By Karren Jay G. Asgar
Congratulations, Centralians Rev. Jireh John Francia, Rev. Dojie Gumata, and Rev. Dr. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on for being elected as CPBC’s President, Vice President, and Ordination Council Chairman, respectively. Pubmat courtesy of Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc. Facebook page.
The Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc. announced their newly elected President, Rev. Jireh John Francia; Vice President, Rev. Dojie Gumata; and CPBC Ordination Council Chairman Rev. Dr. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on; Vice Chairman Rev. Mark A. Vergara on May 28 and May 31, respectively.
After the much-anticipated 8th Biennial Assembly of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc. (CPBC), held at the Cadiz City Arena, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, on May 21–23, 2024, the said announcements have been published in the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc. Facebook page.
Rev. Jireh John Balino Francia, CPBC President, is a graduate of the College of Theology at Central Philippine University. He has been devoted for over 40 years to pastoral ministry. His journey of service has taken him to Calvario Evangelical Church, Ajuy Baptist Church, LN Agustin Memorial Christian Fellowship, Rosario Heights Evangelical Church, and Bacolod Evangelical Church. Also, he has been the Senior Minister and Administrator of Baptist Center Church since 2011 and has also served as a chaplain at LN Agustin Memorial Mission Hospital, West Negros University, and the Christian Academy of Bacolod. When he was a Centralian, he represented CPU in PRISAA, Provincial, Regional, and Palarong Pambansa competitions as a table tennis varsity player.
CPBC Vice President Rev. Dojie Gumata is a graduate of the Bachelor of Theology program at Central Philippine University, batch of 2016. During his Centralian days, he served notably as Prime Minister and later as Vice President of the Central Philippine University Republic in the years 2013–2015. Currently, he is serving as Church Minister of Sublangon Christian Church in Pontevedra, Capiz, National Secretary of the Convention Baptist Ministers Association (CBMA), and President of the CBMA-Capiz Chapter.
Rev. Dr. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, CPBC Ordination Council Chairman, is the current Director of the CPU Office of Communications. He wrote numerous books, such as 6 volumes of Seeds of Faith; The Story of Juanito M. Acanto, The Centennial President of Central Philippine University; and We are CPU: Our Reasons for Being, co-authored by Dr. Ananias C. Sabijon, Jr., and Prof. Rea Angelica F. Villeza. He is also the first Filipino to have his work published in Our Daily Bread (ODB) Global Edition. On weekends, he has been serving the Bacolod Bethany Church as a pastoral director and a pastor of the La Carlota Evangelical Church.
Rev. Mark A. Vergara, CPBC Ordination Council Vice Chairman, is a graduate of the CPU College of Theology. He was the former President of the Convention Baptist Ministers Association, the national association of pastors serving the churches of the CPBC. He is currently the Senior Pastor of Odiongan Central Baptist Church, Odiongan, Iloilo.
Looking ahead, CPU remains steadfast in its mission to educate, inspire, and empower the leaders of tomorrow through the guidance of the Central Spirit. As its alumni continue to make indelible marks in the CPBC, the university stands as a testament of hope and possibility, igniting the aspirations of countless others who walk through its gates in pursuit of knowledge and excellence.
The following are the newly elected officers of the CPBC Ordination Council:
Chairman: Rev. Dr. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Vice Chairman: Rev. Mark A. Vergara
Secretary-Treasurer: Rev. Alberto A. Valdez
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer: Rev. Lenny Ruth L. Sombilla