilltop City Church. Our worship services feature a blend of musical styles that reflect the diversity of our congregation, allowing individuals from various backgrounds to connect with God in meaningful ways. While English is the primary language used in our services to maintain unity and clarity, we occasionally incorporate songs and expressions from different languages to celebrate our multicultural community. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of belonging and helps recreate the comforting essence of ‘home’ for many of our members. By embracing diverse forms of worship and language, we aim to reflect the multifaceted body of Christ and ensure that everyone feels at home within our church family.

Addressing the unique spiritual and social needs of the community
At Hilltop City Church, we intentionally address the unique spiritual and social needs of our community through holistic ministries and personalized support. Our approach integrates passionate preaching, targeted programs like counseling, personal mentoring, leadership training, and community outreach initiatives such as the International Leadership Activation Program (iLeap) and City Tribes, our small-group gatherings. City Tribes provide intimate, family-like settings where members build meaningful relationships, find support, and experience spiritual growth in a more personal context. By nurturing both spiritual depth and practical life skills, we empower individuals to thrive spiritually, emotionally, economically, and socially, effectively meeting the multifaceted needs of our community.

Challenges in Our Mission
One significant challenge we’ve faced is fostering unity and cultural integration within our diverse congregation. Navigating cultural differences and expectations can be complex. We’ve overcome this by emphasizing our core identity in Christ and creating inclusive spaces where cultural diversity is celebrated rather than seen as a barrier. Through intentional relationship-building, transparent communication, and inclusive worship experiences, we’ve cultivated an environment of mutual respect and understanding, enabling us to effectively carry out our mission despite cultural complexities.

Transformation and Testimonies
One memorable transformation at Hilltop City Church was when an individual came directly to one of our services upon release from incarceration. Embraced by our core value of genuine love, this person experienced incredible spiritual growth and life restoration. Within six months, their life radically transformed—they accepted Christ, secured stable employment, returned to school, and even rose to a managerial position at their job. They also became a leader of our community outreach program, passionately serving others in need. Stories like these embody our belief that “the testimony of HCC is a transformed life.”

Inspiring the Next Generation
At Hilltop City Church, we actively inspire younger generations through vibrant youth-focused ministries, engaging mentorship programs, and practical leadership opportunities. By creating spaces where young people feel valued, heard, and empowered, we nurture their faith, creativity, and leadership skills. Programs like City Tribes, youth-oriented events, and mentorship initiatives encourage them to personally experience God’s love, understand their purpose, and actively participate in ministry, making their faith authentic, relevant, and dynamic.

What sets Hilltop City Church apart
Hilltop City Church uniquely blends multiculturalism, passionate spirituality, practical life empowerment, and a deep commitment to authentic love. Our approach is holistic—we don’t just preach transformation; we actively support our members spiritually, emotionally, economically, and socially, creating an environment where everyone genuinely feels loved and empowered. This combination of vibrant spirituality, multicultural inclusivity, and practical community engagement distinctly positions us within the faith landscape.

Adapting to the changing times

As a church that launched barely two years before the COVID-19 pandemic, adaptability became an essential part of our DNA. At Hilltop City Church, we recognize the importance of being spiritually discerning yet practically responsive to shifting times. Leveraging technology became crucial, not just to maintain connections, but to expand our reach. We actively embraced online platforms for worship, prayer meetings, leadership training, and small groups. Additionally, our congregation includes many skilled professionals who are encouraged to use their God-given talents creatively, blending modern tools with timeless truths to further God’s Kingdom in innovative ways.

Unity and Inclusion in Our Church
Participation and empowerment are central to how we foster unity and inclusion. Inspired by biblical examples—Samuel called at a tender age, David rising as a youth, and Jesus teaching in the temple as a young man—we proactively engage people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures, encouraging them not just to participate but to lead. Our multicultural identity reflects the diversity of Christ’s body, making everyone a valued part of our church family. We ensure every member feels a deep sense of belonging and empowerment through intentional relationships, inclusive worship, and shared leadership opportunities.

Biblical principles that guide our leadership and decisions
My leadership and decision-making are deeply anchored in core biblical principles such as humility, servant leadership, integrity, wisdom, and compassion. Scriptures like Philippians 2:3-4, emphasizing humility and valuing others above oneself, and Proverbs 3:5-6, highlighting reliance on God’s guidance, shape every choice I make. Love remains the highest principle guiding my pastoral journey—ensuring decisions prioritize people’s spiritual growth and well-being, always aligning with the example set by Jesus Christ. I am always moved by compassion; it’s a gift of God, and it guides me. HCC is a reflection of this.

Our Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, our dream for Hilltop City Church is to deepen our spiritual impact and broaden our community reach throughout Colorado. We envision expanding programs like City Tribes, launching targeted outreach initiatives, and developing a comprehensive community center to serve the holistic needs of our region. Our goal is to raise transformative leaders who positively influence every sphere of society, spreading God’s light and love far beyond our walls, we celebrate when our members get appointed into policy making positions, in their jobs, community, even in politics, spreading Jesus and making our church a beacon of hope, transformation, and spiritual renewal.

My Favorite Book and Bible Quotes
My favorite book of the Bible is the Psalms. It beautifully captures honest human emotions and frailties, expresses genuine dependence on God, and consistently affirms unwavering confidence in His faithfulness. It also vividly portrays the intimate love relationship between humanity and God, revealing how deeply personal and authentic our connection with Him can truly be.

For my favorite bible quote, that will be ‘’For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.’’ Ephesians 2:10. 

Another verse that inspires our members to live beyond themselves, aligning their actions and purpose with God’s larger vision for humanity is Genesis 12:3, “… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 

Leaving a Legacy of Faith and Restoration
I would like to be remembered as someone who genuinely loved people, passionately served God, and consistently inspired others to realize and fulfill their highest God-given potential.