Our History
Humble Beginnings
Peniel Assembly, Muscat, stands as a testimony to the faithfulness and grace of God in establishing and sustaining a group of believers in the Sultanate of Oman.
What began as a small gathering of believers united in prayer and fellowship has, through the years, grown into a strong and spiritual assembly. The history of Peniel Assembly reflects the dedication, sacrifice, prayerfulness, and loving service of many faithful brethren and families whom the Lord used for the growth of His church.
The assembly was founded upon the principles of sincere Christian fellowship, prayer, sound Biblical teaching, and wholehearted service to the Lord, following the vision revealed by the Lord unto God’s servant Brother Bakht Singh.
Through many challenges and blessings, Peniel Assembly has continued to stand as a beacon of Christian witness and unity in Muscat.
The Early Days of Fellowship — 1982–1984
The history of Peniel Assembly, Muscat, began through the sovereign leading of God among a small group of believers who desired sincere Christian fellowship and spiritual growth, according to the vision revealed by the Lord unto His servant Brother Bakht Singh.
Brother Samuel arrived in Muscat in 1982 and attended an Anglican church as a nominal Christian. During this period, he became acquainted with Brother Eric and Brother Fernando, and a close friendship developed among them.
In April 1984, Brother Samuel received information from Sister Ruth Christopher regarding the arrival of Brother Rafiq Peter in Muscat from Dubai. Since Brother Rafiq Peter did not have a fellowship to attend and remained firm in not joining denominational churches, Brother Samuel, Brother Eric, and Brother Fernando went to meet him.
This meeting became the beginning of a small fellowship among the believers in Muscat.
Brother Rafiq Peter’s affection, spiritual discipline, and fatherly care deeply influenced the early believers. He treated them as his own sons and became a spiritual guide to the first generation of the assembly.
Established by Grace — 20 July 1984
On 6 July 1984, Brother Eric and Brother Fernando experienced the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Brother D. S. Christopher later encouraged the believers to formally begin an assembly and fellowship.
Thus, Peniel Assembly was established on 20 July 1984 in the residence of Brother Rafiq Peter in Wadi Kabir.
Subsequently, on 20 July 1984, the believers publicly testified to their faith through the waters of baptism. On the same day, the Lord’s Table was established, marking a significant milestone in the spiritual formation of the fellowship.
Although the number of believers at the time was fewer than ten, the fellowship was filled with spiritual joy and zeal.
In December 1984, the assembly received a promise through Brother Bakht Singh from Isaiah 60:22:
“A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation; I the LORD will hasten it in His time.”
It was also during this period that the name “Peniel” was given by Brother Bakht Singh. This promise and spiritual guidance became foundational to the identity and growth of the assembly in the years that followed.
Growth and strengthening — 1985–1992
The years between 1985 and 1992 were marked by steady spiritual growth, increasing fellowship, and strengthening of the assembly.
In February 1985, Brother Preetham arrived in Muscat as a born-again believer and was given the contact number of Brother Rafiq Peter. Through the fellowship, he came into contact with many believers, including Brother M. Paul, Brother Anwar, Brother Naidu, Brother John Varghese, Brother Thomas, Brother Abraham, Brother Eric, Brother Rudy, Brother Mello, Brother Danny, Brother Ben Dsouza, Brother Sunny, Brother Mohan Das, Dr. Clement, Brother Gideon, Brother M. F. Christopher and family, and Brother Samuel Kurian.
In 1985, Brother Gideon joined the assembly through Brother K. Philip and later became one of the faithful brethren who contributed significantly to the spiritual growth of the church.
During this period, sisters from far and near travelled to attend the fellowship regularly. Among them were Sister Darla, Sister Sheeba, Sister Elsi, Sister Kumari, Sister Valsamma, Sister Lisy, Sister Helen, and Sister Esther. Their commitment reflected the growing spiritual hunger among believers.
Transportation was one of the major challenges faced by the early fellowship. Since one vehicle was insufficient for transporting believers to and from the meetings, the church earnestly prayed for provision. The Lord answered those prayers through Brother Eric and Brother Abraham, who provided vehicles for the transportation ministry. Prior to this provision, many believers had to walk long distances to attend the gatherings.
Brother Preetham later testified that the burden of the early believers was to serve the Lord in every possible way and to give Christ the pre-eminence in all things, according to the teachings of Brother Bakht Singh.
In October 1985, Brother Samuel accepted the Lord and testified through the waters of baptism.
In 1986, Brother Abraham arrived in Oman. Through Brother John Varghese, he was brought into the fellowship at Brother Rafiq Peter’s house. There he witnessed believers from different nationalities — Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis — united together in genuine Christian love and fellowship. Through a message delivered by Brother Gideon, Brother Abraham accepted the Lord as his Saviour and was later baptized on 14 November 1986.
From 1986 onwards, Brother Eric, Brother Abraham, Brother John Varghese, and Brother Thomas regularly gathered for family prayer every morning at 5:30 A.M. These prayer gatherings became a strong spiritual foundation for the assembly.
The church experienced steady growth during these years, and baptism services were conducted almost every month. The Lord graciously used Brother Rafiq Peter as the spiritual father of the first generation of believers in Peniel Assembly.
In 1988, Brother Edward arrived in Oman as a born-again and baptized believer after experiencing many hardships in life. Soon after his arrival, Brother Eric and Brother Abraham brought him to the fellowship. Brother Rafiq Peter became like a father to him, and Peniel Assembly became the place where he experienced the genuine love of Christ and received spiritual instruction and guidance. In later years, Brother Eric, Brother Abraham, and Brother Gideon encouraged him to take up responsibilities within the church.
Around 1988–1989, when Brother Neville Jayasundara visited Muscat for the first time, he suggested visiting Salalah. During that visit, fellowship was established with Sister Mary Stella and other Hebron fellowship believers in Salalah. Later, in 1998, the Lord’s Table was established there, and the assembly was named Zion.
Establishment of church Ministries
As Peniel Assembly matured spiritually, several ministries were established for the edification of believers and for the nurturing of children and young people.
In 1991, the first Scripture Class Rally was conducted by Peniel Assembly. This became an important milestone in strengthening the children’s ministry and biblical teaching among the younger generation.
Over the years, the Lord blessed the assembly through the ministry of many visiting servants of God. Among those who ministered at Peniel Assembly were Brother Eddy Williams, Brother Neville Jayasundara, Brother Theodore Reginald, Brother D. S. Christopher, Brother Joseph Anandraj, Brother Joseph Canara, Brother Daniel Rai, Brother Peter Paul, Brother Sam Williams, Brother P. M. David, Brother C. Stephen, Brother K. Philip, Brother D. K. Thappa, Brother Jayaraj, Brother Isaac Abraham, Brother Raja Joses, Brother Peter Holt, Brother Prabhakaran, Brother Sudhakar, Brother Dinesh, Brother Andrews, Brother Paul Jacob, Brother Sampath Kumar, Brother and Sister Golsworthy, Brother Immanuel Stephen, and Brother Mike.
In 2011, Peniel Assembly conducted its first Vacation Bible School, thereby expanding its ministry among children.
True to His Word, the Lord faithfully used Brother Rafiq Peter and the faithful brethren of the assembly in building and strengthening His church in Oman. What began as a small gathering of believers gradually grew into a spiritually established assembly with a strong testimony among God’s people.
Leadership Through the Years
A significant transition took place in 1992 when Brother Rafiq Peter and Brother Preetham left Oman. Following their departure, the responsibility of shepherding the assembly was entrusted to Brother Eric and Brother Abraham, who became elders of the church.
In 1995, Brother Edward entered into leadership responsibilities within the church and joined in the work of nurturing and strengthening the believers.
After 1992, Brother Eric, Brother Abraham, and Brother Edward faithfully carried, nurtured, and shepherded the flock for many years until their departure from Oman. Brother Immanuel Stephen joined in the leadership from 2000 to 2007. In 2014, Brother Benjamin joined the leadership team, and together these elders played a vital role as spiritual backbones of Peniel Assembly.
A Testimony of Faithfulness
Throughout its history, Peniel Assembly has been known for its prayerfulness, hospitality, discipline, and genuine care for believers.
Brother Immanuel, who arrived in Muscat on 13 September 1999, testified that the elders of the church received him on the very day of his arrival. He particularly observed three virtues within the assembly: punctuality, prayerfulness, and a caring attitude towards the people of God. He described the fellowship as a church where believers were willing to “walk two miles” for others in love and service.
Brother Immanuel further testified that the local church continued to stand firm through the faithful ministry and sacrificial labour of the responsible brethren. Despite limitations such as language barriers, lack of experience, and various hardships, the brethren remained faithful to the calling and responsibility entrusted to them by the Lord.
Similarly, Brother Benjamin, who arrived in Oman on 28 June 2006, experienced the love and care of Peniel Assembly from the very beginning. Upon his arrival, he was connected with Brother Eric and Brother Abraham. The love, care, prayers, and support of the church became a source of great encouragement and rest for his family for many years.
Through every generation, Peniel Assembly has continued to uphold a testimony of unity, love, prayer, and faithful Christian fellowship.
Responsible Brethren and Years of Service
The Lord has graciously raised many faithful brethren who laboured sacrificially for the growth, stability, and spiritual oversight of Peniel Assembly over the years.
- Brother Rafiq Peter: 1984–1992
- Brother Preetham Henrick: 1987–1992
- Brother M. Gideon: 1985–1999
- Brother Raju Thomas: 1997–2001
- Brother Immanuel Stephen: 2000–2007
- Brother M. F. Christopher: Ministry of Sharing the Word, 1989–1993
- Brother Eric Bangera: 1992–2024
- Brother M. C. Abraham: 1992–2024
- Brother Edward Maben: 1997–2025
- Brother Benjamin Canara: 2014–2026
The faithful service, spiritual leadership, prayers, and sacrificial labour of these brethren have played a significant role in establishing and strengthening Peniel Assembly, Muscat, through the years.
Continuing by His Grace
From a small fellowship of a few believers meeting in homes, Peniel Assembly has grown into a flourishing church family by the grace of God. The assembly’s journey has been marked by fervent prayer, faithful leadership, sacrificial service, unity among believers, and unwavering trust in the promises of God.
The history of Peniel Assembly stands as a testimony to the faithfulness of the Lord in building His Church in Oman. What began as a “little one” has indeed grown according to the promise of Isaiah 60:22. Through every season, the Lord has sustained the assembly and raised faithful servants to shepherd His people.
As Peniel Assembly continues its journey, the church remains committed to glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ, serving His people, and upholding the Biblical principles upon which the assembly was founded.
Historical Gallery
The following photographs preserve a few memories from the journey of Peniel Assembly through the years. These moments remind us of the Lord’s faithfulness, the fellowship of His people, and the many milestones He graciously allowed the assembly to witness.
