Our Mission

The Story of Upper Room

The story of Upper Room began with something simple: a football match and a cup of coffee. 

Wesley White, one of our early leaders, got involved in football matches as a way to bring people together across cultures. After the games, everyone was invited for coffee. Friendships were formed, and conversations about life and faith began to flow. 

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Out of these friendships, Wesley (who was leading Mosaic Church), founded a Bible study for Internationals who wanted to follow Jesus. They called themselves FIG — Friday International Group. Several people took turns hosting, and when Saied opened his flat to host, he began serving a meal. Week by week, in the warmth of Saied’s Persian hospitality, friendships grew and faith took root.

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Eventually, Saied’s flat could no longer hold everyone, and the group moved into Wes and Cindy’s home. There the gatherings took on a beautiful rhythm---adding worship with music and sometimes poetry, with the Bible study taught by Wes and translated into Farsi, and of course a delicious Persian meal cooked in ever-larger pots, brought more and more Iranians.  After the meal came a special time of prayer, in a graceful rocking chair, surrounded by brothers and sisters lifting them before God. Of course, the chair held no power to answer, only the One to whom we prayed! The moments of prayer that happened there were powerful, and the prayer times after our gatherings, still include a Prayer Chair.

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While studying the Book of Acts one week, the group read about the disciples — and hallmarks of the early church — which was meeting in an Upper Room. At that time, FIG too was meeting in an upper room, as Wes and Cindy’s home was a 3rd floor flat. Someone asked the simple but profound question: “Are we not a church?” And so we were! Soon after, the name Upper Room Church replaced FIG.

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Upper Room continued to grow until often 60 to 70 people were trying to squeeze into Wes and Cindy’s flat.  Glasgow City Council stepped in and said such large gatherings could no longer continue in a residential flat, effective immediately!  There was great concern over where we could quickly find another place to gather, as Mike had already been scouring Glasgow for a bigger space, and there was also concern that moving this house church from a home, would change the character of Upper Room. Yet, in God’s providence, Re:Hope Church generously offered their building and the move became a catalyst for more growth.

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Alongside the Thursday night worship service, the church has grown through ministries & church partnerships— a Monday evening Bible Study, now held at St. George’s Tron Church, a Wednesday Food Bank at Glasgow City Church in partnership with Emmanuel Christian Ministries, our own children’s programme, activities, and holiday clubs, women’s and men’s discipleship groups, and community-building events like joyful bus trips to the Highlands.

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Since Spring 2024, Upper Room has walked through both grief & grace. The sudden passing of our founding pastor Wes has been a time of deep loss, yet God has met us in our sorrow & need. In His perfect ways, He brought us new leadership in Pastor Jake Elliot, along with his wife Breean and their children. Their coming has been a clear and miraculous answer to prayer.  

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Through every change, the heart of Upper Room has remained the same: to bring people to know and love God through Jesus Christ, discipling them to follow Him through worship, Bible study & teaching, prayer, and fellowship. Many people have put their faith in Christ and been baptised. What began with football, coffee, and conversation, has blossomed into a church of people who are following Jesus— To God be the Glory!