The United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week with a week-long conference that honors five decades of spiritual leadership, evangelism and community service across Sierra Leone and beyond.
The commemoration officially commenced on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the church’s headquarters on Cookle Bay in Freetown. The event brought together church leaders, members and distinguished guests to reflect on the UPCI’s remarkable journey and chart a renewed vision for the future of its mission.
The roots of the United Pentecostal Church in Sierra Leone trace back to the early 1970s when Reverend Okeefe, an American missionary, first arrived in Liberia before traveling to Sierra Leone. His goal was to establish a Bible college and a church, working in partnership with Sierra Leoneans who shared his vision.
In Liberia, Reverend Okeefe met Saidu Jalloh, a Sierra Leonean who soon became his close associate. Together, they journeyed to Freetown, where they began their ministry. Pastor Saidu Jalloh later became the first Sierra Leonean convert and an instrumental figure in the early church-planting movement.
Their ministry began at Juba Hill, with Pastor Jalloh serving as Dean of the Bible College and Treasurer of the mission. Working alongside young men such as Gassim, who later moved to England and Egerton Jones, who also pursued studies abroad, they laid the groundwork for what would become one of Sierra Leone’s enduring Pentecostal institutions.
Despite early progress, the church later faced internal disputes that required the intervention of both the Sierra Leone Council of Churches (CCSL) and the courts. A subsequent court ruling temporarily suspended several UPCI assemblies, leaving only the Aberdeen Road branch, which operated on a family compound, to continue uninterrupted.
During this turbulent period, new congregations emerged in areas such as Bendembu, Dwazak Farm and Gory Street, ensuring the church’s survival and continued outreach.
Under the leadership of Pastor Katie M. E. Leden, the UPCI entered a new era of growth. New church structures were constructed in Calaba Town, Lumley, Aberdeen and Tengbeh Town. Leadership transitions also strengthened the church’s foundation, with Pastor Jalloh overseeing the Western Area and Pastor Malie leading efforts in Makeni.
This phase of expansion and renewal positioned the UPCI as a leading force in Sierra Leone’s Pentecostal community, blending spiritual guidance with social outreach.
During the anniversary celebration, Bishop Dr. Rashid Turay, General Superintendent of UPCI Sierra Leone, welcomed guests and expressed gratitude to God for five decades of ministry. He described the milestone as a moment of thanksgiving and reflection on the church’s endurance through trials such as civil war and the Ebola epidemic.
“This is a great time in God’s presence,” Bishop Turay declared. “We thank God for 50 years of unwavering faith, for our lands and properties, and for the countless lives transformed through our ministry.”
He highlighted the church’s contributions to community development, education, and spiritual empowerment, emphasizing that the anniversary was not only a celebration of the past but also a call to greater service.
Reverend Randy Adama, Africa Regional Director of UPCI, paid glowing tribute to the church’s founding fathers. He described the golden jubilee as a time of rejoicing, renewal, and liberty, urging members to embrace the true biblical significance of the number fifty—a symbol of freedom and restoration.
“This is a season of jubilee,” Reverend Adama said. “We must thank God for the dedication and vision of our founders and remain steadfast in our mission to spread the gospel despite the moral challenges facing our world.”
He also called on the church to rise as a moral compass for society, particularly amid growing issues such as drug abuse, same-sex marriage, and abortion, stressing that the church must play an active role in protecting the next generation.
In his goodwill message, Bishop Akintayo Sam-Jolly, President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Sierra Leone, commended the UPCI for its remarkable contributions over the past fifty years. He attributed the church’s success to God’s grace and the steadfast faith of its members.
“Fifty years of ministry is no small achievement,” Bishop Sam-Jolly noted. “It is God’s grace that has brought you this far. But even as we celebrate, we must remain vigilant. The moral and spiritual fabric of our nation needs strengthening, and the church must lead that transformation.”
He urged the UPCI to continue partnering with other Christian institutions to address social and moral challenges and to empower young people to live purposeful lives grounded in faith and service.
As the United Pentecostal Church International marks its 50th anniversary, the week-long celebration stands as both a testament to endurance and a call to renewal.
From humble beginnings at Juba Hill to a nationwide network of congregations, the UPCI’s legacy reflects unwavering faith, community service, and a commitment to shaping lives through the power of the gospel.
With renewed purpose, the church now looks ahead to the next fifty years determined to deepen its spiritual impact, expand its outreach, and continue serving as a beacon of hope in Sierra Leone and beyond.
