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Founded in the 1950's by Dr. Lester Sumrall, the Cathedral of Praise stands as a living testament to God's abounding grace and faithfulness.
Starting from a modest congregation and nothing more than a handful of pews, the church has grown tremendously over the years.
The breakthrough began with one powerful miracle where God changed the course of the city of Manila forever.
This was the story of a 17-year old girl by the name of Clarita Villanueva who was delivered from demon-possession through the ministry of Dr. Lester Sumrall.
This much-publicized move of God opened doors for the ministry as the mayor of the city of Manila himself gave Dr. Lester Sumrall an extended permit to hold crusades in the Sunken Garden right in front of the City Hall.
In an intensive 6-week crusade, Dr Sumrall, together with Rev. Clifton Erickson and Dr. Oral Roberts preached the message of salvation to hundreds of thousands who accepted Christ, received their healing and answers to their prayers.
These miracles not only led multitudes to Christ but launched the church into its next level of growth as it transferred to its new building along General Luna, Manila in 1954.
As Dr. Lester Sumrall was called to the work of God in other parts of the world, several short term pastors came to what had then become Christ is the Answer, Manila Bethel Temple, Inc.
Then, from 1965-1980, Rev. Daniel Marocco and his wife, Esther, were the pastors.
The Morocco's had previously pastored in Cebu and in India.
Tatay Morocco, with his booming tenor voice, and with Nanay Morocco by his side, was faithful to the Lord and to the church through thick and thin during these 15 years.
The year 1980 became a turning point for the church as Pastor David E. Sumrall and his wife, Sis. Beverly, arrived as evangelists to the Philippines.
Prompted by the Lord, the Moroccos retired to a chaplaincy in the US and passed on the church leadership to the Sumralls once again.
At this point, Pastor Sumrall did not lose any time in setting up new ministries that would revolutionize pastoral care and services throughout the Christian community.
Within the first year alone, the first cell unit Bible studies were organized and the Christ is the Answer Bible Institute was established.
Also, the Christ is the Answer TV show, the first locally produced Christian TV program, and the longest running Christian show on local television, first aired in February of 1981.
By April of 1987, the Cathedral of Praise Music College was established as it sought to develop and maintain creative excellence in all aspects of Music Ministry.
The COP Music College was a pioneer in the field of Church Music for all of Asia.
Yet amidst all the great things God had already done through the Cathedral of Praise, nothing had quite prepared the church for the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as the great revival of May of 1995, swept throughout the entire church.
Lives were changed, relationships were restored, sicknesses and diseases were healed and the blessings and prosperity of God flowed.
The revival was just the start of a great move of God that launched Cathedral of Praise's outreach not only within the Philippines but to our neighboring countries as well.
Four years of continuous tent crusades at home coincided with years of crusades and mentoring in Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, as far away as India, and even Bulgaria!
Today, the Cathedral of Praise continues to stand as a beacon for the gospel, celebrating 50 years of God's goodness and looking forward to the next 50 glorious years of God's grace.
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