Wilde E. Almeda

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Evangelist Wilde Estrada Almeda is the leader and pastor of Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministries, a Philippines-based Christian sect. Claiming to have supernatural powers given to him by Jesus Christ, he claims to have stopped tropical storms and survived assassination attempts by communist rebels whose rifles failed to fire on him even with triggers pulled.[citation needed] His members also claim that he has healing powers that make the lame walk, the blind see and the "demon possessed" exorcised.[citation needed]

Almeda was born in the province of Surigao del Sur, Southern Philippines and married Lina Comon Almeda, in tha late 1960's. They have 12 children: Rachel, Annaliza, Leah, Divine Grace, Wilde James, Esther, Faith, Joy, Rebecca, Ruth, Elizabeth and Charity Anne. However, two of them died at an early age. Prior to founding the JMCIM, Wilde (pronounced as "Weeldee") was afflicted with an acute insomnia owing to years of hard work in political campaigning for power and fortune.[citation needed] Hopeless to medical cure, the menacing disease caused him to be suicidal, until one day, a Christian shared him the word of God. He gave his heart to Jesus and instantly got healed of the curse he suffered for 6 long years.[citation needed]

Almeda is one of the most influential religious figures in Philippine Politics. The Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry (JMCIM) supported the candidacy of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, Speaker Jose de Venecia (who lost to Joseph Ejercito Estrada) and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Almeda's church claims to have more or less 7 million active Filipino members, scattered around the world.

Almeda became controversial when he volunteered to rescue foreign hostages in the camp of Abusayaff Terrorist Group in Sulu, Southern Mindanao in July 2000.