Newly Baptized Testimonials: August 22, 2014

Read short testimonials of faith from some of MCGI’s youngest brethren baptized on August 22, 2014 at the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga.

Bro. Marcis Christian Mendoza, 24, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province

On Joining the Church of God

I had been listening to Bro. Eli [on television] since I was a teenager, but I would switch channels every now and then; I got hooked for five to six months just recently. My parents and grandparents are members of the Church, and I used to be a member of the Children’s Ministry or Kawan ng Cordero when I was a kid.

I would wait for Bro. Eli’s program on TV, or stay up late just to listen to him on the radio. That’s when I first got interested. After a while, I got tired of just watching him. That’s when I decided to attend the indoctrination session. I wish my whole family will (become members too) in the true Church of God.

On MCGI Leaders

Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel, I pray that God will give you a longer life and good health so you can continue preaching to the world. Thanks be to God, because of what you do, my life was changed for the better.

~o~

Bro. Jan-Reiner Anzures, 28, Former Catholic, Laguna Province

On Joining the Church of God

I used to watch Bro. Eli’s program on TV, until one day, my father got baptized. He started encouraging me to listen more. I didn’t notice that I’ve started appreciating the way Bro. Eli preaches. I have listened to him continuously starting 2010, but I’ve been listening to him on and off prior to that.

Bro. Eli preaches bravely. He would declare the truth and is not intimidated by other preachers. He’s not scared to tell the truth that will be instrumental for people’s salvation. Bro. Eli displays wisdom when he teaches so I know that he is truly guided by God.

On MCGI Leaders

I hope they will be granted a longer life and be guided by God in their preaching so more souls will be ushered inside the Church and return to God’s reproof.

~o~

Bro. Ernesto Santos, 57, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province

On Joining the Church of God

I only listened to Bro. Eli for about a week and then I attended the indoctrination. I only was able to watch him on TV a few times in the past. I got baptized in the Church because I liked the way the Bible was explained. I also saw how the Church helped people in need even if they are non-members. [A brother] shared with me how I can be baptized; he is a Church Worker.

On Being Baptized

I feel happy that I got baptized.

On MCGI Leaders

May you continue with your good works and be happy.

~o~

Bro. Elpidyo Gutierrez, 55, Former Catholic, Manila

On Joining the Church of God

I’ve been listening to Bro. Eli since 1990 through Channel 21 on RJTV. I really want my soul to be saved when the time comes, and I have always wanted to become a member because I want to walk on the straight path to righteousness. There were a lot of hindrances before, but I’m grateful that things worked out.

On Being Baptized

It’s a combination of joy and lightness of being, because I believe my sins have been washed away by the baptism. I remember Bro. Eli saying, “It doesn’t stop at getting baptized. We still have to work out our salvation by following what we were taught.”

On MCGI Leaders

I am grateful to God for Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel because I was given the chance to be a member of the Church of God. I’ve been longing to be a member; I’m indebted to God and thankful for our preachers.

~o~

Bro. Oscar Arsenio Jr., 19, Former Born Again Member, Manila

On Joining the Church of God

I used to be a troublemaker, a drug addict. Some called me a bad boy. I came to a point where I took in all kinds of prohibited drugs and I felt like it was the end of me: a hopeless case.

One morning, there was this old man in the streets outside our house whom I got to talk to randomly. I opened up to him about myself even if he was a stranger. He then invited me to go this place called “Ang Dating Daan.” I mustered courage to go to the place he was talking about. I realized that maybe, it was God’s way to call me to His Church.

While I was there, I was fascinated by the preaching of Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel. That’s when I got to know my own self. I have observed that in this Church, they do not add anything to what’s written in the Bible. They thoroughly explain what the words of God mean, and I am able to fully understand His messages. Since the day I listened to Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel, I have never skipped any service I could attend.

On Being Baptized

I felt good inside and it seemed like my problems were taken away. It’s something similar to that feeling when you are inexplicably happy and you have no words for what you’re feeling. It’s amazing.

On MCGI Leaders

Thank God because I was enlightened on so many things that I did not understand and my questions were all answered. Thanks be to God for Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel because they were instrumental for people who have not been enlightened yet.

~o~

Bro. Arnel Manimba, 34, Former Catholic, Bicol Province

On Joining the Church of God

I have been watching Bro. Eli for about two years now, and through him I got to listen to the true doctrines written in the Bible. I was an admirer of his preaching, and would even debate with people who mock him or who say ill things about him, when in fact, their own religion teaches false doctrines.

On Being Baptized

I have always wanted to become a member but I didn’t know anyone back then who was already a member. I didn’t expect that one day, I would finally be baptized. There was this friend of mine who offered me a job. While working there, I met a member of the Church. This co-worker invited me to attend the indoctrination sessions.

On MCGI Leaders

My message to Bro. Eli is for him to have a longer life. There are so many people like me whom he would be able to help. He will be able to enlighten so many people, and be members of God’s true Church.

~o~

Bro. John Michael Yabut, 18, Former Catholic, Pampanga Province

On Joining the Church of God

My cousin recommended that I attend La Verdad Christian College. So when I started attending classes there, one of my classmates invited me to attend Church services. I also was able to watch videos from the Internet until I graduated from school.

I witnessed the truthful way of preaching, and stumbled upon the doctrines that are in the Bible. I learn a lot of things each time I attend services like Bible Expositions and Thanksgivings.

I realized then that this is the true Church that was written in the Bible. After attending, for the first time, the Thanksgiving of the Body, my heart was so joyful. That’s when I started deeply considering the indoctrination sessions. I was arranged for special sessions every Sunday so I can finish the topics, because I am currently working.

On Being Baptized

I feel extremely happy and light-hearted. As if the heaviness I felt in my heart disappeared. The problems that used to trouble me because of the sins I’ve done, I felt that I was cleansed from them; I got departed from those iniquities.

On MCGI Leaders

I am thankful to God because I was able to learn His teachings through Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel. If they weren’t here, I wouldn’t have known the true Church of God and I probably wouldn’t graduate if they didn’t give me the opportunity to study for free through their scholarship program in La Verdad.

~o~

Sis. Leticia German, 55, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province

On Joining the Church of God

Because of the teachings; what Bro. Eli says is based on the Bible. I learned about Bro. Eli through television; it was a long time ago. I didn’t listen to him before, when he was younger, because he had a loud way of speaking.

Lately, by accident, I changed the channel and he was on and he said, “The Bible is scientific.” I thought to myself that what he was saying is the truth. I found myself listening every night. Then I got indoctrinated. I wasn’t able to finish it the first time because of some problems with my family. I didn’t rush it; I believe that there is a right time for things. By God’s mercy I’m finally here.

On Being Baptized

Mixed emotions, I’m both happy and scared. Happy because finally I’m part of the congregation at the same time I’m scared that I might not be able to keep the faith; I still need a lot of guidance; I still have a long way to go.

I was relieved that my sins are now gone, but I’m also worried the journey is not over yet and the possibility of committing sins is still there. I always pray to God for his help, to help me be strong, for him not to leave me because I am weak.

On MCGI Leaders

First of all I thank God that I am now part of the Church. May God lengthen his life so he can help more souls. Thank you Bro. Eli because of you, because God made you an instrument for me to see the truth. I am so thankful to God for this.

~o~

Ma. Liysa Bernaldez, 24, Former Pentecostal Church Member, Bohol Province

On Joining the Church of God

Before I thought it was okay if I will just listen to Bro. Eli. But as he read from the Bible, I [learned that] I really needed to be inside the Church. That’s exactly what I did; I needed to be a part of that goodness.

I started listening to Bro. Eli just this July; I just watched on television. I had my background about the Bible from a Bible school in Ilocos, so I was really in awe: “Wow! Bro. Eli is always Biblical.”

That’s why I always watch UNTV 37 [to the point that] my co-workers were already getting annoyed. “Bro. Eli again?” that’s what they would often say. But as for me I was really amazed; he was really reading it from the Bible and everything was true! He was unlike the others. Most would just tell random stories. I am really thankful that Bro. Eli is now my brother in faith.

On Being Baptized

I’m happy because I’m finally here in the true Church. It’s hard to follow the doctrines but I have to and I know it is all for my sake.

On MCGI Leaders

Bro. Eli, we’re many already. [Please] continue fighting for the truth.

~o~

Sis. Elvira Delos Reyes, 61, Former Born Again Member, Cavite Province

On Joining the Church of God

Bro. Eli teaches good things; he truly is the preacher God.

My husband is already a member in the church he is Bro. Florante Delos Reyes; he’s been a member for six years. He has been inviting me to the indoctrination sessions before but I always refused. I had my work; I’m a cook. I’m always busy from morning to night.
Then I had this accident and fractured a bone. My husband suggested that I come with him to the indoctrination. I didn’t know what that was until we got there; it was studying the word of God.

The doctrines were good. I learned a lot and I saw how it changed people with vices to better persons.

On Being Baptized

I feel that my burdens are lifted. The sins that I have were all [cleansed].

On MCGI Leaders

I hope that more people will be able to join the church through Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel with God’s guidance.

~o~

Sis. Darene Mergenio, 21, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province

On Joining the Church of God

I’ve been listening for a long time; actually I was even a KNC before. But when I went to high school, I got off track. But now that I’m studying here in La Verdad Christian College I started listening again.

My aunt was a member so she would bring me with her I was around 9 or 10 years old then, that’s why I was a KNC before. It was a first for me even if I’ve listened already before. The indoctrination is different; it was unlike anything I’ve heard especially from other religious denominations.

On Being Baptized

I’m so happy and I feel really light. There’s no heaviness in me.

On MCGI Leaders

To Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel, thank you very much. Thank God that I have now become a member through your help. You never get tired of teaching us, helping others.

More so I am a graduate of La Verdad College; I didn’t have to pay anything, not a single peso; everything is free. With God’s help, I graduated. I hope that they continue their global evangelization.

~o~

Sis. Emelita Dueñas, 38, Former Catholic, Tarlac Province

On Joining the Church of God

It was here [MCGI] that I saw the “leveled up” studying of the words of the Lord. It was here that I found all the doctrines in the Bible. No lies all truth.

It was also here that I realized that joining is not a joke. You have to remember a lot, so you won’t do anything that is against God’s teachings.

That’s what I prayed for after I got baptized, that God may give me the Holy Spirit for guidance, to remind me of what is right. So I won’t make mistakes and to serve Him the best way that I can.

I learned about Bro. Eli from UNTV. When I came back home from Singapore, that’s when my husband told me [about Bro. Eliseo Soriano]. When he went home [from his parents’ house], he told me that there’s this show that they always watch, usually around 5 in the morning. That was Bro. Eli. He told me to watch it too because it was really a good show.

He told me that all that is being said in that show is about the Bible. All the questions have answers based on the Bible. So one time when he was watching I tried watching too. I got interested in it to the point that I would set my alarm to 5 am just to watch Bro. Eli’s program.

The first time, I really didn’t appreciate it but as it became my routine I realized that it was the truth and what he was saying is meaningful. He reads verses and not merely stories.

On Being Baptized

I feel good; it’s a very lighthearted feeling. I’m happy that my husband and I finally got baptized. Now, I’m praying that my only child be with us inside the Church.

I’m overjoyed because we can truly serve God now, unlike in my previous religion. The brethren accepted us with utmost warmth and genuineness; I have never experienced that before.

On MCGI Leaders

First of all I thank the Lord, and Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel who became His instruments for us to know His teachings. I hope that they be given longer lives so they can guide and help more people. Thank you Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel. You are really the preachers sent by God in this time.