Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary

Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary, Inc.
Former name
  • Ebenezer Bible Institute (1928-1962)
  • Ebenezer Bible College (1962-1974)
MottoHitherto Hath the Lord Helped Us
TypeBible college
EstablishedJuly 2, 1928 (1928-07-02)
FounderChristian and Missionary Alliance missionaries
AffiliationCAMACOP
Academic affiliation
PABATS, ACSI-PHIL, ZAMBASULTAPS
Location,
6°55′24″N 122°01′27″E / 6.92320°N 122.02407°E / 6.92320; 122.02407
Websiteebcs.edu.ph
Location in Mindanao
Location in the Philippines

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[1] 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.[2]

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 in July 2, 1928,[2] the two schools were merged to form the Ebenezer Bible Institute, with Rev. George Strohm as its first principal.[3]

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,[2] 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.[3]

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.[3]

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
2012-2017 President Rev. Roland Don S. Dulaca
2017 Management Team
2017-2025 President Dr. Richard Rojas
2025-present OIC-President Rev. Ricky Lagare

See also

References

  1. ^ Halili, Servando D. Jr. (June 2011). "Protestant Missionary Work in Mindanao: A Short History of the Alliance Church in the Philippines". The Mindanao Forum. 24 (1): 93–96. ISSN 0115-7892 – via Philippine EJournals.
  2. ^ a b c Bangayan, Romy (1981-10-22). "Bible College Marks 55th Anniversary". The Morning Times. Zamboanga City, Philippines. pp. 1, 8.
  3. ^ a b c "About EBCS - Ebenezer BCS". 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2024-10-18.

6°55′24″N 122°01′27″E / 6.92320°N 122.02407°E / 6.92320; 122.02407