Our History
- Job's tomb is claimed to be in Oman (in the south).
Though Turkey and the Lebanon also lay claim to his resting place.
- The Queen of Sheba held territories in the south and brought spices to King Solomon (1 Kings 10). King Solomon purportedly suggested the 'fulaj' irrigation system used in Oman.
- The gifts given by the Magi to the infant Jesus were likely from this region, especially the frankincense and the myrrh that are found in the Dhofar in the south.
- The apostle Thomas brought Christianity to the shores of Oman on his way to India.
- The bishop of Sohar (Beit Mazunayeh) attended synods in 424, 544, 576 & 676 AD.
The History of the Protestant Church in Oman
- 1891: Thomas Valpy French (Anglican Bishop) arrived in Muscat but very shortly died from the heat.
- 1893: Peter Zwemer (brother of Samuel, one of the founders of the Arabian Mission) came to Muscat.
For much of the history the primary focus was the Arabic church, only with the advent of oil did the English language congregation become the main focus. Jay Kapenga & Jim Dunham were the last RCA pastors who spoke & preached in Arabic.
- 1975: Groundbreaking ceremony for the Ruwi church complex (in the capital region).
- 1981: The church building in Salalah (in the South) was completed.
- 1989: The dedication of the Ghala church compound in the west of the capital region.
- 1992: Permission for a church building in Sohar (in the North) was granted.
- 2011: Groundbreaking ceremony for the new PCO building on the Ruwi complex.
Pastors of the Protestant Church in Oman
Thomas Valpy French (Anglican Bishop). Feb. 1891 - May 1891
Peter Zwemer (RCA) Dec. 1893 - May 1898
George Stone (RCA) Feb. 1899 - Jun. 1899
James Cantine (RCA) 1899 - 1908
Dirk Dykstra (RCA) 1930 - 1951
Jay Kapenga (RCA) 1947 - 1983
Jim Dunham (RCA) 1953 - 1986
Gary DeJong (RCA) 1958 - 1959
Harvey Staal (RCA) Jun. 1972 - 1979
Rodney Koopman (RCA) Dec. 1977 - Jul. 1981
Alan Gates (Anglican) Sep. 1978 - 1980
John Hall (Anglican) Sep. 1980 - 1982
Dick Westra (RCA) 1981 - Feb. 1986
Daniel Lloyd (Anglican) Sep. 1982 - Jul. 1984
Richard Boulter (Anglican) Sep. 1984 - Aug. 1986
Alfred Samuel (Arabic) Sep. 1984 - Jul. 2000
Roger Bruggink (RCA) Aug. 1986 - Apr. 1989
Ray Skinner (Anglican) May 1987 - Dec. 1989
John Hubers (RCA) 1989 - Dec. 1991
Robert Fieldson (Anglican) Jun. 1990 - Apr. 1995
Harvey Staal (RCA) Sep. 1992 - Sep. 1992
Chuck Johnson (RCA) Sep. 1992 - Aug. 1994
Martin Weitz (RCA) 1994 - Sep. 2000
Don Lenderink (RCA) May 1995 - Aug. 1995
Gerard Storey (Anglican) Sep. 1995 - Mar. 1999
C.S. Dutt [Dr] Nov. 1997 - 2007
Alfred Samuel (Arabic) 1984 - 2000
Ernest Victor
Appu Varghese
John Aldis (Anglican) Jan. 2000 - Dec. 2001
Rafiq Fazey Dec. 2000
Chuch Johnson (RCA) 2000 - Apr. 2001
Willis Jones (RCA) Jan. 2002 - Jan. 2003
Steve Rheingans (RCA) Jan. 2003 - Jun. 2005
Mike Clarkson (Anglican) Apr. 2004 - Mar. 2006
Ruth Lichtenberger (Anglican) Oct. 2005 - Nov. 2007
Edward Schreur (RCA) Jan. 2006 - Dec. 2008
Tamera Schreur (RCA) Jan. 2006 - Dec. 2008
Benjamin Chase (Anglican) Oct. 2006 - Jun. 2007
David Bhakia Raj Apr. 2008 - Aug. 2012
Michael Peppin May 2008 - Apr 2019
Jack Buteyn (RCA) Jan. 2009 - Jul. 2011
Ragy Hilmy (Arabic) Jan. 2010 - Dec. 2010
Andre Botha May 2011 - Aug. 2013
Barry Dawson (RCA) Sep. 2011- May 2013
Diana Willemse Nov. 2011 - Jun. 2013
Chris Howitz (Anglican) Feb. 2012 - Jan 2023
Jack Buteyn (RCA) Sep. 2013 - Jun. 2014
Todd Clark Aug. 2005 - Aug. 2007; Jul. 2014 - Aug.2017
Ken Bradsell (RCA) Sep. 2014 - July 2016
Nicole Stansbery Jan. 2015 - July 2018
Magid Wadi (Arabic) Sep. 2015 - July 2018
Josh Bode (RCA) Aug 2018 - June 2022