January 2, 2015
Newly Baptized Testimonials: December 19, 2014
Read short testimonials of faith from some of MCGI’s youngest brethren baptized on December 19, 2014 at the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga.
Bro. Christopher Aranjuez, 40, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province
On Joining the Church of God
I often watch UNTV for over a year now and I saw the beauty of the teachings of Bro. Eli Soriano. I also examined other religions but didn’t get baptized, because I didn’t see [the answers] to my questions in them.
Nobody invited me; I just watch [The Old Path] on UNTV. Sometimes, I have friends [who also watch it]. I have co-workers in our barracks from the Iglesia ni Cristo who frequently watch the program of Bro. Eli Soriano.
On Being Baptized
I feel like there were seven evil spirits that came out of me. The [teachings] are really from the Bible and I hope to keep them my whole life and [teach] them also to my children.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
Many thanks to you Bro. Eli, because of you, many minds have been enlightened. You are a brave man for teaching men who err [to correct their ways].
~o~
Bro. Nikko John Ricamara, 23, Former Catholic, Manila
On Joining the Church of God
Actually, I’ve long been listening to the program of Bro. Eli Soriano; there were also those who invited me [to Church gatherings].
It started after I graduated high school; I stopped studying and was just a loafer then. One time, someone approached me, but he wasn’t from the Church of God International but from the Iglesia ng Dios Haligi’t Suhay ng Katotohanan. I liked the teaching so I went with him.
Then, someone from The Old Path [the Church of God International] approached me and told otherwise from the Haligi’t Suhay. So I wanted to find out the truth as they had opposing [views].
When I attended gatherings, I liked The Old Path’s better because they give so much information, even what’s wrong in other religions.
On Being Baptized
I couldn’t help but cry during [baptism] because of the many sins I had. When I saw another person get baptized, I just cried and cried until it was already my own baptism. I couldn’t answer [the baptizer] properly due to my sobbing. But after I was baptized, I felt really happy and good inside.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
Bro. Eli, many thanks for all the teaching that you do. I’m thankful for your courage because despite many threats to your life, you still teach people.
~o~
Bro. Cyzlvester Pacheco, 27, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province
On Joining the Church of God
I’ve actually been listening [to Bro. Eliseo Soriano] for a long time now. Although my heart had been hard in the past when it comes to joining the Church, I saw nothing wrong with the teachings in the long period of my listening.
I saw the coherence in the teachings of Bro. Eli, and there is noone that can refute them. That is the reason why I believe that this is truly the Church that is of God because of the undefiled teachings of God.
I usually come here as a guest during Thankgivings, just to listen to the teachings of Christ through the guidance of Bro. Eli. One of his teachings thought me that it is really commanded by Christ to join what’s good and stay away from evil. So that led me to believe that it’s really commanded to join a Church. It’s not enough for you to just do good. You have to follow His teachings and His commandments.
On Being Baptized
I felt sorry of my sins. It felt heavy and I was afraid that I wasn’t worthy to go into the baptistery as I remembered all of my sins. But all the worries and doubts were gone away after I got out of the water; I felt light. Though you’ll remember all your heavy sins, but after being immersed … I believe that [I’ve] been forgiven.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
Firstly, thanks be to God for preachers like Bro. Eli. May the Lord give you a longer life that you may be able to lead many more unto the true Church.
~o~
Sis. Lydia Laborte, 66, Former Catholic, Nueva Ecija Province
On Joining the Church of God
I was thinking where I could find someone to assist me [in going to a locale]. Then my neighbor who had an in-law and is a member here approached me one time, so I went with her.
I’ve long been listening [to Bro. Eliseo Soriano] on radio for a long time, about two years now.
I have been [blind] since when I was three years old. They told me I had a disease.
On Being Baptized
It feels good inside.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
I am thankful beause God has called me [through them].
~o~
Sis. Purita Villegas and Sis. Luisa Blancia, Former Iglesia ni Cristo members, 68 & 60, Manila
On Joining the Church of God
Sis. Purita: I thought of listening to [Bro. Eliseo Soriano] on radio. I said, “This is the truth. I should go to it.” So I went with her [points to Sis. Lucia].
Sis. Lucia: Of course I’m searching for a real foundation of faith. You cannot live without worshipping God. That’s why I joined the Church. Even in the Jehovah’s Witnesses I underwent indoctrination, but I didn’t get baptized because I wasn’t content. It’s difficult if you don’t understand something and just enter.
I really aimed to be baptized here because… My cellphone’s battery already swelled up because of my 24-hour watching to Bro. Eli on the television channel on my mobile. It’s going to be broken soon because it works non-stop. It has no more cover because the battery’s swollen.
Sis. Purita: That’s also where I also listened sometimes, and I got fond of it because it was clear to me that it was something good. One time I went to her place, and we searched for a new way.
Sis. Lucia: It’s not a new way; it’s The Old Path [smiles at Sis. Purita].
Sis. Purita: We went to find a locale, but didn’t find one because we already wanted to go to the place we wished to be.
Sis. Lucia: What she’s saying is the coordinating center. The day I invited her to search for a coordinating center, we didn’t find one because I heard from the [plug on] television that there was a locale here, but didn’t know where.
Then I was surprised to know that I had a neighbor who was a member of The Old Path [the Church of God International]. She called me one time and said, “Come here. Do you want to [attend a gathering] but this is in the Church of God. And I said, “Oh! That’s what I’ve been searching for but I just didn’t know where the coordinating center is.” Then, she told me that she’d accompany me to it.
On Being Baptized
Sis. Purita: I feel nice and my body feels light. I feel light and happy.
Sis. Lucia: I feel good. I feel light.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
Sis. Purita: I’m happy listening to them. It’s really good. I was taught the right word of God from the things I heard. I hope I can continue this until I reach salvation with the Lord’s mercy.
Sis. Lucia: For me there is none like Bro. Eli who preaches 100% true. You have to believe that what he says is true. To Bro. Daniel, all his works are good. I am really amazed by those who are getting treated by doctors, given medicine for free.
I am just truly amazed by it. You don’t see those things in ordinary men; they are really special. I hope that their bodily strength goes on that they may be able to help many more.
~o~
Sis. Teresita Cabusay, 64, Former Baptist, Bulacan Province
On Joining the Church of God
I felt that all the teachings and everything that Bro. Eli says are true.
I often listen to him. But before, [the teachings] didn’t yet settle in my heart and mind. One time I watched his program, and it’s like the verse he said about salvation got imprinted in my mind.
So it was like my spirit was awakened, though [the program] was not live. Then I searched for him. I went to Sta. Maria because [I knew] that there was a The Old Path coordinating center there, but when I got there, I found out they had already transferred to a new place.
Now, I really asked about it; I rally searched for it. Nobody invited me, but I just voluntarily searched for Bro. Eli. Through him, I found the Lord.
I think it was in the 90s that I first heard [Bro. Eli Soriano]. My father listened to him. Before, he would listen solo on the upper floor of the house. He had a radio and my father listened to him so I got to listen too. However, the teachings perhaps weren’t in me yet at the time, but now I was really called.
I was a former Baptist, and now I’m here. Ever since the teachings spoken by Bro. Eli entered my heart, I was lead here. My life’s direction has now changed to the right one. Thanks be to God and for the salvation of the Lord that I have found.
On Being Baptized
After I was baptized, I felt like the word of the Lord entered my heart. I will live by this, by what I learned on how to be clean and live a new life [with God’s help and mercy].
I felt like I was a new person. As what was said, you cannot enter the kingdom of God if you will not be born again. That is why my spirit is now born in Christ.
On MCGI Leaders
To Bro. Eli, may he be given more strength by the Lord to be able to preach to those who have not yet accepted the word of God, our salvation.
To Bro. Daniel, may he and his family be blessed. I hope that our preachers will be blessed.
~o~
Sis. Krisna Mae Ching, 15, Former KNC, Rizal Province
On Joining the Church of God
Because I also learned from my parents the word of God, much moreso from Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel.
I learned a lot of deep things from the topics. The topics outlined by Bro. Eli are good. I learned a lot.
I was a KNC [Kawan ng Cordero or Flock of the Lamb] before. I’m a KNC graduate. Ever since I was a kid, I already heard Bro. Eli. My mother would bring us to the locale. Until I grew up, I was in the KNC.
On Being Baptized
It feels good inside and I’m happy.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
May God always keep them. Thanks be to God because I became a member through them.
~o~
Bro. Mark Jayson Villarante, 15, Former KNC, Rizal Province
On Joining the Church of God
I felt that the Lord was calling me already. Also, it is God’s will for me that’s why I got baptized.
At first, it was my older brother that became a member. Then my mother invited me to the locale. I was a KNC first, until I understood [the teachings] gradually.
It is not in other religions. If you will compare the Church to others, the teachings I hear in the Church are unparalleled. They are really different.
On Being Baptized
I felt light and I feel that my sins have been cleaned. It’s like I’m a newborn baby. It’s like what Bro. Eli said. I feel really really light.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
May the Lord always keep them, and I pray that they may reach many more people and lead them to return unto God and become members of the Church of God.
~o~
Bro. Jovey Abac, 69, Former Born Again, Bataan Province
On Joining the Church of God
I’ve been 12 years as a Born Again Christian, but I saw [how] the Lord touched me and it’s very effective. I just knew of this through watching television. Every time I would get up at 2 a.m., I would see [The Old Path], and it would start at that time.
Somehow, I knew spiritual things, though in another way. But perhaps, there is an appointed time for me to serve. I believe that I have kept my relationship with God, and my knowedge has increased.
On Being Baptized
Oh I really believe that the Holy Spirit is in me. I just really felt it. Upon sitting down, there was a cool breeze, and I felt my tears flowing from my eyes though I wasn’t remembering anything. I just cried and cried during the baptism.
Before I was immersed, until afterwards I was crying and crying all the way to the restroom. That’s what I felt, that the Holy Spirit was in me.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
I hope many more will pray for their safety, and may they continue to lead many more souls unto the Church.
