United Ethiopian church of Africa is a movement that started in 1970 around Pietermaritzburg and the surrounding areas where Apostle JM Masebe in his prime began preaching and started home cell prayer meetings that led to revival fire works. The work grew and was promising but it also meant the evil one was not too pleased. As the work progressed in KwaZulu he faced many adversaries, and was often persecuted in that area but he persevered . It was in 1973 when Apostle JM Masebe came to Port Elizabeth and sparked a revival which led to the founding of the church that will see many come to Christ for salvation and healing. These revivals would later spread throughout South Africa, more especially in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, parts of Free state, Transvaal and KwaZulu Natal. The revivals were characterized by sinners converting, miracles, signs and wonders leading many to Christ. A teacher of the Word, and a believer in education Apostle JM Masebe made sure he educates, mentor his ministers in preparing them for the work ahead. The work grew tremendously under the leadership of Apostle JM Masebe with more and more church planting on the increase. In 1982 the first church building structure which became the headquarters was erected, making newspaper headlines throughout the region. It was in 1984 in the region of Peddie in the Eastern Cape where the 2nd church building structure was erected. As a devoted teacher of the Word of God, he sent many ministers to Union Bible Institute (UBI) to receive Theology foundation. However, there was a challenge as there were too many people wanting to work for the Lord. He devised a strategy to start the first Bible school for the church which he named Nikukukhanya (Give Light) Bible school. This strategy worked very well as he would see more locals coming to his school for Bible Lessons while he continued to send some ministers to UBI and other Bible colleges across the country.
Through dedication and hard work of appointed ministers, volunteering and fulltime missionaries the work spread throughout the country with a ripple effect, going as far as Swaziland. The work attracted the media and leaders such as President Nelson Mandela who visited the church in 1994 at the Butterworth woman’s convention.