Editing Kingdom of Jesus Christ (church)

{{Short description|Philippine-based Restorationist church}}
{{use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox religion
|name                = Kingdom of Jesus Christ,<br>The Name Above Every Name
|image               = Kingdom of Jesus Christ KJC coa.png
|theology            = [[Nontrinitarianism|Nontrinitarian]]
|caption             = Seal
|main_classification = [[Christianity]]
|orientation         = [[Restorationism|Restorationist]] 
|leader_title        = Executive Pastor
|leader_name         = Marlon Acobo<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/899941/quiboloy-lawyers-say-he-doesn-t-have-details-required-in-smni-hearing/story/|title=Quiboloy lawyers say he doesn't have 'details' required in SMNI hearing|publisher=[[GMA Integrated News]]|date=March 8, 2024|accessdate=March 9, 2024}}</ref>
|polity              =
|governance          = 
|area                = 
|headquarters        = Buhangin, [[Davao City]], [[Philippines]]
|founder             = [[Apollo Quiboloy]]
|founded_date        = {{start date and age|1985|9|1}}
|founded_place       = Agdao, [[Davao City]], Philippines
|separated_from      = United Pentecostal Church of the Philippines
|division_type       = Media arm
|division            = [[Sonshine Media Network International]]
|nursing_homes       =
|aid                 = {{ublist|Children's Joy Foundation|Sonshine Philippines Movement}}
|ministers           =
|members             = 5,000–8 million (2024)
|abbreviation        = KOJC, KJC
|tertiary            = [[Jose Maria College]]
|publications        = ''[[Pinas (newspaper)|Pinas]]''
|website             = [https://web.archive.org/web/20260331093740/https://kingdomofjesuschrist.net/ www.kingdomofjesuschrist.net] (archived)
}}

The '''Kingdom of Jesus Christ''' ('''KOJC''' or '''KJC'''), officially the '''Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, Inc.''', is a Philippine-based [[Nontrinitarianism|nontrinitarian]] [[Restorationism|Restorationist]] church. It was founded by pastor [[Apollo Quiboloy]], who styles himself as the "Appointed Son of God". Quiboloy, who is currently in prison, is alleged to have conducted numerous sexual abuses of children who he forces to have intercourse with him "in the name of God", aided by his close ultra-religious allies.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.npr.org/2024/09/09/g-s1-21481/philippines-pastor-arrest-trafficking | title=A Filipino preacher on the run from sexual abuse charges surrenders | website=NPR | date=2024-09-09 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://pressone.ph/fact-check-quiboloys-church-is-not-the-second-largest-non-catholic-christian-church-in-the-philippines/#google_vignette | title=FACT-CHECK: Quiboloy's church is not the second largest non-Catholic Christian church in the Philippines | website=PressOnePH }}</ref>

The members of the church refer to their community as a "Kingdom Nation".<ref name=pdi2>{{cite news| url = http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20100216-253439 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130221180913/http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20100216-253439 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2013-02-21 | title = Who is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy? | newspaper = Philippine Daily Inquirer}}</ref> The church claims to have eight million members worldwide, although third parties claim the number of members is as low as 7,000.

It has been the subject of various controversies, with critics calling it a cult and its founder having been indicted for criminal charges in the United States by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI). In 2024, the church, its founder, and [[SMNI News Channel]] became the subject of scrutiny and inquiry by the Philippine government for several alleged violations and unlawful actions, including sexual exploitation of children. Quiboloy was arrested after [[Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound standoff|raids]] of the church in September 2024.

==History==
[[File:SMNI Quiboloy 2022 cropped.jpg|thumb|Apollo Quiboloy, the KOJC's founder and executive pastor.]]
Before the establishment of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) religious group, its founder [[Apollo Quiboloy]] was said to have gone on an exile to Tamayong for five years and later at Sitio Kitbog at the foot of [[Mount Matutum]] in [[South Cotabato]]. Quiboloy says that it was revelations from God through his dreams which led him to the foundation of the KOJC.<ref name=prayerplanes>{{cite news|last1=Estremera|first1=Stella|title=A prayer movement instead of planes|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/feature/2016/06/30/prayer-movement-instead-planes-482432|access-date=9 December 2016|work=Sun Star Davao|date=30 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220074611/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/feature/2016/06/30/prayer-movement-instead-planes-482432|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In fact, Quiboloy is a former member of the United Pentecostal Church of the Philippines,<ref name="asiatimes">{{cite news|last1=Hodgart|first1=Kenny|title=The Messiah friend of President Duterte|url=https://asiatimes.com/article/messiah-friend-president-duterte-2/|access-date=9 December 2016|work=Asia Times|date=7 October 2016}}</ref> a [[Oneness Pentecostalism|Oneness Pentecostal]] denomination.

Apollo Quiboloy's father, José, was already a Protestant (a member of the [[Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines|Christian and Missionary Alliance]]), but converted to Oneness Pentecostalism with four sons, who all became preachers and leaders in the United Pentecostal Church of the Philippines (UPCP), the largest Filipino Oneness Pentecostal church and affiliate of the U.S.-based [[United Pentecostal Church International]]. Quiboloy became president of the powerful UPCP youth organization in 1974, but was expelled from the UPCP in 1979 for unorthodox teachings. He repented, apologized, and was accepted back into the fold in 1980 as pastor of the Agdao Church in Davao City, one of the historical UPCP churches.

In 1985, Quiboloy was put again under investigation by the UPCP for his arrogant attitudes towards other pastors. Rather than submitting to trial, he left the UPCP with some 15 followers on September 1, 1985, and started his own denomination.<ref>{{cite thesis |type=PhD|last=King|first=Johnny Loye|date=2016|title=Spirit and Schism: A History of Oneness Pentecostalism in the Philippines|publisher=University of Birmingham|pages=192–194}}</ref>

Quiboloy's church started on September 1, 1985, and Quiboloy's prayer house was situated along Villamor Street in Agdao, Davao City.<ref name=prayerplanes/><ref name="oldkjcwebsitekjchistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.kingdomofjesuschrist.org:80/kjc_history.php |title=KJC History |work=kingdomofjesuschrist.org (Wayback Machine) |access-date=22 September 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050429094329/http://www.kingdomofjesuschrist.org/kjc_history.php |archive-date=29 April 2005 }}</ref>

On March 9, 2024, [[Sonshine Media Network International]] announced on [[Twitter|X]] that former [[President of the Philippines|President]] [[Rodrigo Duterte]] was appointed as the KOJC's "administrator for all of its properties."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cabato |first1= Luisa|title=Ex-president Duterte appointed as new administrator of KJC properties — SMNI |url= https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1916467/smni-on-dutertes-appointment-as-administrator-kojc-properties|accessdate=March 10, 2024 |publisher=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |date=March 9, 2024}}</ref> SMNI has not released any proof or document to back this announcement.

Starting on August 24, 2024, the Philippine National Police conducted a [[Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound standoff|series of raids]] against the KOJC compound in Davao City.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-24 |title=Police raid KOJC compound anew to arrest Pastor Quiboloy |url=https://mindanews.com/top-stories/2024/08/police-raid-kojc-compound-anew-to-arrest-pastor-quiboloy/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saron |first=Rhoda Grace |date=2024-08-25 |title=Controversial police raid at KOJC compound continues for second day |url=https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/controversial-police-raid-at-kojc-compound-continues-for-second-day/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Mindanao Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Beliefs==
The KOJC believes that its founder, Apollo Quiboloy, is the "''Appointed Son of God''". A self-described account of Quiboloy's birth involves God coming to his mother as a cloud to declare him as his son. Members of the church, also called "Kingdom citizens", believe that [[Salvation in Christianity|salvation]] is exclusive to its members.<ref name="asiatimes"/> Such belief has been made as counter to mainstream Christianity.

==Membership==
The KOJC claims to have 8 million members worldwide in 2024. However this was disputed by former member Arlene Stone who states there are only 7,000 to 8,000 members worldwide from an unspecified international KOJC member.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Antalan |first1=Mary |title=Quiboloy: KOJC's members around 7 million |url=https://dzrh.com.ph/post/quiboloy-kojcs-members-around-7-million |work=DZRH News |date=23 October 2024 |language=en, fil |quote=It can be recalled in an interview on DZRH News on September 19, Arlene Stone, a former member of KOJC said that the religious group only has 7,000 to 8,000 members, citing information she received from an international member of the group.  "Sinasabi ni Quiboloy 8 million sila pero wala naman silang data," said Stone.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ex 'Pastoral' member of KOJC reveals alleged victimization by Quiboloy |url=https://www.dzrh.com.ph/post/ex-pastoral-member-of-kojc-exclusive-interview |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=DZRH News |date=18 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Philippine National Police]] also supports this claim, stating that there are only 8,000 active members.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ager |first1=Maila |title=Quiboloy claims KJC has 7M followers, but PNP says it’s less than 8,000 |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1996128/quiboloy-claims-kjc-has-7m-followers-but-pnp-says-its-less-than-8000 |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=23 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref> In the Philippines, the KOJC is not among the explicitly recorded religious affiliations for respondents in the [[2020 Philippine census|2020 census]] by the [[Philippine Statistics Authority]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Religious Affiliation in the Philippines (2020 Census of Population and Housing) |url=https://psa.gov.ph/content/religious-affiliation-philippines-2020-census-population-and-housing |publisher=[[Philippine Statistics Authority]] |access-date=28 October 2024 |date=22 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=TABLE A. Household Population by Religious Affiliation, Region, Province,  and Highly Urbanized City: Philippines, 2020 |url=https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phcd/3_Statistical%20Table%20for%20Religious%20Affiliation%20%28for%20Posting%29_RML_12082022_PMMJ_CRD_1.xlsx |access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Fact-Check: Quiboloy’s church is not the second largest non-Catholic Christian church in the Philippines |url=https://pressone.ph/fact-check-quiboloys-church-is-not-the-second-largest-non-catholic-christian-church-in-the-philippines/ |access-date=10 December 2024 |work=PressOnePH |date=1 March 2024}}</ref>

==Linked organizations==
Organizations like the Children's Joy Foundation and the Sonshine Philippines Movement are connected to the KOJC. The Children's Joy Foundation claims to "providing humanitarian aid to destitute children", while the Sonshine Philippines Movement stated goals is to be "involved in reforestation and disaster-relief efforts".<ref name="asiatimes"/>

==Controversies==
===Abuse allegations===
====2020 U.S. human trafficking raids====
On January 29, 2020, the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI) raided KOJC offices in [[California]], [[Texas]], and [[Hawaii]], after receiving complaints by former members that the church has been committing [[Illegal immigration|immigration fraud]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/01/30/federal-authorities-raid-controversial-filipino-church-part-massive-investigation/|title=Federal authorities raid Filipino mega-church as part of massive investigation|author= Rick Daysog|publisher=[[Hawaii News Now]]|date=January 29, 2020|access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>

According to testimonies taken by the FBI, the KOJC has conducted 82 sham marriages in the past 20 years in order to keep them illegally in the United States. They said that the victims were invited as guests to a fundraiser concert for the Children's Joy Foundation, one of the church's charity arms. Once they arrived, they were forced to solicit donations on the streets and sell pastries, such as [[Krispy Kreme]] doughnuts, claiming that they're raising funds for the church, receiving little to no pay and were met with steep quota requirements. One of the victims even said that young church workers were physically or psychologically abused if they did not work well during incredible hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/january/fbi-kingdom-jesus-christ-childrens-joy-foundation-philippin.html|title=FBI Accuses Filipino Church of Human Trafficking, Sham Marriages for Fake Charity|author= Jim Gomez|publisher=[[Christianity Today]]|date=January 30, 2020|access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>

They allegedly received punishments, such as paddling or isolation in a walled room for three to five days while being denied food and water and listened to pre-recorded sermons of the church. One victim was even forced to shave her head and wear an orange shirt with "SOS" or "''Son of Satan''" in the back.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/29/us/philippines-church-immigration-fraud.html|title=3 Leaders of Filipino Church Are Charged With Running Human Trafficking Ring|author= Neil Vigdor|work=[[New York Times]]|date=January 29, 2020|access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>

Three people — Guia Cabactulan, Marissa Duenas, and Amanda Estopare — were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit immigration fraud. Both Cabactulan and Duenas were arrested in [[Van Nuys]], California, while Estopare was arrested in [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]], [[Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/30/Quiboloy-Kingdom-of-Jesus-Christ-US-FBI-immigration-fraud-arrest.html|title=FBI arrests 3 Quiboloy church members in US on immigration fraud charges|publisher=[[CNN Philippines]]|date=January 30, 2020|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205193737/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/30/Quiboloy-Kingdom-of-Jesus-Christ-US-FBI-immigration-fraud-arrest.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Church officials, however, said that the investigation is based on testimony from disgruntled former church members who were allowed to stay in the country longer in exchange for their testimony.

====U.S. child sex trafficking indictment====
In 2021, Quiboloy was indicted of child sex trafficking. Prosecutors found that he, along with other members of his church, sexually and physically abused minors as young as 12, forcing children into having sex with him through so-called "''night duties''" or else face "eternal damnation" and more physical abuses. His wealth was also noted as ill-gotten and that he abused church donations to create his own lavish lifestyle.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2021-11-19|title=Apollo Quiboloy, founder of Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, indicted for sex trafficking|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/11/19/21/us-announces-sex-trafficking-charges-vs-apollo-quiboloy|access-date=2021-11-19|website=ABS-CBN News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2021-11-21|title=US Authorities Eye Seizure of Pastor Quiboloy's Assets|url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/200454/us-authorities-eye-seizure-of-pastor-quiboloys-assets|access-date=2021-11-21|website=Inquirer|language=en-US}}</ref>

====2024 Philippine Senate hearings====
{{main|Philippine Senate hearing on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ}}

===Termination of YouTube channel===
On July 7, 2023, [[YouTube]] terminated the channel of the KOJC, along with its media outfit, [[Sonshine Media Network International]], as well as one of its programs. That of Quiboloy, on the other hand, had been terminated on June 21. [[Google]], in its statement, said that these actions are in compliance with "applicable sanctions laws" of the [[United States]] which, in 2022, had imposed sanctions on Quiboloy under ''Executive Order No. 13818'' for his alleged involvement in human rights abuses.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gonzales |first=Gelo |url=https://www.rappler.com/technology/social-media/youtube-terminates-smni-news-kojc-channels-compliance-us-sanctions-laws/ |title=YouTube terminates SMNI News, KOJC channels in 'compliance with US sanctions laws' |work=[[Rappler]] |date=July 7, 2023 |access-date=July 7, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Kingdom of Jesus Christ (church)}}
{{Christianity in the Philippines}}

[[Category:Christian denominations established in the 20th century]]
[[Category:Christian denominations founded in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Restorationism (Christianity)]]
[[Category:Christian new religious movements]]
[[Category:1985 establishments in the Philippines]]
[[Category:New religious movements established in the 1980s]]