WHO WE ARE
A Prayer
In 2005, a small group of Filipino churches gathered in one place to pray, worship and fellowship.This desire was transformed into a growing and fervent prayer to have a common place of worship, a permanent worship building for all the believers in Qatar to practice their faith and worship God freely.
God’s Answer to Our Prayer
A decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani in the Article 50 of the Qatar Constitution and subsequent Emiri decree…, the Emir of the State of Qatar in the year 2003, wherein its stated that “Christian communities are allowed to establish their own churches and practice religious rites and rituals in the State of Qatar.”
Relative to this Emiri decree, the Government of the State of Qatar had allocated a vast expanse of land on the outskirts of the city for the various Christian denominations to build their own churches and places of worship. This area was officially designated by the Qatari government as the “Religious Complex,” marking a significant historical milestone.
FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF ECAQ
With all the above developments, in the year 2008, the body of Christ in Qatar was formed and given a birth name as Evangelical Churches Alliance Qatar. It was formed to create a unified body of Christ that could represent and support member churches and ministry partners locally and globally.
The Evangelical Churches Alliance Qatar (referred to as ECAQ) is among the eight (8) religious organizations / groups officially recognized and accredited by the government of the State of Qatar with Establishment ID no. 15-2465-00. The rest of the recognized and accredited groups are the Roman Catholic church, Anglican church, Inter-Denominational Christian church, Maronite church, Syrian Orthodox church, Greek Orthodox church and The Coptic church.
ECAQ started with exclusively Filipino member churches and has grown significantly over the years. As of 2024, ECAQ is an umbrella organization of 129 Evangelical and Pentecostal member churches representing multi-national Christ believing expatriate residents including Filipino, Lebanese, Egyptians, Jordanians, Syrians, South African, American, European, Indian, Sri Lankan, Nepalese, North and East Africans, South Korean, Indonesian, among others. Collectively, these member churches have a combined membership strength of 15,000 plus.
ECAQ leadership, known as the “ECAQ Core,” comprises the Chairman (Bishop Beda B. Robles), Vice Chairman, and Members. The Core members consist of representatives from diverse groups within the ECAQ member churches. They serve as the liaison between the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), other relevant government agencies of the State of Qatar, and the Evangelical Churches Alliance Qatar.
The ECAQ Core oversees the daily operations of ECAQ and will continue to do so until the completion of the construction of the ECAQ Worship Centre. Subsequently, it will be succeeded by the ECAQ Executive Council, which will be assisted by a Management Committee.
ECAQ plays a vital role in fostering religious diversity and unity within the State of Qatar. Through the various evangelical churches, they provide a spiritual home for individuals from a wide range of nationalities, creating a sense of community and belonging for expatriates living in Qatar. This diverse representation within the alliance allows for a rich fusion of cultural traditions, worship styles, and perspectives to be shared and celebrated.
ECAQ’s presence in Qatar not only offers religious services but also extends support and assistance to its members in times of need. The alliance serves as a beacon of hope and comfort for individuals facing challenges or seeking guidance in their faith journey. Additionally, ECAQ actively engages in outreach programs and charitable initiatives embodying the values of compassion and service to the community.
Furthermore, the initiative to engage in interfaith dialogue with the Muslim community exemplifies a commitment to building bridges and promoting peaceful coexistence. By helping promote harmonious relationships with other faiths, the sanctuary aimed to create a space where diverse beliefs could thrive in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding. This inclusive approach not only benefits the local community but also contributes to a broader vision of global harmony and cooperation among different religious traditions.
ECAQ is a member of both the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) and The Evangelical Alliance of the Middle East and North Africa, which connects it to a global network of evangelical churches and organizations.
The office of ECAQ is located in office no.5, 4th floor, Buzwair building no. 57, Mansoora, Doha, State of Qatar.
