CSI Church, Kuwait

CSI Church, Kuwait

MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE

There are historical proofs that Christianity existed in the Gulf countries as early as the third Century A.D. It is also recorded that Qatar was Bishopric as early as 225 A.D. and Bishops from Arabia attended the Nicene Council of Bishops. The Arabian Mission (American Mission) was formed in 1889 with the objectives of missionary work, education and medical care in the Arabian Peninsula. Arabian Mission missionaries visited Kuwait in 1900 and a Bible shop was opened in 1903 in Kuwait.

In 1910, a piece of land (the present NECK compound) was purchased by the Arabian Mission and a Men's Hospital was constructed in 1914 and a Women's Hospital in 1920. Along with the hospital work, Sunday worship service started in the open air and later in the sea captain's home. These worship services were mainly attended by the Hospital Staff. A Chapel was built in 1931, under the leadership of Gerrit De Jong. It is recorded that teak doors, frames and windows were all made in Katpadi, India.

The first worship service in the Chapel was held on November 15, 1931. The church was then known as Church of Christ. The present Parish Hall was added to the Church in 1958. Gradually, a number of worship halls were constructed.

Indian Christians, especially from Kerala came in the 1950's to get employment in the medial and business fields. The Malayalee believers formed a Congregation on January 2, 1953, namely the "Kuwait Town Malayalee Christian Congregation". This became the first formal Malayalee Congregation in Kuwait. The reformed church of America established a Christian presence in Kuwait through Arabian Mission from 1910 and were responsible for the supervision of the NECK compound and its facilities until 1962.

Over a period of time, three distinct interdenominational Congregations worshipped at the NECK campus and became the constituents of NECK. They were the following:

1. Kuwait Town Malayalee Christian Congregation (KTMCC) - 1953
2. Arabic Language Congregation (ALC) - 1959
3. English Language Congregation (ELC) - 1962

A Common Council representing three members each from these three Congregations was instituted in 1962 and the Reformed Church of America handed over the supervision of the compound and its facilities to the Common Council. From 1997 onwards, the Common Council Secretary with the help of KTMCC representatives in the Common Council, manages the administration of all the affairs of the NECK.

Presently, there are about 60 Churches/Congregations/Prayer Groups gathering for worship in the compound. Perhaps, NECK may be the only church in the whole world open for all the days of the week, to such a large number of worshipers hailing from over 60 nationalities / languages.