The Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary (abbreviated EBCS) is a Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines (CAMACOP) Bible institution in Zamboanga City, Philippines. It's the oldest and the largest by area Bible institution of CAMACOP.
History
The Ebenezer Schools (1903-1928) When C&MA missionaries arrived at Zamboanga City in the 1900s, they realized they need a Bible school to train Filipinos in the way of the Lord. Ebenezer was built upon a foundation of two Christian day schools known as the Ebenezer Schools. The first school was for girls was established by Rev. David Lund and Mrs. Hulda Lund in 1903 and the school for boys was established by Rev. John A. McMillan in 1920. The school for girls was located in Barangay Tetuan, while the school for boys was in Barangay Mercedes.
The Ebenezer Bible Institute In 1925, Rev. Robert A. Jaffray, head of the C&MA South China field, visited the Philippines to assess the viability of the missionary work being conducted. He recommended the establishment of a Bible school to expand missionary work in the Western Mindanao region. So, in 1926, the first classes for theological training were begun. Then on July 2, 1928, the two schools were merged to form the Ebenezer Bible Institute, with Rev. George Strohm as its first principal.
Post-war restoration Classes were suspended during World War II and only resumed in 1946 by Rev. Herbert Jackson. For the first time in 1950, the Ebenezer Principal went to a Filipino, Rev. Vicente Pada. Ebenezer later transferred to their present location in Calarian on July 12, 1957, after years of discussion since the Tetuan campus was already small to accommodate the growing number of students.
In June 1962, the Ebenezer School Board voted to rename the school as the Ebenezer Bible College under the recommendation of Dr. Walter Roberto, an American educational consultant in the Philippines, with Principal Pada automatically becoming its first director. In 1984, Dr. Adynna Lim became the first woman head of the institution and served until 1993.
21st century The Commission on Higher Education granted recognition to EBCS in 2002, making it the only ecclesiastical institution of CAMACOP being recognized by the government to date.
Ebenezer Leaders Term in Office Name Ebenezer Bible Institute 1928–1929 Principal Rev. George D. Strohm 1930–1931 Principal Harry W. Edwonds 1932–1935 Principal Rev. Robert R. Hess 1936 Principal Rev. Herbert A. Jackson 1937–1941 Principal Rev. Robert R. Hess World War II (1941–1945) Ebenezer Bible Institute (restored) 1946 Principal Rev. Herbert A. Jackson 1947–1951 Principal Rev. Ernest F. Gulbranson 1951–1952 Principal Rev. Robert R. Hess 1952–1958 Principal Rev. Vicente R. Pada 1958–1959 Principal Rev. Robert R. Hess 1959–1962 Principal Rev. Vicente R. Pada Ebenezer Bible College 1962–1967 Director Rev. Vicente R. Pada 1967–1973 Director Dr. Rodrigo D. Tano 1973–1974 Director Rev. Vicente R. Pada Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary 1974–1979 President Rev. Vicente R. Pada 1979–1984 President Dr. Rodrigo D. Tano 1984–1993 President Dr. Adynna Y. Lim 1993–1998 President Dr. Joel I. Ortiz 1998–1999 Management Team 1999–2005 President Dr. Benjamin P. de Jesus 2005–2012 President Dr. Joel Caperig 2012–2017President Rev. Roland Don S. Dulaca 2017 Management Team2017-2025President Dr. Richard Rojas2025–presentOIC-President Rev. Ricky Lagare
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See also Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines
References
External links