My mind was speaking to me. Life for me was very bitter, was very difficult, but why did God keep saving me from dying? It was more of a complain about life than a question.

By Jay Esconde

I am a former Catholic. Although I was raised to fear God, I often questioned him why I had a miserable life. I had so many questions that bothered me and those questions were mostly about bitterness in life. All my life I only knew hardships and sufferings.

My father died when I was very young. It was only my mother who raised us. I saw my mother struggle to give us a proper life – providing us our basic needs up to moral guidance that we needed. She had tried her best. We were situated in a rural part of Bataan, north of Manila. I wish I could say we had a simple life but we didn’t. I could tell it was too much for my mother to handle our family and she couldn’t keep up anymore. Even when I was younger I already had a mature mind. I guess poverty forced me to grow up faster than my real age. When I reached 2nd year high school, I decided to leave home and live independently. I was thinking that my absence would help my family to economize since it will be one mouth less to feed. When my father was still alive our lives were very much different. He worked in the Middle East before and my elder siblings were able to experience a well-off life. Since I am the youngest among the nine children and my father died when I was still very young, I had not tasted those privileges that my siblings had enjoyed.

I was 14 when I left home with nothing on my hands but only determination to have a better life. I went to our uncle’s “barong-barong” (shack) at Dinalupihan in Bataan. I lived alone and I was often hungry. There were times I only had cornick, which I stole in stores, as viand for my lunch. These things helped me develop a pride: I would rather get hungry than become a burden to my family and to other people.

So it went on like that and I had adjusted. I was able to find work as pedicab driver at night  (Minors are not allowed to drive on the road during daytime) and continued my secondary schooling at daytime. There were times I had slept my way during classes due to sleepless nights. Getting caught drooping, I was often ridiculed by my teacher, but I could not give my situation as an excuse to my offense. I would say it would be very hard for her to believe it, so I didn’t give any excuses.

One time I was stricken with flu that I cannot even get up, so I was absent for one whole week. Perhaps as standard procedure in checking on an absentee student my teacher tried to locate me along with some of my classmates. They found me based on the address I gave to my school registration, and they were shocked to find out my situation: living in a tiny shelter made up scraps of wood and cardboard. They saw me all curled up lying down to my mat due to sickness. “Why you didn’t tell me that you’re living like this?” My teacher exclaimed. She even cried when I told her my story. I could tell then she finally understood me.

Now my classmates who went with her developed a sense of sympathy towards me. They offered me material and financial assistance whenever they saw that I could not afford requirements for school projects. However, I lived with my principle that I shouldn’t be a burden to anyone and I hated the feeling of being pitied.

One time, I got involved in hulidap for extra income because pedicab earning was very small and quite slow. Hulidap is street term for strategies involving bad cops and selling, usually drugs. It went like this: I served as a false buyer of bulks of shabu and would make arrangement with the pusher. Once the pusher arrives I would signal the cops and they will arrest both of us. Those cops will have the drugs and the paraphernalia and they will finally free me in a few minutes after the staged arrest. Next, from the confiscated items, I pretend to be the supplier. They make arrangement with a buyer that they set up on their own. They would send me to meet the buyer and transact with him. During the transaction, the cops appear and would arrest both of us. I get released afterwards. That’s hulidap, the term coming from huli (catch) and hold-up. It is taking advantage of illegal items being sold.

I gained much commission from hulidap. I was discovered by a cop on the street who introduced me to hulidap and lured me with the profit I could gain from it. I let myself be used by the dark elements. That was also the time I learned to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and pot, and do drugs as well, although I did not get addicted. Within me, I knew that what I was doing was wrong – there’s still fear inside me, telling me to stop.  It went on like that until I learned that those cops I was serving were killed by NPA (New People’s Army). Despite the fast income from hulidap and that I knew I can scout for other cops who were into those activity, I turned my back from that world. I still wanted to live and that fear inside me was already warning me. The vices, however, were already working on my system.

Few days before graduating high school, I got involved in a big riot that almost had me killed. One of my friends was suspecting someone whom he thought was having an affair with his girlfriend. As a friend I was moved to defend him. One time he was able to encounter the man. He cornered him and stuck his knife on him but the man was able to defend himself, took hold of the knife and was about to stab my friend. I moved quickly and pulled out my balisong (switchblade) and stuck it on his throat. I told him to drop his switchblade or else I will stab him. He retreated.

The following day on my way to school, I rode at the front seat of the jeep with an elderly woman beside me whom later I found out was the wife of the driver. A group of men lined up on the road and barricaded the jeep. Out of nowhere someone came quickly to smash my face with a very big rock. For unexplainable reasons I was able to dodge it without remembering how I did it until now. Unfortunately, the rock hit the woman beside me on the face. Having missed me as target, the man drew out a knife and tried to stab me. Again I was able to dodge the knife in an unexplainable move; I only got wounded in the arm. Sadly the knife went straight and stabbed the same woman beside me. The driver, her husband, roared in anger and chased the man. He had beaten him out and the men got distracted. I was able to escape.

It turned out that this was a “resbak” (revenge) to me by the clan of the man whom I threatened to stab to defend my friend. It happened so quickly and seemed surreal in my vision. Nevertheless my conscience was persecuting me. I was supposed to be the one whose face got smashed; I was supposed to be the one to get stabbed. Not that poor woman. I started questioning myself. I started developing questions for God. Why is my life this bad? And yet, you keep saving me!

After graduating high school, I studied vocational course through self-support. I did various jobs from construction work to driving. Eventually I got settled into construction works. The construction projects that employed me brought me as far as Laguna and Manila. When I started earning I got deep into my vices as well. One might think that since I am earning I am already doing well in life, but no, I wasn’t. The more I lost direction because of vices and the haunting questions I had about God. I felt empty.

I resorted to getting deep into vices such as taking drugs but along with this, I got deep into debts as well. In fact I had an estafa case because I ran away from my five-month overdue rentals in one of the apartments on the side of the railway in Blumentritt, Manila. That circumstance forced me to return to my hometown in Bataan. Upon my return, people were looking at me like I was an important person because I came from Manila, then the impression wore off. That’s how provincial folks are.

Then I met my wife. I met Nelita when she was still on her second year high school. Her family came from one religion to another, although they never became Catholic. She said they are really seeking for truth.  Her being religious even manifested on her manner and the way she spoke to me. She even warned me not to expect them to worship idols or join any Catholic celebrations or rituals. I told her it’s fine with me.

She kept on talking about this Bro. Eli Soriano. I told her I was not familiar with the name so she shared to me what she has learned from listening to Bro. Eli’s radio program titled Ang Dating Daan. I got convinced easily that the man is indeed telling the truth. I suddenly remembered that even before meeting her, I was able to work in a construction of the building for Ang Dating Daan locale in Manila. These people treated us very well.

I can tell that they really wanted to be part of Ang Dating Daan, but did not know where to go and whom to talk to. During that time, the town of Morong was so rural, very different from what it is right now. No vehicle was easily accessing the road and the only way was crossing the sea from Balanga to Olongapo. This was very, very far from us. We soon got married and I became part of their family. Together, we listened to the radio program. That was our only recourse to Bro. Eli’s preaching.

My wife’s brother returned to their home and then we found out that he is a member of Iglesia ng Dios (Church of God), the name of the congregation that Bro. Eli is presiding minister to. As if our prayers were answered. He is not just merely a member but also a trainee for ministerial work so he shared with us many things that Bro. Eli taught them. In my mind I said yes, Bro. Eli is a man of truth and I am already a believer. I immediately stopped my vices but didn’t experience any withdrawal that other people are saying whenever they are being rehabilitated. It is true that faith is enough to remove vices.

Upon knowing our interest to join the Church, my brother-in-law requested for an indoctrination session. The assigned worker came and we begun the session with only gas lamp lighting our small nipa hut because it was set at night. It was my wife, my in-laws, and I who have attended the sessions. In the course of our going through indoctrination I can say our faith were being tested.

My wife and I had an unusual fight over something that almost had us both thinking of separation, but we didn’t give in. We endured the trial and it passed. Then I was also involved in a fight with a co-worker at the construction that fizzled out like there was nothing to argue about. Returning home after that fight, I was hit on the head by the edge of the tunnel as we were riding in the uncovered trunk of the truck. It didn’t hurt much although it made me realize that I shouldn’t have let myself get involved in that fight. It really feels like the devil was trying to stop me from continuing with the indoctrination. Thank God I have surpassed it all and have completed the indoctrination. Came our baptism day we went to ADD Convention Center in Apalit. Everything felt new.

It was I, my wife, and eight of her relatives including her parents who got baptized on September 14, 2001. We were expecting to meet Bro. Eli Soriano but we were told that he is busy tending to something. It was Bro. Efren Baquing who came and greeted us, and then Bro. Eli, upon learning we were one big family who got baptized, called us through cellphone and greeted us. We were so delighted! However, we were still longing to see the face of the man whom I always regarded as the man of truth.

In my earlier days being a member of the Church of God, I encountered a problem regarding the schedule of my work that conflicted with the schedule of the services in the Church. This is not even to mention that the site was very far from the locale, so I often came late or sometimes wasn’t able to come at all. Something happened to me at work: I fell from the third storey-high scaffolding. My head hit the ground but it was my right hand that got injured severely from the impact. I didn’t get unconscious, but felt dizzy and shocked. It was a miracle that I escaped death from that accident. Nonetheless that accident stopped me from working.

Thinking that God was chastising me because of my poor attendance, I never missed a single gathering since then. Then the assigned worker at the locale told me that there was a construction being done at the resort in Morong, being co-owned by the congregation and that I might be able to work there. It was a relief to find work that would not conflict with the Church services.

I worked in Morong and the management let my wife and I stay in while the site was being constructed. Laborers were volunteers aspiring to be workers in the Church. It really is more enjoyable to work with the brethren as I was able to grasp biblical knowledge that they, themselves, applied in life. I was also able to seat-in during their aralan (ministerial classes) and gain more wisdom that are new to me. In 2002, Bro. Eli came to the site and I finally met him.

Excited to know that Bro. Eli was at the site I gathered my thoughts quickly with some of the questions in life that I wanted to ask him personally for a long time. They told me, “That’s Bro. Eli,” pointing to the tall man. I looked at him, and then I looked into his eyes.

My eyes met Bro. Eli’s eyes. They were speaking to me. They speak about hardships he went through. About the pains he had endured. About the sufferings he still has to bear that goes with his mission. I suddenly felt that my questions had vanished, replaced by empathy towards the man who had experienced hardships in life more than I have experienced. I realized that those miseries in life I had experienced were nothing compared to what Bro. Eli is experiencing. There was a heart-wrenching feeling in me that I cannot explain whenever I looked at him. I think that it is feeling that connects me deeper to Bro. Eli. Saving souls involves a hard life – a very difficult life that one has to surrender his very own.

 My mind was speaking to me.

Life for me was very bitter, was very difficult, but why did God keep saving me from dying? It was more of a complain about life than a question.

When I met Bro. Eli, I didn’t ask questions anymore. They were answered already.

I listened to Bro. Eli using my walkman, to his radio program at DZRH then at 1 o’clock am, to his program at RMN, so that no one would hear. I didn’t even let my dorm roommate know what I was listening to. He was very curios because at the middle of the night, I would just start laughing and giggling

by Roi Cruz

When I was young, I always find myself in front of our television. I am a cartoon and children action series lover. I religiously watch children series dubbed in Filipino in the likes of “Cedie, Ang Munting Prinsipe”, “Voltes 5”, “Daimos”, “Bioman”, “Mask Rider Black”, and “Maskman” became my early love. I never imagined that in watching TV, I would stumble upon the program Ang Dating Daan, and it would change my life forever.

My whole family are members of the Catholic Church. We go to mass almost weekly; I and my siblings, by the influence of our parents, had done our communions, kumpil, and also binyag when we were born.

Fast forward to high school, many things have changed except one – my love for action television series.

After school, I just spend the rest of the day watching television. That’s where I learned about Bro. Eliseo Soriano and the program Ang Dating Daan. I can’t seem to understand it but I slowly became interested with Bro. Eli despite my young age. At first, I switched the television to his program every commercial break while watching the likes of BT-X, Zenki and Blue Blink. But then, without me knowing it, I was doing the opposite. I only watched my favorite shows when Ang Dating Daan is on break!

This has become my daily ritual: every time I got home, I switched on the television and watched Bro. Eli preach.

At the age of 14, I already believed what Bro. Eli is preaching. I remembered a time when after having a cross mark put by a priest on my forehead because it’s Ash Wednesday, I immediately removed it upon entering our classroom – to the disgust of my classmates who witnessed it.

A time came that I said to myself, I can no longer stay with the Catholic faith. I talked to my mother about it. I can still remember that moment, I was so scared with what her reaction would be but I still talked to her. Armed with my courage and belief in the words that Bro. Eli preached, I approached her at our kitchen while she was preparing our meal. I said “Ma, di ko na kayang maging Katoliko.” (Mom, I can’t stand being Catholic anymore). Then she blurted out her anger on Bro. Eli. She told me to stop listening to Bro. Eli, and because of my fear, I did not speak another word while I cried in front of her.

It did not end there. One time, my father and my mother talked to me and asked what’s wrong. I said, “Wala po. Ayoko na pong maging Katoliko!” (Nothing important. I just don’t want to be a Catholic anymore!”)

I didn’t know that, that night would be the longest night of my life. My father cried in front of me (the first time I saw him cry), and also my mother. He said “Anak, ano bang naging mali namin sa’yo?” (Son, where have we gone wrong?). I did not dare leave their room even after they talked to me; neither had I the courage to stand. I just lay there on my stomach, my right arm over my eyes, my other at my side. I couldn’t seem to end the tears that flowed from my eyes until I finally fell asleep.

College came. I have tried my best not to listen to Bro. Eli anymore. I somehow succeeded for some time but not for long. I listened to him using my walkman, to his radio program at DZRH then at 1 o’clock am, to his program at RMN, so that no one would hear. I didn’t even let my dorm roommate know what I was listening to. He was very curios because at the middle of the night, I would just start laughing and giggling.

Those words of Bro. Eli at the program’s opening just resonate in my ears. I was very afraid that I will not be saved because I know about the truth but I don’t follow God’s words – one of which is to be part of the Church.

“Pag nakasumpong ka ng mabuti, wag nang magpatumpik-tumpik, wag nang magpadela-delay, wag nang magpabukas-bukas; Pagkakasumpong mo ng mabuti, gawin mo agad!” (If you have found good, do not dillydally; do not delay; don’t let tomorrow wait. If you have found good, do it now!)

During that time, to me Bro. Eli’s voice sounded familiar yet kind of magical. It’s like I’m not just listening to his voice; it’s actually talking to me. It’s speaking to me.

But my fear for my parents was too big a burden for me to overcome. As a result, I became so depressed. I resorted to vices like drinking and other stuff that I didn’t normally do because I knew that I will no longer be saved. But every time I woke up in the morning, nothing’s changed. I still longed to be a member of the true Church.

Then at an event at our university, Alternative Classroom Learning Experience more known to students as ACLE, I had the chance to know some brethren from the Church from Bread Society. They have this symposium titled, “Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent ba ang Dios?”  I attended the event because I had the feeling that they were members of the Church because of how their girls groomed themselves. I found out that they were really members of the Ang Dating Daan, not because they told me but because the manner of presentation and the teachings of the speaker at the event were similar to Bro. Eli’s.

After being acquainted with them, I got to know brethren who have similar stories that I have and some even worse than my case.  I had the courage to attend the indoctrination sessions without the knowledge of my parents, and ultimately I submitted myself to baptism.

I can very well remember my baptism day – not the weather, nor the day of the week, but the feeling that I had. When I was lining up at the baptistery, I was already crying. I was so emotional. I thought to myself, this is the moment that I’ve waited for the longest in my life. Here it is in front of me. Finally, I can be a member of the Church of God!

After some time, my parents slowly accepted my decision to leave the Catholic faith. The teachings during gatherings helped me through the tough times I had especially during the early months. All the brethren that I know are very supportive and caring. I thank God for all of these things.

Finally, I am now a member of the Church of God International led by Bro. Eliseo Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon. Being a member for six years now, my life has completely changed for the better. I wish and pray that I can stay in this Church, God willing, for the rest of my life.

This is when you will decide that Tonni is a lunatic.  And guess what?   You’re right!

I have always been labeled as crazy.  Family, friends, strangers….they’ve all whispered it or even said it to my face.  Don’t feel bad for me though.  That’s how God made me.  And let me preface this by saying, I’m not a murderer or some whacked out psychopath…….not lately anyway.  What I am saying is that I’m crazy for Jesus.  It’s been a slow process, but He is patient.  I’ve veered away from Him a couple of times, but I am back.  I pray for good this time.  

See, I attend this church in Dallas called WATERMARK.  It’s not like ANY church I have ever attended.  Todd, our pastor, makes you work, makes you think.  It is not easy either.  It’s not about coming to church all prim and proper, looking all pretty, pretending to be all nice and polite.  What it’s about is spreading the Word.  It’s about telling YOU about this GOD I believe in.  I am here, on this earth, to tell YOU about my Savior.  This is where you say, Tonni is a nut. She’s lost it.  But I have to go on………

God is working on me, more than EVER before.  I’ve been doing things and saying things to people that I would NEVER have said five years ago.  If you remember me at all, as a kid, I was one of the most introverted/shy/reserved people you would ever meet.  It would kill me to speak to my teachers in class, much less say something out loud.  But God is changing me.  Constantly working on my soul.  

You might laugh and not even read this.  Probably checked out at Ephesians 1.  That’s okay.  Well, really, it’s not, but I’m not going to hold you at gunpoint to continue reading.  If you are still with me, I ask that you keep reaching out to Him.  He will hear YOU.  It doesn’t matter where you are at in your life.  He takes US in no matter what we wear, what we say, what we do, who we do.  

I don’t know what Jesus looks like…..I just have FAITH.  I know He made a provision for ME….and YOU…..on the CROSS.  He told me HOW…..I CONFESSED.  I was CHANGED……..forever.

I am a lunatic, but I am a preacher of God, and I will keep talking as long as I have breath.  

This is when you will decide that Tonni is a lunatic.  And guess what?   You’re right!

I have always been labeled as crazy.  Family, friends, strangers….they’ve all whispered it or even said it to my face.  Don’t feel bad for me though.  That’s how God made me.  And let me preface this by saying, I’m not a murderer or some whacked out psychopath…….not lately anyway.  What I am saying is that I’m crazy for Jesus.  It’s been a slow process, but He is patient.  I’ve veered away from Him a couple of times, but I am back.  I pray for good this time.  

See, I attend this church in Dallas called WATERMARK.  It’s not like ANY church I have ever attended.  Todd, our pastor, makes you work, makes you think.  It is not easy either.  It’s not about coming to church all prim and proper, looking all pretty, pretending to be all nice and polite.  What it’s about is spreading the Word.  It’s about telling YOU about this GOD I believe in.  I am here, on this earth, to tell YOU about my Savior.  This is where you say, Tonni is a nut. She’s lost it.  But I have to go on………

God is working on me, more than EVER before.  I’ve been doing things and saying things to people that I would NEVER have said five years ago.  If you remember me at all, as a kid, I was one of the most introverted/shy/reserved people you would ever meet.  It would kill me to speak to my teachers in class, much less say something out loud.  But God is changing me.  Constantly working on my soul.  

You might laugh and not even read this.  Probably checked out at Ephesians 1.  That’s okay.  Well, really, it’s not, but I’m not going to hold you at gunpoint to continue reading.  If you are still with me, I ask that you keep reaching out to Him.  He will hear YOU.  It doesn’t matter where you are at in your life.  He takes US in no matter what we wear, what we say, what we do, who we do.  

I don’t know what Jesus looks like…..I just have FAITH.  I know He made a provision for ME….and YOU…..on the CROSS.  He told me HOW…..I CONFESSED.  I was CHANGED……..forever.

I am a lunatic, but I am a preacher of God, and I will keep talking as long as I have breath.  

By Howard Sichiga

Yeah it is quite nice and it’s good. I want to thank Bro. Eli for that because not many people – not many preachers – have the courage to talk like he’s talking.

He is understandable because there’s a lot of stigma among many preachers not to talk against what people believe. So to watch someone who talks openly about what he believes is – unless someone is inspired – that’s my feeling because if you are not inspired – you have fear.

You cannot talk about things which are avoidable. So in that point, I find this exposition quite enriching. Also, I would like to thank him because he’s open-minded.

He likes people to talk and share, maybe challenge each other based on their right, which is good. It only improves by pointing out which is right, which is wrong and by sharing, you get enriched but also think if even the preacher also gets enriched. So you share, you get enriched.

So I found the exposition quite… it’s quite different. I found him quite… when I said at first I said “unless you are inspired,” – and my impression is he has got an inspiration – he’s inspired.

Unless you are inspired, you’re enlightened like he was talking about. You cannot do that, so I find that… I am amazed actually that someone has the depth into the verses of the Bible, depth into the verses and spontaneously like somebody with arranged questions is able to go straight into the verse and align it with your question.

It’s not common, it’s quite unique. But going to the background, I was a journalist before I came to London there was exposition like this in my country but it was with Muslims and Christians. And it always ended up in violence because some other Muslims that the Christians wanted to dominate.

But they are also using the verse; that is why I say, it takes courage. Unless you really feel that you are talking the Word of God, God wants you to share. You can do that but otherwise, many preachers are afraid.

But also, for you to come and talk to people of different faith without yourself being enriched in the Word, you cannot do that. So my belief is, he’s an inspired man of God and he’s fulfilling what the Lord Jesus said, Go ye into all the world and preach to all creatures not only to human beings but all creatures. So it’s quite unique that I admired and enjoyed every bit of the exposition.”

Video Title: Bible Exposition @ Leeds – Interview with Mr. Howard Sichiga
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqdoj4nHJu4
Date posted: July 16, 2009

I think I was tired of seeing too many liars on television… I saw so many fake ones and I thought this is crazy, another one. But they said, nothing, just come.

By Bro. Patrick Ruffles

When I was 17 years old, I left the church (Catholic church). No more belief in it. I’ve tried many different churches but I only last one day and only one because I do not trust anyone of them.

I was an altar boy up to 17 and then I started to question the priest and he didn’t like it. So I said, if you can’t answer me, why should I stay a catholic? They do not want to answer why they have idols. Is it in the Bible? No idols? But he said, you have to believe what I say – not what you read. So the Bible is fake? Is it? And I left the Church.

I’m watching on UNTV for about nine months and then three brethren come to my house to see my wife. You see, I am married to a Filipino girl. We were talking and they asked, would you like to come? I said, no, I’m not interested.

I think I was tired of seeing too many liars on television… I saw so many fake ones and I thought this is crazy, another one. But they said, nothing, just come.

I got one time, and I was hooked. First time I ever heard of a religion or preaching done in a proper way. First time anybody saw on this. You can ask questions, and he knew every answer. Nothing is lie or made up on his head, although he was very clever, he knows everything about the Bible and I don’t know how he does that, it maybe years of training to learn that.

I like his honesty. He jokes sometimes about his English not being very good, but he is very well educated… very well educated. His English is very good.

I like his laugh, his honesty, his truthfulness. Bro. Eli is the best preacher I ever heard. The only one I’ve heard that tells the truth. Because he is honest and he cannot say something that you cannot agree with.

Because, how can you disagree with the book? How can you disagree with the Bible? And that’s what he preaches for. And he knows it so well that any question you asked, he has an answer for it.

It’s from the book. Bro. Eli cannot be compared to any other preacher because he is different. So much different from anyone, any preacher that I ever heard. Bro. Eli is like telling you everything that you should know and he is not scared of frightening you as well. I’m thankful and I’m grateful that I became a better person.

Bro. Eli, what can I say? Thank you very much. Keep doing what you are doing. Live a long life. And thank you for your help.

Video Title: “Brother Eli tells you everything that you should know.” (Bro. Patrick Ruffles)
URL :
Date posted: April 1, 2010

We cannot really tell how people react when we scout for truth and follow it. There were those who persecuted me before – and that included my relatives – for being a member. The same with my school teacher who gave me 5 as a grade after she learned I come from Ang Dating Daan (ADD).

By Ishie Lee

I was a Member of the Manapla Fellowship Baptist Church. I came to know Eli Soriano after my father told me about this man. I was thirteen – a freshman in high school. At first, I didn’t know how to tune in to SBN21 where Bro. Eli preached.

I got linked with the preacher when my father told me that there is RMN 558 that I could listen to. As far as I can remember, Bro. Eli’s Ang Dating Daan played on week nights 9PM to 12PM. I miss those days that after Bro. Eli delivers, I would listen to his closing song, Dala kong Nakalimbag (I bear in my body). That song added to my faith that this man was the one I was looking for. I can feel the message of the song in him. I cry a lot every time I hear it. I don’t know why. Deep in my heart, I knew this preacher is true, godly, and not deceiving people. These were my feelings to him. I remember that there were times that I had already fallen asleep and still the radio was still tuned in to RMN 558.

I regretted the times that I missed some of his Q&A’s because of exhaustion after school. Bro. Eli has a portion called, Itanong mo kay Soriano, Biblia ang sasagot (Ask Soriano, the Bible shall answer). I enjoyed this part very much. I lived alone that time and no one could disturb me while I’ll listen to this man every night. My weeknight’s routine was already scheduled to tune in to RMN 558.

Back at the province, even at daytime, I was so eager to look for available TV stations if this man had any broadcast. Fortunately, one day, I was so happy since I got tuned in to RPN 9. I saw this man debating with a Pentecostal. I was at my first year high school when I got information from my father that this man has never lost in a debate. My curiosity was all the more aroused.

And I proved it. This man has sense when asking questions and answering questions unlike his opponent in debate. Bro. Eli’s style can really catch the attention of people, even in his preaching.

My life before was just like that of the others. I used to gamble a lot. I played long hours in our town just to earn money by gambling. I was a prodigal person. I spent the money my parents’ gave me, seeking my own happiness. I didn’t care about my future, I didn’t care about life that much. I was the happy-go-lucky fellow. As long as I could be happy, I’m set. I watched movies a lot in cinemas. I hung out a lot with my peers.

But I was able to listen to Bro. Eli. There was joy inside of me that I couldn’t describe. It was like, this is it! This is the one I was looking for! I remember Kuya Daniel who said, you can feel the feeling the first time you hear the words of God being preached by the preacher He sent. It’s a feeling that I knew these teachings, that I knew this preacher. I can’t describe those feelings, when I first heard Bro. Eli.

My father told me about him – a great preacher he came to know when he was working at Camp Crame. He first listened to Bro. Eli then he told me to listen to this man too since he can answer all religious questions. The sad part was that I couldn’t find any church locale near me that time.

My encounter with Bro. Eli changed my whole vision in life. I waited until after my graduation day in High School to fly to Manila to be with my parents. Once in Manila, I looked for the nearest Church coordinating center, and I found the locale of Sto. Niῆo Marikina. There I was eager to have indoctrination sessions because I waited for so long a time to become a member of the Church of God International.

I was baptized on March 12, 2004 1:10 pm at Apalit, Pampanga by Bro. Mauricio Bernardo. It was the happiest moment of my life. I felt very light that day. I felt I was a new person. I can’t explain the happiness inside of me after waiting for more than 4 years to be with this Church.

The Baptists taught trinity which I learned now is not biblical. They taught tithing (10% of salary or income) to their members. Even to poor members! They baptized innocent babies – babies who cannot understand the ritual they are undergoing. Their so-called Holy-Supper drink is made of Tang or Eight O’clock as long as it is grape-flavored.

I thank God a lot that I’m here now. While in the true Church, I have with me the preacher who doesn’t fool people. All my problems were swept away. There were times that I was inactive because of financial difficulties but faith in God is the simple answer…just pray and He is there listening.

One of the happiest moments that I felt being a member was when I heard the topic about the millennium or 1000 years. All my burdens and wearies eased off. It did give me hope about my relatives and parents. Everyday is a blessing to me. I used to fear death but now I’m not afraid anymore. I used to be afraid with spirits and those they called witches and dark places. After being baptized, I changed.

Even before my graduation day in High School came, my gambling habit began to ebb down. More so, my vision on education changed. I used to be a school person but that was changed too. As to priorities, school is not Number 1 anymore. I paired work and school to fulfill my oath those times I was new in Church.

I continued being a working student until my 3rd year in the Church but I stopped schooling due to financial difficulties. I used to be a house boy as well, and I missed my parents a lot but that was changed eventually. I learned to be on my own. My circle of friends changed as well. I didn’t go with friends to drink or simply to hang out. Time became very important to me. I would waste a lot of time before, but now I do watch my step if I’m losing my grip. These were part of the changes in me after baptism.

Until now, I could still make comparison as I remember that I was very aggressive to the pastors of the Baptist church. I follow what Bro. Eli read in 1 John 4:1 to test the spirits. Our pastors in the Baptist churches weren’t able to answer and defend their Trinity doctrines. I just asked one regarding “Trinity” and he answered me, Where do you get this question? I said it was taught by Bro. Eli that there’s no Trinity in the Bible. Then the pastor tried to explain Trinity.

After the pastor’s short explanation of their belief that was not in the Bible, my faith in Bro. Eli became all the more stronger. I got proof that our pastors then were so dumb of the scriptures. They didn’t know their topics, unlike Bro. Eli. Though Tagalog is not my natural language, I grew more attached to Bro. Eli.

I used to debate pastors and their trainees to prove that Bro. Eli is the true preacher of God. I am fond of the topic of Trinity way back then. Those pastors were not able to answer me properly when I asked them John 14:28 about the Father being greater than Jesus. The only thing that they said was “Soriano is of the devil.” I left their group.

I didn’t attend their Baptist assemblies anymore as early as my 2nd year in high school. My relatives called me an unbeliever. But one thing I wanted them to know: they are living in their pride, in their vices.

In my High School days, I already heard my relatives saying that Bro. Eli’s group is a cult. They said Bro. Eli is singing videoke songs like those of drunkards. I was dedicated to the Baptist Church when I was born, and that’s why they regretted that I ever listened to Bro. Eli. However, that is not the end of it. There was one relative of mine that has joy in his heart whenever I invite him to attend our gatherings in Negros. When he heard Bro. Eli, he was so happy.

We cannot really tell how people react when we scout for truth and follow it. There were those who persecuted me before – and that included my relatives – for being a member. The same with my school teacher who gave me 5 as a grade after she learned I come from Ang Dating Daan (ADD).

In my previous company, some of my friends have already heard what our Church group is doing. One of my friends is telling good things that he knows about our Church. He once said, “The Transient Home offers passers- by a temporary home if you’re out of town.” After he said that, he called my attention to verify if indeed we welcome non-members in Transient Homes. I told him, it is open for all.

Even while I was very new in the church, I was enjoying the pride I felt whenever I hear complements about the organization. In my first job, I heard one of our dishwashers say that when Bro. Eli speaks, he speaks of wisdom. Magagaling magpaliwanag mga taga dating daan (Those from Ang Dating Daan really can explain well.)

No religion in this world has the same teachings or doctrines that we have. It is Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel who have made me pursue being a member. Despite hardships in life, despite difficulties, despite evil people who malign them, harass them, they still continue to serve the God they are preaching.

I also found out that there is no specific date of Jesus’ birth, so why then is Christmas being celebrated? The so-called “holy week” where the death of Jesus Christ is every year is ridiculous! There were so many things yet that Bro. Eli revealed.

By Allan Ramos

I was in high school when I first heard Eli Soriano and it was my first time to hear a preacher with a different style of preaching. What surprised me was that he was answering a lot of questions that popped up in my head. I continued listening to him until I realized I was hooked up with the wisdom within him.

Time came that I wanted to join the church where he was preaching. However, my Mom slapped me in the face when my grandmother informed her about my decision. Although I wasn’t able to at my younger age, the lessons I learned from Eliseo Soriano based on the bible became a great part of my life.

The Ang Dating Daan program at IBC 13 that he hosted was off the air, but still the words I heard from Bro. Eli were always there to think about. However, as years went by and I started working, I began to be drowned with many bad habits, and liked the flesh and material pleasures in life.

And yet there was emptiness inside my heart. I was out of control and the only thing that I wished for was to change. I talked in silence to God to hear my wish that should he grant, I vowed to return to him. Later, I got a new job and a girlfriend. In the course of enjoying my happy days, I heard a voice that seemed to say, I granted your wish, now where is your vow?

I felt guilty and ashamed and asked the voice that if He wanted me to be with Him to please give or show me a sign. As I looked out the window of the jeepney where I was riding on, I saw Bro. Eli’s poster of the Bible Expositions that he usually gives to the public. I finally concluded that I was being called.

I was Catholic as well all of our family members. There are a lot of things I found out beginning when I started watching Eli Soriano on Television. I found out that those images in the Catholic Church are not gods; these are just idols, are fake, completely unbiblical! I also found out that there is no specific date of Jesus’ birth, so why then is Christmas being celebrated? The so-called “holy week” where the death of Jesus Christ is every year is ridiculous! There were so many things yet that Bro. Eli revealed.

I was baptized on April 14, 2009 by Bro. Ato Tobias. I remember the weird feelings and scenario that happened during our baptism day. I didn’t understand why I was crying all the time as the day was approaching. The pain from my head aches was really throbbing and I felt hot as if I was having a fever. The weirdest part that I remember was that I saw myself running towards the Baptistery and I jumped into the water. Then I told myself “Goodbye, you devil! This is the end of the line for you! I will be no longer yours and I will fulfill my vow to God.”

There were changes in me, of course. Before, I was a greedy person, and a playboy. I welcomed every temptation that came on my way. I didn’t easily forgive those who did me wrong. I got this great lust on my sight with girls – which probably I learned from my circle of friends before. Now, I don’t mix with them anymore.

From these changes, I have learned to be charitable and share what I have for others. I can resist temptation and forgive other people. Now also, I am able to avoid and talk myself out from girls who wear short skirts and suggestive attire. There are many out there who do not dress the way Bro. Eli teaches the women in the Church.

Since I became a member of the Church of God International, I love everything what we are doing. Beginning with the way we should properly dress, we got a preacher, a “God-send,” a messenger from God, and undeniably full of God’s wisdom. Bro. Eli is intelligent, a good leader, is caring to people, and has dedicated his life to serve God’s commandments to preachers around the world. He is very charitable. What I remember that he said that caught my attention is in Jer. 10:23.

O lord, I know that way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his step

It was not easy changing my religion. There was great impact. After I was nearly a month being a member, my older brother (my closest brother even) went to our house (mom’s house) and started destroying anything he can punch on and confronted me and my wife and my in-laws, picking a fight. According to him, we were back-stabbing him, which charge was quite unlikely, unbelievable and absurd! My wife heard my second older brother’s wife say softly, “Yan nagpalit pa kasi ng relihiyon” (There it goes; why did you have to change religion anyway?). I was not expecting that from my closest brother since he was young. That was the time we finally decided to go our separate ways and get ourselves a new place to live in.

I thank God for bringing us to Bro. Eli, who in turn, brought us closer to God. I may say God moves in mysterious ways because I think the reason why I was able to be baptized earlier was so I could also bring in my wife and my sister- in-law to the Church.

But that was not the end of our trials. At work there’s an INC member who is trying to persuade me to attend their church gatherings. I always say no and he would start to debate. But he would walk-out for every debate we had.

In the beginning about 1990′s I haven’t heard from anybody saying bad things about Bro. Eli. It was only my brother who first saw Bro. Eli at IBC 13. He said, “Magaling ang preacher na ito at may sense ang sinasabi dahil sa biblia nya kinukuha ang sagot, kaya lang medyo tinitira nya yung ibang religion” (This preacher is intelligent and he is sensible because he gets all his answers from the Bible. The problem is that he attacks other religions.” My other brother and I felt odd because we were enjoying watching the Ang Dating Daan program, not realizing the hours we spend sometimes.

In the years 2000-2005, there were a lot of disinformation about Bro. Eli from people including my aunt and my mom. However, I remain steadfast believing that God’s messenger could not be that evil. If Bro. Eli is able to teach us to reform and change our lives, then we are in the right place. And to heck with all those attempts to discredit him.

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On a particular Good Friday, I made a confession to the parish priest. In order for my sins to be forgiven, he gave me an instruction to kiss the wooden idol in front of the altar. I was shocked and my mind started to challenge the Catholic doctrines.

By Anthony Lopos

I grew up in a family of Catholics. Since my childhood days, I regularly attended masses every Sunday, especially the Simbang Gabi, the nine consecutive dawn masses before Christmas celebration.

When I reached high school, my family joined the group of Mike Velarde’s El Shaddai, which made me more active in Catholic Church activities. I spent many nights in the PICC grounds in heavy rains and flood with umbrella turned upside down. We had considered the words of Mike Velarde prophetic, that we would receive more blessings from heaven by collecting rain water. Numerous times I raised three fresh eggs when Velarde performs his “pray over” ceremonies. I never questioned anything that this man told us to do; jumping three times, writing prayer request (with money of course) and attaching it to balloons so that it would reach heaven faster.

I was also an active youth participant during Word Youth Day in 1995 when John Paul II visited Manila. I remember when I was tirelessly waiting for the bullet-proof Pope Mobile to pass-by just to take picture of that man whom the Catholics consider the representative of Christ on earth.

During Lenten seasons, I regularly participated in visita iglesia and processions especially on Good Friday, the overnight walk to Grotto in San Jose Del Monte Bulacan.
Despite all these, there was an incident that triggered my mind into questioning the veracity of catholic doctrines. On a particular Good Friday, I made a confession to the parish priest. In order for my sins to be forgiven, he gave me an instruction to kiss the wooden idol in front of the altar. I was shocked and my mind started to challenge the catholic doctrine of worshipping idols: Why my sins can be forgiven by just kissing those wooden idols!

I started then looking for a new belief, a new religion. I tried to listen to Jehovah’s Witnesses when they regularly visited me in our house. I listened to doctrines of Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo; I attended several “Pamamahayag” through my uncle and aunt who were loyal deacon and deaconess of Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo. I attended several gatherings of Born Again Groups, MMCC, and the Pentecostal Church. I asked some of my friends who were members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church about their doctrines. I read articles of Islam.

I did all of these because of one thing: I was looking for the true religion after my disappointment to catholic doctrines. Since I was never convinced by any of these religious groups, in despair I decided to convince myself that maybe there is no God.

So I became an atheist at one point of my life. I studied science, the theory of evolution and other stuff the atheist people believe in order to convince myself that maybe there is really no God.

But deep inside, I knew there is a supernatural being that created all things. I read the Bible but I couldn’t find any group that would perfectly match what I read in the verses of the Holy Scriptures.

One day, a classmate of mine in engineering asked me a question that triggered my dying curiosity in religion. “Napapagod ba ang Dios”? was the question. (Does God get weary?) I answered “No.” He took the Bible in the library and read Isaiah 1:14 where God says he gets weary. He asked me again the same question and I answered back, “Of course, yes!” and cited the verse he read. But then he read Isaiah 40:28 where the Bible says God does not get weary.

He kept on asking question after question and giving answers directly from the verses of the Bible. Suddenly I felt my classmate (a member of Church of God International) knew something about religion. He knew something that I never heard from other religions.

I asked him, “From whom did you learn all these things”? He told me to watch on that night on SBN 21 the program “Ang Dating Daan”. There I saw the man who was teaching things I have never heard before.

That night was the first time I heard Bro. Eli Soriano on TV. There was something inside of me that I could not explain… a feeling of joy, the first time I felt in my life. I can still remember the moment when I finally told myself, “This is it, I found it!”

I finally found the true religion, the true Church of God in the Bible in 2001, so I immediately decided to join. There I learned that in order to be a member, I needed to fully understand and accept the doctrines of Christ in the Bible being taught to every aspiring members of the Church. I was enthusiastic then that I immediately joined the indoctrination sessions. I felt so much joy when I started learning one by one the fundamentals of Christian doctrines: to whom we should listen as our teacher when it comes to religion, how we should pray so that we can be assured that God our Father will listen to our prayers, and other topics that I never heard from any priests nor preachers of different religious groups.

But since I grew up in a religion that is very lax in following the commandments of our Lord Jesus, I was totally stunned when I started listening to the do’s and don’ts for a true Christian; discovering that this congregation truly and faithfully follows the teachings of Christ written in the Holy Scriptures.

That time I discovered that the first hindrance on my desire to follow our Lord Jesus Christ is my own self. Self-preservation and the idea that I might not be able to obey the doctrines of Christ prompted me to discontinue listening to the indoctrination.

Because of what I have learned previously from Bro. Eli’s preaching, I did not like listening to other religious preachers anymore. I could now easily determine the errors in their teachings. Although I was truly convinced that this is the true Church of God written in the Bible, I was being discouraged by my own self to serve God and follow His commandments. And so, for one year, I wandered spiritually.

Then the idea that one day Christ will judge all men on Judgment Day really scared me. I already committed many sins in the past. I realized that I was not ready that time to face my Creator if the Lord Jesus Christ would arrive on that very moment. I realized then that the divine fear that I felt was the driving force that brought me back to ADD Coordinating Center in order to listen, once again, to the most sensible preacher in our times, Bro. Eli Soriano, and learn the doctrines of Christ.

Barely a month after, I finished the indoctrination sessions on a cool Wednesday inside ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga. At 1:04 in the afternoon, December 18, 2002, Bro. Pablo Angue immersed me in the water of baptism. I cried for repentance of my sins, as I promised to God our Father that I will faithfully serve Him as a Christian for the rest of my life in the true Church of God. Thanks be to God, my entire being was totally changed thereafter.

With my father, I did not ask permission for my change of faith because I could guess how he was going to react. So now, he was saying, “You live under my roof; why did you change your religion without asking permission from me? You have no respect! You can only make decisions like that if you are on your own!”

By Mark Jay Dulap

I was not a drunkard, nor a bad boy nor astig (tough guy), not even a drug user. I was part of a religious group that I used to believe was a true church – the Roman Catholic Church. The only difference is that it is a false church, a false religion. This, I came to find out later.

I am a former religion catechist and was an active member of the Roman Catholic Church in San Antonio Maria Claret Parish, a missionary organization in Zamboanga City. I was still studying that time, a high school student then.

I had entered three organizations in this church: the CYM or “Claret Youth Movers,” the Charismatic group Music Ministry, and then the catechists’ group. I was active for 7 years with the Roman Catholic Church.

Our house was just near the Parish. Every Sunday I attended mass and helped our priest in propagating the catholic doctrines in public schools. The same thing happened when I had vacant times after class.

Every month of May, we are assigned tasks in “Flores De Mayo,” the so-called Virgin Mary’s Month, to teach little children on how to pray “Our Father.” I had also a girlfriend that time whom I met at Flores De Mayo.

As I went along the way, I learned to love reading the Bible and I also loved to preach to the young ones. Then, I heard Bro. Eli Soriano’s Bible expositions on TV. Every night at 9pm I would watch this preacher on TV at IBC 13. I remember him warning: “Niloloko lamang kayo ng mga pastor niyo! Mag-ingat kayo sa mga bulaan propheta!” (You are just being fooled by your pastors. Beware of false preachers!”). It did not take long for me to realize that his teachings were very far different from what I was teaching the children as a catechist. These were simple canned question-and-answer lessons that children are asked to memorize. I cringed, learning that those I had been asked to teach were not true!

To my mind, this man is being guided by the Spirit of God because of his bravery in speaking out the truth. I recommended then to my fellow catechists and charismatic members to watch Bro. Eli on TV. But they mocked me saying, “Nagmumura yun!” (But he cusses!). I still continued my duty as an active catechist in the Catholic Church; at the same time, however, I watched Bro. Eli regularly.

As a member of the Roman Catholic Church, I was not completely convinced of my faith. Although I did not voice this out to my fellow catechists, seminarians, and priests, I was beginning to feel that the RC is not the real church. Since I loved reading the Bible that time, I found out that there are doctrines and practices that are not part of the teachings of Christ.

Ever since I watched Bro. Eli on TV, I became more and more convinced that the church or organization that I belonged to is not the real church established by our Lord Jesus Christ. I had been defending the catholic doctrines against pastors and Muslim critics, and now I had to stop.

Reading the Catholic Bible made me find out that not even a single doctrine or practice of the Catholics came from God. I didn’t believe that God is made of stone and wood or even plastic!

When I asked a question to my coordinator and fellow catechists about the Catholic teachings, they became irritated for lack of a rightful answer to me. They said I will only become a fool if I follow the whole Bible because no man can follow the entire teachings of the Bible perfectly.

As the priests appear in white clothes at the altar during mass to be seen by everyone, I felt that they are like apostles or men of God. But, after the mass they smoked outside the parish church. Smoking is not for those sanctified; I was to learn that from Bro. Eli.

Some of the brothers (those who are to progress as priests later on) even brought girls to their office homes. My cousin, a former sacristan, can testify to these things. He sees what they do in these places.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the sign of the cross that I used to do, I became more afraid of it! I learned it is a sign of the Anti-Christ, sealed in the hand and forehead. The waters that they used to bless people are simply waters that came from faucet; they just prayed on it so that, according to them, it can now devour bad spirit. But we were taught it is really blessed water! Those images I used to respect, I now see them as mere manikins!

I knew that their so-called Holy Communion every Sunday consisted of eating bread that merely came from the bakery. Every “holy week” of March they made penitence or sacrifices for a Jesus that dies every year, but then they repeat the cycle of a sinful life afterwards. They also prayed to a Mama Mary for the souls in purgatory to be saved while there is no purgatory mentioned in the Bible! What weird teachings!

After some four months, I decided to go and look for a locale of the Church where Bro. Eli preached. I got so curious of him and made up my mind to ask for a Bible. Perhaps there is a difference in their Bible that made Bro. Eli easily flip for a verse.

Thank God, I found one Church locale by just asking the tricycle driver to bring me to a locale of Ang Dating Daan. This group is known by this name in the country. Lucky for me, one was just nearby in the side of the street.

I was invited to an impending mass indoctrination as they had no stock of Bibles that time. These are usually being given away during Bible expositions. So I went home empty-handed. I also wondered why every time I asked a tricycle driver to bring me to the Church locale they only agreed for a fare of 10pesos!

God may be really calling me now! Why are things getting difficult? I attended every night the indoctrination sessions without the knowledge of my active friends in the Parish. I was feeling that this is the true church that God had established. God is now calling me to be part of the church!

Before the end of May came, I was already thinking many times about my shift of belief. This was on how to explain to my friends and loved ones that I will be leaving the Catholic Church and its beliefs. I was thinking of what could be their reactions if they found out.

Later, I decided to get baptized. During that day, a shining light from the sun scattered all over the water! I was so happy that day. I was baptized on the river of Upper Pasonanca on July 24, 2002 by Bro. Rodel Mangiliman. I was in fourth year college that time.

Earlier on, my parents would resent seeing me watch Bro. Eli teach on TV. Now that my father came to know I got baptized in the Church, he got really angry with me.

I did not ask permission for my change of faith because I could guess how he was going to react. So now, he was saying, “You live under my roof; why did you change your religion without asking permission from me? You have no respect! You can only make decisions like that if you are on your own!” My father is a “Serado Kandado Katoliko” which means: “I was born a Catholic, I will die a Catholic.” I could only do nothing that time but cry.

Rumors spread about my whole family in the whole Basilan Province in my father’s side. It would make another round of a story of hatred because of my new-found faith.

We still eat together as a family. The only problem was that my father would often remind me that I made a wrong decision in joining the Ang Dating Daan. I could not watch anymore TV programs of Bro. Eli if my father was in the house. Bawal na! (Forbidden!).

I did not say anything to the priests nor to the brothers as a sign of goodbye. I didn’t sleep in the parish church and make it as part of my home anyway. We have our own house that is a walking distance to our parish. I didn’t know what the priests were saying about me. I am sure, however, that they got the idea that I left them because our neighbor family reports to the parish.

I remember my last day before I left the Catholic Church. I was then totally convinced that it is a fake church! It happened on the last day of May 2002, an ending day of Flores de Mayo. I kept on staring at my students in Flores de Mayo and even looked up the ceiling of the parish. I said to the children without talking to them, “You will have to be on your own now, because at the end of this day I will pack my bags and leave behind all the abominable teachings of the Catholic Church.”

My girlfriend left me eventually, and I felt that the world was so unfair. Why is this thing happening to me? Being downhearted, I kept to myself. I stayed at home reading the bible.

When my fellow catechists, charismatic and youth members found out that I became a member of the Ang Dating Daan, they reacted as expected. All of them, including those who were supposed to be brothers in the church maintained a distance from me. They showed me faces of hatred and displeasure.

My friends in catechism and coordinator said: “Sayang ka Mark bakit ka pa nagpalit ng religion, isa ka pa naman sa magaling na catechists.” (It’s such a waste! Why did you shift religion? You were one of the best catechists we had!).

They didn’t smile at me anymore unlike before when I was with them. The other former friends of mine in the parish said: “Hindi ka magiging masaya sa buhay mo dahil nagpalit ka ng religion.” (You will never be happy in your life because you shifted faith!)

I can only say I found the real church; this is my home this is where I belong. I pray to God that he will open the minds of these people like what he did to me.

Later, I met some of my students in catechism. They had become Church workers! (Mangagawa). Thank God, we met in the true church!

I am so happy because I am now a member of the true church established by Jesus Christ. Bro. Eli is the only one who had enlightened my path, who opened my eyes, who opened my heart to know the truth, and that is why I am here now in the true church. I now understand why Bro. Eli can easily flip the Bible pages for a verse!

Whatever people may say, I have learned and am still learning many things when I joined the true church. It is miles and miles away from the Catholic faith which I used to profess.

Just like this man asking questions, my life had become complicated at the age of seventeen. I did not know whom to cling to. I didn’t know where to go.

By Jennifer Copo

Just about the time Prince Charming was about to propose to his princess in a romantic drama series I was watching, my cousin suddenly switched the channel which pissed me off. I kindly confronted him wanting him to realize his disrespectful attitude. He was just quiet and never said anything. Since he was older than I was and I was aware of his ill-temper, not to mention that I was also scared of him, I had no choice. I would have to watch whatever he would be watching.

It was a Soriano guy he was watching most of the time. The same Soriano that annoyed me most of the time too. And so I had had to patiently watch TV with him, my Prince Charming story had to wait.

My cousin eventually got baptized in the Church of this preacher. I had sensed that eventually it would have to be that way. One time, I was at home alone reading when he came handling his Bible. He taught me Biblical things, seemingly indoctrinating me. After that we seldom saw him staying at home. Our neighbors said he was always at a Church locale in a particular place. Few months after that, he had to move to the province because of his work. My cousin was gone, but of course my life continued.

I was 13 years old then. Very young.

It was during my Senior High school that I realized I wanted again to listen to that man’s voice that I got disgusted with four years ago. I never knew this preacher’s full name until such a time that I realized his importance in my life.

There was something in him that made me long for the things he discussed in his teachings. I’ve tried searching for him, for his voice. I knew I would be able recognize his voice the moment I would hear it again.

“Pray to God and ask for His help to guide you in knowing the true church and it will lead you in knowing the true meaning of your existence and purpose in life. God will never put you down. Just always ask for his guidance.”

These were the words I’ve first heard from the preacher that my cousin usually watched. They were his answers to a man who asked why humans were created by God. He had asked advice on how to make his worthless life meaningful.

Just like this man asking questions, I had my life become complicated at the age of seventeen. I had no parents to support my teenage life. I was living with my relatives then but I became rebellious to them. My situation that I could not detail here was at its worst. What does a teenage life usually deal with? Matters of the heart? My needs at this point needed some answers but I did not know whom to cling to. I did not know where to go.

I distrusted everybody because nobody understood me. This was a time I felt so, so low. In my feelings of emptiness, the words of that preacher would ring in my ears, soothing me, providing me a way out. “Pray to GOD and ask for His help to guide you in knowing the true Church. It will lead you to know the true meaning of your existence and purpose of life.”

How I longed to hear that man’s voice again. I decided to listen to him attentively the moment I could find him. I realized that he was different from other preachers. There were new truths I was learning from him that I have not heard before. I noticed that he gets everything he says from the Bible.

In my search, I failed to find him, however. Later, I was to understand that, that was Bro. Eliseo Soriano and that he was not allowed to broadcast in national television. I couldn’t understand why a preacher like Bro. Eli should be stopped from preaching. They said he was having problems with a rival church group that was influential with the censors.

My cousin came back to our house fortunately. Since he was a member of the Church, I had a longer opportunity to listen to Bro. Eli’s Bible expositions and debates. These were neatly entered in compact discs so that even if we could not access him on TV, we could continue learning. I felt that I didn’t want to stop listening since then. Bro. Eli’s teachings gave me inner peace and happiness and I was ever hungry for more.

Finally, my life took a turn. I was in better control. I no longer felt empty and misunderstood. I wasn’t homeless and without a family. From Bro. Eli, I learned that God is sufficient from all points – that he could both be mother and father to those without parents. Most of all, I learned the purpose of life and how it could be meaningful.

On July 4, 2003, I was baptized in the Church of God. It was my most special day because since then my life had taken on a Biblical meaning. I started to live as a true Christian. I began shunning away evil and living clean. I left whatever was an ugly past.

Up to this moment, I am learning with God’s help to feel the joy of being a member of the Church, and being with Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel that I consider to be the true preachers of God.

Through them, I am able to understand God’s Word unknown to many great and respected people. Blessed indeed are those whose minds were opened, and I am one of them. I could never explain the effect, as well as the influence, they have made in my life and to many people I’ve known.

Sometimes I would sit back and think of what my life could have been, had I had not known the truth. Perhaps I would have been a battered wife, desperate and needy at a young age, unable to handle my family’s needs.

Or perhaps a career woman, self-centered, selfish and having a lust for fame and money. I might have been someone uncaring, with no concern for others but myself.

Or perhaps I would have been dead by now, for I might have committed suicide because of hopelessness.

Perhaps one of these misfortunes could have happened to me, had I not known the truth. Because of God’s kindness, however, He had mercifully called me to His Church.

God led me to a life according to His Will that is teaching me the very purpose of my existence.

[Bro. Daniel is Daniel Razon, Vice Presiding Minister to the Members, Church of God, International or MCGI. He is next in rank to Bro. Eli.]

I prevented him from watching the show and that was the one thing in common between me and his family. We did not want him to be attached to this Soriano thing in any way. But like a real rebel, he continued watching. He would only shift to another channel when he saw me coming.

By Alma R. Evardo

It was in 2003 when I and my husband decided to live together, but we were married in civil rites the year before. We were leaving with his parents that time as husband and wife. However, between the two of us, we have so many things uncommon. We often fought in so many ways and almost every night. It came to a point that his whole family became an enemy to me.

Because of that, I felt that my life was so much ruined. I found myself deciding that I was wrong in marrying him. And oh! He had promised me a grand wedding that would be remarkable among our families and friends! But where was it?

As days past, I noticed my husband watching over a television program titled Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) and Itanong mo Kay Soriano, Biblia ang sasagot (Ask Soriano, the Bible will answer). I understood that these were about biblical matters but that they were so much foreign to my own. In the Roman Catholic Church, watching programs like these is not expected. You get your instruction about religion from the priest. And so I started persecuting him.

I threatened to leave him. I kept warning him that if he entertained joining that group, our relationship will not work out. Above everything else, I dreaded a husband with a different faith and belief as mine. But as days passed, his eyes were still glued to that Ang Dating Daan TV program. “Better tell your parents that there will be no Catholic Church wedding coming because you are joining another religion,” I nagged him.

My husband simply smiled and said nothing. Nevertheless, I prevented him from watching the show and that was the one thing I had in common with his family. We did not want him to be attached to this Soriano thing in any way. But like a real rebel, he continued watching. He would only shift to another channel when he saw me coming.

My husband eventually started getting cold to me. He would sleep with his back turned to my face. He refused to do the sign of the cross. He had also stopped bringing the rosary with him like he used to do before leaving home for work. And that made me think, what was happening to my husband? What did this man (Bro. Eli Soriano) do to him? To the extent that the picture of this preacher was now appearing as wallpaper in my husband’s cell phone! But presto I deleted it! I hated it!

Later, we decided to move in to another house owned by his parents and settled on our own, but it was just a wall away from them. Over here, it remained a pre-occupation yet for my husband to keep watching the Ang Dating Daan show. The difference was that I realized I did not prevent him anymore. Instead, I found myself also watching Bro. Eli Soriano.

Oh, my! This preacher is telling the truth! And he reads direct from the Bible to prove his point! There were many things he said that opened my eyes. From then on I started loving to watch the program. I saw myself believing in everything Bro. Eli was saying. Eventually, I told my husband that he could now join that church where Bro. Eli is, and forget about his promised grand wedding for me.

With the help of Bro. Romanito “Tom” Maunahan, who was my co-worker at California Pizza Kitchen ATC branch, we were able to access the address of a Church locale situated at Signal. Right then, I helped my husband find the locale because he was in a hurry. He only had a month left before he would move to Taiwan to work for Eva Airways.

And so, one afternoon we tried to find the nearest Ang Dating Daan Coordinating Center. I could still imagine the mocking of the tricycle drivers from whom we inquired about the exact location of the Center. No tricycle driver was willing to bring us there. Instead they laughed and mocked us. And so my husband told me to stop asking because he noticed that most of the tricycles had the three-colored sign of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

We decided then to just walk and find it on our own, but we had gone so far already and still didn’t know our way. I got irritated and told him to ask again for some help, but he refused. I shouted, “Look, I have work at 4pm and it is almost 3pm. If you really believe that what we are going to do is God’s will, can’t He touch someone’s heart among the people here to bring us to this Ang Dating Daan Coordinating Center?” In not less than three minutes after I had said that, there appeared our high school classmate with his motor cycle and helped us get there.

My husband started attending special indoctrination sessions, finished it in just a week, and left to Taiwan for work. He got baptized on April 22, 2005.

I could say I became a believer also, but at that time, I was not yet fully decided to join the group. It was because of so many things. For example, I didn’t like wearing skirts; I wanted to shape and shave my eye brows. In short, I was very much vain.

Alone at home, my life changed. I stopped watching the Ang Dating Daan show because it was suspended. I understood later that it had problems with the Movie Television and Radio Classification Board (MTRCB). The camp of the Iglesia ni Cristo had filed a case against it and the MTRCB gave them way. I started to smoke and spent money extravagantly. This lasted for some five months.

One day I realized that I was no longer happy with my life. But why? I had money that ordinary people cannot have. My husband was giving me monthly allowance, and I also had my salary. However, I was not happy. I felt like there was something missing.

I decided then to resign and look for God. I went to the Ang Dating Daan Coordinating Center of Bagumbayan, Taguig and inquired for indoctrination. Someone from there approached me and told me to come back on a Mass Indoctrination scheduled on a November 16 of that year. And so I did. On my first day of indoctrination, I started to recall the past days of my life. They played instrumental music. I can’t remember what song that was, but I started crying. I cried a lot and asked myself why just now these things came to me.

I could not explain my emotions at that time. It was just that I was contented sitting there and listening to the lectures on Church doctrines. The days went on and I kept attending the indoctrination sessions.

I enjoyed them immensely and I found out on my own what Bro. Eli Soriano did to my husband during his calling time. God had changed him! God had changed me too. Through Bro. Eli Soriano, we were able to hear God’s words.

Finally, I finished my indoctrination and got baptized on December 9, 2005. I thank God for giving us Bro. Eli Soriano and Kuya Daniel Razon. Later, my youngest brother and my parents had joined the church also.

Thanks be to God! To God be the Glory!

We always closed the shop on Saturdays, which I thought was the only time not appropriate for the business to close. It is the only day the business is good. When I asked them why, they simply answered “We go to Church! Okay!??”

By Joseph Gil Custodio

When I was growing up I studied in a school run by “born-again Christians” from nursery to high school. We were taught by the same in other private schools, except that we were obliged to attend Sunday schools, Christian living classes, chapel days. We were taught to memorize verses, read the Bible, and other stuff. I found these things seemingly religious but very confusing.

I wasn’t new to the whole Bible-Christian-living thing, when I was growing up. My mom was too persuasive when it came to going to church on Sundays, but I wasn’t into it. I was lazy waking up on Sundays.

So back in college, I still attended a church of the born-again but not with the intention of really worshipping. The church had a service which catered to younger people like me, and in this case, some local celebs or kids of actors and actresses were attending the service. Their so-called “praise and worship” felt like a rock concert, I found myself amused with it and thought to myself it was cool attending. But still, the hunger for truth kept bugging me.

I was a very hard-headed person, a happy-go-lucky, careless individual who only thought of himself and did lots of stupidity back then. I did not concentrate on my studies as a fine arts student so I wasn’t able to finish. I was drunk almost every day and night, partying or just doing something to feed my hunger for some gimmick. I numbed myself of frustrations in life by smoking much marijuana.

I still remember an event one night, because there were not many programs to choose from on late night programming. While browsing the channels, I came across two guys. They seemed to be mocking at each other at first, but as I watched, I realized they were on a very intense debate. This guy, who seemed to be the fans’ favorite, smashed his opponent with verses after verses from the Bible of clear evidences of what he was trying to prove. At that point I realized this guy is the real deal! I recognized him to be Bro. Eliseo Soriano or Bro. Eli of Ang Dating Daan.

Well, at first I wasn’t a big fan of his, though I had this guilty pleasure of listening and watching him every once in awhile. I was very much entertained with how he knows the Scriptures from cover to cover. However, I was still a prisoner of my wicked deeds and didn’t take time examining the doctrines he was preaching.

At the age of 20, something big struck me in the head, bulls-eye. My girlfriend, also as young as I was, got pregnant and as a product of my stupidity, we tried doing some stuffs to abort the baby. Moreover, due to some unfortunate events, I wasn’t able to defend my thesis, which meant I could not finish my degree. I was a student then facing a problem of how to sustain my wife with my own money. We were so afraid to reveal things to our parents, so then, I felt like the whole world dropped on my back and I was very miserable.

After some 5 months I learned to accept that this was my fate, that the baby doesn’t have anything to do with my problems. I learned to be happy and be excited about her birth, but it wasn’t God’s will for me to be a father that time. My baby got miscarried! The feeling of emptiness came like a huge blanket covering me, suffocating me till I felt like I didn’t want to live anymore. I was so dumb.

When the doctor gave the baby to me, I was stupified to find that she was stuffed in a huge empty bottle of mayonnaise! Perhaps that was so because I told him I will bury the baby later. With the baby on my hands I felt like sinking; I felt like I was hanging atop a building with only my aching finger to keep me from falling. It was as though the rush of blood in my head wanted to burst out from my ears. I thought that dying was my only way of escape. I felt worthless, and all I did was cry.

My wife suffered stress due to my selfish actions. Her water bag broke, and she lost a lot of amniotic fluids. We were hiding her pregnancy so I wasn’t able to take her to the hospital on a weekend until we could see each other on a Monday. So basically she would have died with my baby if I were not able to rush her to the hospital. She was bleeding for almost a day, and the baby died inside her.

I said sorry to my wife while she was lying there staring blank at the hospital ceiling. I was a coward! I was afraid to recognize that there is God ready to answer my fears. I was afraid to lose the freedom I had: the never-ending nights of sex, drugs and rock-and -roll. But I really felt sorry, really felt guilty. While feeling so all alone, I forgot there is God – the God I needed to turn to – to change my miserable life.

After going through this ordeal, with the help and mercy of God, everything went back to normal again. I decided to take my life seriously to the point of seeking God.

I met 3 guys, one of whom was my sister’s high-school classmate. They were big like the guys you see as metal rockstars. Big muscled, poker-faced, long-bearded, and quite frankly, they seemed like some people you won’t want to mess with. The other guy was thin but was mischievous looking. So then, I had a deal with them to establish some sort of a business venture.

We had a small advertising shop, because they were into arts, and I was also into it. We hanged out together, did all our stuff together, made friends, and eventually we all got ourselves comfortably with each other.

But at some point I found them interestingly unusual. First, my family owned a small restaurant. I used to bring some food for us to eat so that we can save money while manning the shop. But then they would always ask every detail about the food’s history. Whatever it is, they needed to find out before munching the grub, as if they were monkeys trying to check the food first before eating, and that looked weird to me.

Second, we always closed the shop on Saturdays, which I thought was the only time not appropriate for the business to close. It is the only day the business is good. When I asked them why, they simply answered “We go to Church! Okay!??”

Third, one event happened, so I asked them that if they wanted to chill out, I will take charge and buy some booze and we’ll relax. Right, after saying that, I saw their faces as if I said something offending that they instantly wanted to rush outside to puke or whatever. I was really confused yet still interested, to hang out with them.

One time I was cleaning the shop, I saw a CD under the office table, saying DEBATE. Immediately I felt excited, because I had started getting fond of watching Bro. Eli debating with people. However, I wasn’t expecting to get that stuff from them. Actually they didn’t tell me about those kinds of stuffs until I and my wife got really interested with their faith and started asking some questions.

While all my questions were answered by them clearly, when they asked me questions, those questions really bothered me, not for days but months. It was because I couldn’t answer or even justify my answers to them. For them, I just stared in amazement that those questions would come from those guys who looked as if it would never cross their minds to read the bible or even be interested with religion.

I was looking at their outer being, not inside, so I wasn’t really expecting those things from them at all. As days passed, my venture with them got really deep and every time we got together we always talked about the Bible, and yeah, they kept on asking me questions. When I asked, all their answers were, “Ask your pastor,” so sometimes I would get pissed off. At the back of my mind the pastor I know would go nuts if he’ll try to answer just one question they gave like, “Where was God living when he didn’t yet create the Heavens and the Earth?”

I spent half of my life living in confusion, so there; at that point I decided to end it. I think I found the Truth a long time ago. I’ve been wanting to know, to answer all the questions about religion. At that point I only knew one person to turn to, to answer all those mysteries, all those unanswered discussions regarding faith and religion, and most of all, about God. That person is Bro Eli.

After being invited to a “Grand Pulong” at that time or “Bible expo,” I felt very welcome. Upon entering the venue, I felt people were expecting me to come as if they knew me. Every time I turned to those guys whose smiles were a way of communicating that they are happy to have me as their guest, I felt really at home. I felt refreshed; I felt this is it!

And then after that, our Business partners never saw us for a month or so. They thought we were not even interested or that we despised their faith. Little did they know we’ve been undergoing indoctrination sessions. And when we saw each other again, we were now equally all brethren in the Church! We all cried for joy, realizing this.

For those things that intrigued me, I was to find out that members of the Church of God International, where Bro. Eli preached, do not eat blood, the strangled, the double-dead, and food offered to idols. That is the reason they do not simply eat any food without knowing the source. As to Saturdays, this is the day they spend for weekly Thanksgiving and in the evening, the Worship Service. Profits on these days do not mean anything to them because God is their priority. They remain in Church. Finally, members of this Church do not drink liquor. Suggestions for drinking do not appeal to them.

Six years have passed but I still remember every detail of the events that led me from darkness to light- events that had changed me with God’s help. I don’t regret those things. They have somehow made me realize how lucky I am to have found the answers that for a long time I had been waiting for. I had wanted to live a life with reason, to have wonderful preachers like Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel. These are the preachers who give their lives selflessly for people like me to have another chance, to live according to the will of God and truth written in the Bible. Thanks be to God!

[Joseph Gil Custodio is a Church member from the Locale of Qatar.]

The TV program that night ended, but I could not explain the feeling inside of me. I got very angry with Bro. Eli! I hated him! It was maddening! And yet it was the truth! I was contented with what I heard, but I did not entertain it.

By Jocelyn Cervania

I clearly remembered my days when I was still a member of the Catholic Church. At primary years, it was a school requirement to attend Sunday Mass and ask the parochial priest to affix his signature to our index card as proof of our attendance.

I was also then a member of the Legion of Mary, where we study the life about Mary, mother of Jesus. My interest to serve God increased and in my own understanding of how to show it, I started joining some church groups introduced that time. I went to nearby churches that celebrated their saint’s day. I always made myself present in every traditional practice of the Catholic Church. For that, in my own assessment, I was an active church goer and religious person. In all those days I had spent, we studied the Bible very minimal.

At my collegiate years, I felt a hunger deep inside of me. Despite continuing the church services every Sunday and the usual practices, I still had the feeling of discontentment. And such feeling of discontentment drove me to look for another religion.

I attended once the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) worship, and after learning that Jesus is not God in their doctrine, I discontinued attending. Many times, too, I had attended Born-Again Movement groups, and I thought I found already what I was searching for. My enthusiasm, however, began to wane every time they preached about contributions. I knew it was in the Bible, but I had the feeling that there was something wrong.

I first heard the televised preaching of Bro. Eliseo Soriano in my friend’s house when I visited her. Her mother was an inactive member of the Members Church of God International (MCGI) that Bro. Eli preached. I clearly remembered that it was due to the “gayak” doctrine (Christian Dressing) that she discontinued attending. I didn’t understand her explanation then. Also, I wasn’t interested much; neither did I clearly understand Bro. Eli’s preaching at that moment. I had other interests, and so I never heard Bro. Eli again.

Later, my life turned sour; I had emotional problems, but my newly-found religion (the Born-Again) did nothing to comfort me. I found myself wanting my desperate life to end as I was so depressed that time. My depression turned to frustrations. My frustrations turned to sins. And those sins turned me into another human being – alive but with a life so meaningless.

Having had acquired insomnia, I stayed late watching TV. And that was the second time I heard Bro. Eli at SBN 21, when there was no other channel airing that late night.

Bro. Eli preached with much boldness and bravery, and each time he read Bible verses to prove what he was saying. This time the topic was about the practices of the Roman Catholic Church regarding idols. I ran to fetch my Bible and hurriedly looked for the verses for myself. I had doubts then that he was telling the truth.

Behold! Bro. Eli is telling the truth about Roman Catholic Church idols! Lo! The Bible verses are written very clearly, he is telling no lies! God is much displeased with idol worship! For many years, I had believed the opposite.

The TV program that night ended, but I could not explain the feeling inside of me. I got very angry with Bro. Eli! I hated him! It was maddening! And yet it was the truth! I was contented with what I heard, but I did not entertain it.

The next night, something was telling me to watch again the program”Ang Dating Daan,” and I did. At the same time, there was also something pushing me to change the channel and stop listening to Bro. Eli. I prayed so hard to God with tears, asking Him for His guidance. Deep within me, I knew that I had found the true religion! It was the one I had been searching for a very long time!

I have no words to explain my feelings every time I hear Bro. Eli’s preaching. I find myself contented. This preacher was sent by God, for he is telling no lies. He is just reading the Bible to explain and to answer everyone. I have my Bible on me, and I can verify everything he is saying.

I never went to the Catholic Church again: neither to the Born-Again groups.

On June 8, 2007, together with my husband, I got baptized. We are very fortunate to be members of the Church of God International!

[Jocelyn Cervania is a member of the Locale of Amaya, South District, Cavite.]

I think the same thing happened to me because I am not evil and all I knew was that in life there is God. But I didn’t know what He was for. After I was able to listen to Bro. Eli, it was like magnet that I could not stop listening to him anymore. I was never like that before; spiritual things were not my interest.

By Onyx Rivera

I am a former Catholic. My mom is a Catholic through and through, while my father is a former member of the Iglesia ni Cristo ni Manalo (INCM). But that had been a long time ago back in Laguna. My father left that because at first he thought it was the true church.

His siblings were fighting and so he left home for Manila and there got married. Almost all my relatives from my father’s side are members of the INCM. You might be curious about me, but I hope there will be a time that I can convince them to be with me in the true service of God.

I had classmates in High School who were from the INCM but we never did discuss differences in our faith. Neither did they invite me to visit their chapel. I was still a catholic then.

In August 2001, two of my childhood friends introduced to me the Ang Dating Daan. One of them was a Catholic and the other, a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. I refused to listen and watch that TV program which they zealously did. I ignored my friends and said, that’s okay; we can have different faiths. And as long as we remain friends, I will respect your faith.

That was my belief then, until it was my turn to listen to Bro. Eli without noticing that I was getting addicted to it. This was between August up to September 2001. I learned Bro. Eli is Bro. Eliseo Soriano, also a preacher.

I went to a Grand Meeting, the same one being held by Bro. Eli in many places. It was held near our place, in Rasak Sports Complex. I thought I needed a Bible and so I went to SBN 21 in Strata.

It was on August 21, 2001. I saw my classmates there; I even greeted them before I would ask a question to Bro. Eli. I was one of those lined up to ask questions regarding anything in the Bible and he would answer – direct from the Bible.

On my way home, I was riding on a jeepney by Gabby’s, and I thought to myself, Wow! I was able to do that! Because, you see, I am very shy. Later did I realize that I was seen on TV, on the Internet, in the studio, and heard on the radio! So that is how it is when it is God who moves you! This is something!

I was alone in the jeep reflecting. One night when I was yet a Catholic, I was in bed wishing I would find the true religion if this one (RC) is not it. I asked God to show me. But I was surprised why I asked that. Wasn’t I in the true faith?

I like Bro. Eli because he has mastered the Bible and because he tells the truth. I would write and write in my notebooks the new truths he was saying. That was the reason I asked for a Bible from him.

My indoctrination sessions lasted to about a month. It was a worker then who administered them live. I was very happy whenever I watched Ang Dating Daan. My feelings were so light that I gave priority to the indoctrination sessions to the extent that I and my girlfriend parted ways. She had asked me to choose between me and my church.

I told her, Sorry, but I would have to choose this Church! It was so painful but because of my newly-found joy I stood my ground. She asked me, “Is it me or your Church?”

How good indeed is our Lord! I and my girl friend resumed talking to each other after I got baptized on October 12, 2001. On November 30, 2001, or a few weeks later, my girlfriend also got baptized. I could not ask for more.

God has been so good to us. My girl friend is now my wife and we are blessed with a child who reminds us of many things in our service to The Almighty.

Later on, my classmates also became members of the Church, now registered as Members Church of God International (MCGI). This is where Bro. Eli preached, the TV host of Ang Dating Daan. I got baptized ahead of them, however, on October 12, 2001 by Bro. Rodel Mangiliman in Apalit, Pampanga.

Do you remember what happened to Bro. Eli about getting and buying the ADD Convention Center in Pampanga? Didn’t he tell us that at that time he did not know why he had to buy a fishpond? What was he going to do with a big, big fishpond? Including those big tracts of land around, what were they for? Why were people selling those to him? Later on, he realized that it was for a Convention Center to be built!

I think the same thing happened to me because I am not evil and all I knew was that in life there is God. But I didn’t know what He was for. After I was able to listen to Bro. Eli, it was like magnet that I could not stop listening to him anymore. I was never like that before; spiritual things were not my interest.

Whenever it was Bro. Eli preaching, it felt so good listening to him. My parents wondered why I had to hide in my room the radio because my papa was using it. So there was a Bro. Eli to listen to; there were my classmates to invite me and challenge me to listen to Bro. Eli; there was the radio so I could listen. So I dumped my girl friend for the indoctrination sessions because faith was more important. These were all the events that led me to my request to God to show me the true church. He will supply the right thing at the right time anyway –just like my wife now who is also my sister-in-faith.

Those were the days. What is important is that I got affiliated in the true church. I hope to be able to continue in God’s service.

I then talked to my mother, telling her that I wanted to change, so what could do? I felt like crying because this sounded like the song of Freddie Aguilar titled, Anak. I begged her to please accompany me to my brother’s house. I must join his religion, I told mother.

By Joseph Jejun Mendoza

I was not in the Catholic Church but I grew up worshipping idols.

I was not a shabu user but I was spending 500-2500 pesos with drugs almost every day.

This was to give pleasure to my lusts until I did not know then that I was deep into drugs. I also could not sleep unless I drank wine.

Every night I prayed to the idols that my life be changed. But of course, I could not change because every time a drug addict was around and showed me shabu, I could not help but use shabu also.

I did not know about a Bro. Eli; neither have I heard his voice, but I remembered my older brother who was even worse than I was, but he had changed.

I learned that it had been 5 years then that my brother stopped touching shabu on account of his religion. (We don’t talk to each other because I hated him.)

I then talked to my mother, telling her that I wanted to change, so what could do? I felt like crying because this sounded like the song of Freddie Aguilar titled, Anak.

My mother asked me what I wanted her to do. I begged her to please accompany me to my brother’s house. I must join his religion, I told her.

Although I was too shy, I approached my brother. My brother was so happy; he had advised me that as soon as I go home, I listen to Channel 29 in the program of Ang Dating Daan.

My brother had me have a Bible study with one Church worker. While I was having Bible study, drug pushers were surrounding me and showing me shabu. But with the help and mercy of God, ever since I talked to my brother about stopping the habit, I did not anymore touch shabu.

There was even a time that I was taking my indoctrination sessions that someone was kneeling before me, pleading that I accompany him to the source.

I had so many friends before who used to call me “Alien” because before, Alien in the TV program, Bubble Gang, was so popular before.

I was not yet a member then, but I was with the Bible Studies of the Church workers in Pampanga. In all the Bible Expositions of Bro. Eli, I was there. From there, I believed that this is the truth; I could really feel the spiritual unity of the members. The teachings are so pure.

At last on February 18, 2000, I was baptized. I was deep into the activities until I became a worker in the October batch of those with Bro. King.

After a time, my mother also became a member before she died in 2003.

We lived in Pampanga then although we are from Batangas because my brother was hiding from his case that time. I resented much my brother. You see, we are only two brothers. He used to hurt my older sisters and he would often get drunk every day and night.

He loved trouble, and even answered back mother. Almost every night, he was into brawls and that included his brothers-in-law as punching bags.

My brother loved to read the Bible although he was that bad. He became a member of the Born-Again Movement but that had not changed him.

I was trying to earn money to establish myself a business before my habit got the better of me. My mother took me in so we could stay separate from my brother and stay away from him.

Our business with mother became successful until I could easily buy what I wanted, as far even as feeding my worldly pleasures. I had not seen my brother for a long time, and then I heard that he was not drinking anymore and was staying out of trouble.

He came to us one time to visit mother. He was silent this time and I also did not talk to him. One time he came to us with what I understood to be a pastor from his religion. While we were taking drugs inside a room with my friends, I heard the pastor reading the Bible to my older sister who was said to be interested in that religion. I was mocking that preacher teaching my sister because the topic was about drugs.

We all laughed – all of us inside the room. Later, that sister of mine had kidney trouble and became quite sick. It was just by dialysis that she was able to survive. One time, my sister asked a question to my brother. I knew then that the answer was correct, but because I hated my brother, I did not mind. One more thing, the Bible was not one of my interests before.

My sister was not able to reach baptism as she died earlier, but she was being indoctrinated that time and was soon to be finished.

Yes, that is it! As the Bible says, it is not written in letters but written in you. This was what I saw in my brother, and that is why I got affiliated with his religion, the Members Church of God International (MCGI) or Ang Dating Daan as local people know it. This is the group where Bro. Eliseo Soriano is preaching. Bro. Eli is known to exemplify what he teaches.

The message of Christ is written on my brother and I was able to read it. Thanks be to God! Even my sisters who formerly resented my brother now admire him for his change. My uncles in Batangas who never thought my brother would be reformed were surprised! With myself, among my friends in Pampanga, I am called “Pastor.” [Haha!] Praise God for sending his faithful messenger!

I prayed to the Almighty God hoping that someday, my wife would also be called to the Church of God. I stood my ground and followed the doctrines. One of that was being good to my wife, loving her, and cherishing her as my own self. I was no longer smoking and I was a changed man.

By Thommy Dagoc

We were just the opposite poles: me and my wife in terms of religion. If she was quite hot for it, to me it did not mean anything. This explained the war we had for each of our beliefs.

I was born a Roman Catholic and I don’t recall hearing explanations about the word of God such as what we are hearing now from Bro. Eliseo Soriano. I first came upon Bro. Eli in February 2002.

One time I was tuning on my television set. I saw a TV program of ANG DATING DAAN in SBN Cebu and that was the first time I watched Bro. Eli on TV preaching the Word of God.

There was nobody convincing me to view this program but I had had a feeling very different. I felt happy while watching Bro. Eli discussing the Word of God. I never felt bored nor felt sleepy with the whole program.

I was soooooo, soooooo interested watching even if the program lasted to almost 2 am. But while I was watching Bro. Eli, I was still hooked on to my habit of smoking cigarettes.

My wife started getting mad at me after a couple of weeks watching the program. My time at night was focused on Bro. Eli. As my wife’s world started crumbling down due to my shift of attention, tension came between us.

From my new interest, I decided to visit a Church locale after I saw an invitation flagged on TV. It was about indoctrination and I wanted to go just to observe what indoctrination was.

I got so enlightened with the teachings but there was a time I had to miss one session. My wife was trying to hold me back. She did not want me to get affiliated with the Members Church of God International (MCGI). This is the registered name of the Church that Bro. Eli is Presiding Minister to. I and my wife went to the extent of fighting each other.

I had to undergo a second round of indoctrinations just to finish. My wife threatened that she will leave me with our two kids if I continued joining the Church of God.

However, I was not daunted with all that threat. I was never scared of what people said. By God’s help I successfully joined the Church of God. On May 4, 2002, I got baptized.

After my baptism I saw my wife getting wild. She got drunk and while I was sleeping she poured on me a glass of beer. She condemned me for joining the Church of God. She spoke bad words just to embarrass me to my friends and to my family. Our quarrels went on: she, defending her Catholic faith while I gripped on to the one I newly found.

I prayed to the Almighty God hoping that someday, my wife would also be called to the Church of God. I stood my ground and followed the doctrines. One of that was being good to my wife, loving her, and cherishing her as my own self. I was no longer smoking and I was a changed man.

I took her with me to Church gatherings although I knew that she was against my new-found faith. From there, she could observe more than what she could see in me or what I could tell her. I only guided her where she needed help, taking care to internalize the teachings that I have received and exemplify them in all my actions.

The teachings took effect on her as she listened to God’s words. Bro. Eli’s way of preaching was and is different from the Roman Catholic’s where we came from. I tried my best to be the good husband to her as taught by Bro. Eli to couples. On August 23, 2002, my wife also got baptized.

Amazingly, God had answered my prayer! After months of contention and tension, my wife also became a member in this Church of God. She didn’t just become a member. She went active and by God’s help and mercy, Vicenta C. Dagoc is currently our deaconess in our locale. We belong to the Locale of Danao, Cebu District II, Central Visayas Division.

Thanks be to God for all His unspeakable gift to us! A sensible preacher was sent to open our mind into God’s way!

The moment they sang the Doxology, my eyes were not closed; I was curiously observing everyone. Again, I asked myself: Why is it like this? I was having at that moment goose bumps all over my body. It seemed like they only have one voice that has one route: heaven. I didn’t know what I should do.

By Ruperto Movilla Jr.

I didn’t know anything about Bro. Eliseo Soriano before. He was just a byword to me. The one who was affiliated with the Members Church of God International (MCGI) or Ang Dating Daan (ADD) as it is locally known, was my eldest brother. I only got affiliated when I was 21. At that time we were residing at Quezon or Lagro in particular. Our landlady was not yet a member also in the church. I think that was the reason why she was exactly kind to my brother.

I had heard mocks against Bro. Eli and about the organization being a cult. There were also inquiries that question the doctrines of the church, which was obviously intended for the church’s infamy. In my desire to know the real state of my brother’s church, I planned to go with him in a gathering. What I didn’t know was that he really wanted me to go with him.

Twice then, I had been to Apalit, Pampanga where the Convention Center was based. The first time was when the impending New Year of the catholic calendar was approaching. We were supposed to be with our relatives as is the practice of most Filipinos. Instead of going to our relatives we spent the New Year in the thanksgiving of the whole congregation of MCGI.

In one of the gatherings that I had attended before, I heard some words from Bro. Eli which until now rings in my mind. He said that according to the Bible, “when it rains, the heaven opens.” This is the idea that made me get interested in the Bible.

I kept on attending gatherings, even up to the time that I was in our town, Olongapo. I went to Church locales just to hear the teachings of the Bible.

Affiliating with the Church, however, was not in my mind at that time, until one very memorable prayer meeting. This was the second gathering that I had attended. Everyone closed their eyes, praying: The church worker on duty, a man in old age, prayed. I felt a really strong emotion or some kind of unexplainable spirit that was present in that gathering. Even though it was not my intention to cry, I automatically bursted into tears that I just couldn’t control. I cried in that prayer meeting thoroughly.

Through that, I developed faith. I told myself, this congregation is different from the others – this church that my brother is affiliated with. Starting that moment, it seemed like the word of God had penetrated within me. I just couldn’t stop attending the gatherings.

Again, my brother took me to Apalit. In the gathering, when the congregation would sing, Bro. Eli was the one initiating the singing of songs of the Himnario. Then, the congregation followed. Everyone within the congregation was following what Bro. Eli was doing. I am wondering how they all memorized these songs: are they practicing together? I kept thinking about it.

Another thing was when the congregation sang the Doxology. The moment they sang the Doxology, my eyes were not closed; I was curiously observing everyone. Again, I asked myself: Why is it like this? I was having at that moment goose bumps all over my body. It seemed like they only have one voice that has one route: heaven. I didn’t know what I should do. What happened was that I was motivated to continue attending gatherings. The sad thing was that I was not yet affiliated with the church that time.

Things changed when I went home. I left Quezon and went back to Olongapo City (our real home). I can say that, there, my affiliation with the church was truly hindered. I was being persecuted for my new-found faith. My elder brother knew about my situation. He immediately negotiated with a church worker to visit me in our home.

Bro. Gary Galvan, was the worker assigned for me. He conducted Bible Studies in our house. Then, afterwards Bro. Ricky Lugto was with him. He was the one who taught me about the doctrines, live. Luckily, with the mercy and help of God, I had finished the indoctrination sessions. I am now affiliated with the church.

I did not regret having affiliated with this church. I felt the real guidance of God in MCGI. Through Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel I fully understand what the Bible says. I can now say that this is the true church here in the face of the Earth, teaching the incomparable truths of the Bible.

Here, there are preachers who are always ready to help, even though they did not know a person personally. If I recall how I was before, I would say that I have really changed. Before, it was my habit to curse every time I spoke. Even with just simple tete-a-tete my expressions contained curses. Surprisingly, that was gone. Sometimes I sort of let out a curse, but there is some kind of this conscience that I have never felt before. It reminds me that I shouldn’t do cursing.

Truly, there is a spirit guiding these people, and there is the spirit of God guiding Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel. Perhaps, if I didn’t have the opportunity to hear them nor know anything about them, I would still be in the darkness of this world.

[Ruperto Movilla Jr is a regular church worker of Pampanga Division and is now 9 years with the Church.]

Most of these groups preacher that I am talking about are even saying that they are the son of god like what I have watched in ABC news youtube video:

So rich that is contrary to what is written in MATTHEW 6:19-20 that says:

 ”Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” 

After seeing that most of the religions today are preaching that you dont need to do good to be saved like what born again and baptist are teachings, you will not ask for verses from the bible when you have questions like Apollo Quiboloy is teaching and others.

Now are all religions was put up to gain money? Can we found a religion today that is of God and has the spirit of the prophecies written in the Bible? Is there a preacher today following all the commandments of Christ? Is there a preacher that can answer all questions from the Bible and cannot be disputed according to what is written in the Book of Luke 21:14-15

“Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. “

Surprisingly, I have found a preacher that is, prove it test him yourself

 http://www.livestream.com/elisoriano - Scheduled Live Streaming

Also websites that he is using to propagate:

http://www.angdatingdaan.org/ / http://esoriano.wordpress.com/ / http://www.whoisbroeli.com / http://twitter.com/broelisoriano / http://www.facebook.com/BroEliseoSoriano / http://theoldpath.tv/ / http://truthcaster.com/ / http://www.elisoriano.com/ / http://www.youtube.com/user/broelisoriano / http://www.ustream.tv/channel/top-channel-24×7  / http://www.untvweb.com/

If Bro Eli Soriano of Church of God International is also talking non-sense to you and explaining for himself and not within the Bible, look for another preacher and please let us know so we will also have a chance on salvation including our love ones.