International Christian College of Manila

International Christian College of Manila ( ICCM ) is a private, non-profit co-educational Bible college of the non-denominational Christian Churches/Churches of Christ as rooted on the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement, which existence is anchored, among others, on the preservation of primitive New Testament Christianity. Its main campus is located in San Jose, Antipolo City in the southeastern part of metropolitan Manila, Republic of the Philippines.

A tertiary-level Christian educational institute, ICCM provides formal training on Christian and church leadership by offering degree courses on theology and Christian education. Its main objective is to develop quality human resources with core values tantamount to its fourfold mission and vision goals of Integrity, Christlikeness, Competence and Ministry.

In accordance with the Philippine law, ICCM first received its permit to operate from the country’s Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on 8th March 2005.

History

ICCM has a modest yet difficult beginning. It started in July 2000 when a number of advanced students of theology from other bible seminaries found that they no longer had a Bible college in which to study. The students approached various church ministers of Metro Manila like Nick Alfafara, Robert and Nezie Cabalteja, and Ross and Cheryl Wissmann for help with a new college in which they could continue their training for the church.

The first classes were held in the Wissmann’s residence then in Mapayapa Village I, Quezon City. The first professors were Bobby and Nezie Cabalteja, Tito Pel, Ferdinand Rosete, and Ross and Cheryl Wissmann. By August 2000, rented premises were found in Village Plaza Building at the corner of Narra and Sampaguita Sts. at Mapayapa Village III that served as boys’ dorm and classrooms while the ladies’ dormitory were housed at the nearby Bueno Sol, Ramax Subdivision, Quezon City.

In the same year, the Board of Trustees was created to act as a policy-making body and to oversee the school’s operation, fund-raising drives and promotion. Its first Chair and Vice-Chair were Dr. Violeta N. Arciaga and Dr. Josue S. Falla, respectively, both well-known educators and scientists in the Philippine civil service. The school was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 21st of June 2001.

In 2002, when Village Plaza was repossessed by a bank, the College moved to its present location at the corner of Provincial Road and Genesis St., in Antipolo City, province of Rizal. Prior to occupation, the site had been a resort, a private school, and then left derelict. Antipolo Church of Christ had been meeting there and is accommodated for their services each Sunday. The property is 5,000 square meters and a lease has been obtained for at least ten years.

ICCM began with 11 students but this had declined to six by end of the first semester. These six students were Jonic Alfafara, Lauro Avanceña, Susan Estrada, Aldwin Falla, Arnel Rodriguez, and Jevelyn Tamonde. Enrollment grew to 27 at the beginning of second term, 2000/01 and to 66 for the first semester, 2001/2002. The enrollment for 2nd Semester, 2003/4 was 84 and one for the record, the first semester of 2006/7, it escalated to 125 students.

Undergraduate Program

ICCM offers a four-year Bachelor of Theology program that aims to build strong Biblical foundation of faith. It has four major areas to choose from: Ministry, Education, Outreach, and Worship/Music.

tudents

Local students come from different provinces in the Philippines, while foreign students have, so far, come from Korea and India. They are expected to develop their knowledge and skills in Christian leadership, strengthen theological roots, and deepen their personal relationship with God. ICCM prepares them for careers in the local churches, church planting, mission work, and other forms of Christian service.

Faculty

ICCM faculty members show a blending of cultures, age group, and fields of study who are committed to and united in one common goal, that is, raising up Christian leaders for Christ. Alongside, Filipino faculty members, international short term professors come to teach for block classes. They arrive from various Christian churches and seminaries abroad, mostly from the US, Australia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan and India. Some are authors of Christian books and commentaries. Each of them has either an earned doctoral degree or expertise in their respective disciplines.

Academic Scholarship

A grant for Academic Scholarship is available to those students who excel in academics and exemplify good moral character.

Work Student Program

Students are assigned to work alongside with the staff inside the campus. Life skills are being developed among students under work program. Works are available in places like the library, kitchen, canteen, ground and building. Working students are provided with just remuneration to defray partially or totally the cost of their studies at ICCM.

Facilities

From a modest classroom, the College has been blessed as it has grown. New building work has been done to remodel existing buildings for the library, computer laboratory, chapel, 4 classrooms, dining hall, faculty and staff housing, and other facilities. Now, these facilities can conveniently accommodate over a hundred students.

ICCM administration is bracing itself in providing decent accommodation to the students and some faculty and staff families. As a boarding school, students are generally obliged to live on campus dormitories as managed by Dorm Managers. Boy’s Dorms are housed inside the campus while six apartments rented nearby house the girls’ dorm, staff apartments, and a guest apartment for short term professors.

References

"Board of Trustees,ICCM, "Student Handbook CY 2007-2008"," Antipolo City, Rizal, p.3-4, 2007.

"Board of Trustees,ICCM, "Faculty and Staff Manual"," Antipolo City, Rizal, 2006.

External links

http://www.iccmanila.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wissmann/