Grace Campus Ambassadors Ministry
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Grace Campus Ambassadors Ministry also known as GCAM or Grace Campus Ambassadors Ministry-Inter Campus Ministry (GCAM-ICM) is an interdominational organization established 1997. Its main objective is to share the Gospel of the Grace of God mainly to the students, also called evangelism. Their main office is located in Iligan City, Philippines. They call their gathering place GCAM Shelter. They already have a total of 3 GCAM Shelters: Iligan City, Ozamiz City and Maranding, Lanao del Sur.
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[edit] History
It started with a group of young student in Mindanao State Univeristy - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT); Sarah Obsequio, Hope Batabat, Eric Maraon, and Glen Cabigas (need to confirm). They meet with student pastor Jong Ortenero every week for fellowship and bible study. They also bring friends with them to share the gospel.
At the peak of their ministry, they have an average of 40-60 students attending every Friday evening but there is not definite members. There were just regular attendees. Usually, they gather in the Children's Park, near MSU-IIT. They sing joyful songs, play games and talk about God's word. Several students, already made commitment to the ministry.
One of regular activities they do every semester is the GCAM City Campout. They gather students from Iligan City, Ozamiz City, Pagadian City and Cagayan de Oro City to a one night campout. One of the first campout was held in Initao National Park and there were about 120 students attended the camping and heard the gospel of the Grace of God.
Just like any other organizations, GCAM has ups and downs. And this has molded the organization's status as well as the resposible people left to take care of the ministry.
[edit] The Name
In 1997, they meet regularly every Friday evening at 7pm in any available place, like apartments, lodging house, or at the park. There were about 20-40 students attending regularly. So, they decided to give the group a name for identification because one of their goals is to put up an office inside the school. One of the names they decided was Grace College Ministry. Due to its name, it limit the scope to college students only. So, they have to come up a name that is universal but maintaining its scope mainly to the any students; grade school, high school, and college level. Around 1999, they have decided to change the name to Grace Campus Ambassadors Ministry or GCAM. This is to enlarge the number of audience to participate in the ministry.
In 2005, GCAM registered its name to Security Exchange Commission (SEC). SEC has not allowed to used Grace Campus Ambassadors Ministry, so they have to come up with a new name without taking out GCAM because the name is already well known in the campus area. So they added "Inter Campus Ministry" after GCAM. The current name of the organization is now Grace Campus Ambassadors Ministr-Inter Campus Ministry (GCAM-ICM). Currently, GCAM-ICM already has a total of 3 GCAM Shelters which is located in Iligan City, Ozamiz City, and Maranding, Lanao del Sur.
[edit] Crisis
GCAM Crisis has started around 2001. It begun when Jong Ortenero, who pioneered GCAM, experienced financial diffuculties. He lacked financial support from Things To Come Mission, Inc. (TCM or "The Mission"), members and the local church (Grace Church/es) since the organization was not affiliated with TCM or the local church. At this time, he has to work in a fast food, Chowking, to support himself and his studies.
The tragic incident happened around 2001, when he was selling concert tickets. Unfortunately, the coming concert was cancelled and he already sold many tickets that he cannot reimburse the buyers for some reasons. People who bought the tickets were trying to find him and turned him over to the authorities. He has bailed out from jail by Osias Cadeliña after spending 2 nights. After which, he was suspended by TCM to organized or govern or teach in any TCM affiliated church or organization. From that incident, GCAM has lost its regular meetings since he left without notice and he was not able to train someone to manage GCAM. GCAM has decrease its numbers from 60 to 20, and after a year, it significantly decreased to less than 10 members.
[edit] The Revival
In 2002, Susan Portado have felt the burden of the ministry. She also was a pioneer of a youth group back in early 90's in MSU-IIT. She saw that the group was starting to dissolve. So, it came to her attention that she has to meet the remaining members and re-organized GCAM. One of the few remaining members were Jephunneh Sausa, Esel Maraon, Jeannie Mae Labarda, and Jad Portado. It was said that the four of them still meet and pray regularly. After a while, old members came back; Jong Portado, Remi Portado, Sharel Sausa and Felmar Polan. This was said to be the new beginning of the group. They agreed to meet every Friday evening in Esel's apartment. They invited some friends to come over.
For the past 3 years, GCAM has improved its programs and the attendance on its gatherings increased up to 40 regular attendants. It is still continuing the primary mission of the organization, which is evangelism. One of the new programs they have is the membership. Each member is required to undergo "stages" in order to become a bonifide member of GCAM. They also used the Purpose Driven Youth Ministry, by Rick Warren, as a pattern of its program. It also has changed its vision and mission.
[edit] Today
Currently, GCAM has abotu 40 bonifide members as of December 2006. They meet regularly every Friday evening. The place they meet up is called GCAM Shelter located in Tibanga, Iligan City, around 100 meters away from MSU-IIT campus. Every Friday, they have acoustic band and evangelism. About 60-70 students and non-students go there every Friday to listen to the band or perhaps just hang around.
They also used Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life and Purpose Driven Youth Ministry as the pattern of the organization's structure and activities. So far, it is very effective reaching out non-churched students.
[edit] Administration
Since 2003, GCAM is managed by Joseph and Susan Portado with Pastor Marvin Amlon as the chairman. International Health Link Caregiver Training Center (IHLCTC) has also been a great help to GCAM for financial support and management.
The monetary fund of GCAM has been centralized by IHLCTC for the salary of the chairman of each GCAM Shelter and for the needs and activities; Pastor Villaro-Maranding Shelter and John Docdor-Ozamiz Shelter. Most of GCAM's fund came from pledges and donations. Some of the financial supporters were Ruthie Balasabas from Texas, USA; Jad Portado from Cebu City, Philippines; Susan Portado from Iligan City; Joseph Portado from Iligan City; and IHLCTC.
[edit] Ortenero's Era 1997-2001
[edit] Post-Ortenero's Era 2001-2003
[edit] Amlon's Era 2003-Present
Pastor Marvin Amlon, a graduate of International Grace Bible Institute (IGBI) and a former registrar of the said school, he has been a great influence of the current status of GCAM because of his student-oriented experience with IGBI. His wife, Lymer, has helped also mold GCAM's music team with her talent in music. She teach students who are willing to learn music like piano, singing and stage plays.
[edit] Future Plans
GCAM had developed from a traditional or denominational group into a dynamic interdominational and people-oriented group, and it has made GCAM a fast growing campus ministry.
This is a list of some plans of GCAM in the future:
1. Student/Member benefits: loan, books, scholars, etc.
2. Free library for members
3. Recreational center
4. Lodging house
5. Theological school
6. Community service
7. Academic tutorials
8. Kindergarten school
