Welcome

Discover the chapters of El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI in Portland and Washington State

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About Us

El Shaddai in Washington State, a tapestry woven with threads of compassion, resilience, and community spirit. As you traverse its chapters, you’ll find a vibrant mosaic of purpose-driven individuals, each holding a brush to paint hope onto the canvas of our shared existence.

In the heart of Washington State, El Shaddai stands as a beacon of compassion. Here, we don’t just talk about making a difference; we roll up our sleeves and dive into the trenches. From soup kitchens to shelter homes, our volunteers extend their hands to those in need. Whether it’s a warm meal or a listening ear, we believe that small acts of kindness ripple through the fabric of society.

Washington’s weather may be unpredictable, but our commitment remains steadfast. When storms brew—be they literal or metaphorical—we stand tall. El Shaddai shelters the homeless during icy nights, providing warmth and safety. We weather financial storms together, offering financial literacy workshops and support networks. Our resilience lies not in grand gestures, but in the quiet persistence of everyday heroes.

El Shaddai isn’t just an organization; it’s a community tapestry. Threads of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and talents interweave here. Artists, engineers, teachers, retirees—they all find a place. Together, we knit scarves for the homeless, plant community gardens, and organize neighborhood clean-ups. Our gatherings are potlucks of culture, where stories blend like spices in a hearty stew.

Consider this your invitation. Join us today! Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or dipping your toes into service, there’s room for you. Attend our workshops on community development, lend your voice to advocacy, or simply share a smile with a neighbor. El Shaddai thrives when hearts beat in unison. Together, we’ll write new chapters—one act of kindness at a time.

Discover El Shaddai. Serve. Connect. Transform.

History:

El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Fellowship International, popularly known as El Shaddai, אֵל שַׁדַּי (Hebrew for 'God Almighty', IPA: [el ʃaˈdːaj], which is one of the names of God in the Jewish faith) is the biggest Catholic charismatic movement in the Philippines.[1][2] The movement is led by Mike Velarde, a real estate developer and preacher. Novaliches bishop emeritus Teodoro Bacani Jr. serves as its spiritual adviser.

Inspired by his recovery from a heart ailment in 1978, Mike Velarde started a weekly Bible-quoting radio show on DWXI, a station he acquired in 1982 as part of a real estate deal. Listeners, he says, began reporting that his voice had cured their afflictions.[3] In 1984, Velarde called his show "El Shaddai," a biblical name for God that he found in an American religious pamphlet.[3]

Velarde then held monthly prayer rallies outside the vicinity of the radio station. As the number of attendees kept growing, he made the rallies weekly until the crowd could no longer be accommodated by the area. The rallies were then moved to various locations such as a football stadium and then transferring several times to the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park in Manila; the open grounds outside the Philippine International Convention Center and the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay near Manila Bay; and finally in Amvel Business Park, Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque (a site owned by the family) in order to accommodate the movement's followers.[4]

The El Shaddai Movement has grown rapidly in the last decade.

References:

^ Katharine L. Wiegele (2007). Investing in Miracles: El Shaddai and the Transformation of Popular Catholicism in the Philippines. Ateneo de Manila University Press.
^ Allan Anderson (2004). An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity. Cambridge University Press. p. 155.
^ Jump up to:a b "Pacman deep into Bible study." Filipino Reporter March 23, 2012: 21. Newspaper Source Plus. Web. February 15, 2013.
^ Niña Catherine Calleja (August 20, 2009). "P1-B church of El Shaddai opens Thursday". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
^ Paras, Wilhelmina (February 27, 1998). "Two Manila preachers are tussling over a Christian-oriented television station". Asiaweek. Archived from the original on June 23, 2006. Retrieved August 20, 2006.
^ Philippines: International Religious Freedom Report. U.S. Department of State (2005).
^ "El Shaddai P1-B church opens today"[usurped]. CBCP News.
^ "Velarde opens El Shaddai church". The Philippine Daily Inquirer. [dead link]
^ Jump up to:a b Lockwood, R. P. (July 11, 2008). "Catholic urban legends: The Catholic vote Archived 2016-02-25 at the Wayback Machine". Catholic Answers.
^ Akin, J. (September 18, 2015). "Is voting for pro-abortion politicians sinful?" Catholic Answers.
^ Velarde: Arroyo open to joint rule with foes (archived from the original on March 11, 2007).
^ Wiegele, Katharine L. (2005). Investing in Miracles: El Shaddai and the Transformation of Popular Catholicism in the Philippines. University of Hawaii Press. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-8248-2861-5.