Dubai, UAE

Philippines

The Lord touched the hearts of some members from Knox UMC and revealed to them to form the Dubai mission.

Rev. Nathaniel Letana was sent to Dubai together with his 4 year old son Edrei.

Financed by some memebers of the KNOX UMC and made arrangements for their visa, Rev. Nathaniel Letana arrived in Dubai on 21st March 07 filled with the Holy Spirit to search for the flock.

Rev. Nat arrived in Dubai with his son but stayed in Sharjah (one of the 7 emirates in UAE) for more than a week.

Equipped with the Holy Spirit and with contact numbers of members from different Local UMC’s, Rev. Nat started to gather the…

Gospel UMC-Pampanga CNC UMC-Pampanga

St. Peter UMC-Pampanga

Pulungmasle UMC-Pampanga

Little Baguio UMC

Pasay First UMC-Pasay

Immanuel UMC-Pampanga

Planas UMC-Pampanga

Taytay UMC

Mexico UMC-PampangaGethsemane UMC-Nueva Ecija

Wesleyan Church-Cainta

Trinity UMC-Bataan

Calantas UMC-Pampanga

Knox UMC-Manila

Candaba UMC-Pampanga

…but bro. Jeffrey Bautista and Sis. Eunice Marcelo (from Gospel UMC-Pampanga) responded to the call…and invited Rev Nat to meet them in Satwa, Dubai.

However, it turned out to be a great challenge for Rev. Nat in gathering the flock to establish the church basically because most of the members already have commitments in their own Fellowships in Dubai…

That very next morning of 06 April 07, Rev. Nathaniel Letana together with his wife Ederlinda whose currently in Um Al Quain, UAE and with their son Edrei went to Satwa, Dubai to meet Bro Jeffrey Bautista.

Rev. Nat was really surprised and overwhelmed that a group of members are residing in one compound and there the first worship service was held.

The first worship service for the United Methodist Christian Fellowship was held on 06 April 07 (Good Friday) at Bro. Darwin & Deaconess Olivet Marcelo’s small room in Satwa.

Singing the opening hymn “ HOLY, HOLY, HOLY”

Pastor Nat for the closing prayer. The first offering amounting to AED 261.

A breakfast was served before the worship service.

A meeting was held after the worship service and matters were discussed to inform other members all across Dubai and other Emirates that a Pastor from the Knox UMC was sent to establish the United Methodist Church-Dubai.

Sharing time. Pastor Nat delivers the word of God.

Amen… UMCF Dubai congregation is increasing in numbers…

20 April 07, Bro. Nelson Villena from the Church of the New Covenant – Pampanga offered his place in Deira, Dubai to be used as venue for next Friday worship service to accommodate the fast growing number of members attending the worship.

SATWA

DEIRA

On 27 April 07 the place of worship moved from Satwa to Al Rigga Deira, Dubai to accommodate the growing number of members attending the worship service.

A total of 30 members attended the worship service at Bro. Nelson Villenas’ apartment in Deira, Dubai.

Lunch was served after the worship service.

…after lunch, choir practice.

UMCF Choir

An electric piano purchased by Bro. Nelson and wife Evelyn Villena to be used for the worship service.

Luncheon fellowship after the worship service.

37 members attended!!! Amen.

Wonderful developments did happened and UMC members attending the worship service quickly grew. Together with Pastor Nat, it was decided to create the adhoc committee. On May 11, 2007 election took placed with Bro. Nelson presiding.

NELSON VILLENAChairman

LUTHER ALVARADOVice Chairman

DOROTHY DAROYSecretary

DARWIN MARCELOMembership Comm.

JEFFREY BAUTISTATreasurer

SARAH BAUTISTAFood Comm.

LEMUEL ARCEOMembership Comm. (member)

NELIA SANTOSAuditorEVELYN VILLENA

Worship Comm.

RACHEL QUIROSWorship Comm. (member)

OLIVET MARCELOWorship Comm. (member)

EUNICE MARCELOWorship Comm. (member)

Luncheon Fellowship after the worship service.

Luncheon Fellowship after the worship service.

A total of 47 members attended.

Adjustments to the room were made to accommodate the fast growing number of members attending the worship.

Our altar with the Methodist emblem hanged as backdrop.

To God be the praises and honor.

BUR DUBAI

DEIRA

A meeting was held on 04 July 07 and it was discussed to scout for a much more convenient location for members to express fully their Praises and Thanksgiving to the Lord.

Laying hands to saved souls. Message thru song.

Pastor Nat leading the opening prayer.

Remembering our Lord in the Holy Communion.

TAKE 1

TAKE 2TAKE 3

Finally…The UMC Family in Dubai. Praise be to God.

Praise & Worship GroupBS & Prayer Groups ( Jafliya Area)

BS & Prayer Group ( Deira Area)

BS & Prayer Group ( SATWA – LAL,s Area)