I was holding a broadcast when all of a sudden the Iglesia ni Cristo members came with guns March 3, 2009

I continued to preach our faith and defend our preacher whose reputation they were trying to malign. That very instance, I felt the power of God work.

By Noli Molero

To this day, I have not forgotten when I almost drowned the time my family and I went swimming. There was also an incident where I was almost mauled by a group of youngsters in Grace Park. Because I was all alone then, I just decided to run. I am truly thankful to God for saving my life from those incidents.

Before I joined the Church of God, I was quite mischievous. I was often anticipating occasions wherein I could apply the martial arts skill that I had learned from my instructor. I was also a drinker then, but fortunately I did not develop any interest in gambling.

In my 31 years of stay in Catholic faith, I became a devotee of San Roque and San Miguel. But it was when I fell ill that I felt God’s calling. My illness was not readily established then. I was brought to different doctors, even to quack doctors, but I did not get any better.

It turned out that my confinement was a blessing in disguise because it accorded me the chance to read the Bible. Actually, I didn’t have a copy of my own; I just borrowed one from my relatives. Before I started reading it, I prayed to God that He give me the wisdom to understand what I was about to read.

The day came when I finally got the chance to listen to Bro. Eliseo Sorinao’s preaching over DZBB in Manolo Favis’ program, “Dis is Manolo and his Genius Family.” That was in 1982. It was just accidental that I tuned in to this particular program.

That day, the many preachers of different religions as panel were tackling the topic on why God created man. Each one gave his part. I was so impressed with Bro. Eli’s performance, and from then on, I had become his regular listener. Because of the things that I had learned from him, eventually I decided to quit the Catholic religion.

After sometime, I got well. I was diagnosed to have suffered from schistosomiasis – a parasitic infection involving exposure to contaminated fresh water bodies through wading, swimming, or bathing.

I looked at my confinement as a means by which God would call me to this congregation. Each time, I became more eager to listen to Bro. Eli’s preaching over the radio. It took me two years of listening before I finally decided to undergo indoctrination.

When I left my former religion, I did not feel the slightest remorse, or regret; instead, I felt quite relieved. Simultaneous with my decision to leave my former faith was my decision to embrace the doctrines in the Church of God. This was where I heard the undefiled Word of God being preached. Aside from that, by listening to Bro. Eli, I realized how valuable life is. Through God’s mercy, in February 29, 1984, Bro. Teno de Castro baptized me in the river of San Marcos, Calumpit, Bulacan.

When I became a member of this organization, dramatic changes took place in my life. I no longer became vindictive, unlike before when I really saw to it that I would get even with people who had wronged me. I learned to be forgiving. And above all else, I developed a hope that one day, I would be rewarded of eternal life.

A few years after my baptism, my wife, Sis. Loreta, was likewise converted. I would say that our relationship as husband and wife became stronger because we were bound by the teachings of God which Bro. Eli taught us. We were truly fortunate for having been blessed with three wonderful children. Our eldest, Ahrleth, who is now a third year Med. Tech. student; next to her is Eliseo, and our youngest is Elidan.

From the very start, I had wanted to be a worker, especially when I heard Bro. Eli appealing to the brethren to help him in spreading the Word of God by entering the Workers’ Ministry. My attention was caught by his words, “Mag-aral kayo ng pagkamanggagawa” (Study to be a worker). And through the help of God, I succeeded in becoming one. I was first assigned to the locale of Area-G, Dasmariñas, Cavite in October 20, 1984. Later on, I had been assigned to different places.

As a worker, I went through so many trials in life. There were times when my family experienced financial crisis, not to mention the persecution that I received from my relatives when I joined this congregation. I had also experienced getting engaged in a discourse with the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members.

I was holding a broadcast in DYMM Tacloban City when, all of a sudden, Rizalito Ocampo and his cohorts came, speaking ill of Bro. Eli. And although they were armed with guns, I was never intimidated. I continued to preach our faith and defend our preacher whose reputation they were trying to malign. That very instance, I felt the power of God work.

I would experience great joy whenever I am able to be of help to Bro. Eli in my own small way – even by just driving. Somehow, I was also able to help him in our broadcast over DZMA and DWAD.

Honestly, there had already been a point when I had thought of quitting the Workers’ Ministry. Not because I no longer wanted to be a worker but because I wanted to ease him of some burden. There was a time when Bro. Eli was going through a serious financial problem. In order to be of little help to him, I planned to work so that he wouldn’t have to give me allowances anymore. But when I asked for his permission, he didn’t give me any answer. I interpreted it for a “no”. And so, I decided to continue performing my duties as a worker.

I have personally witnessed and felt how Bro. Eli cared for my fellow Visayans. Because of the example that he had been setting, I told myself that I, too, have to do the same. I also have to love my fellowmen. From the teachings of Bro. Eli, I have understood that loving one’s fellowmen means to lead them to the truth encourage them to serve God for them to attain salvation.

After several years, I was entrusted with a very sensitive duty. I became a baptizer. I wasn’t really expecting this, although deep in my heart, I was very happy because, despite my humble being, I had been tasked to perform a very important duty.

In 1993, I became an Officer-in-Charge. At first, I was a bit afraid that I might not be able to fulfill my duties well. But my fear vanished after praying to God that He direct my steps. From being an OIC, I was made a Minister-in-Charge in 2001. When this post was given to me, the more I become cautious of my actions, especially while performing my duties.

I want to be worthy of the trust that has been given to me. If, up to now, I am able to continue performing my duties, first and foremost, I owe it to God; next to God are our leaders, Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel, who are always there to correct us whenever we commit mistakes; and third, to our brethren who continue to understand our shortcomings.

I am very thankful to God because, despite my being a “nobody”, I was entrusted of a very important duty in the Church. I always pray that I would be able to spend the rest of my life serving Him.

First published in Believer Newsmagazine, Feb. 2005

He answered this atheist guy with so much wisdom, knowledge and authority, I thought I was dreaming! March 3, 2009

Is this man for real? I have never seen a person answer that way and with such mastery of the Bible.

By Jordan Pizarro

It all began with a debate. I was in our hospital room when my grandmother got sick in 1997. I was searching for some channels that would be interesting enough to make my mind divert from the problems I was currently facing.

I was only 18 then, and my life was so messed up. I was into drugs and my grandmother – my guardian ever since I was a baby – was on her deathbed, partly because me too.

It was probably the lowest part of my life when it happened. As I was browsing some channels in the hospital TV, I chanced upon this man answering a seemingly animated person saying that there is no God and proving so that life comes merely from red blood corpuscles. I always was interested in science before, being sort of a science geek and all, so the topic immediately caught my attention.

I turned the volume a bit more to the irritation of my aunt. This animated guy was so adamant on proving his point; I almost thought he was right. But then, this other thin man with big glasses and a moustache – I assumed he was the host of the program – answered him. And then everything that followed after that was total bliss.

He answered this atheist guy with so much wisdom, knowledge and authority, I thought I was dreaming! Is this man for real? I have never seen a person answer that way and with such mastery of the Bible. I have seen some preachers before so I’m not really that innocent about the different ways preachers carry themselves or try to preach their point of view of the Bible.

But never like this. And I was hooked to his program ever since. That was the first time I have seen the most sensible preacher of our time: Bro. Eliseo Soriano.

Since then, I had been watching ANG DATING DAAN in Channel 13. With Sis. Luz, there was this trivia I like about science and history, and then Bro. Eli would be proving that it is in the Bible. I was obviously in love with the program, I constantly waited to watch it and even the intro music was so soothing to my ears. It was always a cathartic experience watching and listening to the Biblical topics that Bro. Eli was discussing.

I felt that after I have listened to him, my knowledge about God and the Bible has increased much above those of others. Even his debates with other preachers that I have watched pushed me to the feeling that I need to join this group.

I decided then to attend one of the Indoctrination sessions. I came back for more until it was over and went to Apalit for the Thanksgiving. When I was baptized March 20, 1998, I immediately joined the workers ministry and became a seminarian in 1998.

Thanks be to God!

No evil man can ever understand God’s Word – which is why I trust Bro. Eli with my whole soul March 3, 2009

It’s like for the first time in my life, I saw the ghastly streak in the beautiful painting that is my life. It’s not being a female substitute priest. It’s being a blind follower of an erroneous religion.

By Pol Arellano

As a child, I used to substitute for a Catholic priest.

For most of my primary school existence, I have graced the halls of the nearest parish church for music-related affairs. It was safe to say that I was inside the church halls more than the average snot-nosed student. And aside from performing musical tasks, I also took on some unorthodox roles – I was assigned to be the priest whenever there was a Holy Communion or Baccalaureate mass practice. I used to shove an imaginary piece of something on some kid’s stuck-out tongue. It was faith, and maybe a better standing in the parish, that kept me going.

You see, my notion of faith was that it was something you say, not experienced. Faith is a popular term in recitation during Christian Living classes. It had always been a word memorized alongside terms like love, and justice. It’s a sure-ball good-grade-getter, and that’s about it. Faith is a term, a word you say when you want to get on the values education teacher’s good side.

As it turns out, faith is a popular word. It was also faith, according to my uncle Allan, which enabled him to transform. My uncle who was once a drunkard, an irresponsible father and husband, and a chain smoker changed – almost magically. I was shocked, nonetheless, for his faith was from outside my substitute priesthood.

It was him who introduced me in my first trip to a Church of God locale. Expecting nothing, I went with him to a prayer meeting. I sat down and looked around. The people inside sang poignant songs with a passion. By the time the congregants started to pray, I sat on my seat watching them as they closed their eyes, kneeled and prayed. I observed. I made mental notes. I listened. And before the night was through, I made sure that I knelt down with the congregants for the closing prayer.

When I first saw Bro. Eli Soriano on TV and heard him speak of biblical wisdom, I began inexplicably trusting him. He is a man with a tremendous amount of faith in him; it radiates from within, and awakens the quiescent spirit within us. His linking together of Biblical passages from both the Old and New Testaments leaves me in awe to this day. He has opened my heart and mind to God’s wisdom. And for this I am most grateful to God.

No evil man can ever understand God’s Word – which is why I trust Bro. Eliseo Soriano with my whole soul – for he not merely understands, but he makes others understand and see the beauty of God’s mercy and kindness.

As the days went by and The Old Path programs ran through, I began to be a witness to how faith may be different, as if I have been unmasked of a horrid visor. Some have true faith, and others, like me, have paltry ones.

Watching Bro. Eli more and more, the incorrectness of my priestly duties became evident. It’s like for the first time in my life, I saw the ghastly streak in the beautiful painting that is my life. It’s not being a female substitute priest. It’s being a blind follower of an erroneous religion.

And like an artist who finally saw the error of her ways, I painted over the streak. On the 21st of June, 2002, my life became a beautiful painting in the holy eyes of the Almighty. With His help and guidance, I haven’t looked back ever since.