Christian leader, pastor, theological educator, administrator, mentor, and visionary dedicated to equipping generations for faithful Christian ministry.
Rev. Dr. K. O. Mathew is a highly respected Christian leader, pastor, theological educator, administrator, and mentor whose ministry has profoundly influenced the Church and theological education throughout the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf region.
For more than four decades, he has faithfully devoted his life to proclaiming the Gospel, planting and strengthening churches, equipping Christian leaders, and advancing biblical education.
His ministry is characterized by a steadfast commitment to biblical truth, Spirit-filled leadership, academic excellence, servant-hearted ministry, and the holistic development of future generations of Christian workers.
Widely respected across denominational and national boundaries, Dr. Mathew has earned the admiration of church leaders, theologians, pastors, and believers through his vision, integrity, humility, and unwavering dedication to the Kingdom of God.
Academic preparation shaped by a lifelong passion for biblical scholarship and practical ministry.
Acts Academy, Bangalore, India
Acts Academy, Bangalore, India
Acts Academy, Bangalore, India
Taffty College of Theology
Driven by a passion to prepare men and women for effective Christian ministry, Dr. Mathew pursued both academic and theological excellence throughout his life.
His theological education strengthened his commitment to integrating sound theological scholarship with practical ministry and established a strong biblical foundation for his lifelong work as a preacher, teacher, mentor, and Christian leader.
A professional journey transformed by a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ and a call to ministry.
Dr. Mathew pursued professional education in science, completing a degree in Science, a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Textile Technology, and a Pharmacy qualification.
He began his professional career with Binny Mills Limited in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, before moving to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he worked for three years.
During this period, Dr. Mathew experienced a life-transforming encounter with Jesus Christ that shaped the direction of his future ministry.
After moving to the United Arab Emirates, he served as a pharmacist at Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah for eighteen years.
Responding to God's call, Dr. Mathew eventually left his professional career to dedicate himself entirely to full-time Christian ministry.
Providing spiritual leadership, pastoral oversight, strategic direction, and leadership development.
Dr. Mathew currently serves as the National Overseer of the Church of God in the United Arab Emirates, providing spiritual leadership, pastoral oversight, and strategic direction.
His leadership serves a growing network of more than sixty churches representing believers from fourteen different nationalities.
Dr. Mathew also serves as the Coordinator of the Church of God Gulf Countries.
He facilitates cooperation among churches across the Gulf region and promotes missions, leadership development, and collaborative ministry initiatives.
A commitment to accessible, biblically faithful, and academically excellent theological education.
One of Dr. Mathew's most enduring contributions is his commitment to theological education.
In 2000, he founded Gilgal Biblical Seminary in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, with a vision of providing accessible, biblically faithful, and academically excellent theological education for Christians serving in the Gulf region and beyond.
As the Founder and President of Gilgal Biblical Seminary, Dr. Mathew has guided the institution in preparing men and women for ministry through rigorous theological education, biblical scholarship, spiritual formation, practical ministry training, and leadership development.
Under his leadership, the seminary has grown into a respected centre for theological education serving students from different countries, denominations, and professional backgrounds.
Its graduates now serve as pastors, missionaries, educators, chaplains, healthcare professionals, and Christian leaders in churches, mission fields, and Christian organizations around the world.
Continuing a ministry of pastoral care, biblical teaching, discipleship, prayer, and leadership development.
Dr. Mathew also serves as the Senior Pastor of Gilgal Church of God, Sharjah Worship Centre, where he continues to provide pastoral care, biblical teaching, and visionary leadership to the congregation.
His ministry has been instrumental in nurturing spiritual growth, promoting missions, and developing leaders who serve both locally and internationally.
Beyond his responsibilities within the Church of God, Dr. Mathew has contributed significantly to the wider Christian community in the United Arab Emirates.
He serves as the Life-Time Secretary of the Sharjah Worship Centre, where he has played an important role in fostering unity, cooperation, and fellowship among churches from different Christian traditions.
His leadership has helped strengthen an important centre of Christian worship and ministry in the country while encouraging cooperation among believers from diverse Christian traditions.
A lifelong commitment to youth ministry, prayer, leadership development, and fellowship.
Since 1982, Dr. Mathew has been actively associated with the United Pentecostal Fellowship (UPF), serving for many years as its Coordinator and currently as its Senior Patron.
Dr. Mathew also serves as the Senior Patron of the Inter Collegiate Prayer Fellowship (ICPF) UAE.
He continues to mentor students, encourage prayer movements, and strengthen Christian witness among the younger generation.
Shaping character, calling, and ministry through decades of teaching, mentoring, and faithful leadership.
Throughout his ministry, Dr. Mathew has served as a trusted mentor to pastors, missionaries, church planters, theological educators, and emerging Christian leaders.
He firmly believes that theological education should shape not only the intellect but also the character, spirituality, and calling of those preparing for ministry.
A servant-hearted approach to leadership and ministry.
Thoughtful biblical and practical guidance.
A genuine concern for people and spiritual development.
Faithfulness to biblical truth and Christian living.
Dr. Mathew's ministry has been greatly strengthened by the faithful partnership of his wife, Mrs. Valsa Mathew, who has stood beside him throughout his years of ministry and provided invaluable support in both the church and Gilgal Biblical Seminary.
Together, they have devoted their lives to serving God and nurturing Christian leaders for future generations.
Their son, Bishop Shan Mathew, serves as the Assistant Overseer of the Church of God UAE, Overseer of the Multicultural Churches, and Senior Pastor of Church United (Church of God), Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Alongside him, his wife, Mrs. Divya Shan, is actively involved in Christian ministry, continuing the family's commitment to serving the Church and advancing the mission of Christ.
Building churches, equipping leaders, and advancing the Kingdom through a lifetime of faithful Christian service.
Through pastoral leadership, church development, and ministry vision.
Through the establishment and continued development of Gilgal Biblical Seminary.
Through decades of teaching, discipleship, and personal guidance.
Through preaching, theological education, pastoral care, and faithful Christian service.
The life and ministry of Rev. Dr. K. O. Mathew stand as a testimony to God's faithfulness and the transforming power of wholehearted service. His enduring legacy continues through the churches he has strengthened, the institution he has built, the leaders he has mentored, and the lives influenced through his faithful service to the Kingdom of God.
