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.

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!

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!

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!

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 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!

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!

By Emil Mendoza

My mother was a protestant before and my father died as a catholic. My brother and I used to go to the church or simbahan every Sunday when we were just kids. We grew up together doing just that with the consent of my parents.

One day, while we were watching television, my mother switched the channel to Channel 13 and there we saw Bro. Eliseo Soriano preaching. If I’m not mistaken, he was attacking a certain pastor where he used words that seemed to be foul in the ears of the listeners. But it was the truth he was uttering. He was not afraid to tell the truth.

More people are used to hearing from their pastors kind words; the pastor is very soft spoken and cannot be heard shouting. But by the way of Bro. Eli was preaching, we got interested of what he was saying. From there, we watched his TV program, Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) regularly.

After five years of listening, my mother took a step in seeking a chapter of the Members Church of God International where she can be indoctrinated. How I thanked God that she was baptized on May 11, 2002.

My father got angry with us when we joined the Church of God especially with my mother. There came a point when they decided to part ways. My father died without having the opportunity to be with us in the Church of God. He believed that we were brainwashed by Bro. Eli and we felt sorry for him.

By Kimberly Sharmane Dionisio

When I was a kid, I had a hard time writing my name, Kimberly Sharmane Dionisio, a name given by my parents. My mother gave birth to me on August 14, 1988. My grandmother and aunt in my father’s side took care of me since then. I acted very much spoiled to my grandmother. She gave me everything that I wanted. And when she died, I was deeply hurt because she was a mother to me.

After her burial, I went back to my parents. My father would give me what I wanted as what my grandmother used to do. My father went to work abroad later on, leaving my mother to take care of me and my brother. One year later, my father came back. Living with them in two years was so hard because my parents always had arguments to the point that they had to decide to separate.

With an annulment, they made an agreement – a written agreement. I lived with my father while my brother lived with my mother. After that, I lived with my aunt who took care of me together with my grandma. I began living with my aunt when she was yet single. But now, she has her own family. Despite this, she acted as my mother.

My aunt is a religious person. She would always attend church services with her family and me. As time went by, one of her friends told her to watch Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) TV program in SBN 21 hosted by a Bro. Eliseo Soriano. After my aunt heard Bro. Eli teaching scriptures from the Bible, she stopped attending the catholic mass. My aunt and her husband decided to join the Members Church of God International.

I was nine years of age when my cousins and I used to attend Kawan ng Cordero (KNC or Flock of the Lamb) every prayer meeting and worship service. It’s fun to be a kid. I joined KNC competitions and other activities of KNC. I also went to school. In fact, when I was in grade 3, I joined a newspaper club in our school. I wrote essays and news writings to our journals. I joined news writing competitions when I was in grade 5 but I only got third place. After my grade school years, I stopped writing. But every time I write essays in my high school days, my teachers would always told me that I have potentials to be a writer. I ignored them, however, because I focused on some other things.

In the Church of God, my KNC years have passed when I was thirteen years old. Teatro Kristiano (Christian theatre) caught my attention and I joined that group too. When I became a TK member, even though I was not yet baptized that time, I learned how to give importance to my duty from the examples that Bro. Eli is showing. He never stops working day and night. Through this, I decided to be a member of the Church even when I was only fourteen years old. I understood what he was preaching.

I took up Mass Communication Technology in LA Verdad Christian College and in my own little way, I write articles in the KKTK website and kaanib.net. Having two departments in the Church is very hard while you are studying. But this is not enough service God. You must give your life to your duty. And you don’t need to have any doubts to have commitments because the essence of life is to serve God. As what Bro. Eli said, “We are nothing without God.”

I believe that this Church is the true Church and Bro. Eli is a preacher given by God. This is attested to by the teachings of God that he preaches from time to time in many different topics. These topics are so deep that they are called mysteries.

If God hadn’t led me to listen to Bro. Eli, I would have wasted my life and ended up in perdition. I know God changed my life from wicked ways even though I am not worthy of it.

By Ronjie Abot

I am 24 yrs old and I was born in area D, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite to Mr. and Mrs. Francisco Araneta Abot on December 28, 1984. I was a young country boy who grew up experiencing a hard life. I have started working when I was 10 years old by doing some kind of labor work. At age 11, I worked with my mother in Marawi City as a delivery boy who delivered snacks.

During my teenage years, I had barkadas (gangsters) who did such things that are not right, such as riots, petty gang wars and other mischief in our place. It was because of this barkada, too, that I joined in a feeding ministry handled by a certain born again group when I turned 13. Perhaps fate decided that this interest should lead me to read the Holy Scriptures, to become aware of some verses and to watch a religious program on television. Still, there was something that was missing in my life.

One afternoon, I saw on TV a religious program titled “ANG DATING DAAN”, hosted by the most sensible preacher I have ever heard. This caught my meticulous attention. Since that day, I had always watched this most informative religious program. After one year and eleven months of seeking for the truth, I left the Born-Again feeding ministry after learning from Preacher Soriano that the doctrines of the Born-Again movement were not biblical.

Even though I was busy in my school days, my life started to change with the help and mercy of God. By His grace and power, through Bro. Eli Soriano, I turned back from my wicked barkadas. Now, I thank God for his unspeakable gifts and for all His blessings and kindness. If God hadn’t led me to listen to Bro. Eli, I would have wasted my life and ended up in perdition. I know God changed my life from wicked ways even though I am not worthy of it. It was through His mercy that He sent His messengers Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon so that I may know and follow His commandments. They are the instruments of God in renewing my life and I thank Him for this.

There are people, especially the ministers of Iglesia Ni Cristo of Mr. Eraño Manalo, who say that Bro. Eli is a wicked person. Of course I do not believe them, because I know that all of the things they say against Bro. Eli are mere accusations to malign his person. Bro. Eli speaks the truth from the Bible, and that is why the enemies of truth rise against him, just as the apostle Paul experienced in Gal.4:16- “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” I know Bro. Eli’s way of life. He is a God-fearing preacher; his hardships show his faithful desire to serve God for the salvation of his countrymen and of all who will believe in what he is preaching.

So, even if they speak things against our Bro. Eli, all I can say is that he is the instrument of God in renewing my mind. I would say this, just as the blind said this to the accusers of Jesus our Lord: “Whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25.

I am very thankful to the Lord for making Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel as instruments so that my mind be renewed and opened and I may turn away from doing the wrong things that I used to before. I am thankful to the Lord for His grace and I believe that through His help and mercy, I may finish my race. So help me God. To God be the glory!

Greetings from Iligan City!