A worship center for evangelical churches has commenced construction in Qatar, marking a significant spiritual milestone in the history of evangelicals in the country. The project, costing $33.35 million, is expected to be completed in April 2028.
Evangelical Churches Alliance Qatar (ECAQ) made this announcement at the General Assembly of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) held at the end of October in Seoul.
Qatar is an Arab Muslim nation, with Muslims comprising nearly 70% of its population. The establishment of this evangelical center here undoubtedly represents a major spiritual victory and is an encouraging development.
A Unified Place of Worship for 138 Member Churches of Different Denominations
Located in the Abu Hamour Religious Complex in Doha, the worship center has been allocated 18,000 square meters of land by the Qatari government. The building will be capable of accommodating up to 20,000 believers, providing a shared space for worship and ministry for its 138 member churches. The three-story center will have a main building with a total floor area of 22,500 square meters. It will feature multiple chapels, community facilities, multi-purpose venues, as well as a bookstore, café, and spaces for weddings and events, aimed at generating operational income.
The ECAQ stated that the worship center is not merely a building but a base for spreading Christ's message in the Middle East. It will serve as a place for spiritual formation, denominational unity, and worship, testifying to how the Lord is gathering His people in this blessed land.
As early as 2015, the Alliance was granted one hectare of land by the government, the result of seven years of prayer and applications. However, that land was later reclaimed due to geo-strategic factors. Following renewed applications, in November 2023, after then WEA Secretary General Thomas Schirrmacher met with Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government allocated a new plot of land with double the area.
The project has been entrusted to New Creation Engineering Consultants (NCEC) for full-phase design, supervision, and project management. They will provide project management and supervisory consultancy services throughout the construction period to ensure the highest quality standards.
Bishop Beda: To Become a Mission Base, Being Salt and Light in Middle Eastern Nations
A groundbreaking ceremony for the worship center was held on January 24 this year. Several distinguished guests attended, including representatives from the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) and Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, highlighting the importance placed on this project.
Rev. Samuel Chiang, Deputy Secretary General of the WEA, who attended the ceremony, noted that this event is "a milestone of faith and an act testifying to God's faithfulness and provision." He said, "The construction of this worship center is not just a building project; it is an act of worship, a tangible expression of faith, embodying God's vision for us to practice His kingdom on earth."
Bishop Beda Robles, President of the ECAQ, emphasized that the center aims to become a base for nurturing, unity, and mission, to be salt and light in Middle Eastern nations.
Mobilizing Evangelical Believers to Unite in Building
Member churches of the Alliance are actively raising funds to support the construction. The Alliance's membership is primarily composed of the Filipino community, with other believer groups including Africans, Indians, South Africans, Sri Lankans, Nepalese, Indonesians, Arabs, and Koreans. As of September 2024, an estimated 17,000 believers are involved.
Reflecting on this progress, Bishop Beda prayed: "May our loving Lord Jesus be glorified and made known to the whole world. May the God of heaven Himself grant prosperity, so that we, His people—evangelical believers—may rise up and build together in unity. May all glory be to Him, and may this project advance the expansion of His kingdom in the Muslim world!"
