The Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines, Inc. | |
Imagewidth: | 220px |
Main Classification: | Protestant |
Orientation: | Evangelical Christian |
Founder: | C&MA Missionaries (see Albert Benjamin Simpson) |
Founded Date: | 1901 |
Founded Place: | Zamboanga City |
Leader Title1: | Executive Bishop and President |
Leader Name1: | Bishop Eduardo C. Cajes |
Leader Title2: | Chairman |
Leader Name2: | Bishop Reniel Joel A. Nebab |
Associations: | Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches Alliance World Fellowship |
Area: | Philippines |
Headquarters: | 13 West Capitol Drive, Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Metro Manila 1603 |
Congregations: | 500,000 (estimate as of 2017) |
The Christian And Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines (CAMACOP) is a Christian evangelical group in the Philippines that originated from The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). It is one of the largest evangelical groups in the Philippines.
"We exist to transform communities and to aggressively disciple the nations by engaging in holistic development ministries; and by planting churches that proclaim Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King."
"That we envision transformed communities with mission-driven Christian congregations here and abroad for the glory of God."
CAMACOP was incorporated in 1947 as a national church of the C&MA Philippine Missions. The Christian and Missionary Alliance in the USA expanded its mission works in the Philippines in 1902. The C&MA was assigned in Zamboanga - Sulu Archipelago and Cotabato – Davao regions of Mindanao.
The first Alliance Church was planted in 1902 in Tetuan, Zamboanga City, the first Protestant church on the island of Mindanao, which still exists today.
After the Second World War, the local churches planted by C&MA Missionaries decided to organize themselves as a national church. Thus in 1947 the first 13 local churches incorporated themselves as The Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines, and in 1949 CAMACOP was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) thus became a legal personality.
It is headed by the National Executive Board of Trustees which consists of the CAMACOP President, CAMACOP Vice-President, ministers, and laymen. In 2005, the CAMACOP By-Laws was amended to add the title of Executive Bishop to the CAMACOP president and the title of Auxiliary Bishop to the CAMACOP vice-president.
When CAMACOP was established in 1947, Rev. Jeremias Dulaca was elected chairman (now President) of CAMACOP. He served until 1957 when he was succeeded by Rev. Florentino de Jesus, Sr.
Rev. de Jesus served until 1960 when Rev. Dulaca was elected again as CAMACOP president. Unfortunately, Rev. Dulaca suddenly died of a heart attack on September 18, 1962. Dulaca left a legacy as the founding president of the denomination. He was then succeeded by Vice-President Rev. Leodegario Madrigal. Rev. Madrigal was elected to a full term as president in 1963.
In the CAMACOP 1966 General Assembly, Rev. Vicente Pada, director of the Ebenezer Bible College was elected president of CAMACOP. In 1972, Rev. Leo Madrigal was elected again as president. During his tenure, the CAMACOP church population of 400 was doubled to 800 until Madrigal's term ended in 1978.
In the 1978 General Assembly, Dr. Benjamin de Jesus, son of former president Florentino de Jesus, Sr. was elected president of the denomination. He was re-elected twice in 1981 and 1985. He was replaced by Dr. Valmike Apuzen in 1989. He was reelected in 1993 and was succeeded by Vice-President Dr. Rodrigo Tano in 1997. Dr. Jose Dalino was then elected president in 2001 and was succeeded by Vice-President Rev. Reniel Joel Nebab in 2005. He was reelected in 2009.
A proposed amendment to the CAMACOP By-laws was discussed during the 2011 General Assembly of extending the President's term limit from two to three terms. Incumbent President then-Dr. Nebab was allowed to run again but was defeated in the election by his predecessor, Dr. Jose Dalino during the 2013 General Assembly. In 2017 Bishop Eduardo Cajes was elected as CAMACOP president, and won in 2021 CAMACOP elections.
Four administrative branches or division currently administers the denomination, each headed by a National Executive Minister (NEM):
The Division of Church Ministers can be compared to the Philippines' Department of the Interior and Local Government. This division administers and in charge of coordinating with the different local churches of the CAMACOP. Each local church is handled by districts and by regions. In tradition, the Vice-President was appointed to this post.
This Division is similar to the functions of the Philippines' Department of Education. It administers all CAMACOP-owned schools and seminaries. Its current plan is to build an all-new and first Alliance University in the Philippines.
This Division handles all financial transactions of the CAMACOP. The National Treasurer is under this office.
This Division administers all missionary outreaches of the denomination.
Bishop Eduardo Cajes
Bishop Reniel Joel Nebab
Dr. Joel Caperig
DR. Averell U. Aragon
Rev. William Cargo
Rev. Don Dulaca
CAMACOP Ministries includes Local Churches, Schools, Seminaries, Training Center, Lay Preaching, Youth Program, Evangelistic Program and Overseas Missionary Program.
CAMACOP Organized Ministries as follows:
CAMACOP is divided by 6 Regions and 29 districts in the Philippines
List of Bible Schools and Seminaries in CAMACOP
Tribal Bible School
CAMACOP-owned Schools