Kingdom of Jesus Christ (church)

The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, officially the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, Inc. is a Philippine-based Restorationist church. It was founded by Apollo Quiboloy, who claims to be the "Appointed Son of God". The members of the congregation refer to their community as a "Kingdom Nation." They claim about 2 million "Kingdom citizens" abroad and 4 million in the Philippines.[2] On weekdays, members hold Bible sessions and prayer services. On Sundays, a "Global Worship" is held at the Cathedral in Buhangin District. In 2002, Quiboloy founded José María College, named after his parents.[2][3]

Kingdom of Jesus Christ
Seal
AbbreviationKJC
ClassificationRestorationism
Executive PastorApollo Quiboloy
HeadquartersDavao City, Philippines
FounderApollo Quiboloy
OriginSeptember 1, 1985
Separated fromUnited Pentecostal Church
Members6 million (claimed)[1]
Official websitewww.kingdomofjesuschrist.org

History

Before the establishment of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) religious group, its founder Apollo Quiboloy was said to have gone on an exile to Tamayong for five years and later at Sitio Kitbog at the foot of Mount Matutum in South Cotabato. Quiboloy says that it was revelations from God through his dreams which led him to the foundation of the KJC.[4]

In fact, Quiboloy is a former member of the United Pentecostal Church.,[1] a Oneness Pentecostal denomination. Apollo Quiboloy’s father, José, was already a Protestant (a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance) but converted to Oneness Pentecostalism with four sons, who all became preachers and leaders in the United Pentecostal Church of the Philippines (UPCP), the largest Filipino Oneness Pentecostal Church, which is affiliated to the U.S.-based United Pentecostal Church International. Apollo became president of the powerful UPCP youth organization in 1974, but was expelled from UPCP in 1979 for unorthodox teachings. He repented, apologized, and was accepted back into the fold in 1980 as pastor of the Agdao Church in Davao City, one of the historical UPCP churches. In 1985, Apollo was put again under investigation by UPCP for his arrogant attitudes towards other pastors. Rather than submitting to trial, he left UPCP with some 15 followers on September 1, 1985, and started his own denomination.[5]

Apollo's church started on September 1, 1985 and Quiboloy's prayer house was situated along Villamor Street in Agdao, Davao City.[4][6]

As of October 2016, the KJC congregation reportedly claims to have 4 million tithed followers in the Philippines, and 2 million followers outside the country.[1]

Controversies

Human trafficking raids

On January 29, 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided KJC offices in California and Hawaii after receiving a complaint by former church members that the church has been conducting immigration fraud.[7]

According to testimonies taken by the FBI, the KJC has conducted 82 sham marriages in the past 20 years in order to keep them illegally in the United States. They said that the victims were invited as guests to a fundraiser concert for Children's Joy Foundation, one of the church's charity arms. Once they arrived, they were forced to solicit donations on the streets and sell pastries, such as Krispy Kreme doughnuts, claiming that they're raising funds for the church, receiving little to no pay and were met with steep quota requirements. One of the victims even said that young church workers were physically or psychologically abused if they did not work well during incredible hours.[8]

They allegedly received punishments, such as paddling or isolation in a walled room for three to five days while being denied food and water and listened to pre-recorded sermons of the church. One victim was even forced to shave her head and wear an orange shirt with "SOS" or "Son of Satan" in the back.[9]

Three people — Guia Cabactulan, Marissa Duenas, and Amanda Estopare — were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit immigration fraud. Both Cabactulan and Duenas were arrested in Van Nuys, while Estopare was arrested in Norfolk, Virginia.[10]

Church officials, however, said that the investigation is based on testimony from disgruntled former church members who were allowed to stay in the country longer in exchange for their testimony.

Beliefs

The KJC believes that its founder, Apollo Quiboloy, is the Appointed Son of God. A self-described account of Quiboloy's birth involves God coming to his mother as a cloud to declare him as his son. Members of the church, also called "Kingdom citizens", believe that salvation is closed to non-members.[1]

Linked organizations

Organizations like the Children's Joy Foundation and the Sonshine Philippines Movement are connected to the KJC. The Children's Joy Foundation focuses on providing humanitarian aid to destitute children, while the Sonshine Philippines Movement is involved in reforestation and disaster-relief efforts.[1]

See also

References
  1. Hodgart, Kenny (7 October 2016). "The Messiah friend of President Duterte". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 8 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  2. "Who is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy?". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  3. "Who is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy - An Advocacy for Children". Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. 2019-02-02. Archived from the original on 2019-05-20. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
  4. Estremera, Stella (30 June 2016). "A prayer movement instead of planes". Sun Star Davao. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  5. King, Johnny Loye (2016). Spirit and Schism: A History of Oneness Pentecostalism in the Philippines (PhD). University of Birmingham. pp. 192–194.
  6. "KJC History". kingdomofjesuschrist.org (Wayback Machine). Archived from the original on 29 April 2005. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  7. Rick Daysog (January 29, 2020). "Federal authorities raid Filipino mega-church as part of massive investigation". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  8. Jim Gomez (January 30, 2020). "FBI Accuses Filipino Church of Human Trafficking, Sham Marriages for Fake Charity". Christianity Today. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  9. Neil Vigdor (January 29, 2020). "3 Leaders of Filipino Church Are Charged With Running Human Trafficking Ring". New York Times. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  10. "FBI arrests 3 Quiboloy church members in US on immigration fraud charges". CNN Philippines. January 30, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
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