PBCAA alarmed at preacher shortage

Bro. Arnold Zambrano, gestures as he presented a report on the state of full time preachers in the country during the PBCAA Homecoming.

BAGUIO CITY - April 1, 2006 - The Philippine Bible College Alumni Association, Incorporated (PBCAA) is alarmed at the state of the Churches of Christ in the Philippines by citing the shortage of qualified preachers during its Alumni Homecoming activities held at 18 Rimando Rd., Baguio City.

According to Arnold Zambrano, a graduate of PBC, there are only 36 full time preachers in the Philippines today. In a report he presented at the homecoming, there are about 610 congregations around the archipelago with an average membership of forty. By rough estimates, there are only 24,400 saints in the country or a ratio of 1:3,442 (one christian in every 3,442 Filipinos).

Since its establishment in 1948, PBC in Baguio City has been the premiere preaching school in the Philippines producing quality preachers until it experienced sponsorship difficulties. Sadly, only a few of the more than 500 graduates have pursued a preaching career.To address the shortage, the PBCAA has lent its support to the Philippine Bible College by committing to assist in the operations of the Bible school through mobilizing its graduates to generate resources for the needs of the students.

The top priority of the association is the granting of scholarhips to three deserving students. Also they have agreed to help generate needed resources for the needs of the school. A list was provided by Bro. Cristino Sacayanan, President of PBC.

Bro. Zambrano was tasked by the PBCAA Officers to present the report.

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