Pastor A.N. Mathew and Pastoramma left everything they had in Kerala at an early age to serve God in Andhra State. They faced many troubles and obstacles in their ministry. Pastor Mathews had to face oppositions was jailed and beaten up several times by religious fanatics. Living on a meager income and very little to feed his family, it was not unusual for them to sleep hungry. Pastoramma was a strong willed woman and had great faith in God. She stood by Pastor garu through all the tough times and took care of their five children and their studies by working hard without looking for any comfort or rest. However, her health deteriorated and she became bed ridden in her late fifties. Even this couldn’t dissuade her from managing the affairs of the house while Pastor garu was busy preaching the gospel. Pastoramma, bedridden for 15 years left for the Heavenly abode on December 11th 1993. Problems only made him closer to God and made him depend more and more on God. Not only was he undeterred in his faith he also established several churches and brought many souls to Christ. Soon, he became one of the pioneers of the Pentecost Movement in the country.

He served the Lord mainly in the district of Nizamabad area and founded several churches there. He was however forced to leave the place and go to Hyderabad in 1959. He took a small portion for rent and conducted prayer meetings. With thatched huts, penniless pockets and empty stomachs he served the Lord and preached the Gospel with all that he had. He then founded the Indian Pentecostal Church of God in Ramnagar and remained Pastor till the time he was called to glory on June 13th 2003.

During the time of Pastor Mathews’ active ministry, all the five children were settled in decent jobs in Banks and in Business. There seemed no likely successor emerging from the family. Pastor garu had tried employing several young pastors to look after the affairs of Indian Pentcostal Church but it all went in vain as they apparently didn’t share the fire that was in him.

Of the five Children, Joy was the fourth. Being a bright student and an excellent orator, she was always among the best in school. She grew up to do her Masters in English Literature, in Public Administration and in Economics. Though she was born to a great servant of God, She was never a believer, career and family was on her mind and indulged in reading all books other than the Bible.

Tara, her beloved 4 year old daughter was the cynosure of all eyes. No one even imagined that she would be taken away so soon. Sis.Joy Cherian was heart broken and depressed to no end. However, it taught her that if you love anything more than God, it shall be taken away. She started praying early in the morning. This Morning Prayer went on for seven years until the vision.

The month of June 1992, a year beforePastoramma passed away or slept in the Lord or Promoted to Glory, Sis.Joy Cherian had a vision, a powerful one. She saw a multitude of people, the voice -“RISE AND SHINE”. The cup of God’s hand, trembling with fear she hears again “Fear not” (Isaiah 41:10) This was the calling and it was just the beginning. A series of visions appeared to her and she knew for sure that she was born to serve the Lord. All too excited and wanting to serve him, Sis.Joy Cherian decided to start a prayer meeting for women and called it “United Women’s Fellowship” (UWF) and printed a few pamphlets and distributed them personally at a few houses. Having three kids and a demanding bank job, it was very difficult managing everything together. She had very little co operation from her very own people but she was not willing to give up on her calling.

In the early days of her ministry, Sis.Joy Cherian never knew how to preach, or how to sing and praise God, but our God is a wonder working God, he lets us see his strength in our weaknesses. Fasting and praying for 50 days, Joy was filled with the anointing of God and became a powerful messenger of God’s word.

What started as a small prayer meeting for women, slowly grew into a wider ministry and was soon inevitably called “United People’s Fellowship” (UPF). The year 2000, Joy left her cosy Bank post and came to fulltime ministry and dedicated herself fully to God’s work. The Ministry soon flourished into several wings and diversified into distinct ministries for Men, Women, the young and the old.

Joy was ordained as a Full time Pastor by several of God’s servants into Full time ministry and was also awarded a Doctorate for her unique ministry.

A ministry that is interdenominational and not bound by any barrier in the name of Denomination, Caste or Creed, UPF believes that everyone belongs to Christ for he laid down his life to save us from our sins. United Peoples’ Fellowship became a platform for God’s servants of all denominations to preach to word of God. Never before had so many Pastors from different churches gathered under the same roof as they did in this unique ministry. Senior Pastors from varied backgrounds such as Pentecost, Baptist, Methodist, Wesley, Lutheren, etc., have been guests at UPF.

Isaiah 61:1-3 as our vision:

“An interdenominational ministry to preach good tidings to the meek, to bind the broken hearted… to comfort all that mourn”

Every week, 2000 people gather to hear the word of God through Joy Cherian in the very church that was established by her father Rev. Pastor A.N. Mathews. Rev. Dr. Joy Cherian is the Founder-President of United People’s Fellowship and now carries the torch of a glorious ministry of a Great God.

Sis.Joy Cherian started this unique series called the “1000 Titles of God” in 3rd February 2002. Seven new titles of God from the Holy Bible were preached in the Sunday service. Each of the 1000 titles were explained in detail. This series took 3 ½ years and was successfully completed on June 5th 2005. Thousands of people attended this series and were blessed. Literature on the 1000 titles is available at our office.

Sis.Joy Cherian started another unique series called the “1000 Promises of God” in 3rd August 2003. Seven new promises of God from the Holy Bible are preached in the Sunday morning service. Each of the 1000 promises are explained in detail. Attend the morning service at UPF and claim the promises God has in store for you. Literature on the 1000 promises is available at our office.