History
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 were amended to add the title of Executive Bishop to the CAMACOP president and the title of Auxiliary Bishop to the CAMACOP vice-president.
The Presidency
When CAMACOP was established in 1947, Rev. Jeremias Dulaca was elected chairman (now President) of CAMACOP. He served until 1957 when Rev. Florentino de Jesus, Sr succeeded him.
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 by the time 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 to extend 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 the 2021 CAMACOP elections.
The Administrative Divisions
Four administrative branches or divisions currently administer the denomination, each headed by a National Executive Minister (NEM):
- Division of Church Ministries (DCM)
- Division of Education (DE)
- Division of Finance and Stewardship (DFS)
- Division of Missions (DM)
Division of Church Ministries
The Division of Church Ministers can be compared to the Philippines' Department of the Interior and Local Government. This division administers and coordinates with the various local churches of CAMACOP. Each local church is handled by districts and by regions. In tradition, the Vice-President was appointed to this post.
Division of Education
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.
Division of Finance and Stewardship
This Division handles all financial transactions of the CAMACOP. The National Treasurer is under this office.
Division of Missions
This Division administers all missionary outreaches of the denomination.
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