Bishop Rodel M. Acdal is an active bishop of The United Methodist Church, elected on November 25, 2022, during the Special Session of the Philippines Central Conference held at Wesleyan University-Philippines.<br />
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Prior to his election, Bishop Acdal served as the President of John Wesley College since 2009, Administrative Assistant and Property Development Adviser to the Bishop of the Baguio Episcopal Area, Chairperson of the Division of Ordained Ministry in the Philippines Central Conference, and member of the Board of Trustees of Philippine Christian University, Union Theological Seminary, and the Philippines Central Conference.<br />
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<strong>Early Life</strong><br />
Bishop Acdal was born in Sanchez Mira, Cayagan, Philippines, and raised by his parents, who are farmers. His ultimate dream during childhood was to become a soldier; however, due to his height, he was unable to pursue it. He may not have become a member of the armed forces, but he answered the call to become God’s soldier.<br />
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<strong>Education and Ordination</strong><br />
Bishop Acdal holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Wesley Divinity School, Wesleyan University-Philippines, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education major in Education Management from Cagayan State University, Tuguegarao City. He also finished the Haggai Institute Advanced Leadership Training in Maui, Hawaii way back 2015. He was ordained as an Elder on May 1999 by Bishop Daniel Arichea in the Northern Philippines Annual Conference.<br />
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<strong>Ordained Ministry</strong><br />
He pastored several local churches in his earlier years of ministry. During his time as Administrative Pastor, there was a notable increase in membership and stability of finances in his church appointments. He ensured that manpower was maximized by actively involving lay people in various church work and activities. The physical structures of the churches where he was appointed were improved, and facilities and equipment were purchased. He was also tapped as a regular speaker and lecturer in different local churches, institutions, and community programs and activities. He actively participated in all church activities and held key positions in the district and conference level. He joined community programs and activities, including ecumenical gatherings and events, and was even elected as President of the Provincial Ecumenical Association of Cagayan. Additionally, Bishop Acdal was consistently elected as a principal delegate to the Central Conference right after his ordination and became a General Conference delegate in May 2008 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA.<br />
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<strong>Superintendency</strong><br />
Bishop Acdal was appointed District Superintendent of the South Cagayan – Kalinga Apayao District, Northern Philippines Annual Conference from June 13, 2003, up to May 2010. As District Superintendent, he organized several local churches and worshipping congregations and initiated programs and major Income Generating Projects (IGPs) to boost the district's finances. With all these efforts, he was able to help increase the membership of the district. He encouraged, supported, and motivated workers and lay leaders to attend various seminars and conferences, thus, making them more effective and productive church workers.<br />
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After his superintendency, Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan appointed him as President of John Wesley College, Tuguegarao City. Through his leadership, the Doctor of Ministry, Master of Divinity Program, Distance Learning in Early Childhood Education in partnership with Harris Memorial College, Bachelor of Elementary Education major in Preschool Education, and Senior High School programs were offered. These new programs contributed to the remarkable increase in enrollment and financial stability of the school. To cope with the unprecedented rise in enrollment, buildings and facilities had been constructed.<br />
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<strong>Episcopacy</strong><br />
His election as Bishop of our beloved Church is an honor packed with great responsibility. Part of his advocacies, vision and mission is to endeavor to fully maximize the privileges, responsibilities and accountabilities of the Episcopal Office and do his very best to anchor his term on the following programs, using the initials of his name (RODEL):<br />
• R - Resource Generation and Management<br />
• O - Organization and Administration<br />
• D - Discipleship Programs<br />
• E - Equity and Standardization<br />
• L - Leadership Development<br />
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With his fellow Bishops as his mentor and with God’s blessings and provisions, he believes that we can achieve greater heights in ministry and serve our God through the United Methodist Church.<br />
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With his initials (RMA), he is known for his adage as a mantra in ministry – <strong>R</strong>eady to serve, <strong>M</strong>otivated by love, and <strong>A</strong>ssertive to make a change. The Church cannot afford to be divided. Let’s stay UNITED. Together we serve!<br />
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<strong>Family</strong><br />
Bishop Acdal is married to Ma. Rosario Acdal, who served as the Northern Philippines Annual Conference Treasurer. They are blessed with three children, namely: John Martin, who finished his college and Master’s degree in Business Administration and presently taking up Law at one of our church-owned universities, Philippine Christian University; Trixia Son, a candidate for graduation leading to a Bachelor in Medical Laboratory Science, who also served as the NPAC UMYF President (2020-2022); and, Luke Revo, a Junior High School student. Their children are very passionate in serving the church through their active participation in the different ministries of the Local, District, and the Annual Conference. Joshua 24:15 has been their family verse, “As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”<br />
