PCO Sohar

PCO Sohar is a multi-denominational, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic church. Our aim is

“To be a Christ-centred Community of faith, hope & love for people of all nations.”- 1 Thess. 1:2-3

Our vision as a church is to GROW. We believe that this will happen when we invest our efforts in the following areas:

Greater understanding of God through His Word, prayer, worship & fellowship.

Reaching out to those in need through acts of care and concern.

Open, caring and God-honouring relationships within the church body.

Working together as a team and relying on the Holy Spirit to achieve God’s goal for the church.

Apart from the English language service, PCO Sohar also has a special focus/outreach ministry in four major language groups - Urdu, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil. The language groups focus mainly on providing the gospel and meeting the humanitarian needs of the labourers, camp workers and their families.

Our Pastor and Chairman is Rev Peter Francis. His contact details are +968-94098250 and peterfrancis_g@hotmail.com .

Our Deacon is Vijayan Samuel. His contact details are +968-92188913 and pcosam@gmail.com .

History of Christianity in Oman

Christianity has a long history in Oman with Nestorian Christians arriving in the first century. The Bishop of Sohar attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The Arabian mission was founded in 1889 by Rev. James Cantine and Dr. Samuel Zwemmer of the Reformed Church in America (RCA). In 1891 Bishop French from Anglican Church came to Muscat. For over 100 years, missionaries from the RCA, doctors and teachers, including Dr. Donald Bosch, a surgeon, and Eloisa Bosch, a teacher have served in Oman, particularly in Medical and Educational work. For many years, Christian worship took place in the old mission chapel in Muscat.

In the early 1970's as the expatriate community grew; a vision emerged to establish a multi-denominational Church that would include both Anglican and RCA leadership. From 1967, people from different countries relocated to Oman for their livelihood because of the discovery of oil. Irrespective of denomination people belonged to, they gathered and praised God. Thus, people with same or different languages, nationalities or traditions met in different campsites and Muscat Chapel to spend time in prayer and worship.

The first building of Protestant Church in Oman (PCO) was started in Ruwi in 1973 and opened 2 years later. PCO has two church compounds in Muscat and another located in Salalah.

The Protestant Christians of Sohar requested for the land for a Church in 1990. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said benevolently granted the land in 1992 for the Protestant Church. PCO, Muscat approved the constitution for the management of Sohar Church Property in January 1993.

The Church construction started in 1996 and was completed in 1997.  The inaugural dedication service was conducted on 30th of October, 1997.

Sourced from Annual Report 2013-2014 (PCO Sohar)