The solemn and historic service took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Ikom.

The only lesson for this service was taken from the book of Matthew 16:13-28.

The sermon was delivered by The Most Rev’d Marcus Ibrahim, Archbishop of Jos Province and Bishop of Yola Diocese. Preaching on the theme, “I will build my church, says the Lord,” Archbishop Ibrahim challenged the pioneer Bishop, The Rt. Rev’d David Michson, and the entire congregation to adopt a strategic, spiritual defense against rising insecurity.

He strongly affirmed that “the Lord is saying that nothing, not even the devil, can stop God’s work in this Diocese,” referencing attacks from various groups including Fulani, Boko Haram, and foreign entities.

The Archbishop laid out five core mandates for the Ikom Diocese:

1. Bold Witnessing and Aggressive Evangelism: Bishop Michson was called upon to engage the clergy in “aggressive evangelism” and boldly preach about Witnessing, proclaiming Christ as the answer to every human problem.
2. Possessing Keys of Divine Success: The Diocese was encouraged to receive and process “keys of divine success” to unlock every opportunity, ensuring church growth and divine protection.
3. Modeling the Early Church: He instructed the Bishop to model the Diocese after the early church recorded in the book of Acts, specifically calling for it to be a multi-ethnic body by bringing in all tribes in Ikom, including the Fulanis, Hausas, and Igbos.
4. Fire for the Lord: He stressed the necessity of being a “Diocese of Fire for the Lord,” noting that the early church was sustained by the Holy Ghost despite persecution. He warned that any man or diocese not “on fire for God” will be “finished” by the devil.
5. Praying and Bible-Based Foundation: He pointedly challenged the Bishop to be constantly available for the people—cautioning against being a “traveling bishop”—and ensuring the Diocese remains a praying church. He concluded that prayer and dwelling in the Word must be central.

Archbishop Marcus concluded his message with the powerful assurance of Christ: “the gates of hell will not destroy the church.”

The inauguration proceeded after representatives of the Archdeaconries being carved out to form the new Diocese namely Ikom, Yakurr, Obubra, and Abi presented their petition to the Primate.

Following the reading and execution of the deeds (relinquishment and acceptance), Primate Ndukuba officially inaugurated the Missionary Diocese of Ikom to great applause. He then led the prayers for the new Diocese, its Bishop, clergy, and laity.

The service, conducted by The Rt Rev’d Dr. Aloysius Agbo, Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, was well-attended by numerous Bishops, Archbishops, and officials of the Church of Nigeria.

The Ikom Missionary Diocese was created out of the Calabar Diocese and is one of 15 new dioceses approved by the Church of Nigeria at its last Standing Committee meeting in Ekiti Diocese in September.

The inaugural service was immediately followed by the enthronement service for the new Bishop.

He began his education pursuit in the years 1976 at St. Benedict Primary School Mfuma Cross Rivers state where he was among the few to attend school at the time, in the year 1989 he went to Kaduna with his elder sister, because of no sponsor, he could not immediately proceed to pursue secondary school education. 

But the Young David taught himself efficient reading and writing even while being a commercial driver in the city of Kaduna. In the year 2013 he took the Senior School Certificate Examination at Government Secondary School Katugal, Kaduna State. 

In 2016 David Michson obtained a Bachelor of Theology (BTh) from St. Francis of Assisi College of Theology Wusasa Zaria, Kaduna, he also holds a Master’s degree in Christian Counselling from El-Elyon International Bible College & Seminary, (affiliate of Bethel University USA) Karu Abuja, he is currently undertaking his Doctorate degree in Psychology and Biblical Counseling from El-Elyon International Bible College & Seminary, (affiliate of Bethel University USA) Karu Abuja.

Ven. David Michson holds other qualification and certificates; Church Management and Administration: Keys to Church Growth and Development, Diocese of Kubwa, B. Art.  Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State, Church of Nigeria Clergy Advance Management Course, Ibro Center Abgara Otor, Delta State and a Diploma from School of End time Ministerial Anointing (SETMA) – Kaduna State

Ven. David Michson surrounded his life to Christ Jesus in 1990 in Kaduna state at Murtala Square during Reinhard Bonnke crusade. He joins the Believers Church Inc Kaduna where he began to fan his newfound love in the pursuit of God. 

It wasn’t long he caught the attention of the pastor because of his commitment, dedication, hungry for the things of God and zeal. He was quickly schooled in the matters of the kingdom at the School of End time Ministerial Anointing (SETMA), thereafter appointed as an assistant pastor and pastor. He relocated to Abuja from Kaduna after the riot of 2000 and when the church closed. 

On relocation to Abuja, after the riot of 2000, he joined the Anglican Communion at Christ Church Idu-Karmo under then Rev’d Johnson Onuoha, at Christ Church Idu Karmo he worked as a driver, He further worked as driver from 2001 to 2005 to the following men of God Ven. Ihechi Dike, Ven. Duke T. Akamisoko, Rev’d Canon Fred Nyanabo, Rev’d Canon George Njuku and former Primate of Nigeria Most Rev’d Dr Peter J. Akinola. 

In the year 2006 he returned to Kaduna with Rt Rev’d Duke T Akamisoko and was made a catechist of St. Bartholomew Kachia, In April 2008 he was made the catchiest in charge of St. Matthew’s Church Agwan-Bawa. He was transferred to Church of Pentecost Zonkwa, January 2009. 

He journeyed along to the Diocese of Kubwa, in February 2009 and worked as Evangelist at the Bishop’s Office, since 2009 it has been a service in the house of the Lord. 

Ven. David was ordained to the Diaconate on December 6th, 2009, then to the Priesthood on November 28th, 2010. Continuing their ascent through the ecclesiastical ranks, he was made a Canon on October 1st, 2016, and became an Archdeacon on May 13th, 2021. He was appointed to the Pegi Archdeaconry in August 2025.

He also served in other capacities including Evangelist, Vicar-in-charge, and Archdeacon at St. Matthew’s Church Phase 4 Kubwa (Feb 2009), All Saint Church Guida (Mar 2009), St. Bartholome’s Jigo (Jun 2010), Our Savior’s Church Sabon-gari (Jan 2013), St. Marks Galadima (Apr 2015), All Saint’s Gosa (Oct 2016, and again as Venerable/Archdeacon from July 2022), St. Andrew’s Kubwa (Jan 2020), Church of Transfiguration Kubwa (Feb 2020), and St. John’s Kpeyegyi (Jul 2023).

The Bishop Elect of Ikom Missionary Diocese is married to Mrs. Angela David Michson, he is a pragmatic, God loving and God fearing.

He is geared towards raising a generation of Holy Ghost and power packed believers.