Salalah Christian Centre

Can a church be born in the desert? Here at the Salalah Christian Centre, that very question is answered. This vibrant center, nestled in Salalah, Oman, is more than just a building. It’s a testament to faith, resilience, and a diverse community united by belief. The Salalah Christian Centre’s story begins in 1981, a time when various congregations shared the Central Church under a strict schedule managed by the SCC Management Committee. Early services were led by visiting pastors from the Protestant Church of Oman in Muscat. Names like Rev. Rod Koopmans, Rev. John Hall, Rev. Robert Boulter, and Rev. Dick Westra echo through the Centre’s history. These early years saw the construction of the ESC Parsonage, funded by a loan and contributions totaling $72,000. The parsonage served as a temporary home for Rev. Samuel Masih in 1983. The official birth of the English Speaking Congregation (ESC) at the Salalah Christian Centre happened on January 30, 1983. Rev. Dick Westra, co-chaplain of the PCO Muscat, declared the PCO’s limited interest in long-term responsibility for the Salalah church, setting the stage for the ESC’s independent formation. From 1983 to 1986, the Salalah Christian Centre’s ESC was a layman-led endeavor, with a committee helmed by Mr. Mike Procter, who later pursued theological studies and joined FEBA. The Centre has seen a succession of dedicated pastors. Rev. Tom Hamblin briefly led in 1986, followed by Rev. John Hubers, the first full-time pastor, who solidified the church’s constitution. Rev. Tim Wiarda and Rev. Bruce Anderson each contributed to the Centre’s growth in the subsequent years. A pivotal figure in the Salalah Christian Centre’s story is Rev. Ken Crummack, arriving in 1994. He envisioned a future where the Centre could host meetings at any time, breaking free from the Central Church’s scheduling constraints. He even began holding services in a tented courtyard beside the parsonage. Tragically, Rev. Crummack passed away in 1999. His vision, however, lived on through his wife, Margaret Crummack, who became pastor in 2000. She oversaw the inauguration of the Protestant Church Prayer Hall in 2005, a space now used for various services, fellowship meetings, and Bible studies. The Salalah Christian Centre continued to evolve under Rev. Michael Haller, who added a reception room to the parsonage and renovated existing space for Sunday school and fellowship activities. The Bible Resource Center was also refurbished. The story continues with Rev. Oscar Richardson, who initiated Arabic fellowship meetings, and Rev. Andrew Prout, who oversaw constitutional amendments. Today, the Salalah Christian Centre, now in its fourth decade, remains a vibrant testament to faith and community. It’s a place where diverse nationalities gather to worship, learn, and connect, a beacon of hope and love in the heart of Salalah.