Redeemer Church of Dubai: UAE

Elders

"Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task..." 1 Tim 3:1-7

Dave Furman

Dave and Gloria Furman have three young children and another on the way. The Furmans have lived in the Arabian Peninsula since 2008 when they moved here to help start Redeemer Church of Dubai. Dave is the first pastor of Redeemer, and he has previously served in various churches in the US. The Furmans fell in love with Dubai during an extended layover in 2005 in between ministering to college students in China and Kenya. Dave enjoys reading, playing tennis with his kids, and talking walks through their neighbourhood in Deira.

Glen Jones 

Glen and Donita Jones have been in Dubai for eight years, during which time their family has increased from 1 to 4 children: Joshua (9), Kalea (7), Sam (6) and Liam (4). Previously serving the Protestant Church in Oman where Donita worked with youth and children (2001-2004), they moved to the United Christian Church of Dubai in 2004 where Glen served as the Director of Music Ministries. They helped plant Redeemer in 2010, joining the 100 others coming from UCCD. Donita loves working with teenagers, baking and decorating cakes, and homeschooling their kids. Glen currently serves as the Associate Pastor at Redeemer. He loves the Lord, his family, the church, and meeting people from so many different countries... and he plays and writes a bit of music on the side. They both count it a privilege to be able to serve the Lord at Redeemer.

David Lawrence

David and Kris Lawrence moved to the UAE with their 5 children in 2003, living first in Sharjah and moving later to Dubai. David is a Vice President with GDS Knowledge Consultants. He loves leading university students from all nations in the discovery God's Word and the wonders of His grace in Christ, and has led ministry teams in the US, Guatemala, Kenya, India and the Middle East. David was previously a deacon at UCCD and has joyfully led the membership classes at both UCCD and Redeemer. David enjoys ethnic foods, surfing, desert outings, Ultimate frisbee and spending time with his family.

Eric Kiruhura 

Eric relocated to the UAE in early 2006, from Kenya. Lydia joined him after their wedding in 2007. They have since been blessed with a child- Zuri. Eric and Lydia are followers of Jesus Christ, and love sharing the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. The Kiruhura family likes being outdoors, swimming, meeting new people, travelling to interesting places and trying out new recipes. While Lydia works as a registered nurse in Dubai, Eric serves as a humanitarian worker at World Vision International and loves to apply information technology solutions towards alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable development.

Brian Parks 

Brian, Joanne and the four Parks daughters moved to Dubai in 2002.  They love the hospitality of the Middle East and the cross cultural mix of Dubai with it's more than 200 nationalities. Redeemer Church of Dubai is the third church plant they've helped launch.  Brian is Vice President of GDS Knowledge Consultants and has workplace experience in Mechanical Engineering during the 80's and University student ministry in the 90's.  Other than reading, studying, and teaching the Bible, Brian enjoys a rousing family dinner conversation, Thai food, Ultimate frisbee, and his miniature wirehair dachshund named Winston.

Frank Samson

We have been in the UAE for 25 years. I am a partner in a local accounting firm. My hobbies are listening to music and watching nature documentaries on TV. Sneha is a home maker. She is interested in art and occasionally sketches and paints during her spare tiime. We both are passionate about evangelising to non-believers and sharing the gospel whenever an opportunity arises. We have two grown up children. Our daughter Joanna is married to Nisin and our son Adrian is married to Kaia.

Tom Samuel 

Tom and Padmini Samuel come from India and have lived in UAE for almost 21 years. They have 2 children, Yohaan and Raahail. Tom works as a Sales and Marketing Director and is also involved with Haggai Institute to train and equip leaders for evangelism at the National and International levels. Tom loves travelling, reading, fishing, playing most games (except WWE!), and Chinese food. Padmini is a home-maker and dedicates her time to counselling, singing and photography. They have been with Redeemer Church from the beginning and are excited to see God’s gracious work being revealed everyday within the church as people are transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ that has saved them. 

Mack Stiles

Mack and Leeann Stiles and their three sons have traveled and lived many places before landing in Dubai 11 years ago: including Kenya, Tunisia and Guatemala.  Mack is the CEO of Gulf Digital Solutions in Knowledge Village. Before moving to Dubai Mack served with InterVarsity in the US for over 20 years in various management roles.  Before becoming a founding elder at Redeemer, Mack served as an elder at UCCD, our sister church in the UAE.  Mack has authored four Christian books, one of which is co-authored by Leeann.  The most current book is Marks of the Messenger.  Mack enjoys photography and snow skiing but most of all loves thinking through how to apply the gospel of grace to issues confronting students in the university world.