ABOUT Dr. Stephen T.Y.Benda

DR. STEPHEN T.Y. BENDA (B.Th., B.A., MSED, M.Th., Th.D., PhD., Dip)

DR. Stephen T.Y. Benda hails from Gbarnga Gborketa, Gbarpolu County, Liberia. He is the current BISHOP of the United Pentecostal of Liberia (UPCL). He has served in Ministry for over forty (40) years with services in various Leadership Positions within the UPCL; including but not limited to: Local Evangelist, Sectional Evangelist, National Evangelist, National Secretary/Treasurer, National Missions Director, National Superintendent and et al. Assistant

From his dedicated work to Ministry, He was chosen to be a Member on the Highest Decision Making body (THE EXECUTIVE GLOBAL COUNCIL) of the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCL), Kansas City, USA. Dr. Stephen T.Y. Benda is an International Preacher of the Apostolic gospel, An Educator, Mentor, Leader, an Author, a man with high integrity and a man with the fear of God.

He was married to the Late Mother. Felicia Y. Benda, peace be to her ashes; and the union was blessed with two beautiful girls (Mrs. Jemima B. Barh and Miss. Felinda Debbie Benda) and two grandchildren.

In 1967 a North American missionary named Rev. Samuel Latta started the construction of the Headquarters church and was completed the following year, dedicated, and named Sinkor United Pentecostal. Rev. Latta played a major role in the construction of the church, working with his hands from morning to evening almost every working day of the week to make sure the building was completed.

Other Liberian, such as the late Rev. Lewis Morris, worked with him also. After its completion and dedication in 1968, Rev. Samuel Latta (the church builder) became the first pastor of this great church.

During those days, Sinkor United Pentecostal Church was also referred to as The Monrovia Church. It was the first United Pentecostal Church built in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia from the time the oneness apostolic message reached Liberia in 1923 by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ and the Pentecostal Church Incorporated, which merged in 1945 and began known as the United Pentecostal Church International.