ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
We are a vibrant community of believers united by our faith in Jesus Christ and our commitment to live according to His teachings.
CHURCH HISTORY
Began in 1984 as the Filipino Christian Fellowship (FCF) through the vision of Pastor Moses and Sister Nancy Jesudass.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
A Christ-Centered Community Where Faith, Family, and Fellowship Come Together.
Rooted in the Word of God and inspired by the love of Jesus Christ, we seek to serve the Filipino community and beyond through worship, discipleship, and compassionate outreach. Whether you are seeking spiritual growth, meaningful relationships, or a place to belong, our church is open to everyone who desires to walk in faith and experience God’s grace.
FILIPINO CHRISTIAN CHURCH
We are a vibrant community of believers united by our faith in Jesus Christ and our commitment to live according to His teachings. As a Filipino Christian Church, we embrace our cultural heritage while focusing on our mission to glorify God, share the Gospel, and support one another in love and unity. We believe that the church is not just a building—it is a family. Whether you are a lifelong Christian or just beginning your spiritual journey, we welcome you with open hearts. Our church exists to nurture faith, encourage service, and be a light in our local and global communities.
MISSION
“ We endeavor to lead people to a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and into membership in His family, help them grow into Christ-like maturity, equip them for their ministry in the church and life mission in the world, in order to magnify God. “
MORE ABOUT US
Two years after they came to Abu Dhabi in 1981 as missionaries of The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM), Pastor Moses and his wife, sister Nancy Jesudass had the vision for the establishment of a Filipino Church that would spread throughout the whole of the UAE. With the establishment of the Mafraq, Zayed, and the Sheraton Bible study groups, the vision became clearer and firmer, especially as the Team, Corniche, Al Jazira, and Al Khayyam Bible study groups quickly followed. And so on September 21, 1984, the Filipino Christian Fellowship was born with an attendance of 35 believers.
Soon after, Pastor Moses saw the need for a Filipino pastor to shepherd these Filipino Christians. So he went to the Philippines for that purpose, and in August 1985, Pastor Elmer “Bong” Tandayu, the first Filipino pastor of this church, arrived. Together with his wife Joy, who was musically gifted, they pastored FCF.
Then in December 1986, the inevitable had to happen. Pastor Moses was recalled to America by his mission group, and Pastor Bong had to be transferred to Al Ain. FCF was left without a pastor till Pastor Ben Brazal, the 2nd Filipino pastor, arrived on April 1, 1989. He was joined after 2 months by Fe, his musically gifted wife, too. It was Pastor Ben who changed the name Filipino Christian Fellowship to Filipino Christian Church shortly after he arrived. It was Pastor Ben who initiated the church to have its own Bylaws and Constitution in 1991. Pastor Ben and his wife Fe left for America for good. Having learned that FCF was left without a pastor for 2 years and 4 months, he vowed that he would never leave without a replacement. So before he left for America in 1991, they summoned Pastor Jun Pecaña, an FCF member who went to India for theological studies.
Pastor Ben handed over the church pastorship to Pastor Jun, as he also mentored him, being a novice in the ministry. His wife, Elizabeth, followed soon after. Although she was an Indian, she quickly moved into the Filipino community and assisted her husband in the ministry as editor of the Trumpet magazine. Before he left, he made sure that certain structures were put in place, such as the CGO, LTS of Leadership Training Seminar, and Marriage seminar, in addition to having Awana for Children’s Ministry. The church invested in numerous resource materials and ordered books, audios and videos abroad.
Vi de Mesa, the full-time worker of FCC, arrived on June 12, 1993, to help in the teaching ministry because the church was then growing rapidly. Vi was also a pioneer FCF member who was sent to the Philippines for seminary studies in Christian Education at the Asian Theological Seminary.
Pastor Jun Pecaña and family left for Canada in May 1999. Before he left, Pastor Jun officially commissioned Elder Ed Bolante as Senior Lay Pastor with Pastors Nestor Espiritu, Nomer Marcelo, and Nar Orlina as fellow lay pastors.
Pastor Ed Bolante led FCC till he left with his family to Canada in November 2000, 3 months after the 4th Filipino pastor, Roslyn Pamplona, arrived in August 2000. His wife Jo came a month after. When they left for America in November 2001, the FCC was left again without a full-time pastor for 2 ½ years. FCC was then led by Pastor Nestor and Pastor Mike Murillo, whom Pastor Roslyn commissioned in 2001 before he left, together with the elders and the church worker.
The fifth and present pastor, Pastor Benjamin Masiglat, Jr, came in February 2004 for a 2-month trial period. Pastor Benjie came back in June 2004 officially as the Administrative Pastor. His wife, Eufemia Masiglat, and 2 of his 4 children joined them within 2 months.
From 2 Bible study groups in 1983, FCC now has 28 active Bible study groups. From an initial attendance of 35, FCC now averages between 600 and 700 in the worship service. The former 12 – 15 attendees of the Prayer Meeting in the time of FCF Is now 150 – 170 in the time of FCC.
From an initial attendance of 35, FCC now averages between 600 and 700 in worship services. From 1 worship service, FCC now has 3 worship celebrations - Friday service, Saturday service, and Sunday service. Also, the FCC has a Youth service simultaneously with the Saturday service.
FCC continues to grow in membership, and its influence in the UAE has spread to other emirates such as Mussafah, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah. FCC also has planted churches in the Philippines in locations such as Manila, Antipolo, and Batangas.