About Us
About Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mainstream Protestant church with approximately 19 million members worldwide, including more than one million members in North America. The Seventh-day Adventist Church seeks to enhance quality of life for people everywhere and to let people know that Jesus is coming again soon.
Adventists believe a Trinity of three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—make up one God. They made salvation possible when Jesus, the Son, came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem and lived a sinless life in accordance with the Father's will. When Jesus was crucified for the sins of the people of the world and arose from the dead on the third day, victory was won for everyone.
When He returned to heaven following the resurrection, Jesus left the Holy Spirit to serve as our Comforter and Counselor. He promised to return to earth a second time to complete His plan of salvation and take His people to heaven. Adventists are among the believers who look forward to that day.
Adventists believe that God is concerned with the quality of human life, and that everything—the way we live, eat, speak, think, treat each other, and care for the world around us—is part of His plan. Our families, our children, our jobs, our talents, our money, and our time are all important to Him.
Our Approach
WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
Our History
In the early 1970’s, there were only a handful of African Seventh-day Adventists in the Houston area. By the late 1980’s, the population of African Adventists had grown to a formidable size. Most of us worshiped either at the Houston Central or the Belfort churches, which were the most well-known Seventh-day Adventist churches at that time. By April 1989, and through Elder Josiah Nwokeleme, we learned of the existence of the African Professional Association (APA) in the United States of America. Among other things, the main purpose was to render help to the poor and needy in Africa. A few among us joined this organization.
It was difficult to manage projects across the Continent of Africa. The leadership of APA authorized the formation of local chapters. By June 19, 1993, a group of APA officials came from Oakwood in Huntsville, Alabama to organize a chapter in Houston. This became a good opportunity to organize the first rally of African Adventists in the Houston Area. The Rally was held at the Texas Southern University Tiger Room. It was a huge success because we realized how large we had grown as African Seventh-day Adventists in Houston. Consequently, we changed our name to African Adventists Association (AAA).
From this time forward and through the help of Elder Uzoma Akoma, we secured a room at the Houston Central church where we held our regular meetings. Many people were rather interested in holding rallies than attending the meetings, hence, we changed the frequency of our rallies from twice a year to every quarter, and they were well attended. During those rallies, we were challenged to think of the place we call home and how we could be relevant down there. We sang in our vernacular languages, socialized and fellowshipped with one another.
We were able to secure, through a contract, the Braeburn Presbyterian Church building at 9595 Braes Bayou Drive, Houston to hold our quarterly rallies. Under the AAA leadership of Elder Zylius Imo, our rallies became Worship Services. During the last rally held on September 30, 1995, there was a lot of excitement and clamor that we should begin our own church. We spontaneously raised over five thousand dollars in minutes. That was enough to pay our rent to the Presbyterian church for at least seven Sabbaths.
We decided to come back the next Sabbath. The following Sabbath, October 7, 1995, we came back to worship, not as the usual rallying group, but as a church — a church without a name. Attendance was 80 by head count on the first day.
The AAA leaders continued to lead the newly formed Company until we selected a Nominating Committee. Elder Jonathan Onwere was elected the Head Elder, assisted by Elder Jonathan Nwaobasi. Other Elders were Emmanuel Okwuonu (late) and Zylius Imo. Victoria Imo was elected as Treasurer, Uba Anosike as Church Clerk, and Bekee Nwakanma as Sabbath School Superintendent. Pastor Gibson Nkosi was formally voted as the pastor of our newly formed Company. Finally, it was voted that we adopt the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as our home Conference. Consequently, the Company was organized as a brand new church on January 27, 1996 by the Texas Conference President, Elder Steve Gifford. We officially became the First African S.D.A. Church, Houston.
In August 2000, we had an internal disagreement and the Texas Conference decided to split the church. Pastor Gibson Nkosi left with one group to form a new church, and Pastor Gilbert Jacob was sent the following Sabbath as pastor for the larger group that remained. We continued to exist as First African S.D.A. Church. However, after about a year, our members that left began to rejoin the original church. It became necessary for us to assume a new name going forward.
On October 20, 2001 we were formally reunited and we unanimously voted to be known as the Houston United African S.D.A. Church. Pastor Gilbert Jacob
became the first Pastor for this rejuvenated church . On January 24, 2007 and under the leadership of Pastor Gilbert Jacob, we purchased the Presbyterian church building. Pastor Jacob retired in 2010. We had Pastor Juneroy Nugent as shepherd of the church. Presently we have Pastor Emmanuel Abar leading God’s people
Pastors Since Inception
Gibson Nkosi
Gilbert Jacob
Juneroy Nugent
Emmanuel Abar
The Pioneer Elders of United African SDA Church