In the year 1999, heaven marked the beginning of a new ministry in the middle-east with a vision to capture the land for the kingdom of God. A small prayer group-7 believers gathered together and prayed in a small room in Dubai. Humbly begun in August 2002, the power of God moved mightily in the midst of this small group. God used Pr. Shibu Andrews, a man of God from Manarcadu, Kottayam, and Kerala for this revival. Soon after completing his studies, he came to Dubai with a vision God has already imparted in him, i.e. reaching the lost. With no place to go, he spent his time in a park in Dubai and prayed to God for the people in the city. God answered his prayers by bringing together few brothers. They moved to his room and continued their prayer. God answered their prayers and day by day the Holy Spirit brought new souls to the prayer group and added them to the body of Christ. As guided by God and driven by the Holy Spirit, soon the grouped moved to Christ Church, Jebel Ali in June 2003 and started the "Emirates Christian Church" Dubai . The name has been chosen as a representation of the 7 Emirates or regional provinces in UAE.
The church started with 18 members in 2003 and now has grown with more than 700 members coming together to worship the living God in various emirates. People from different nations, languages come together to worship the Almighty God. Leaving a lucrative job in an advertising company, senior Pr. Shibu Andrews submitted himself to his Father's calling as a full time minister of God in February, 2007. By the grace of God he has started worships in English and Tamil, apart from the main Malayalam service. We clearly testify that it is absolutely the grace, power and love of God which has saved these souls in this phase which is beyond our comprehension. The church conducts it's worships at various emirates such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and cell meetings at Ajman. We believe that very soon God will help begin churches in other emirates. Our church believes in the power of God 'touching lives and changing destinies'.
God raised up 4 other people from the church and by the grace of God they have been ordained in March 2006; assisting Pastor Shibu Andrews in various meetings and church activities. With a great burden for the lost souls and a vision from God, now the church is praying to begin a Hindi worship to reach the unreached among the Hindi speaking communities.
In the year 2005, our church witnessed a great move of the Holy Spirit. With a clear guidance given by God to Pastor Shibu Andrews, the church conducted 21 days fasting prayer and convention named "GLORY". Men of God from around the world came to UAE to preach the Good news. The meeting was first of it's kind in the whole Middle East. Word of God was established by signs and wonders. Many were healed, delivered and many came to Christ Jesus. Among them one was Fr. Raju Vadakkekara, Kottayam a priest from the Jacobite Syrian church. A great fire from heaven filled the congregation. All the believers have been burdened for the lost and as a result the convention called "Glory" has been conducted again in the year 2006 and 2007. This year also, if God allows, men of God from the various parts of the world will join the revival movement.
With a vision to equip every believer to be a disciple, the Pastor and the leaders impart their vision and train the younger generation from childhood to stand along with them for their vision to proclaim the love of God to mankind through Jesus Christ. The church has a help desk to lend a hand for those in need. They assist the people to find jobs, visit labor camps, share the gospel ,conducts meetings, visit hospitals and go to new places every week to share the gospel.
God enabled to legally register the church under the name 'Elohim Christian Ministries' in November 2003 in India presently having six affiliated churches in South India at Kerala in Manarcadu, Vakathanam, Mallapally, Sultanbattery, Cheemeni and Karukachal. The main office is located at Karukachal, Kottayam in the old Merchant Association building with a beautiful office and a book stall providing the light of truth to thousands. The Pastors and believers are praying for a great revival in the home land- Kerala and India where 1/6th of the world's population lives. This year with a vision to begin the ministry at various places across India, Pastor. Shibu Andrews and the leaders often visit the country to pray and support the activities. Pr.Shibu Andrews as a full time minister and his wife Sr. Reeja Shibu who works as a nurse, live in Dubai to implement the vision that God has imparted to them.
