Davao City: The Crown Jewel of Southern Mindanao
Davao City, locally known as Dakbayan sa Dabaw, stands as the epitome of urban excellence and resilience in Southern Mindanao. Renowned both domestically and internationally for its unwavering commitment to peace and order, it has consistently ranked among the Top Ten Safest Places in the World and has been repeatedly recognized as the Most Child-Friendly City in the Philippines.
Designated as a first-class, highly urbanized metropolis, Davao City is the largest city in the world by land area, spanning an astonishing 244,000 hectares. It is also the third-most populous city in the Philippines, following Quezon City and Manila, and the most populous urban center in Mindanao. The 2024 census recorded its population at 1,991,460 residents. The city is systematically structured into three congressional districts, further subdivided into 11 administrative districts and 182 barangays.
Davao’s sheer geographical expanse—approximately 7.8 times the size of Cebu and three times the land area of Metro Manila—encompasses a rich ecological and cultural landscape. It is the proud home of the Waling-Waling, the revered “Queen of Orchids”; Mount Apo, the Philippines’ highest peak; the durian, famously known as the “King of Fruits”; and the Philippine Eagle, the nation’s majestic national bird. Nestled between idyllic islands and towering highlands, Davao enjoys a mild tropical climate, with no pronounced wet or dry season, making it a haven of natural beauty and biodiversity.
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Evangel Family Church – Davao: A Divine Vision Fulfilled
In 1993, a Singaporean pastor, Rev. Peter Wee, received a divine calling to pioneer a church in an unfamiliar land. Compelled by a passion for souls, he, along with his wife Christine and their three-year-old daughter Ena, left the comfort of their homeland to establish a spiritual stronghold in Davao City—a city then marred by the lingering stigma of conflict in Mindanao. Despite its tumultuous past, Davao was strategically positioned in the resource-abundant southern archipelago of the Philippines.
With divine favor, the inaugural service of Evangel Family Church – Davao (EFC-Davao) was held on August 8, 1993, in a modest venue along McArthur Highway in Matina, attended by eight adults and five children. By 1995, the congregation had grown to 40 regular members, excluding children.
In October 2008, EFC-Davao transitioned into a 400-seat worship sanctuary located at Evelyn Fabie College Building in Doña Vicenta Village. After fifteen years of leasing, the church ardently sought to secure a permanent place of worship, leading to its formal registration under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in April 2015 as Evangel Family Church of Davao, Incorporated.
A landmark moment arrived in 2019, when, through unwavering faith and divine provision, EFC-Davao successfully acquired a 3,400-square-meter parcel of land in Maa, Davao City. However, unforeseen challenges and the global COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in construction, postponing the realization of this vision until early 2023, when contractors finally commenced the building process.
By late 2024, after years of prayer, perseverance, and anticipation, EFC-Davao embarked on its long-awaited transition to a permanent sanctuary. On January 12, 2025, history was written as the congregation gathered for the inaugural service in its new spiritual home. The dedication ceremony, officiated by Dr. Rev. Robert Lim, accompanied by his wife Rev. Dr. Marion Lim, and a delegation from Evangel Singapore, was a momentous occasion, attended by JECPP Spiritual Leaders, Southern Mindanao Church Planters, and devoted church members. Together, they exalted God’s providence, declaring that this new sanctuary would stand as a beacon of faith, a pillar of spiritual transformation, and an instrument in expanding God’s Kingdom on Earth.
Expanding the Mission: Church Planting and Outreach Initiatives
Over the past three decades, EFC-Davao has evolved into a missions driven centre, establishing 154 churches across Southern Mindanao, specifically in Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the Tribal Regions of Marilog District.
The JECPP Southern Mindanao outreach network consists of five core churches, each serving as a missionary hub:
EFC-Tagum (1994) – Led by Rev. Gregorio and Rev. Rosario Simpas, overseeing 40 main and cell churches in Davao del Norte.
EFC-Mati (1995) – Under the leadership of Rev. Delia and Rev. Renante Miguel, managing 16 churches in Davao Oriental.
EFC-General Santos (2005) – Shepherded by Rev. Alberto and Rev. Jane Poliño, supervising 37 churches across South Cotabato and Sarangani Province.
EFC-Kidapawan (2005) – Founded by Rev. Tony and Rev. Liza Angelias, overseeing 21 churches in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato, alongside a radio ministry broadcasting every Sunday morning.
EFC-Marahan – Pastored by Rev. Patricio and Rev. Mivelyn Margate, serving 44 churches in Marilog District and Arakan Valley, North Cotabato.
Mivelyn Margate, is the core church among 44 churches in Marilog District and Arakan Valley of North Cotabato.
Regional and Tribal Missions
A cornerstone of EFC-Davao’s outreach is its dedication to tribal missions in the remote hinterlands of Davao, particularly in Marilog District, designated by the Davao City Government as the most impoverished congressional district. Despite geographical and logistical challenges, God has opened doors of opportunity, allowing the Gospel to penetrate indigenous communities, notably the Matigsalug and Bagobo-Tagabawa tribes.
Since 2003, EFC-Davao has conducted thirteen Medical Missions in Marahan and Marilog Districts, delivering critical healthcare services to marginalized tribal populations.
To intensify the impact of its tribal ministry, JECPP established the Evangel Tribal Training Centre (ETTC), initially located in Brgy. Datu Ladayon, Arakan Valley. However, due to security threats posed by insurgent activities, ETTC was relocated to Marahan in 2021. Today, this training center features a two-story dormitory for men and women, a dedicated teachers’ residence, a multipurpose lecture hall, a kitchen, and a dining facility.
At the heart of ETTC’s mission is its annual Tribal Workers Intensive Training (TWIT), a program designed to equip and empower indigenous evangelists to spread the Gospel throughout their communities.
From humble beginnings to a thriving ministry, EFC-Davao stands as a monument of unwavering faith, divine providence, and steadfast commitment to the Great Commission. As the church continues to expand its spiritual footprint, it remains resolute in its mission to illuminate lives with the boundless grace of God, one soul at a time.
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