Our History

Since the discovery of oil in the Middle East in 1960s, there was an influx of expatriates from different parts of the world. Many from the state of Kerala migrated to the land of Abu Dhabi in search of fortune. The weather was extreme and infrastructure facilities were very primitive. In between all these challenges, a group of Malayalee Christians arrived in Abu Dhabi. Irrespective of their denominations back home, they used to get together for prayer and worship, the only solace they had in the far away land. As more and more Pentecostal brethren started arriving in Abu Dhabi they started an interdenominational Pentecostal fellowship which later in early 1970s became the first Indian Pentecostal Church in Abu Dhabi.

People from other Pentecostal denominations felt the need for an Interdenominational Pentecostal Fellowship in Abu Dhabi and thus, formed Abu Dhabi Pentecostal Assembly in 1974 which was forerunner of our Church. In 1978, a group of brethren under the leadership of Simon Mathew, MT Mathew and MT George formed Abu Dhabi Pentecostal Church (ADPC) to stand for Pentecostal truths and doctrines.

 

Late Pr. Simon Mathew was the first pastor of the Church and meetings were conducted at Capital Motors Building near Passport Road Airport Road junction at Abu Dhabi.  With limited numbers and resources, they took a leap of faith which was honoured by God in the days to come.

From humble beginnings, the church started growing multifold and church felt the need of support in ministry of Pr. Simon Mathew who himself was serving the Church along with his job.

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As such, Pr. MT George and Pr. MT Mathew were separated as Evangelists in 1980. Later as Pr. Simon Mathew returned to India in 1989 after completing his faithful service in Abu Dhabi, both of them were appointed as pastors of the Church. The vision, commitment and leadership of Pr. Simon Mathew are to be remembered with much gratitude. 

In the early 1990s ADPC started associating with St. Andrews Church, Abu Dhabi and moved the main service on Fridays to St. Andrews Church compound. That strategic decision was instrumental in the growth and expansion of the Church as one of the leading Malayalam Pentecostal fellowships in Abu Dhabi.

Br. VT Alexander served as the fourth Principal of Malayalee Christian Congregation (MCC) Sunday School from 1988 – 1994. Under his strong and capable leadership during the half of the eighties, Sunday School increased in student strength and reached to 200 with 10 classes, 15 divisions and 15 dedicated teachers. Bro. V.T. Alexander later moved to India obeying the call of the Lord to serve the Lord full time in ministry. An effort for a dedicated Youth ministry was launched under the banner of ADPC Youth Fellowship.

 

Pr. MT Mathew and family returned to India in 1996 after a commendable tenure of service to the church. Subsequently, the Church appointed Evg. M. George, to support Pr. MT George in the Church ministry.

 

Pr. MT George completed his faithful service in the city of Abu Dhabi in 1997 and returned to India. He has the distinction of the longest serving pastor of the church. Evg. M George continued to support the Church ministry until his return to India in 2001.

 

Since the retirement of the long serving pastors, God planted a seed in the hearts of our believers to have a full time, Pastor. Church earnestly prayed for it and in time God answered our prayers. With the support of St. Andrews Church, ADPC decided to get Pastors from Mainstream Churches (Sharon Fellowship Church, New India Church of God, Indian Pentecostal Church of God, Assemblies of God and Church of God (Full Gospel) in India) in turn and selected Pr. M.M John from Sharon Fellowship Church as the first full time pastor.

 

Pr. M.M John took charge as Pastor in December 1997 who served until April 2000. Pr. P J Samuel from New India Church of God took charge as pastor in April 2000 and served till March 2004. During this period the then Church Member, Br. Sam Thomas served as Secretary- APCCON (Abu Dhabi Pentecostal Christian Congregation) for five years from 2003 – 2007.

 

After Pastor Samuel’s tenure, Pr. K. J Poulose (Indian Pentecostal Church of God) from Sagar, Chhattisgarh, took charge in April 2004. The church found a spiritual revival under his leadership. As our church membership rolls increased, there was corresponding increase to church activities as well as greater level of spiritual ministry needs. He served as Vice President – APCCON from 2007-2008. During the same period Br. Daniel Williams, our Church member become the Secretary – APCCON from 2008 – 2010.

 

In March, 2009 Pr. K. J Poulose moved to Bhopal after completing his term at ADPC.

 

The church appointed Pr. Finny George (AG) from Kerala as the new Pastor. ADPC ministry venues continued to grow through the late 00’s and into the 10’s.

Pr. Finny George served as the first APCCON President from our Church from 2011 -2012.

 

After the close of Pr. Finny George’s term, Pr. Babu Thankachan was appointed to lead the assembly in 2012 and he served until April 2017. A new Constitution and By-Laws for our church was drafted and adopted by the general body on December 17, 2014.  The Church First Directory was printed in April 2015 and formally dedicated by Pr. Babu Thankachan. During this decade, we started a Children Worship Meeting during weekdays – the initiate was taken partly to build children in spiritual growth. During his tenure our Church member Br. Thomas Abraham became the Principal of MCC Sunday School from 2014 – 2015.

 

Pr. O.P. Babu took charge as pastor in April 2017 and continued his term until July 2020.  In the year 2019, as per the regulations set by the DCD- Abu Dhabi, the Church was renamed as “United Pentecostal Assembly” (UPA).

 

Pr. Stephen Jacob took charge as the Pastor of UPA in July 2020 who served until March 2023. He ministered in the Church during the COVID era when the entire world was locked in house with Churches held online from March 2020 till Oct 2021.

Pr. Saji Varghese took charge as the Pastor of UPA in April 2023. 

Under his leadership Church published its First Online Directory App. He currently serves as the Vice President – APCCON.

UPA is more robust and more engaged in various ministry platforms now than ever before. The zeal of the believers is the fuel that has enabled UPA to operate at this level for years and decades. Fruitful ministry and service is a calling to which UPA Church will remain committed. Committed to the cause of Christ, we will stay focused on the mission, alert to the times, and dedicated to the purposes for which He has called us until His appearance when we shall be caught up to be with Him forever.

Maranatha