Our History

The Evangelical Church - Abu Dhabi (TEC) has a long history in the UAE that dates back to the early 1960’s in Al Ain with the establishment of the Oasis Hospital. Evangelicals like Dr. Pat Kennedy and his wife, Dr. Marian Kennedy, were directly involved with the foundation of the hospital and faithfully showed Christ-centered compassion to the Emirati people there for years. In 2019, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Oasis Hospital was renamed "Kanad Hospital" in honor and appreciation of the efforts of Dr. Pat and Dr. Marian Kennedy. 

In the 1970’s, members of the hospital’s governing body TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission), Carl and Barbara Sherbeck, made the decision to move to Abu Dhabi to foster strong relationships with the UAE government offices there. The Sherbecks started Bible studies in English and Arabic in their home but soon needed a larger place to meet. They began meeting in a warehouse but again soon outgrew the space and were in need of a larger venue. TEAM asked the UAE government for a piece of property where they could build a place to worship. The request was approved and the TEAM Center was constructed. Evangelicals met at the center for fourteen years.

Eventually, a need for Evangelicals to move out of the center arose. In an act of benevolence and generosity, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former President of the UAE who at time was Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince, granted a new piece of land for Evangelicals to construct a worship center as well as compensation for the TEAM Center they would be leaving. 

In 1992, construction began on a new worship center located just opposite of the British School Al Khubairat. Two years later, the first meetings at TEC were held. As the number of worshipers has grown from hundreds to thousands, TEC has been expanded and renovated to accommodate the growth multiple times. 

By the grace of God and through the kindness of the rulers of the UAE, on September 22, 2019, TEC was granted official legal status & licensed by the Abu Dhabi government's Department of Community Development as a place of worship in Abu Dhabi. Today, thousands of Christians from different congregations gather each week at TEC for worship services, singing, prayer, children & youth ministry, & Bible study. 

The Evangelical Church - Abu Dhabi is grateful to the rulers of the UAE for their benevolence in providing this site & for allowing Christian churches to worship freely & legally here in Abu Dhabi.

May God bless the rulers of the UAE and this nation.