Formation of the Church
"I will build my Church". The gates of hell shall not prevail it.
Started as a small gathering with a few brothers under the leadership of Br. George Mammen at his home has now grown up to be one of the main Pentecostal Churches in the island of Bahrain. When we as a Church under the leadership of Br. George Mammen Mavelikara was going forward in a blessed fellowship. In June 1981, Pr. P. N. Zachariah, a minister of Assemblies of God Church visited Bahrain and we arranged some special meetings on behalf of the church. The visiting Pastor P. N. Zachariah understanding that Br. George Mammen who was leading the meeting at the time was of IPC origin and hence tried to remove him from that position and instead appoint Br. P. M. Joy who was then, the Asst. Pastor of Bahrain Pentecostal Assembly and Member of Assemblies of God to that post. In this situation, it was difficult for us to continue with this ideology further more and therefore opposed the move and took a step to stand with the leadership of Br. George Mammen as a free Pentecostal Church from August 1981.
Further, a General Body of the Church was gathered on 13 September 1981 wherein we discussed and formed a committee of Seven Members for the smooth functioning of the Church. Later, everyone in the Church decided to go along with the Indian Pentecostal Church of God, and on the basis of that purpose, for the clear functioning of this process an ad-hoc committee of 5 members was selected and the available 21 members of the Church jointly signed a memorandum which was sent to Pr. P. M. Philip, IPC Headquarters through Pr. T. T. Joseph, Senior Pastor of IPC Bahrain.
On that basis, we received an official letter from Kumbanad on November 1991 officially approving us as a Sister Church of IPC, Kumbanad. On that basis, we decided to name our Church 'IPC Shalom' by which we are known till date. When IPC Kerala State Secretary, Pr. T. S. Abraham, visited us on 11th December 1981, with the help of Pr. T. T. Joseph, Br. Bajid Buttersa, and under the auspicious service of Pr. T. S. Abraham and under the by-laws of IPC, Br. George Mammen was prayed for and separated for the ministry. Later we received a letter from IPC General Secretary on 2nd February 1982 approving IPC Shalom as the Second local Church in Bahrain.
As we look back, we with all reverence thankfully remember Pr. George Mammen, Late. Pr. S. V. Thomas, Pr. P. C. Chandy, Pr. James Solomon, Br. V. O. Cherian, Br. P. M. Zachariah, Br. C. T. Samuel, Pr. John Zachariah and Br. Jacob Daniel for all their efforts during these times.
Pastors
Pr. George Mammen {1981 - 1994}
He was a far-sighted man, Bible Scholar, and a blessed Bible Orator. Pr. George Mammen's services to the IPC Shalom Church and to the Christian community in Bahrain were a great blessing and will never be forgotten. God used him to steer the Church from its childhood days to its youth. His partner in life Sr. Jolly Mammen and kids Feba, and Faimy were also a blessing to the Church. He is now back in Mavelikkara ministering as a Pastor of IPC in various places.
Pr. Skariah V Thomas {1994 - 1998}
Pr. John Zachariah {1998 - 2013}
Pr. John Zachariah, by the grace of God, was born to Mr. K. U John and Mariamma John in Kalyayil family at Manganam in Kottayam District on January 5th 1948. He was brought up in a Marthomite background. On December 15 1966 Hod enabled him to accept Jesus Christ as his personal saviour. After his 10th std was able to complete Diploma in pharmacy. On May 29, 1979 God enabled him to enter into holy matrimony with Daisy who was the daughter of Mr. Kurian and Annamma who belonged to Karappuzha Thoppil family and members of Kottayam Jerusalem Marthoma church. Further in their Christian marriage life, God blessed them with a baby girl Anju Mary Zachariah.
On the 19th of August 1981, God enabled him to come to Bahrain and from then God enabled him to work in the same company 'Behzad Medical' for 30 long years.
On 11th December 1981 God enabled him to take water baptism under Pr. T. S. Abraham at IPC Shalom Church, Bahrain. He was filled with the Holy Spirit on 8th January 1985 in a meeting held in the church under the leadership of Pr. Manganam Joseph. In the month of May 1985 God enabled sister Sr. Daisy Zachariah and Anju to come to Bahrain. Anju completed her studies in Bahrain and did her higher studies in Kerala. She was later married to Br. Sony Thomas. God blessed them with 3 kids.
On 9th February 1990 during a meeting of BMCC, God enabled Pr. John Zachariah to take decision to submit himself to the Lord’s work. God used him to be a part in the formation of the IPC Shalom church in Bahrain. From year 1994, was able to be a part of the church in assisting Pr. S.V. Thomas. It was during his time that PYPA, CBS and Area prayer were started in the church. Pr. Mathen K Samuel, Elder Philip Jacob and Elder Thomas Mathew were brought into the Lord’s Ministry during his time.
From 1998 till 2013 he was actively involved in the Church's activities while working with Behzad Medicals. From 2009, he was able to quit from his work and be part of the Lord’s work full time in Bahrain.
Pr. Jacob G Mathews {1998-2009}
Pr. Mathen K Samuel {2013-2023}
Pr. Saji P Thomas {2023-}