A SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
The Honorable Congressman Benny M. Abante, Jr., Th. D.
In every generation, God has always raised a man that will be His “catalyst” or agent of sweeping and dramatic changes and spiritual revival to make His Name and purpose known. These included men in history like kings, judges, spiritual leaders and prophets. In our times, God can use presidents, lawmakers and even individuals who are just willing to obey Him unreservedly.
There was a simple boy who never even imagined he would become what he is now. He was raised in an ordinary family whose lives were touched and molded by God to be His instruments for proclaiming the Gospel in our archipelago.
His father, the late Dr. Ben O. Abante, Sr. became one of the very first Christian converts in the Philippines. Though poor when he first came to Manila, Tatay Abante, as he was fondly called, was a very hardworking, principled and a strict disciplinarian who faithfully served God in his church, the Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church until he went home to be with the Lord in 1999.
More significantly, he has left a priceless legacy by having raised three sons who are now Senior Pastors themselves of big and growing churches and ministries in and out of the country. His eldest son is also considered the Pastor and leader of pastors around the country, since he was able to bring together to lift up moral and spiritual standards in the country. He leads more than 4,000 independent, biblical Baptist Pastors through the 23-year-old BIBLEMODE or the Bible Believers League for Morality and Democracy.
Called the “Filipino Prince of Preachers,” and “Father of Firstfruits,” he is also a much sought-after speaker in some of the largest Baptist churches in America. His unwavering devotion to God’s Word and His work has spawned books and manuals for church administration and management, church ministries and growth, missions, the MITOSIS soul-winning method, cheerful giving, and prayer.
He had a sterling performance as Councilor of the 6th District of Manila from 1992-1995, and was voted throughout his 3-year term in the City Council as “Most Outstanding Councilor.” He also became a Commissioner of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) during the Ramos administration, helping institute the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), and making PCUP as one of the main agencies for the urban poor.
Who would even imagine that a former shoeshine boy, flower vendor, and construction worker that paid his way to school would now be regarded as one of the most influential men in our time, and who has also been chosen as one of the Most Outstanding Congressmen of the Philippines for 3 consecutive years?
He is well-esteemed and respected by no less than the President, the Speaker of the House and his colleagues in the House of Representatives. As a public servant, he has always taken public trust seriously. Hence, he has been entrusted to lead or take part in vital House committees, such as the following:
- ¨ Chairman, Committee on Public Information
- ¨ Senior Vice Chairman, Committee on Civil, Political and Human Rights
- ¨ 2nd Vice Chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges
- ¨ Vice Chairman, Committee of Appropriations
- ¨ Vice Chairman, Special Committee on Metro Manila Development
- ¨ Member, Committee on Information and Communication Technology
- ¨ Member, Committee on Basic Education and Culture
- ¨ Member, Committee on Transportation
- ¨ Member, Committee on Good Government
- ¨ Member, Committee on Defense
- ¨ Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Despite his hectic schedules, he still manages to host a weekly TV show – the ABANTE PILIPINAS! which discusses relevant issues about government, society, and youth with significant spiritual insights as well.
After more than 4 years of waiting, one of his biggest, and perhaps, “most ambitious” dream for his District was realized last July 8, 2009 when no less than the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the groundbreaking ceremonies for the conversion of the Tahanan ng Masa to the future EVA MACARAEG-MACAPAGAL MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER FOR GERIATRIC HEALTH – geared for providing quality medical care for the District’s Senior Citizens.
This man who rose from obscurity to being media’s sought-after personality is a man of the masses, a charismatic leader, a principled lawmaker, and a Christian patriot. Though all these, he is most happy to be known more as a Pastor and a feisty Gospel preacher and the servant of the Most High God.
2 Chronicles 27:6 wrote of King Jotham, one of the righteous kings of Israel, which could also well apply to his life:
“So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God.”
