JMCIM Evangelist Pastor Wilde Almeda is flanked by followers during the group's 40th anniversary celebration. And the book launching of "Miracles in Moroland" authored by American evangelist Sam Smith with "prayer warriors" and former Abu Sayyaf hostages Danilo Cuarteros and Hermie Limpin.
MANILA – The Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry (JMCIM) led by Evangelist Pastor Wilde Estrada Almeda – after prayers and fasting asking for Divine Grace – decided to actively take part in the implementation of “Yes for Peace – Bayanihan para sa KKK (Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Kasaganahan)” in support to President Benigno Aquino’s peace efforts.
The Yes for Peace, an unfunded, non-government initiated peace education and advocacy campaign, is being supported by Department of Education; the Philippine Postal Corporation, the Presidential Communications Operations Office; the Philippine Information Agency; the Philippine News Agency; and the National Printing Office.
In 2000, Pastor Almeda led 12 “prayer warriors” in successfully fasting, praying and negotiating for the release, without ransom, of the so-called Sipadan hostages kidnapped and held captive in Sulu province by the feared terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in 2000.
The incredible survival and strong faith in God of Pastor Almeda’s group that led them to freedom and the miracle that also changed the hearts of many Abu Sayyaf members and their leaders can now be read in a book “Miracles in Moroland” written by American author and evangelist Sam Smith.
“How Christians, who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and therefore, their Lord and Savior, armed only with bibles, prayers, the firm resolve to act as peacemakers and a strong belief that God is with them convinced heavily armed Muslims who believe that Christ or Issah is a great Prophet of Allah into releasing their hostages after more than 100 days of fasting, praying and negotiating is the subject of the book,” Smith said during a recent book launching.
The book was launched by evangelist couple Luke and Annalissa Smith together with Danilo Cuarteros and Hermie Limpin – two of the original prayer warriors, who were with Pastor Almeda, when Abu Sayyaf rebels seized them in Talipao town. The launching of the book – attended by senior ordained preachers, among others – also coincided with the spiritual mission for peace as part of the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the JMCIM.
Cuarteros said the JMCIM also invited President Benigno Aquino III to speak during the anniversary celebration attended by some 500,000 members from all over the country, as well as stations in various parts of the world.
In his letter to President Aquino, JMCIM Minister Wilde James Comon Almeda, Jr. and Yes for Peace Lead Organizer Ernesto Angeles Alcanzare wrote: “The recent bombing in Zamboanga City and the heart-wrecking death of 44 PNP-SAF officers and men in Maguindanao further underscored the need for people’s direct participation in defining the comprehensive peace process as clearly laid down in the current government policy that you have adopted and set in place.”
Cuarteros said earlier during President Aquino’s term, he declared: “We shall endeavor to restore confidence in a peace process that is transparent and participative.” But contrary to President Aquino’s firm belief that the comprehensive peace process was conducted in accordance with his guidance, critics are having a heyday proving that even the drafting Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was not transparent and participative.
Feeling that there is a need to recognize the growing clamor against the BBL, President Aquino challenged critics to lay out alternative solutions instead of merely criticizing efforts undertaken toward a just and lasting peace. And pursuant to the principle posted in the website of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process that, “a comprehensive peace process should be community-based, reflecting the sentiments, values and principles important to all Filipinos. Thus, it shall be defined not by the government alone, nor by the different contending groups only, but by all Filipinos as one community.”
Cuarteros said in another letter to the President, Almeda and Alcanzare also wrote, “Many of our Preachers are undertaking various initiatives to be bridges between the government and the armed groups within existing government policies and in accordance with published guidelines. In fact, bible studies are being conducted in rebel infested areas as well as military camps which have resulted in a down swing in the number of armed confrontations.”
He said the JMCIM also enjoins its members to actively participate in Yes for Peace by following-up the compliance by public and private elementary and high schools where their children study to Department of Education Memorandum 277, s. 2011 as well as subsequent issuance until, if needed to stress the point, majority of Filipinos have responded to the campaign that calls for the permanent cessation of the armed conflicts; conduct of peace negotiations here in the country instead of abroad; and direct people’s involvement and participation (Bayanihan) for the implementation of programs and projects that have already been agreed upon or will be agreed upon.
Cuarteros said Almeda and Alcanzare continue to pray for the President’s favorable response to join the calls of over 11 million Filipinos who have thus far responded to the Yes for Peace – Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan campaign and are actually praying that President Aquino personally respond to Yes to Peace and use his position to push for the whole of nation approach and Bayanihan (collective involvement and participation) in addressing the protracted armed conflicts of Filipinos against Filipinos to protect and uphold the individual and collective human right of the Filipino people to peace.
He said considering the rain of criticisms currently besieging President Aquino, Almeda and Alcanzare are actually “praying and waiting for a miracle to happen.” (Mindanao Examiner)
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