Nestled in the picturesque island of Mauritius, Églises Chrétiennes Océan Indien (ECOI) stands as a beacon of faith and community. Dedicated to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every corner of the island, ECOI ensures that everyone is given the opportunity to hear the Word of God, whether in person or online. This vibrant church offers Sunday services in Creole, French, and English, along with various activities for children, youth, couples, and the elderly.

The multi-cultural landscape of Mauritius
Mauritius is a multi-cultural society with a rich tapestry of religions. Hinduism is the largest religion on the island at 48,3%, Christianity is at 32,2% (with Catholicism as the largest Christian denomination), followed by Islam at 17,9%. This diversity creates a unique environment where multiple faiths coexist, but it also presents real challenges for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The challenge of preaching
Preaching the Gospel in Mauritius has not always been easy. With strong religious communities actively present, the introduction of evangelical Christianity faced resistance. The Assemblies of God were the first to bring the Gospel to Mauritius in the early 1970s, paving the way for future evangelical movements.

The birth of ECOI
It was during charismatic meetings in the Catholic Church in 1977 that Pastor Miki Hardy and his wife, Audrey, were born again and, a few months later, ECOI’s journey began. In 1979, Miki and Audrey left Mauritius for South Africa, where they attended the Durban Bible Training College under Pastor Fred Roberts, graduating in 1981. The call of God on their lives was very apparent and, in 1982, Pastor Roberts prayed for them, sending them to Mauritius. Pastor Miki, who was a civil engineer by profession, left everything and gave himself to full-time ministry with the unconditional support of Audrey. Miki, with a team of elders and believers, started evangelising throughout the island.

International outreach and growth
At that time, doors also started opening in the neighbouring islands and, as from 1985, ECOI started holding regional conferences, reaching out to African countries, which were a significant success. In 1986 Eglise Chretienne – for the first time – organised a large evangelisation campaign with Pastor Nicky van der Westhuizen, which had a huge success with healings and powerful conversions. It brought about much persecution. Despite the growing opposition, ECOI continued to grow, even going underground during periods of intense opposition. Some preachers were put in prison, and visitors from overseas sent back home when they mentioned they were coming for the church.

The revelation of the message of the Cross
When Pastor Miki reached a crossroads in his ministry and personal life, he set himself apart to seek the Lord. It was during that time that the Lord brought a powerful revelation of the message of the Cross of Jesus Christ to his heart and life. As the doors kept opening in Africa and the neighbouring islands, he started sharing his experience and more and more pastors were touched. As a result, in 2001, by Pastor Miki, Audrey, and a team of leaders from a variety of countries – united through the message of the Cross and subsequent work of God in their lives – set up CTMI (Church Team Ministries International). ECOI has, since that time, been a key and active member of CTMI’s network.

Reaching the masses
In 2009, the Trianon Convention Centre, a state-of-the-art building with a seating capacity of 3000, built with the help of brothers and sisters from many different countries, was officially inaugurated in Mauritius. It has since been the venue for holding all of CTMI’s international conferences, which since then have been attended each year by no less than 500 visitors from 20 countries.

The great commission
Jesus loves you! Inspired by this divine mandate, ECOI is dedicated to reaching every corner of Mauritius with the Gospel through an evangelism programme called “Jesus nou Lespwar” which, translated from Creole, means “Jesus our hope”. A great number of lives have been (and are being) touched and saved through these outreaches over the years.

A place for everyone
ECOI Church is more than just a place of worship; it is a sanctuary where people from all backgrounds can come together to experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ. The church’s welcoming atmosphere and commitment to diversity make it a welcoming space for everyone, whether they are lifelong believers, newcomers to the faith, or non-believers. It is common that people visiting the church in Mauritius leave saying that it is the closest they have come across to the book of Acts. The family spirit, the love that can be felt, and the freedom are just wonderful. As Pastor Miki says, “It is only the fruit of the Gospel that is being preached.”

Community and outreach
Today, ECOI has more than 20 local churches on the island, and regularly holds activities for young people, children, couples, and the elderly. The annual youth camp gathers around 500 youth between 15 and 25 years old, from all over, for a unique time in the presence of the Lord. Moreover, ECOI believes in the power of community and the importance of serving others. It organises numerous initiatives to support those in need, including prison visits, food distribution in shelters, and visits in hospitals. These efforts are designed to address both the spiritual and practical needs of the community, embodying the teachings of Jesus in their actions.

JOIN OUR CHURCH IN MAURITIUS
“When in Mauritius, come visit us … and experience the love of Jesus and the transformative power of the Gospel in a place where everyone is valued and heard.” – Miki & Audrey Hardy

Information on ECOI Church and its services is available online, please visit:
www.eglise.mu/en

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Date published: 5/09/2024
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