I would have been dead if I didn’t study in La Verdad December 10, 2009

I ran and ran until I bumped against the altar. The red catholic bible and the fragile icon of St. Mary fell on the floor and turned into pieces. I was alone then but my mother heard the sound. I was afraid to look at her because she might scold me. As she entered the room where I was, she hurriedly picked up the bible which was an open-leaf when it fell. She was startled and stupefied when she read a verse in that Catholic bible saying not to worship gods which were made by the hands of men.

By Michelle Lou V. Samson

I am Michelle Lou V. Samson, 16. I am the oldest daughter of Thelma and Ernesto Samson. I have two siblings who are in the Kawan ng Mga Cordero (KNC) show, Mikee Louise and Marie Elisha. I was born in Marikina City but later on, my siblings and I were raised in an extended family in Pasig City. I was a Lolo and Lola’s girl and I felt more the parental love through my grandparents because my parents were married at a very young age.

The race of Samson family who were native citizens and dominant in our street was devout Catholic except from my father who was affiliated to a Born Again Christian Church when he was in high school. But since that Catholicism dominated in the family, he quit attending his church and raised us as Catholic. During those years until late 2000, my youngest sister was not yet born so it was only Mikee and I who used to enjoy celebrating Christmas, as if it was a day for kids, We were aware of different celebrations for fake gods such as Valentine’s day, Saints’ feats and the like. At night, we were not allowed to play outside the house.

As a playful kid, I used to run inside the house. I couldn’t remember how young I was then, maybe 6 or 5. I ran and ran until I bumped against the altar. The red catholic bible and the fragile icon of St. Mary fell on the floor and turned into pieces. I was alone then but my mother heard the sound. I was afraid to look at her because she might scold me. As she entered the room where I was, she hurriedly picked up the bible which was an open-leaf when it fell. She was startled and stupefied when she read a verse in that Catholic bible saying not to worship gods which were made by the hands of men. That was the start of my parents’ search for true church. They attended different churches but none of those satisfied my mother. Finally they found a church Locale of Manggahan in Pasig City, a locale of Ang Dating Daan, or Members Church of God International where Bro. Eliseo Soriano is the Presiding Minister. My parents were baptized on separate days after the indoctrination.

My family stopped attending Catholic gatherings therefore. Although I used to have questions in my mind because of many changes that our parents told us to do so such as the requirement to wear long skirts, no more accessories, no more attending and eating in catholic weddings, feasts, Christmas, baptism and the like, I just obeyed my parents because they knew better. I could remember I was in grade one when Mikee and I were brought to the KNC room. We used to attend Sunday school in God’s Grace Christian School so we were not afraid being sent to other kids’ gatherings aside from the school activities.

Our school was directed by non-catholic sect. The principal asked my parents why Mikee and I stopped attending Sunday school. I felt like they had a little debate at the principal’s office. When I was in grade two, my parents transferred us to a public school where I became antisocial with my schoolmates. I became antisocial because when my hair grew longer, my teachers and schoolmates teased me especially the Handog kids of Iglesia ni cirsto (INC) ni Manalo. They used to debate with me whether Christ was a man or not. Whenever they couldn’t win their rebuttal, they would tease me about my physical appearance. Worse was that at their young age of 7, they were already saying many things against Bro. Eli. The Manalistas were proud of themselves because they believed that they (INCs) were the only people to go to heaven. But I never believed them!

Mikee and I participated in different activities and competitions in KNC. She was more active than I was because I cared more about my studies. When I reached my puberty stage, I grew tall for my age. I got shy attending KNC because my height was emphasized. The KKTKs too in our locale were of the age of my uncle in his 20s, so I decided to focus on my studies instead.

I was in first year high school when one of my former KNC workers introduced to me the Bible Readers (BREAD) Society. I opened myself to people but there was no BREAD in Santolan High School so I just attended assemblies and few meetings, but not a bible study. It lasted for a year and a half. I really gave my time to arts and academics since that I belonged to a special class, Special Program for the Arts, for my entire high school life. I was not able to attend prayer meetings and thanksgivings. I almost lived inside the school.

When I was in second year, I became a choir member in our school wherein our adviser and our choir master were from Sumulong Baptist Church. I was able to join their 4-day summer camp in Tarlac, believing that we would perform an intermission number. As a youth, I enjoyed because of the mimes, worship songs in lively rock music and different extreme challenges. But whenever the pastor spoke on stage, most of us (schoolmates) were found sleeping on our seats. When the band started to play, we became alive again. On-stage, the hosts of the camp read love letters from the campers. And there was a time I heard the pastor spoke and I was as if listening to a storyteller. They gave stories for the youth to be encouraged to join them, and then read some verses from the bible interpreted literally with the so-called “Once saved, always saved” motto. How deceitful!

Before I stepped to my junior year in high school, a controversy my mother and I investigated proved that our hypothesis why my father was not regularly going home for a couple of months was correct. At my age of 14, when Mikee was 12 and Marie was just 5 and the two of them were part of the KNC Show, our father replaced us by a slut and completely left us with his words, “Hindi kita pag-aaralin. Wala kang makukuha miski piso sa akin.” (I won’t let you go to school. You won’t be able to get even a peso from me). That was the only vow he didn’t break. He meant it until now. It was good that I had been a Mayor’s scholar since first year high school and my allowance increased each year.

My father challenged me so much so I decided to prove that I could live without him. Because he would never give support, my mother, together with Mikee, had to live and work in Bulacan so Marie and I were left to our grandparents. Without the guidance of parents, I got spoiled and became a little feminist as I focused on school. Though I was not really intelligent, I got myself busy doing research, projects, writing scripts, speeches, etc as I was a part of stage productions. Our section was discriminated so we had to fight scholarly. I became more passionate to writing especially those with dramatic themes. It was hard for me to trust anyone “My father who is my blood left me, so other people can do worse!” but I became sociable at the span of doing a group thesis paper until summer vacation. I had my three closest friends: a Born Again Christian, a Roman Catholic and an inactive INC member. I considered myself as having no religion. The four of us made up most of the research paper. Once we visited our adviser/Research teacher’s house for the checking of our draft, he tried to convince us with the principles of Jehovah’s Witnesses until 12:30 am. It was only I who contested what he said. That time, I was really trying hard to remember what Bro. Eli had taught but I couldn’t remember the verses for my arguments so I lacked proofs.

When I was in fourth year, I tried harder to the extent that I ignored my health. It was not my habit to bring umbrella with me so rain or heat of the sun was not an excuse to me not to go to where I should be. I rarely ate in a day and rarely slept for more than four hours just to give time to studies and friends. This was the pressure caused by the absence of my parents. I won school contests but on the half of the school year 2008-2009, I was diagnosed with suprahilar bilateral pneumonitis and was impression by a public doctor as slight tuberculosis. Because of that disease, I was not allowed to join a regional investigatory project contest. I had many absences and late records in school. My grades were affected. I disappointed people when I was only ranked 15 during graduation.

I knew God wanted me to learn something so I accepted that consequence. I failed to make the honor roll but I received bliss more than the honor students could realize. I felt like within me was a voice making me realize that I had committed big shortcomings. I had learned to forgive. Forgiveness is something that Bro. Eli would emphasize as necessary before one offers the weekly thanksgiving, the quarterly international thanksgiving, and even before one prays.

I realized I had become so selfish when God did a lot of favors for me. Yes, my biological father walked away but the Most Loving Father never left me alone. I felt so bad, sorry and regretful when I realized how stupid I was for ignoring God’s tender love and care. I stopped attending MCGI gatherings for 4 years but still He watches over me, the lost sheep. I owe Him so much more than my life. But I only took antibiotics for two weeks and month of vitamins since I was diagnosed with disease, then no more medical aides after that. I thought it was too late until I started re-attending MCGI gatherings since April 4, 2009, the start of my college era.

I was not able to take a talent test for Creative Writing in UP-Diliman because I lacked money for the expenses in my requirements. I gave up the university, but never my dream to be a writer. As an alternative, I passed the entrance exam for AB Broadcast Communication in PUP- Sta. Mesa but I became reluctant to study in PUP although my closest friends were enrolled there. I had gone there for many times but whatever I do, I couldn’t memorize the place. I also considered the factor that I had to kill the developing activist within me since high school. But where should I go?

For my comparison, the entrance exam in LVCC was harder than my exam in PUP so I was afraid that I might not qualify as Bro. Eli and Kuya Daniel’s scholar. But thanks be to God! I saw my name on the passers’ list. Yes! I passed the exam but how about my lung disease?

It’s only God who heals or kills. I didn’t consult a doctor for months but my x-ray in PUP reported that my lungs were clear and normal. I couldn’t explain and I felt so little and shy because despite that I neglected, God still heard my prayer. Now, I don’t have a lung disease. My lungs are clear and normal. With God’s help and mercy, I am a scholar in La Verdad Christian College taking up Mass Communication Technology. Thanks be to God for giving Bro. Eli and Kuya Daniel incomparable, pure and good heart despite the persecutions of enemies of the truth.

The time of my youth is my opportunity to do what I want but on my high school days, I forgot to preserve my energy and health. What I did would take effect after some time. My second x-ray in PUP declared good news about my lungs but it also brought a bad news. In the same x-ray I was diagnosed with mild dextroscoliosis (right curvature of spine). It was a day in October 2009 when I was found with astigmatism with combination of nearsightedness although I had been feeling bad with my eyes before.

When I was not a member of MCGI, I heard the topic about the bad days. I thought then that those bad days already came to me when I ignored God during high school. But since I was indoctrinated, I learned to fight. The most important was I learned to forgive my father. Grudge would never do me good. Now I learned from my experiences and from the doctrines of God. I learned the true meaning of. “My weakness will strengthen me” I used to tell this to myself since my father walked away. But when I heard Bro. Eli read II Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

My weakness will strengthen me. My weakness is my fear. And I fear God! All I have to do is to give my life to Him and He will take care of me until eternity. I don’t pray for a longer life, but for the strength to do good things while I live. It had been my inspiration especially when I was one of the souls baptized on September 25, 2009.

The next day after my baptism, tropical storm Ketsana/Ondoy praised the Almighty God. It cleaned a big part of Luzon especially Pasig City and Marikina City where most of momentous events in my past life took place. Those were the place where I wrote my stories and other writings, where some of my documents and credentials were vanished away by the flood. Truly, I was a new born baby on that day not on the land of men, but in the Church of God.

There are possibilities that I might be already dead because of the flood if I didn’t study in La Verdad Christian College in Apalit, Pampanga. But God’s love and His words didn’t let them happen to me. News reports said 464 people died.

“The time I started to love You is the time I started to love myself,” this is what I would always remind myself to remember how it all started December 3, 2009

By Angela Alsie Borromeo

I am almost five years in service to God. Yet in my mind, it is still clear how I came to know Him. We are thought to fear God since childhood. And I kept that in my heart ; the holy fear of God and the knowledge  that He sees me wherever I am. I even used to think that He records all the things that I do that He dislikes. That is the reason why I lived a ‘limited’ life.

As a child, I had no constant playmate. My older brother and I were left in the house after school when my father and mother are out to work.  But usually, my kuya goes out to play and I am the one left playing in a world of my own. During those times, I prayed a lot, introducing my pleas and hardships to God as a child. I even used to ask God to take away all my worries and fears in life. Back then, I cried often and  hard – my tears were unstoppable.

Years passed by and we moved to a new house.  This was when my father started watching Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path). I saw the show’s opening billboard wherein there were soldiers at war in a cruel place while a classical music played in the background. I was curious as to what the show was about. And so I watched the show and began to adore it. Before I knew it, the show’s wise host, Bro. Eliseo Soriano, accompanied us every night. It was almost as if he was part of the family.

We used to have weekend family gatherings before. I looked forward to every weekend because it was when I saw my relatives and enjoyed good food as well. One weekend, I was surprised to see my jet- setter aunt who arrived with her hair tied up in a bun and wearing a Chinese-collared blouse and a long skirt. I thought to myself, “What happened to her? ” She used to wear very short shorts and haltered tops. My aunt announced that she was already a Christian. She explained that the reason for the great change in her and my uncle was because of Ang Dating Daan. I said to myself, “Okay, some weird things really happen!” But I admit that I look up to her. That is why I became even more curious as to what  it’s all about.

One morning came and my father approached me and said, “Let’s get indoctrinated in the Ang Dating Daan.” He also invited my mother, but unfortunately, my mother told him to go ahead without her. On a sadder note, my father decided to put things on hold as well. But although I haven’t voiced out my answer to his invitation, my heart said “Yes, let’s go.”

I was in high school when I experienced great struggles in life. I never knew why  my father became mad almost everyday. He was mad about everything  and at everyone. I kept on praying to be in a different atmosphere where there is peace. Where there are no pressures or phobias, no pains and fears.

I was a junior high school student when I asked my father to allow me to get indoctrinated in the Members Church of God International. He grabbed my hair with his right hand and pulled it on top of our dining table. I was shocked when he shouted at me saying, “If you come home with your hair still this long, I will cut it until you’re bald!” I used to have long hair, a biblical lesson I learned from when I attended a  Bible Expo in Laguna. But because of my father’s threat, I had no choice but to cut it. I felt so sad that day coming home with my new haircut. And it was strange because from that day on, I felt so low. I cried every night.

On the night of my debut, I told myself that my sadness had to stop. I decided to proceed with the mass indoctrination  sessions no matter what. It was January 2005 when I started listening to Bro. Eli’s indoctrination videos. I used to call the mass indoctrination  as “Step One” since I am used to putting sequences to the things I need to do. “Step one” for mass indoctrination and “Step two” for my holy baptism, and now, I’m currently on “Step N” – the process of getting better in service to God each day. February 4, 2009 marked the big change in my life. It was a fresh start;  it was when I left loneliness behind.

Because of my faith, I was prohibited by my father to step inside our house for some time. That is because he wanted me to turn back from what I have believed. He even told me that I have been  a fool since I was a child. My father told me that I kept on trying to live a foolish life. I told him, “I accept your decision to abandon me as your child, but your accusing my God as turning my life into sheer foolishness is something that I will never accept.”

“The time I started to love You is the time I started to love myself,” this is what I would always remind myself to remember how it all started and to once again feel that unexplainable feeling of happiness and contentment.

I feel blessed that I have seen the God I used to talk to since I was a kid, the Lord who mediates in spite of all my erroneous works, my leaders who cared and loved me more than my own parents did, my significant other who held on and followed me in service to God, and to the entire brethren who completed my life with God.

I have found the answer – I have cried a river and experienced great pain to realize how great God is!I am blessed and no one could ever contest that. And I pray that God would guide me all the days of my life, that I may be with Him until the end.

Thanks be to God! May His peace and blessings be with us always.

It was during that day that I felt the lightest I’ve ever felt in my entire life – it was when I finally joined God’s Church December 1, 2009

My borrowed life suddenly became more meaningful due to this wondrous experience. I have seen his daily workings; and his Godly teachings extend with everything that he does, even when he is not preaching on television or standing behind the pulpit.

By Aaron Romero

Because of my father’s listening to Don Manolo’s Genius Family program in the 80’s,  I too started listening to Bro. Eliseo Soriano’s preaching.  I was still young  then and I grew up listening to that radio program. When my father finally decided to get indoctrinated and join the true Church, I then had the chance to attend services in the locale.

I was  21 years old when I joined the Church of God, just a few months before I graduated from college. I got indoctrinated with my girlfriend, who now, I’m proud to say, is my loving wife.  I will never forget the fateful date of May 11, 2001. It was during that day that I felt the lightest I’ve ever felt in my entire life – it was when I finally joined God’s Church.

Years went by and tribulations from friends and family arose. But with God’s help, I’ve been blessed to have had the chance to come to America to work and  be one of the brethren who established the locale of New York.   I started serving with humble duties such as a locale choir member, ADDProductions staff member, and locale officer . It was hard because we were  few back then – we were one body with a multitude of tasks – but it gave us a sense of fulfillment knowing that even with our small duties, we were able to help the administration. As our years in the Church grew,  our duties grew as well.

Another great blessing that we were able to witness was when our preachers Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon visited  America. After much introspection on Bro. Eli’s invitation to join the workers’ ministry, I’ve finally decided to  heed the call and become a worker for the Church.  On most days, stress and exhaustion arise, but my soul is most glad in my chosen Church profession.

Due to my being a worker, I was blessed to have had the opportunity to serve with Bro. Daniel here in the West; I am a living witness to his service, his aspirations to help, and his kindheartedness to the brethren and everyone else. He is a true preacher of God who teaches His will. After that, another great blessing came into my life – I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to be with Bro. Eli – a very important event in my life.

During that time, I was overcome with a plethora of emotions:  I was beyond glad, I was shy and I felt a little scared when I first saw Bro. Eli face-to-face. My borrowed life suddenly became more meaningful due to this wondrous experience. I have seen his daily workings; and his Godly teachings extend with everything that he does, even when he is not preaching on television or standing behind the pulpit.  There are a lot of things that one can learn from a God-sent preacher, even the simplest of things like turning the faucet off to conserve water – a simple yet important lesson that I will never forget.  Even without uttering a word, Bro. Eli is still able to teach goodness.

There are many things that Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel were able to impart in our God-given lives, most especially in the spiritual aspect of a Christian’s life that will lead to our achieving life everlasting.  In the short span of time that I have spent with Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel, I can say that they are the true preachers of God in this dispensation. They are honest and real servants who wholeheartedly give their lives for the salvation of our souls.

Every time I hear Bro. Eli speak, it touches my heart; his every word is heartfelt and sincere September 22, 2009

By Rafael Del Rosario

I was a born-and-raised Catholic, and so were the rest of my family.   But I wasn’t a devout Catholic – I have never attended masses on a regular basis.  But I did try to honor every major celebration that the Catholics commemorate.

As a non-believer, I pampered myself with different vices and worldly pleasures. Such are the things that inevitably gave me so many problems later in life.  Since then, questions that needed answers bombarded  my mind.These ignited my desire to seek the truth and to know God.

A friend who is a member of the Members Church of God International  (MCGI) more commonly known in the Philippines as the Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) after the Church’s religious program,  encouraged me to attend their gatherings. At first, I ignored  all his invitations.

But it seems that I was truly destined to meet God’s chosen  preacher.  While I was watching TV, switching from one channel to another, I chanced upon the program Ang Dating Daan, hosted by Bro. Eliseo Soriano.

When I first heard Bro. Eli, I didn’t like his manner of preaching. He kept on attacking other religions’ teachings.  But later, I have understood that what he condemned were the un-Biblical teachings of greedy pastors.  I watched Ang Dating Daan regularly and listened to the program’s radio counterpart.

Since then, every time I hear Bro. Eli speak, it touches my heart; his every word is heartfelt and sincere .  Through him, I was able to take heed of God’s rebuke;  I bade farewell to all my vices.  My interest in God’s words in the Bible made me into a better person – I have learned to love and take good care of my family more.

All my negative attitudes changed.  Not only that, but I’ve also learned to show mercy; to forgive and let go of hatred.  I have learned to endure whatever life may bring knowing that God is always with me.   Most of all, I have learned to appreciate God’s kindness and to always be thankful for all the blessings and mercy that He is giving me.

I firmly believe that Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel are the God-sent preachers in this dispensation.  They are inspired by God’s Holy Spirit to guide us in learning everything about salvation.  They are real-life manifestations that there is really a Living God who exercises loving kindness, judgment and righteousness on earth.

It was only then that I felt the holy fear of God when I got affiliated with the Church of God September 14, 2009

By Marvin Uriza
Shanghai, China

I used to be a catholic. Feeling dissatisfied, I changed religions and shifted to Born Again. I used to be very diligent in attending our gatherings; I always made it a point to never miss a gathering. I religiously gave love offering but refused to give tithes because I once heard that it was written in I Corinthians 9:7 that everyone should give according to the dictates of their hearts.

I enjoy watching television. Once, I chanced upon a segment in the gag show Bubble Gang. The segment was called “Ang Dating Doon.” I was amused with that portion and I got curious as to who the man Brod Pete was imitating. My curiosity ended when somebody told me that it was Brother Eli whom Brod Pete was impersonating. I looked for Bro. Eli’s TV program and when I finally found Ang Dating Daan on a UHF channel, I became an instant fan from that moment I first heard him preach. I constantly followed his program and admired the way he preached God’s teachings based on the Bible. He is the authority in teaching God’s words.

As a regular viewer, I was enlightened by the words of God and the desire to attend the mass indoctrination rose in my heart. This later led to the day of my baptism in the Members Church of God International (MCGI) or Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) as it is locally known.

Since then, I have found the fulfillment and satisfaction that I have never found in the former religions I’ve been part of.

I was surprised. It was only then that I felt the holy fear of God. I can say that I fear God not just by mouth, but by heart. I have never felt it when I was a catholic or even as a Born Again follower. I was afraid to do the evil deeds that I have been doing before; all my vices have disappeared. I have learned to try to understand every person and become humble. I learned to speak with wisdom and to keep silent if I have nothing important or wise to say. I also felt genuine mercy towards my fellowmen.

All my questions about matters of faith have been answered through God’s words as preached by Bro. Eliseo Soriano.

I am very lucky that I have Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon for leaders. I believe that they are the wisest persons living on earth right now. They are the epitome of true Christian leaders in our times – teaching and leading by example. They don’t just talk and do nothing like other pastors nowadays.

Incredible! I have never seen the kind of strength that they have to be able to continue serving God’s flock and even the non-believers. They are able to continue preaching even when their physical bodies are tired. They are diligent in doing good – unselfishly and untiringly. I believe that this is because God is always with them.

Praise be to God!

I wasn’t happy being a Catholic so I decided to search for truth August 11, 2009

When I heard Bro. Eli delivering the topic about salvation, I felt fear because I did not know if I would be saved. How I wanted to be saved!

By Ishie Jaye Damiao

I am a former catholic. My life before was worthless. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I didn’t feel happy, as if something was always missing. It seemed like I wanted to find out something but I did not know what it was. My friends thought that I was cheerful, religious and God-fearing, so they respected me much. Whenever they planned for a drinking session, they wouldn’t invite me because they believed that I was ‘holy.’

Sometimes, I felt irritated because that is what they thought about me. They didn’t know that deep inside me, I believe that compared to them, I was even worse. I was filled with hatred, envy and sadness. They did not know that I just doing everything to please people I was with. I actively participated in the “Youth for Christ,” but I was not happy. I was not satisfied so I decided to search for what I was looking for.

I wanted to honestly serve God so I tried different religions: Pentecostal, Born Again, and many others. I had so many questions in my mind but I never found the answers from these congregations.

I got familiar with the program of Bro. Eliseo Soriano because my father loved to listen to him through the Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) program in radio and TV since I was a child. Something unexpected happened. This is the story.

When my father came back from Saudi Arabia, we were surprised when he announced that we will not attend catholic masses or YFC activities anymore because all of those were useless. He encouraged us to watch Bible Expositions. However, these things did not matter to me. I remember that before he left for Saudi Arabia for the second time, he talked to a church worker of the Members Church of God International (MCGI) and invited him to our house for a Bible Study. MCGI is called locally, Ang Dating Daan after their popular radio-TV program.

When I first listened to the worker, I was impressed because he knew the verses in the Bible and I heard something from him that I have never heard before in my whole life. Questions began arising in my mind.

‘Is this the one I had been searching for so long a time?’ ‘Is this the truth or is he just deceiving us?’

I was having second thoughts until my mother decided to undergo indoctrination with the Church of God. She wanted me to accompany her but she knew that I was busy studying. Later on, my mother and my sister were baptized after the indoctrination sessions. Then my other siblings decided to follow suit. As for me, I was hesitant. I thought to myself: my way of dressing would be altered. I didn’t want to let go of my conviction. I didn’t want my friends’ impression of me changed. Hence, I didn’t attend the on-going indoctrination.

One day, I was invited to attend the Church’s gathering. As I entered the locale, I was so happy when I met the brethren. I felt happy as they sang praises to God. I even cried. I felt something different but I couldn’t explain what it was. When I heard Bro. Eli delivering the topic about salvation, I felt fear because I did not know if I would be saved. How I wanted to be saved!

The following week, I attended the scheduled indoctrination. I was baptized as I had completed the topics. I felt so happy. I have never felt happier in my whole life that I thought that I was ready to die that moment. Thanks be to God!

As I counted years in the Church, many changes have happened in my life. I have learned to forgive and serve God. Every Word that comes from God gave me hope in the midst of suffering, tribulations, weaknesses and imperfections. It was only in this Church that I felt the true love of God. He is so good that He called me in His Church. I am still happy even if other people changed the way they treated me. I believe that I have a loving God that I can depend on any time and He will never forsake me.

Later on, I enrolled in the ministerial classes for aspiring workers as I wanted to serve God and be of assistance to the ministry. With God’s help, I hope that I can persevere and continue my duties in the Church.

The life in the true Church of God is full of love, hope and faith. Nothing can ever surpass this Church because this is the truth. Thanks be to God that all of my queries and troubles in life were all resolved in His Church.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

His preaching is incomparable to those of other preachers June 15, 2009

By Murphy Martin

Greetings from Papua New Guinea!

My name is Murphy Martin. I was baptized on June 1,2008 by Bro. Efren Baquing. I’m an aspirant worker from Papua New Guinea in the Locale of Madang.

First of all, I thank God Almighty for His mercy and loving kindness, I came to know the Truth by listening to CD’s like Truth in Focus.

I didn’t even know who Bro. Eli Soriano was, but how he is preaching is incomparable to those of other preachers.

In every word he speaks, he sees to it that there must be a proof in the Bible and in every preaching, he reads biblical verses.

I got interested when I saw all this and so I found ways to become a member of the Church of God.

Thanks Be To God!

His teachings are complete; he had answered all the questions in my mind June 9, 2009

Every indoctrination session completed is an added strength to my faith in the Church of God. At the same time, I also experienced persecutions but with the help of God I was able to withstand.

By Wendel Yanson

Before I become a member of the Church of God International, I have spent so many years doing things that were of this world. I was formerly a Catholic through the decision of my parents despite. I was not active though in Catholic Church activities.

When I studied my high school in a private school that was managed by Baptists, I heard of their teachings but never kept them in mind because I was not interested to listen to the word of God during those days.

In my first year of college, I started to hear Bro. Eliseo Soriano on television but I was not so serious about him. It was in my second year college that I frequented his program on television. Every time I reached home from school, I would switch immediately to Bro. Eli’s program.

I became interested in listening to his program because of his frankness. He was also not afraid of what people would do against him when he speaks against their teachings. It is because he was dealing with truth. With my continued listening to Bro. Eli, gradually my belief in the teachings of the Catholic faith changed. I started to observe the teachings of Bro. Eli which were taken from the Bible. Another striking aspect I had observed was the ability of Bro. Eli to answer all questions asked in the Bible Exposition through the verses in the Bible.

I have also seen in his program debates with other religious leaders. I have read of testimonies from the newly baptized members which strengthened my belief that Bro. Eli is a messenger sent by God. I have felt some fear that I may die outside the jurisdiction of the Church of God International, so I decided immediately to respond to the invitation for more indoctrination.

In our indoctrination sessions, it was more proven that Bro. Eli was sent by God to preach His words. His teachings are complete; all the questions in my mind were all answered up to the smallest details. I also learned about malpractices of other religions. Every indoctrination session completed is an added strength to my faith in the Church of God. At the same time, I also experienced persecutions but with the help of God I was able to withstand. His teachings are complete; he had answered all the questions in my mind. I received the Holy Baptism last June 8, 2008 and my heart rejoiced for God showed His mercy to me.

Now I am in the House of God; I truly believed deep in my heart that this is the true Church of God and its teachings are pure and nobody could withstand against it. I also believe that Bro. Eli is the true Messenger of God in our time. With the help of God, I will be in this Church until the end of my breath and hopefully in the days to come, in heaven I would still be of service to Him.

To God be the Glory forever!

I newly bought a box of cigarettes then but I crushed it and threw it straight into the trash can April 17, 2009

I felt the presence of peacefulness, sincerity and truth in things wherein everything is based on the bible. That is the style of preaching in the Church of God.

By Kathleen Mae Malinao

It was the 10th of January 2005 when I had a chance to attend one of the Church services of the Church of God – the Prayer Meeting at the locale of Ortigas in Metro-Manila. After a long period of trying, I finally was able to be a part of the service which was introduced to me by my cousin who is also my sister-in-faith now.

I felt the presence of peacefulness, sincerity and truth in things wherein everything is based on the bible. That is the style of preaching in the Church of God. Not long after, I was really intrigued and curious enough until I planned to attend the next mass indoctrination held in a locale of Cubao, Metro-Manila.

At first I was ashamed, and then full of regrets, remorseful as the days seemed to darken while listening to the doctrines. Unknowingly, from listening night after night, what sank into my heart and soul were the words of God in the bible. I will never forget I-Corinthians 3:16 that held me to put all vices out of my system.

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

I newly bought a box of cigarettes then but I crushed it and threw it straight into the trash can. I couldn’t believe I’ve done it. In the middle of the indoctrination sessions I did this. I was a smoker then.

How I thanked God for guiding me, sustaining me, as the last of the doctrines were being discussed and as I got cleansed. I was left alone listening to the taped discussions as the others dropped off. As I was alone going to the locale, I began to wonder if I was doing the right thing. But I knew accepting and doing Christ teachings is a fulfilling cause. The time came when I got baptized.

In the Christian journey, I was taught to be self-disciplined in attending Church services, to be going to the church locale and to mingle with other brethren. I was able to understand the value of life, appreciating it by everyday listening to the gospel of our Lord through Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel.

I feel now that I am in the right path though I cannot fully explain. Many circumstances prove that God is with us in this Church; many indescribable events have happened to show that God is helping us.

Through the trials and the pains that Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel undergo, we can make a difference. The truth is in the bible and it is written in our heart as we believe.

To God be the Glory!

After all, he is worth listening to, even if you hate him April 13, 2009

It is hard to explain, but the more I listened to this man’s preaching, the more I got enlightened. Then I realized that I did not even know what my real religion was.

By Maria Etheleen P. Barcellano

As I looked back fifteen years ago, the first time I heard Bro. Eliseo Soriano was on IBC Channel 13. I was a TV addict then, therefore watching anything as long as the television is turned on was my joy!

I didn’t know why I was hooked in watching Ang Dating Daan, the religious TV program hosted by Bro. Eli, while I hated the preacher. When my mother got the chance to hear him on TV, she didn’t say any negative word about him. Rather she told me, “Get the good out of what he’s saying and throw away the bad.” I agreed with my mom so I kept on listening to Bro. Eli. After all, he is worth listening to, even if you hate him.

At one point, the topic to be discussed was “The official name of the true Church established by Jesus Christ.” I hurriedly stood up to secure a pen and paper and wrote down as much as I could absorb from the preaching.

It is hard to explain, but the more I listened to this man’s preaching, the more I got enlightened. Then I realized that I did not even know what my real religion was. What was it indeed?

In fact, I didn’t even know why the religious organization I got affiliated with was called “Christian JHAISON” and I was called a “JHAISONITE.”

After three months of listening to Bro. Eli’s Bible expositions on TV, I just found myself addicted to it. There was “spiritual elixir” that I could not explain. I even woke up every 5:00 in the morning (which I didn’t usually do) only to listen to his teachings. It gave me so much joy. Thus, I came to know the truth.

On February of 1995, IBC Channel 13 was suddenly off-the-air and no Ang Dating Daan TV programs were being aired at all. Later on, we found out that employees of IBC were on strike, demanding higher pay and other workers’ rights. Since my favorite program was gone, it made a strong impact on my spiritual life.

I was no longer attending the regular worship services of our Christian JHAISON church and this called the family’s attention. There was even a point when my father almost hit me because he was tired of hearing my excuses. I hated going with them for Sunday worship service. Shifting to a different religion was a big deal for the family.

I was known to be a rebel in the family. I pursued the burning desire to become a member of the Church of God. I even influenced my mother to seek for ways how one can be a part of that organization that Bro. Eli preached.

No one had invited us to their church. We’ve known no one from that Church. It was because of the teachings we heard from Bro. Eli that made my mother (Sis Juliet now) and me to decide to get affiliated.

We had attended the live Bible expositions held in Locale of Sucat, Paranaque in Metro-Manila. We also attended Thanksgiving services and all the other Church gatherings that we could attend in that church. From the truth that we heard, we had ourselves baptized on September 15, 1995.

Thanks be to God!