In Memoriam of Dr. Benjamin Pada De Jesus, A Paragon of Servant Christian Leadership

Dr. Benjamin “Ben” Pada de Jesus was a visionary leader, pastor, educator, and global servant of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

As the longest-serving president of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines (CAMACOP), Dr. Benjamin “Ben” Pada de Jesus lived a life marked by unwavering faith, academic excellence, and Christ-centered leadership. He was a paragon of servant leadership who influenced generations throughout the Philippines and across the world.

One of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Ben entered the presence of the Lord on May 28, 2025, at the age of 91. A gifted preacher, educator, writer, and visionary leader, his legacy spans decades of faithful and fruitful ministry. The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) family mourns his passing.

Although he initially dreamed of a military and legal career, God’s call on his life proved inescapable. After years of resistance, Ben surrendered to the Lord’s will during a night of quiet prayer in Manila. From that point forward, his life’s trajectory was set: to serve the Lord wholeheartedly.

He began his formal theological training at Ebenezer Bible Institute in 1955, graduating in 1960. His early pastoral assignments took him from the humble communities of South Cotabato to the bustling cities of Davao and Quezon City. At each stop, his shepherd’s heart, intellectual rigor, and unwavering commitment to Christ became evident.

Among his many leadership roles, Ben served as:

• National Youth Rally Director (1961-1967), nurturing what would become Alliance Youth Philippines.
• District Superintendent of East Mindanao (1966-1967) and Luzon-Palawan (1972).
• President of CAMACOP (1978-1989), the longest tenure in the denomination’s history.
• President (1987-1991) and Executive Director (1992-2000) of Alliance World Fellowship (AWF), strengthening global ties among Alliance churches.
• President of Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary (1999-2005).

A lifelong learner, Ben earned degrees from Far Eastern University (1972), Wheaton College (Summa Cum Laude, 1973), and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Doctorate, 1978). He was as much a man of letters as he was a man of prayer. His written contributions—books, magazine columns, and theological reflections—continue to shape Christian thought and leadership formation within the CAMACOP and beyond.

Ben’s influence was also deeply felt through his family. He was married to Leoncia Maligro, who served as president of the National Women’s Missionary Prayer Fellowship (1982-1992). Together they raised four children—Anne, Benji Jr., Charles John, and Dan Marshall—who carry forward their parents’ legacy of service.

Born on April 18, 1934, in Zamboanga City, Ben was the second son of Rev. Florentino de Jesus Sr., the second president of the CAMACOP, and Mrs. Maria Pada. His early years were shaped by deep spiritual influences. At the age of six, on a stormy evening in the floating village of Siasi, Sulu, a frightened young Ben clung to his mother and prayed a childlike but life-changing prayer: “Dear Jesus, come into my heart.” That moment would begin a journey marked by total surrender and lifelong devotion to Christ.

Through every season of his ministry, whether behind a pulpit, in an academic hall, on the mission field, or at the helm of global leadership, Ben exemplified humility, wisdom, and spiritual depth. His oft-repeated reflection captures the heart behind his enduring impact: “I am what I am, first, because of God’s grace; second, because of my parents’ concerns; third, because of Christian friends and missionaries who gave themselves to us in sacrificial service.”

His passing is not merely a moment of sorrow, it is a celebration of a life lived well for the glory of God. We echo the words of Scripture over his life: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

May his memory inspire generations of servant leaders to come.