South Manila Alliance Church under Pastor Jonathan Galicto
Description: Capital City Alliance Church
Image copyright: http://ccac.org.ph/
The name of the parish: South Manila Alliance Church
When it was established: 1887
The diocese where it belongs : CAMACOP
The bishop on whom it is under: Bishop Reniel Joel A. Nebab
The Christian And Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines (CAMACOP) is a Christian evangelical group in the Philippines originated from The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). It is one of the largest evangelical groups in the Philippines.
The first Protestant missionaries came to the Philippines in June 1901, and the Christian and Missionary Alliance, per “Mission Comity Agreement”, was given Sulu Archipelago and Western Mindanao to occupy, including Davao, Cotabato and Zamboanga. These were the most difficult areas to reach with the gospel then, mostly among Muslim and animistic territories.
The first Alliance missionary ever sent was Miss Ellen White, but it was a short lived missionary stint because she left soon after marrying a man from another denomination. The next missionary sent was John A. Mckee (1902-1903), a soldier who had been stationed in the Philippines. Along with a friend, his plan was to start a vocational program among the Muslims and other tribes, but his companion returned home shortly after they arrived, and McKee met a tragic death the year after. Some independent missionaries also came, and they later joined the Alliance work here in the Philippines. Among them were Charles Gustaf Carlson and William Bell, David and Hulda Lund, Robert A. Jaffray and many others.
The first ever evangelical chapel was built in Tetuan, Zamboanga in 1902, and two years later, a school for boys and girls, named Ebenezer School (which late emerged into a Bible College) was established. After World War II, Rev. Ralph E. Bressler gathered all the local workers for the first ever National Workers Conference on February 7-9, 1947. Thirteen local self-supporting churches were then organized into what is known today as The Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines (CAMACOP). 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 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. As of September 2010 CAMACOP has a total of 2,917 local churches for the glory of God.
The first elected President was Rev. Jeremias Dulaca, who served the young denomination for ten years, 1947-1957. The Rev. Florentino de Jesus Sr. was elected as the second President for the next three years (1957-1960), Rev. Dulaca was again re-elected as the third President in 1960, but he served only for two years for he died in September 1962. Rev. Leodegario Madrigal then Vice-President, took over the Presidency and served as President until 1966. Rev. Vicente Pada became the fifth President (1966-1972), followed by Rev. Leo Madrigal again, having been re-elected as the sixth President of the denomination (1972-1978). It was during this time that CAMACOP has experienced its largest growth rate, from 400 organized churches in 1972 to 800 by 1978. CAMACOP was indeed greatly blessed with gifted and dedicated men who were able to steer our denomination to what it is now today. These men include Dr. Benjamin P. de Jesus (1978-1989), Dr. Valmike B. Apuzen, Sr. (1989-1997), Dr. Rodrigo D. Tano (1996-2001), Dr. Jose C. Dalino, Sr. (2001-2005) and Rev. Reniel Joel A. Nebab (2005 up to present).
History of Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA)
Founder: Albert Benjamin Simpson (1843-1919)
Date of Birth: December 15, 1843
Place of Birth: Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Died: October 29, 1919
THE BACKGROUND OF THE CURRENT PARISH PRIEST
Name: Ptr. Jonathan Galicto
Age: 25
Reason why he became a priest: It\'s his calling from the Lord.
His plans and aspirations for the parish:
• To have a wider ministry of Christian fellowship believers
THE DIFFERENT MINISTRIES IN THE PARISH
• WORSHIP
• MUSIC & ARTS
• EVANGELISM & DISCIPLESHIP
• MEMBERSHIP CARE & GROWTH
• SUNDAY SCHOOL
• YOUTH
• KIDS
• MULTIMEDIA
MISSION
We exist to transform communities and to aggressively disciple the nations by engaging in holistic development ministries; and by planting churches that proclaim Jesus as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King.
VISION
We envision transformed communities with mission- driven Christian congregations here and abroad for the glory of God.
MY REFLECTION
My parish experience was just alright. Not much of a thrill, but no dull moment either. I would say that my parish experience was definitely learning and humbling experience to begin with. I never thought that I’d get to meet people who are very considerate and understanding to accepting although I’m not really a part of their parish as to I just got there with a friend. Thing is they accepted me and I would like to participate in their church activities after this. There were no difficulties that were confronted except the fact that there were time difficulties on going there, since I wasn’t familiar to the place. I realized that there is more to our parish than what it is. One can feel at home and feel having a family, although of different walks of life, one can certainly say that you can belong with them and that’s a fact. They are welcoming and supporting to whatever things we did that time we were there. The parish priest whom we were with was very active in helping us do our tasks and we even got invited to go to a Christian Concert as to consuming the hours in that involvement with their music ministry.
Things I find positive is the people within that parish. They are very supportive as I may emphasize all the more and very considerate and welcoming, no wonder I felt comfortable very easily. The negative things I found were the facilities, because the parish that I went to was just a branch of the bigger CAMACOP and they were having problems with their instruments seeing that they weren’t provided yet the funds they need for the church. I bet there will be a budget for that branch of parish that I went to and will surely hear a great sound as they preach during their worship.
What I can pragmatically do to that parish is that I can suggest new activities for Sunday School teaching and why not add a Dance ministry in preaching Jesus Christ in our First Sunday Masses.
