About me
Dr. David E. Sumrall has been the pastor of the Cathedral of Praise for over 40 years. Dedicated to the study and teaching of sound biblical doctrines, he has gained the respect and trust of the Christian community around the world. Together with his wife, Beverley, and his daughter, Alisha, he continues to serve God through his ministry in the Philippines and enjoys the privilege of seeing more and more people grow and prosper in their walk with God.
Dr. David E. Sumrall has served as pastor of the Cathedral of Praise since January 1980—forty-two years of God’s grace! These years have been filled with witnessing God’s goodness manifest in the lives of the members. Dr. Sumrall is committed to the study and teaching of sound biblical doctrines, and as such, has earned the respect and trust of the global Christian community. Together with his wife, Beverley, and his daughter, Alisha, he continues to serve God in the Philippines and beyond.
Originally from the United States, Dr. Sumrall immigrated to the Philippines in 1980, having been called to serve the people of COP (Cathedral of Praise). Since then, his heart and efforts have been focused on the development of the people God has entrusted to his care. He preaches on average 15 times a week in live and online services and crusades.
The Cathedral of Praise currently serves 32,000 members in Manila. COP has 10 campuses in the Metro Manila area, all connected via video. With prayers or songs originating in various locations and all choir robes and ushers’ uniforms identical everywhere, the people truly feel this is “one church in many locations.” Additionally, COP has branches in key cities across the Philippines and abroad—15 branches plus 146 connect groups serving as fledgling church beginnings in several countries. This is in addition to the network of connect groups COP members hold in homes, offices, schools, and workplaces throughout Manila.
Highlights of COP’s many ministries include the daily feeding of street children—an outreach that not even the pandemic and the famous Philippine lockdowns could slow down. Thousands of children are fed, and lives are being changed both for this life and for eternity.
The Mighty Men in Uniform, COP’s military outreach group, has been granted extraordinary favor in all of the nation’s military camps, with open doors to preach, give altar calls, and water baptize the men and women in uniform.
Evangelism and healing crusades take many forms at COP and occur weekly and monthly, reaching out to the sick and oppressed.
The Cathedral of Praise also operates a full-time school for children, a Bible College, and a Music Ministry College that has placed music ministers in 2,000 churches across the nation.
Services at COP are brought to life by nearly 3,000 enthusiastic choir members, dancers, and musicians serving in various worship services.
At COP, there is a saying, “We will do anything.” Truly, from Dr. Sumrall’s heart to the hearts of the people, the joy of life is in serving the Lord.