For nearly three decades, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God’s (UCKG) 24-hour helpline has been a beacon of hope for those in need. Since the church opened its doors 30 years ago, the helpline has consistently been there, offering support and guidance to countless individuals. Averaging 1,400 calls a month, the helpline has received an impressive 12,319 calls in 2024 alone, up until November.
Among those who found solace through the helpline was Julie Tedeschi. When she dialled 020 7686 6000 years ago, she could never have imagined that 21 years later, she would be the one on the other end of the line, helping those in the same situation she once was. Here, Julie shares her experience as the helpline manager, reflecting on her journey from seeking help to offering it.
“I came from an alcoholic background. My family partied every weekend, either at our home or at one of our relatives’ homes. There was a lot of alcohol, so it was natural for me to turn to it to block out the morbid thoughts in my head. I worked for a residential alcohol rehab home, but drank in secret most days and went to work stale drunk. Even though I tried and stopped drinking on numerous occasions, for no apparent reason, a strong urge would take over and I’d go back to drinking.
“Nevertheless, help found me first. Chris, my son’s girlfriend at the time – and now his wife – knew about the Universal Church and, although they had invited me many times, even though I knew I needed help, I always refused. It was only when I decided to accept that invitation and give it a try that I received peace, which I never had before, and the confidence that I was strong enough to fight to overcome those urges I had for many years.
“When I first arrived at the church in Brixton, I was greeted by a Pastor with a warm smile. He beckoned me close to the altar where we sat down and it was the first time I told anyone some of my innermost thoughts – suicide, health problems, alcoholism, insomnia and the feeling of sometimes being strangled by an invisible force, while I was awake. I couldn’t believe that I was speaking so much but then, I had this peace that the pastor understood what I was saying.
Afterwards, he advised me to attend the services on Tuesdays (Healing Day), Fridays (Spiritual Cleansing) and Sundays (Empowerment). He then said he was going to pray for me. I thought this was strange because usually, the other places I went to just sold me rings, water and potions for protection.
I remember once even being given a photo of a saint and escorted to the door! But that day, it was different. On the five-minute walk from the meeting to my home, I noticed that something inside me had changed. It was as though a very heavy coat had been taken from my shoulders. That night, I slept soundly for the first time in several years.
“After this experience, I started attending the meetings regularly with a newfound joy. I was warmly welcomed, helped and taught how to use my faith to overcome my obstacles. I was given practical advice for my spiritual wellbeing and things didn’t take long to change for me, because of my willingness and the support I received. Subsequently, as God’s presence filled the inner void I had, and with newfound willpower, I no longer felt the need to drink alcohol.”
“Today, I am a completely new woman, and this opportunity that I had is available for all! This is why for me, being at Helpline is not just a job.
“The Helpline was created for people who are suffering. It doesn’t matter what age you are, what religion you are, what colour you are. We are here to help everyone! Our Helpline is available for anyone to call 24 hours a day, every day.”
Julie Tedeschi
“When people hear that we got married on top of a freezing cold mountain, they first look at us in disbelief and then ask: WHY?! To understand that, it’s important to get some background on what brought me to the Universal Church in the first place.”
Jestina Yohannes grew up haunted by a chilling and relentless cycle that struck one family member after another. Witnessing over thirty family members succumb to several illness-related deaths left her with an overwhelming fear that she’d be next. Now a mother, she shares how she broke free from this ‘family hex’ and how it has everything to do with her mountaintop wedding.
“My nightmare began around the age of 12. I was living in Zimbabwe with my family when one of my older sisters contracted what started as a simple cold that swiftly turned into pneumonia, claiming her life. Disaster struck again when my younger sister was taken by Measles, a highly contagious disease that snatched her away in a matter of weeks. The pain of losing loved ones seemed endless. It was like my family was marked by tragedy. One relative after another would develop sudden and inexplicable conditions such as liver problems, heart attacks and unusual swellings.
“The string of misfortunes worsened with our financial struggles. My parents worked hard, but we still never had enough. My siblings and I would work in the fields to pay off the boarding school fees. It was unbearable to see all the other kids going home while we would have to work. School was meant to be a place of learning, but instead it became a place of heartache as periodically I would receive news of more family members dying from what I was now convinced was a curse.
“In desperation I turned to witchdoctors. The long journey to meet them didn’t matter to me as long as their rituals and ceremonies fulfilled their promise of protection. For years, I clung to these practices hoping that it would break the streak of bad luck but it didn’t. I felt hopeless.
“One day on my way home, I saw a leaflet on the ground with the words: ‘Stop Suffering.’ It immediately caught my attention. It resonated with me so much that I searched for the Universal Church right away.
“Walking into the church, the service had already started, so I sat at the back. I left without speaking to anyone. However, the first thing I noticed was that I felt different – I wasn’t as afraid as before. This change made me return the following day and every day after!
“I threw myself into the Chain of Prayer (a series of prayers made on a weekly basis without interruption focused on tackling a specific problem) on Fridays for deliverance. I wanted God to set me free from this negativity. I refused to let the fear of the curse define my life anymore.
“Today I’m happily married to my husband, Araya. We met at the Universal Church and have been together for 16 years now. I’m blessed with a beautiful daughter, a loving home and am happy in my career.
“In 2007, I heard that our church in Peckham was under threat of closure. To me, the idea of one of our doors closing meant that someone who is suffering like I was would lose the opportunity to find freedom as I did. I couldn’t let that happen.
“We had planned to have a small wedding until our church in Peckham needed rescuing. When the idea came to get married on top of Ben Nevis as a fundraiser, we went for it. We didn’t know what to expect. It was the hardest day of our lives, even though we had prepared for it. We faced all kinds of UK weather on that mountain but we never regretted that sacrifice for a moment. We decided that all the proceeds from our wedding should go towards saving our church in Peckham.
“Today, whenever we face problems in our marriage, we always remember Ben Nevis. 
It’s a pleasure to know that we were a part of keeping the doors open for others to receive the same beacon of hope we received.
Jestina Yohannes
Life can be full of unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes it takes finding the right path to truly transform one’s existence. Robert Ashitey’s journey is a powerful testament to how faith and the right support can completely change a person’s life. As the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Robert reflects back on his 27 years with the church. Here, he shares his story of transformation and the profound impact the church has had on him, his family, and those around him.
“The life I have now is a good one. I’ve been married for a very long time, and I have beautiful children and a wonderful family. I have a career and a business that I take care of, and I’m involved in many community activities. I have a very complete life—one where I can give and contribute to other people’s lives. I am so grateful for this, but it wasn’t always like this. “Being the person I was before didn’t help. Robert then was hurt, full of traumas and anger issues.
“I came to the Universal Church as a youth, and I think a lot of the challenges I faced were mainly internal because of the broken family I came from. My mum used to drink a lot and had her own personal issues, so I had a lot of anger and resentment inside.
“I left secondary school with no GCSEs, as I allowed myself to get easily distracted –I was around people and friends who were involved in gangs. I’d smile, but inside I was very unhappy. Even though I was young, I wanted to end my life because I felt so upset, so angry, so hollow within myself.
“I found out about the Universal Church when my dad received a City News newspaper. When I walked in for the first time, it really felt like home.
“This is where I learned how to use faith properly. The meetings were clear. We gained inspiration from the Bible, but I was taught how to apply these teachings to my day-to-day life.
“It took me almost two years for me to truly change but during that period, whatever I heard—no matter how small— I would put into practice and that’s when I saw results
“At the time, my biggest challenge was getting onto the property ladder after me and my wife made a pit stop to stay at her grandmother’s. However, I was determined not to stay there since we were starting to get too comfortable. I used the Monday ‘Prosperity with God’ Chain of Prayer for guidance and with each meeting, I felt God was giving me ideas at a time when the situation seemed impossible.
“I still remember the day our prayers were answered and we got a unique mortgage product approved and got the thumbs up for our property. That was awesome!
“From someone who didn’t do anything and failed in school, today I have a business and have gained skills and abilities that enable me to look after my family and myself, and also help others.
“Today, my life is completely different. I have absolutely no regrets about being part of the Universal Church.“I’m excited for the 30-year anniversary of the church. What does it mean to me? It’s a reminder of God’s promise to me. When I gave my life to Him, one of the last thoughts before getting baptised was, “what if I fail God?” and Jesus put in my heart, “The God you are giving yourself to is real enough to sustain you through this journey”. So, 30 years shows that this word is being fulfilled.”
Robert Ashitey
“There’s no doubt every parent wants to see the best for their children, whether it concerns education, finances, wellbeing, or family. It is one thing to hope and wish for these things, but another to take action to make them a reality. Efe Eghobamien did the latter!
As one of the first members of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), which is celebrating its 30-year anniversary, Efe looks back on the years with deep gratitude. He reflects on how the church was almost like a school, helping him develop a faith that not only led to a blessed marriage but also to a thriving family.
The character and faith of his wife, Tombi, were instrumental in their journey—after all, behind every great man is a great woman. As parents and now grandparents, they look back with pride at how their faith and the support of the UCKG have shaped their lives.
Tell us a bit about your story
Tombi: “My life was full of ups and downs. I did not have a proper job and was struggling financially. My sister was the one who introduced me to the Universal Church, and from the moment my husband and I started taking part in the meetings and services, it was the start of something great in our lives! I attended a series of Friday meetings, to help fight negativity in people’s lives and achieve a positive life transformation through faith. I soon saw results when I began to see more unity in my extended family. This awakened my faith.”
Efe: “Our son was born the same year that we came to the Universal Church. We were attending different services at the church and, as the years passed, I learned the importance of blessing our household. Not only did I learn how to use things like the Blessed Oil as an act of faith, just like people in the past as a point of contact between them and God.
“I remember using the oil* at every given opportunity. I started anointing my son, Uyi, even before he went to school, and prior to him sitting exams, which gave me the confidence that he would do well. In all his years of playing a physical sport like rugby, for both school and university, he never received an injury, and I strongly believe that was God’s protection.”
Tombi: “We use our faith for everything – it’s a natural habit. It is how we transformed our financial situation. We learned a lot from the Monday meetings. It helped us find the focus and direction we needed.”.
Efe: “My wife and I also anointed ourselves as we progressed with our business goals. We anointed our projects and business premises. This act of faith was like a confidence boost to go after our goals in order to get the best possible results. Years have passed and the blessings in both our businesses and our lives are now evident.
“Today, we do not lack anything. We own five properties, we have various businesses, and we have been able to satisfy a high network of clients. My son is now happily married and has the same faith as me and my wife. He has graduated in Economics and Law and works as a Management Consultant at one of the largest consultancy firms in the world. We do not lack anything.”
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
Efe: “I wouldn’t say it’s an accomplishment, I would say it’s the mercy of God. It’s to see my family, some of my very close family, in the presence of God. To see my son, my daughter-in-law, my granddaughter, my nieces, my nephews in the church, in the faith… When we come to God, we learn that He wants to do things in our lives beyond what we can imagine. When I came to the church, I just wanted a job. And to be honest, I didn’t get that job (he laughs). But I did not realise that He wanted to save even those who were not born yet. Because my son wasn’t even one year old when I came to the church. Now he has his own family. My nieces and nephews were not born yet, none of them. So to see that happen is really amazing. I would say I’m really proud of that and it’s not an accomplishment, but it’s the mercy of God, to see how God’s plans and ways are higher than ours. And it makes me realise that He has more in store for me, so we keep going.”
What does this 30-year milestone mean to you?
Efe: “When I look back on these last 30 years, I see the sovereignty of God, but for me, this 30-year milestone is just the beginning, to be honest. I still feel that there’s a lot to do. I’m happy that I have experienced the greatness of God in many ways, but I know that God has a lot more for us, my family and me. God showed that He loves me, that He cares for me, so during these last 30 years God has really introduced Himself to me, and I really love Him and I will do what I can to not lose the time I have left to serve Him.”
Denice Allen, Edmonton
The Bible shows us that some of the heroes of faith asked God for a sign, and the Signs event was based on that fact. It wasn’t an indication of lack of faith on their part but a manifestation of it that God responded to. God showed himself through many signs in the past and still wants to show Himself through signs today. It was amazing!
Also, as a member of the VYG at the time, it was a great opportunity to evangelise and let people know about this great event. This was important to me because I felt that, if people had the chance to see the signs and wonders of God like in the past, they would have their eyes open to be able to see the greatest wonder of all – Salvation.
I also had a sign that I needed to see and was asking God at the time. I had a dream, a great desire to work in education but it had been over a year of working in another field and not getting any opportunities in my chosen field. It was after that event that I got my first sign of a turn around and I’ve been in education making an impact and developing my skills ever since.
In this 8-day event, you will join us in celebration, embracing the opportunity to find hope and mark a new beginning.
This celebration is all about you. There will be powerful Bible-based teachings, spiritual advice, and prayers. It will serve as living proof of what can happen when faith and dedication are applied to overcome even the toughest situations. We invite you to join us and write a new chapter in your life.
At the Cathedral of Miracles, The Rainbow Theatre, 232 Seven Sisters Rd, Finsbury Park, London, N4 3NX.
The event will take place from 6 February – 14 February 2025.
Yes, the volunteers of our CBC (Children’s Biblical Centre) are DBS checked and will take care of your children whilst you attend the event so that you can pay full attention and get the most out of it.
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