| On April 2002, Bro. Resty
Reyes, one of our Foreign Ministers-in-Charge, came over to
the United Arab Emirates as requested by our brethren to establish
our local chapter here. There were only less than 20 members
of Dubai and seven Church members in Abudhabi during that time.
Weekly, he travelled from Dubai to Abudhabi (2 hour period of
time travel) to conduct our weekly worship service and comes
back to Dubai to do the same. With continuous perseverance and
help from our Lord God, Bible Studies were established in different
places and more guests came over to attend our gatherings. In
his two (2) months period of stay, seven (7) souls were baptised.
Thenafter, regular Church
workers were sent to help in the administration. Bro. Tony Santos
bacame the assigned worker in Dubai and Bro. Melvin Arbo on
the other hand, took over in Abudhabi. Gatherings were also
relocated from Studio Flats rented to distinguished hotels in
Dubai and Abudhabi. As the work of God progresses, more and
more souls attended our gatherings and become ready for indoctrinations.
Bro Efren Baquing became the 2nd Minister to come over and officiated
baptisms.
Furthermore, Bro. Ronnie Aboy
became the third regular worker to come over and was also assigned
in Dubai. Bro. Mel Lingat took over in Abudhabi when Bro. Melvin
was terminated in his job. Another seminarian, Bro. Mario Viernes,
who was then a Trainee, was upgraded to regular worker by Bro.
Efren Baquing.
With more workers being sent
in this region, propagation of God's Word became more extensive.
Another local, Al Ain, was established. The largest set baptised
in the U.A.E. in one of Bro. Efren's visit was 27. After several
months, he came back again and baptised 25 souls.
Thanksgivings with video
presentations bacame regular and Bible Studies progressed in
different locations. The biggest event ever was Dubai's 1st
Grand Bible Exposition, whereby through the aid of modern technology
and God's help, Bro. Eli Soriano handled a live Open Forum in
one of Dubai's finest hotels, the Carltom Tower Hotel. More
than 100 guests, local and foreign, attended the English-Tagalog
open forum discussion of Bro. Eli. In succession, Abudhabi also
held it's 1st ever Grand Bible Exposition at the Khalidiya Hotel.
These events were a great success as they strengthened the faith
of our brethren and encouraged our guests for membership as
well. As to date, some foreign guests are becoming "regular
attendees" in our weekly worship services. Bible Studies
for foreigners are also increasing in numbers!
Currently, Dubai is the biggest
local chapter here in the U.A.E. Abudhabi follows next in relevance
to population figure. With Dubai's fast growing expansion, small
local chapters in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah are already set
up. They are currently conducting a separate monitoring worship
service due to distance problem from Dubai. In addition, soon
to open is our local chapter in Sharjah.
Weekly, more and more brethren
from the Philippines are coming over to find jobs here in the
U.A.E. We kindly request you dear brethren to continue praying
for us to remain strong and steadfast in the faith for even
though we may be far from you in the flesh but not in the Spirit.
To brother Eli and brother
Daniel .. we love you and this website is also dedicated to
you in the service of our brethren in the common faith. Glory
be to God and his Son, Christ Jesus. |