ABOUT US

About St John

 

The Church of St John – Muscat

The Church of St John is an Anglican Christian community in Muscat, Oman, seeking to glorify God and grow together as followers of Jesus Christ.

We are a welcoming and diverse community, bringing together people from different nations, cultures, backgrounds and walks of life. United by our faith in Jesus Christ, we gather regularly to worship, pray, learn from God’s Word, build friendships and encourage one another in our journey of faith.

We meet each week for worship and fellowship, and we warmly welcome those who are already part of a church as well as those who may be exploring Christianity or attending church for the first time.

Our Motto

Glorifying God through Growing Followers of Jesus

Our motto expresses who we are and what we seek to become.

We desire to glorify God in our worship, our relationships, our service and our daily lives. At the same time, we seek to grow as followers of Jesus and to encourage others to discover and grow in their relationship with Him.

Our life together is shaped around four key areas:

Worship • Outreach • Fellowship • Growth

Our Vision

Our vision is to be a Christ-centred, welcoming and growing community where people from different cultures and backgrounds can encounter Jesus, grow in faith and serve God and others.

We seek to:

  • Worship God together as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

  • Grow as followers of Jesus through Scripture, prayer, discipleship and fellowship.

  • Welcome and care for one another, recognising the richness of our diverse community.

  • Reach out to others through word and deed, sharing the hope of the Gospel and serving those around us.

  • Build a community of faith where people can belong, participate and grow.

The Meaning Behind Our Name

The Church of St John takes its name from St John, traditionally associated with the Fourth Gospel.

The name also remembers Bishop Yohannon, or John, associated with the Christian history of this region in the fifth century.

In choosing the name St John, we are reminded of the importance of proclaiming Jesus Christ and pointing people towards Him.

Our church logo is a cross formed from the four Arabic initials of the name The Church of St John.

The design brings together our Christian identity and our connection with the land and community in which we worship. At its heart is the cross, reminding us of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the foundation of our faith.

The use of Arabic initials also reflects our presence in Oman and our desire to be part of the wider community in which God has placed us.

Our History

Christianity has deep historical roots in Oman and the wider region. The history of the Christian faith in Oman reaches back many centuries, with traditions connecting the Apostle Thomas with the shores of Oman on his journey towards India. Historical records also refer to the Bishop of Sohar, known as Beit Mazunayeh, participating in Christian synods in the fifth, sixth and seventh centuries.

Anglican involvement in Oman has a more recent history. Anglican Bishop Thomas Valpy French arrived in Muscat in 1891. Although his stay was brief, Anglican ministry continued to develop in Oman, with a succession of Anglican priests serving the community over the following decades.

Today, the Church of St John continues this story of Christian witness in Muscat, serving a diverse and international community and seeking to make Jesus known through worship, fellowship, discipleship and outreach.

Our Community

One of the gifts of the Church of St John is the diversity of its community.

People from different countries, cultures, professions and generations come together as one church family. While our backgrounds may be different, we are united by our shared faith in Jesus Christ and our desire to follow Him.

Our weekly gathering is an opportunity to worship together, hear God's Word, pray, meet one another and grow in fellowship. Beyond our main worship services, we seek to create opportunities for people to connect, serve and grow together as a community.

Whether you have been a Christian for many years, are new to faith, or are simply curious about Christianity, you are welcome at the Church of St John.

Following Jesus

We believe in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe that God has revealed Himself to us in Jesus Christ, who came into the world to rescue us from sin through His death and resurrection and to bring us into fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit.

Following Jesus means turning towards Him, allowing Him to shape our lives and seeking, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to make Jesus central in everything we do.

Come and worship with us. Come and belong. Come and grow.