I grew up feeling I was fated to be satan’s bride

Crazy you might say…but as you read through my testimony you will understand how I came up with that horrible idea. Thanks to God for Bro Eli, I was saved from satan’s claws

By Maya Crisol Buan

If I were to compare my life story with most people, I would say, it would most probably fall under those of so called “the few and the chosen”, unfortunately I wasn’t referring to that in a positive way.

I am actually reluctant to give away too many details in this story, for reasons that my life has been filled with shameful memories…so please bear with me if I may seem a tad reserved with details.

It all started when my mother who was an actress got herself into a messed up life. She married an untamed rich guy and bore him three children. She, being untamed herself, eventually grew very unhappy with him and his rich family as he grew more hostile and cold to her. Eventually she had an affair with another man, a journalist. She got pregnant so her husband threw her out of his, err…his momma’s house where they lived all throughout their short lived marriage made in hell, claiming that that baby in her belly can’t be his child. Next phase of her life, she lives with her journalist.

They lived as a couple, and my mother hasn’t changed. Even in her whale sized preggy belly she still manages to squeeze herself in the playing area whenever she and her friends have concerto (mahjong) which was most probably every day. Her journalist would often have to lock her up inside their apartment just to keep her from spending the whole day with her friends outside otherwise he would still have to fetch her with a gun all the time. My mother was that stubborn.

The journalist, who would turn out to be my father, was also already a family man, separated from his real wife and children. He and my mom were a perfect couple indeed. So then on March 5, 1970, at exactly 1:20pm I was brought out to this world.

Not long after that, events became worse. My father had to hide because of Martial Law. My mother was left alone with me while he was gone. As if that wasn’t bad enough, my mother became ill with leprosy. So now it was her time to hide herself away from the rest of the world including her journalist. But not without me of course.

So she again was thrown out from the world as she knew it. First, we lived in a hospital at Caloocan where I saw a vision of the devil himself.

I was four years old then. I slept on the floor with my yaya besides my Mom’s bed. I suddenly awoke and there I saw it – a huge shadow hovering over me. I knew it was a demon at once because it had two horns! I screamed and woke everyone up and the shadow was gone.

Strange, but I think that was when I just started living out my life. It was when I started storing memories in my head, and before then, all seemed vague.

Other strange and unfortunate events followed. My yaya made a failed attempt to commit suicide. We were once again forced to leave the hospital for financial reasons even though my mom’s illness still showed no signs of recovery. Then we lived like hermits in a remote place in Binangonan, Rizal.

Like Hermits I said? Nope, too bad for me, I was the one who had to face the world in my mom’s behalf. At a very tender age, already I was the one who had to beg my aunts and my father for financial support. I had to lie for my mom every time she needed extra cash. In my world outside our lanky, snake infested miserable abode, I had to bully the world alone.

My mother grew more emotionally unstable as her illness worsened. I became her shock absorber. Every day I had to endure the stench of her rotting flesh, listen to her demented counsels, put up with her sickening tantrums…suffer physical and verbal abuse! I cursed my life, I hated her, I hated everyone, I hated the world.

God? No, I could never hate God. I was often mad at Him yet I feared Him. I believed in His existence yet I didn’t understand God at all. I blamed everything on the world, and I also blamed it on God because I couldn’t understand how He, the most powerful Being, allowed me to be brought out to this cruel and sickening world…I was convinced I was one of God’s greatest mistake. I was ignorant and arrogant then.

By the way, my mother was a catholic and a spiritualist. She practiced spiritualism. She kept an Ouija board. She had a huge book which she calls Bible but which I never saw her read aside from chanting with the book while hovering over me whenever I was sick.

My mother made me go to church every Sunday. She was happy to know that I also took time praying to the groto. She even made me memorize all of the catholic prayers and we did rosary every 6pm.

My mother kept a frightening altar – three figurines in all: one of the Virgin Mary’s, one of the Christ the King’s and a headless Sto. Niño. It was right inside my bedroom.

Even though I went to our chapel, which, strange enough was called Sto. Nino Chapel, and pray to the groto every time I had the chance…I can’t help but feel creeped out every time I would accidentally lay eyes on my mom’s altar. I say accidentally, because I never felt comfortable looking at it. I avoided looking at it as much as possible.

Stranger things have happened to me but I find it useless to narrate it all anymore since I am sure you often see such experiences on paranormal movies.

To cut my long story short…
I grew up pretty attractive. My father became obsessed with me since he molested me when I was 10, attempted to rape me when I was 17, henceforth, he never gave up on his perverted ideas which he claimed “Biblical” until the day he died.

My mom died in 1989 and I was left alone at eighteen, got married, and had children. Got physically and verbally abused by my husband and my husband’s family.

In 1990, I had an unexplainable urge to read the Bible, and I got so engrossed I felt as if I was reading “Noli Me Tangere”, which by the way was one book I considered worth reading. I actually finished reading the whole Bible in one sitting! But of course I read it just as I would read any other Bestselling Novels.

Anyway, what struck me most were the verses about how graven images are abominable to God. From then on, I considered myself without a religion. I haven’t heard of Ang Dating Daan or Bro. Eli then.

Soon after, I left my husband and brought all my children with me. I entered prostitution in 1994 at age 24 at an exclusive Men’s Club, raised my children with the money I earned from selling my body. I tried drugs and soon became an alcoholic, eventually progressing to being a suicidal psycho.

Through all that, I have always been guilt stricken. Behind all that, there’s a light deep inside me that kept me from being totally corrupted. It’s hard to explain and too lengthy to go on with details but most people who knew me and even I myself, was baffled at how a good heart inside me was kept intact.

You see, although I was already living a high lifestyle doing dirty job, I never really became greedy for money, which has set me apart from the rest of my colleagues…which was also why I was bound to fail in my chosen career.

All the money I get, I give for my children’s comfort.  Despite my wretched job, my urge to help everyone in need, even strangers, was stronger than ever. Yet all my attempts to save for the future or invest in something, to secure our future so I could finally stop working live a decent life, failed.

In 2000 my husband filed for annulment because he wanted to remarry a born-again woman. By 2002 her new wife flew to Japan and left him to see through her one son out of wedlock and her one son with my husband. Right after she left, my husband made attempts to get back to me, saying he would again file an annulment and remarry me. I refused because I feared him so much and also because he already has a son with his new wife. I made an oath never to ruin any family’s life.

In 2006, at age 36 my husband succumbed to an illness. His wife came home just in time for his death. Naturally his new wife took over all his properties and just months after his cremation she renamed my husband’s Hardware Store after her Japanese boyfriend’s name. My children were left with a measly 700 pesos each month until they reach 21 years in age.

In the same year, on one of my intoxicated moments while watching TV, I accidentally saw Bro. Eli Soriano for the first time. I was shocked when I heard him boldly uttered the word,”Gago,” (Fool!). I decided right there and then that I liked his style, I thought… this Preacher is Cool!

I have always considered bold and brave people cool. Hypocrites are uncool. I would watch him often whenever I was at home, although I barely recalled doing that because I was always drunk. It was only that my sons told me years later.

One night I decided I am better off dead and that my children would be better off without a shameful mom. I was already 36 years old and still in prostitution, no life savings; I was just too tired and too frustrated to go on. I was succumbing in self loathe, self pity and anger. The hundred plus dark poems I wrote all through out that year can attest to all my agonizing torments each and every waking hour of my life.

That very night I notified my Aunts in the states about my plan through letter via airmail! (It’s because all I have with me is their home address in California, I didn’t even know their full names). I asked them to take responsibility for my children.

While writing my suicide note, I was watching Ang Dating Daan program but I wasn’t really absorbing the things Bro. Eli was saying because I was heavily intoxicated that night. Still, I just kept on watching…I don’t know but I felt a certain calmness just watching his program. Then suddenly their contact number began scrolling on the screen, and I contacted it immediately. I was crying and I just asked where their nearest church from my place was. And I asked other things which I could not recall afterwards.

The next days were maddening, excruciating…I was about to conclude my tragic life…tragically! What a fitting end.

A week or so after, surprisingly and for the first time, my aunts called me on the phone and were very shocked upon knowing all the things I had gone through alone. Then they told me that I need not work anymore, and that they would support my children’s education.

I couldn’t believe my ears!…I have long prayed for this day, to be saved from my wretched job. I have always wanted to quit working, but I couldn’t, because I had no other option. I wanted to give my children a comfortable life – the life I never had.  And I did that well until nothing was left of me, just a tattered soul.I felt so dead inside ….. But now God has finally heard me! After all those years in darkness, God is now going to save me! My heart was screaming in joy!

That day was truly unexpected. Never in my wildest dreams did I see that coming. It was a feeling of total liberation. It was more than like winning in a lottery!

Since then, I stayed home taking care of my kids and all I did was study the Scriptures and watch Ang Dating Daan. I never missed an episode. I even leave the TV on while I sleep. My nightmares and my drinking habit ceased altogether. I have never been more peaceful than before. I knew our Father in heaven has forgiven me! He showed me mercy!

It made me so happy to know someone like Bro. Eli, when before him I thought I was alone in all my beliefs…I thought I was strange, I didn’t think like the rest of the world did and because of that I was miserable, lost and lonely. But God has confirmed my convictions through Bro. Eli; He even taught me new and wonderful things through him.

Because of God through Bro. Eli, I learned humility and inside me grew a strong feeling of gratefulness and trust in our Creator.

I thank God for sending Bro. Eli to me. Often I would even think of Bro. Eli as the Elijah of my life. Last June 12 2008, I was baptized in The Church of God.

To God Be the Glory Forever and Ever Through Christ Jesus our Lord!

 

I found myself crying – my hard heart finally began to succumb to God’s teachings

Sometimes, sometimes we prefer to read nonsensical  books and refuse to open the Bible. Bro Eli’s beautiful answer to the girl’s question triggered something in me to know more about his teachings.

By Cathy Panuyas

I woke up early in the morning to prepare myself before I went out to the great expansive universe. As I was gazing upon the dark mirror, I saw myself; I looked very serene though the pain of life were reflected in my eyes. I remembered how insignificant I was in the eyes of men, and in the eyes of the Holy God.

I used to think that life was all about dealing with the hustle and bustle of the world; breathing, eating and working in order to survive. And as I saw the people outside my building, rushing and running to catch the bus and MRT on time,  queries lingered in my mind. Why do we need to work in order to survive? Most humans seem to believe that they can get satisfaction in earning money, having lots of clothes and gadgets, owning their dream houses and cars, and all other worldly pleasures. But for me everything changed. Real happiness cannot be bought with money especially if your soul is searching for the real faith.

Like other people, I used to pamper myself often so I could satisfy my earthly longings. But there was something echoing in my heart and mind: something was troubling my soul. Something was amiss in my life.

I was never much of  a religious person. I considered myself to be a freelancer. I don’t even attend mass or community prayers – I  was a backslider Catholic and I was tired of searching.

Not until the time came that God started His plan to mould me. I didn’t know what came over me but surely it was all God’s Plan. I’ve quit my job, left my family and ended a long-term relationship. I left everything I have and went to Singapore. It was hard for me to live in the strange new land. I only know one thing – the only One I can really trust is God. This is why I promised myself that I will strive hard to search for Him while I lived alone in an unfamiliar country.

On my very first day in Singapore, a friend invited me to attend the Members Church of God International’s weekly thanksgiving to God. The way the brethren of the Church treated me really touched me;  all throughout the ceremony their warm accommodation and kindness inspired me.

I  have heard about Bro. Eliseo Soriano but I haven’t had the chance to see him before my visit to the locale. When I first saw Bro. Eli on screen, I was amazed. He is a preacher who really knows what he is saying. He explained the Bible so clearly, unlike other religions I’ve encountered.

That first time was followed up with several other times until  I found myself regularly attending thanksgiving and worship services.  Once, after a worship service, they asked the visitors to listen to a previously held Bible Exposition.  One question from the Bible Exposition touched my heart: a girl asked Bro Eli “I don’t bother to read the bible, how are you going to convince me?”  and Bro Eli answered, “Why do you love to read the letters from your loved ones? Sometimes you even memorize all the memorable phrases in it. If  you love God you will read the Bible too. And you will feel every verse in it. ”

I remember agreeing with Bro Eli. Sometimes, sometimes we prefer to read nonsensical  books and refuse to open the Bible. Bro Eli’s beautiful answer to the girl’s question triggered something in me to know more about his teachings.

The more I attended, the more my soul brimmed-full of Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel’s biblical teachings.  I found myself always craving for God’s teachings and as I continued listening, I found myself crying –  my hard heart finally began to succumb to God’s teachings.

The food that my soul was craving for is in God’s Church. I finished the indoctrination sessions, got baptized and now I am proud to say that I am a real Christian,  threading the right path to goodness. My tears of joy kept falling as Bro. Efren  helped me wash away my sins.

Life does not always work out as we planned because God has His own plan for us.  God moulds us into the shape He wants us to have. The moulding process may be hard and painful at times, but when He’s done we become better beings in His eyes.

Now I am contented with the gifts He has given me: I now have a job, I found the answer to my life’s quest, I have lots of brothers and sisters in Christ, I have Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel and most of all, I have a powerful God.

Thank God for His unspeakable gift! To God be the Glory forever.

 

He was under heavy attack by the Iglesia ni Cristo and I wanted to side with the good man

In the later stages of my life, I doubted if I was really their blood sister or not. Then I decided to go to school at all costs so that I can realize my dream of serving GOD and at the same time able to get rid of my brothers’ and  sisters’ persecution.

By Nancy Villegas

I am going 8 years old in spirit.  I was born on December 9, 1951 to Magdalino Villegas and Dionisia Divela.

My parents were very poor, though my father comes from a middle class family of politicians. My mother happened to be the daughter of their family’s servant.  Both of my parents are not church goers. They were just tied up in earning a living for their 8 children. They could not even find a permanent job because they were only elementary graduates.

When  I  started  schooling in 1959 in Calamba, Elementary School, I suffered  so much hardships  due to lack of financial and  moral support  from my blood brothers and  sisters. I grew up in this family belittled and continuously berated by my own brothers and sisters. At that time the only reason I knew was that they disliked me opposing their family traditions. I was a church goer while they were not. I had a little IQ higher than those of my brothers and sisters that whenever I suggested that I go to school, they opposed me right away. I never went with them to quack doctors nor believe d in their ceremonies. I don’t believe their fiestas even. For this reason they always found fault in me so that my parents would expel me later from the family. By 1968, I was in 2^nd year high school, when my eldest brother beat me to death because I refused to celebrate with their fiesta. I was hospitalized for one week because of the wounds inflicted on me.

In the later stages of my life, I doubted if I was really their blood sister or not. Then I decided to go to school at all costs so that I can realize my dream of serving GOD and at the same time able to get rid from my brothers’ and  sisters’ persecution. During this time, my sisters were already successful in finding a way to expel me from the home under the guise of letting me to go to school with my mother’s friend who will support my studies but I have to go with them to Manila. So I agreed and went with them.

Working in Manila, I was treated like an animal, not even like servant because they didn’t want us to rest from work and they gave us very minimal food to eat. After two months, I was unable to bear, so I escaped and went to Channel 7 where Uncle Bob and Mrs. Stewart were the owners. They accepted me as a cook. After one year, I left them and went with my friend, Sister Therese Vicente of Quiapo, Manila.

In the convent of Sister Therese, I became her errand girl while she sent me to school. Here I finished my 2nd year college at St. Rita College, Manila. Since she refused me in her convent, I went to Laguna to Bishop Bantigue who sent me to Italy together with 14 other candidates for religious life.

By August, 1985, I arrived in Italy.  I was quite expecting that my life here would be much better. But I was wrong because people in the convent there were more hypocrites and demanding than in the Philippines. They acted as our Big Brothers who provided all our needs but secretly we were made to be hired by private companies for big salaries which we could not even touch nor see.

Our name was ‘Missionary of Faith’ but we did not observe our roles as a religious. Meanwhile, our Italian superiors lived like ordinary persons. They fell in love with each other but their mother general did not give them sanctions. I just thanked GOD that they regarded us as inferior beings because they didn’t have interest in us. They just regarded us as servants and laborers to serve them.

After three years there, as if I was unable to bear their actions. I went one-on-one with my local superior and spoke politely as to why she was having a date with her priest boyfriend. Then she answered me: Who are you to talk to me that way? Are you not the mendicant that we help become persons, and now you turn against me? Then that congregation expelled me from them and sent me back to the Philippines empty handed in 1987.

I was back to Sister Therese in 1989 and she sent me back to school. By 1993 I finished my 3^rd year college. After this I asked her to let me go to my sisters in Cainta. This was the time I saw them watching TV whereby Bro. Eliseo Soriano was preaching but I just didn’t mind it because my disappointment to the sisters was still fresh.  I went to Tugueggarao and then back to Manila.

By1997 I joined the EL SHADDAI group. I was accepted as a cook in Mike Velarde’s residence. Here I continued my studies in 4^th year college. Then in 1998, I left them for Tuguegarao in order to help in the grocery of my sister, Merly.

During this time, I was restless because I wanted to really find the truth about GOD. In 2002, I decided to look for ANG DATING DAAN and joined them. So I went back to Manila. I went to SBN 21 to ask questions to Bro. Eli but actually my purpose was to know how to join his congregation. He was under heavy attack by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and I wanted to side with him for I believed that Bro. Eli was really a good man. All he preached were true and they answered all my life’s questions through the questions of other persons.

Then I was indoctrinated from February, 2002 to April, 2002. In April 26, 2002, I was baptized by Bro. Mauricio Bernardo. From then on I lived a new and peaceful life though I continuously shopped for a proper work for me to do for the church. And now GOD has given me one. Through BRO. ELI and BRO. DANIEL, I found myself – and much, much more, I found GOD.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

 

I was blessed to be called into this Church especially at a very young age

By Eunice DeLeon

I can still remember the days when my parents searched for different religions. They had become Baptists, Catholics, and had been members of many other false religions. I was only seven years old when my parents finally discovered the Church of God International.

They had started tuning in to Bro. Eli’s television program, Ang Dating Daan, every day. I recall coming home after school and witnessing my parents paying close attention to the program that Bro. Eli was broadcasting. After almost a year of watching the program, my parents finally decided to get baptized inside the true Church of God. Inevitably, my older brother and I went with them to worship services, prayer meetings, and thanksgivings that took place in Apalit, Pampanga.

I began to notice the differences with Ang Dating Daan compared to our previous religions. The people inside the Church of God are exceptionally kindhearted, humble, and more importantly, they live their lives with God’s words written in their hearts. My parents had completely changed, physically and spiritually; my mother stopped wearing inappropriate clothes and grew her hair long while my dad suddenly quit drinking alcohol.

Growing up as a Kawan Ng Cordero with my older brother, we were taught the word of God through Bible studies and activities. We were always reminded of the verse 1 Timothy 3:15,

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

This verse taught me how to behave properly especially in the Church of God. The children inside the Church, even if they were young at age, were always disciplined and uncorrupted. I knew that this was God’s doing and I was blessed to be called into this Church especially at a very young age because nowadays, children are being polluted with many wrong ideas that lead to heavy transgression; they become disobedient to their elders, and are apathetic towards the idea of religion.

On the other hand, it was only a year after my parents’ baptism when God had granted us to finally move to the United States of America. This is where my brother and I finally grew up and became  KKTKs.  I thank God for giving us the chance to have participated inHis Church; a chance to help spread the truth even in the smallest way. There are endless things that we should be thankful for. He has taught us how to love, how to forgive, and how to endure the hardship of life through Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon.

In this long journey, the members of the Church of God are constantly being taught and encouraged to continue on even if there are bumps along the way, even if we are being persecuted; we are reminded of what we will achieve, what our Lord, a Lord that cannot lie, has promised us and that is the eternal life.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

Eight years ago, my parents were baptized in the Church of God and I was soon considered as a KNC. I was around 8 years old back then.

Over a year ago, on May 2008, my brother joined the Church. It was a time of renewal; the acceptance of an eternal commitment with our God Almighty.

A month after his baptism, I accepted Christ’s doctrines and entered the true Church of God with His loving kindness and mercy.

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift. To God be the glory!

 

The Old Path – I shall walk in it for it is where my soul found rest

By Gerry Yabes

When I was a child, I have been exposed to my parents’ religion, which is,  like most Filipinos, Catholicism. However, they were never active members of the Catholic church.

Which is why during my childhood, I was allowed to shift gears and become an active member of the Casilagan Pentecostal Church in our town.  I was religiously involved in every activity: I always attended the group’s parties and youth camp activities.  As time went by and I grew older, I became one of the children’s Sunday morning teachers.

When I reached my senior year in high school, I began feeling differently towards my faith.  Something was amiss and I was determined to find out what it was.

And so I searched for the truth.   I listened to different pastors airing their sermons on the radio.  This is how I was able to chance upon Bro. Eli Soriano’s preaching over DZCV Tuguegarao.  I first came to understand the Bible through his teachings, in the year 2000.

As months went by, I sincerely felt that I was learning much about the Bible through Bro. Eli.  Whenever I listen to Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path), Bro. Eli is there, never failing to tell the truth in the Bible.  I admire Bro. Eli for many reasons, but most of all, I admire him because of his unflawed understanding of God’s words.  Eventually, I left my religion because along with its erroneous doctrines.

It was in October 2001 when I began to look for a local chapter.  There I met Bro. Danny Manuel in Naguilian,Isabela. He introduced me to Bro. Nick Janqui, a Church worker.  I can still remember the first Bible Study topic that I heard – it  was about the use of the Bible in attaining salvation.

In 2002, I underwent the indoctrination services of the Members Church of God International (MCGI).  Eventually, I was baptized on March 12 of the same year.  On that blessed day, Bro. Sonny Catan officiated my baptism.

Now, what lies ahead is to serve my God – the true God that I haven’t known before.  In this Church I have known the importance of faith in doing good works, coupled with fervent prayers for the propagation of the Word of God.  With God’s help and mercy, and through the leadership of Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon, I am on the old path that is written in Jeremiah 6:16. The Old Path is where goodness is and I shall walk on it, for it is where my soul found rest.

 

Death threats for Bro. Eli skyrocketed that time because of his exposition of false doctrines

Yet despite all these, like a fearless warrior who is ready to face the worst enemy until death for the sake of truth, he never stopped performing his obligation: to undauntedly preach the word of God.

By Luzviminda Cruz

T he propagation of the Gospel is a very important mission that Bro. Eliseo Soriano had undertaken for many years. And in the course of this endeavor, we were lucky that we had been with him in many unforgettable moments.

In the 1980s, coinciding with the start of his preaching over DWWA, he conducted the nightly Gospel preaching in Magalang, Pampanga. We were there every night with some of the brothers and sisters who could join us. Bro.  Eli was preaching even in those places with no electricity. When available, he used car battery as a source of light; but if not, he used candles. That’s how determined Bro. Eli was to preach the real Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ even in those remote places. He was never tired of going to those areas every night, except during storms and heavy rains. It was in those days that we have frequently experienced the salvation of the Lord.

There was an instance when we were caught up in the middle of the crossfire while on our way to Magalang, Pampanga. While we were passing through San Fernando intersection, when we suddenly heard gunshots. Two groups were exchanging fires as we traversed the road. Bro. Eli told us to crouch down. Thank God, no one among us was hurt.

Death threats for Bro. Eli skyrocketed that time because of his exposition of false doctrines of other religions on radio. Yet despite all these, like a fearless warrior who is ready to face the worst enemy until death for the sake of truth, he never stopped performing his obligation: to undauntedly preach the word of God.

In those times, Bro. Eli’s service vehicle was just a short passenger jeepneys, which, in order to carry more people in going to the Bible study that we call “Pulong,” a trailer was attached to it. We also brought food for dinner and sometimes even stove and cooking utensils. We were trained to eat and drink in a moving vehicle. Oftentimes we dined in front of Magalang Rural Bank near the Municipal Building. On our way home, we usually asked Bro. Eli to ride on the trailer but we covered him foam so that he would be hidden from the enemies who were taking advantage of the checkpoints to catch him. Then again, thank God, nobody suspected that he was in the trailer.

It was in December 1980 that we had an unforgettable experience in Magalang. Bro. Eli conducted a bible study or “Pulong” in Balastisyo, one of the remote barrios in Magalang, Pampanga, located at the foot of Mount Arayat. The barrio had no electricity and the only way out was a narrow rough road. In that cold night, Bro. Eli was preaching fearlessly as he always did. He was discussing the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he was not a man like what the Iglesia ni Cristo of Mr. Manalo believes in. He was also disproving the claim of the INCM that Mr. Manalo was an angel of God based on the Bible.

The atmosphere of the place that night was so much different from the previous nights. Unlike before, there were many people listening nearby. Others were hiding in the dark, while some were in front of Bro. Eli. Before Bro. Eli would be through with his preaching, there was a man, identified as a minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo of Mr. Manalo, accompanied by his cohorts, who arrogantly approached Bro. Eli. He was raving mad at Bro. Eli. When we saw this, we anticipated that violence would soon follow if we allowed Bro. Eli to stay, even for a little while.

The Chief of Police of Magalang, our brother in Christ, was there that time. He immediately rushed to Bro. Eli for protection. One of the ministers of INC shouted that he’s going to cut Bro. Eli’s tongue. Others were shouting to fury. All our male companions escorted Bro. Eli to a vehicle and went away.

Only the female brethren and children were left behind. The only male left with us was our driver. We hurriedly boarded on the passenger jeepneys. Those men followed us. The person who shouted that he’s going to cut Bro. Eli’s tongue was rushing towards us. Some of them were carrying bolos and rakes.

Probably because of the fear and the coldness of the night, we were shivering violently. Our terror escalated as our driver could not start the vehicle. Since we were all female trembling in fear, we had a hard time pushing the vehicle to start. Because we were at the foot of Mount Arayat, our plight was further aggravated by the inclined plane of the area wherein our jeepney was situated. As we hardly pushed the vehicle up, we felt that the enemies were nearing us with their bolos and rakes. Imagine a movie scene wherein the crooks rush to capture the protagonist. That was the very scene that we were in that unforgettable December night.

With God’s help and maybe because of the increased adrenalin in our system, we succeeded in pushing the vehicle up and, at last, the engine started. We were able to drive away from them. When we reached the way to Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) we saw the vehicle that carried Bro. Eli. It was hiding in the dark.

Some of us transferred to that vehicle and drove away without turning the vehicle’s headlight on so that we would not be noticed by our adversaries who could be lurking nearby. We were all silent in the vehicle until we reached the town proper. On our way home, we also noticed that a red car was following us. Our driver drove faster to a point that we lost them in San Fernando.

I still remember how fast our driver has driven the vehicle that night. Normally, it would take more than an hour to drive from that place to Apalit. But because of what happened it took us only less than thirty minutes to reach home. Thank God we were never in an accident.

First posted in Believer Magazine as “In Fear and in Fury,” February 2005

 

Why is Bro. Eli shouting? I realized he was eager to let everyone learn what is true – and not what false preachers peddle to the public

By Natalie Sara Vasquez

I once had a broken home – the lack of decent shelter and parental care made me question where God is. How could He let this happen to me? I was just three when my parents separated. During those times, my father went home to visit but never to spend the night. In a darker part of my life my mother, little sister and I slept in front of a chapel on a cold, dark night because my father wasn’t able to pay our house rent. It happened 12 years ago but the memory still haunts me.

Time went by, and I entered high school at age 14. I lived with my hospitable classmate and her family. They treated me well, like I was part of their family, but I still couldn’t help but feel like a bastard. I couldn’t understand how my mother could eat her pride and allow me to stay with other people. Neither could I understand why my father couldn’t bring me home and make me feel safe.

I wanted to know the truth – does God really exist? Why did He allow such things to happen to me? If there isn’t one, then I’ll work on my own, I decided. I encouraged myself to become independent.

But still I found myself wanting to know the truth. I wasn’t satisfied kneeling inside the church and listening to the priest’s sermon. I asked so many religious advisers and nuns why God permitted such persecutions, problems and struggles to happen in my life. Is He angry at me? Did I do something wrong? Who am I to Him? I had so many unanswered questions. I was a fool, I thought, seeking answers from people who apparently do not understand God’s reasons for things as well.

I went to Born Again churches thinking they could help me. But they couldn’t.

I graduated from high school hoping to be able to fulfill my dreams of reconstructing our broken home. I became so frustrated when I failed. I discovered that my father already married his second wife and had four healthy sons with her. Needless to say, he decided to stay with them.

So I accepted things wholeheartedly. After all I only had one option – and that is to be with them for the rest of my life. However, the change wasn’t easy for me. Jealousy was to blame for my being the black sheep of the family. I longed for the love and attention of my father which I felt he wasn’t able to give. I felt like the family’s unwanted child.

Then one day, everything changed.  Our family business wasn’t running smoothly. It was like the wheels of fortune have spun completely out of our reach.

Due to this unfortunate event, my father decided to send me to Bicol for college. We were no longer financially stable and he decided to work as a jeepney driver.

But as it turns out, the event wasn’t so unfortunate after all. I would say that it wasn’t the end of our lives because God knocked on the hearts of my loved ones through the preaching of Bro. Eliseo Soriano of Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path).  He has opened my father’s eyes to the truth. Through his grace and mercy, God has called to the Church of God my father’s wife as well, whom I now call mother. It happened sometime in 2005, if I’m not mistaken.

After more than two years in Bicol. I went home to Manila. My father and stepmother were already brethren of Ang Dating Daan or Members Church of God International as it is officially called. Seeing that their eldest son was already baptized in the Church as well, I decided that it would be better for me to be like them.  I believed that in doing so, I will no longer be an outcast in the family.

I already heard Bro. Eli’s voice on TV, but I haven’t really listened to what he was preaching. I must say that I admired Sis. Luz’s way of reading the Bible; her voice was soft and mellow. And this made me even more curious about Bro. Eli – why was he often shouting? I understand he was doing jeremiad. I get scared but I needed to be brave so that I’ll also be part of MCGI. After listening to Bro. Eli’s preaching, I found out why Bro. Eli shouted some the time. When I listened carefully to Bro. Eli’s voice, I realized that he was eager to let everyone learn what is true – and not what false preachers peddle to the public. He was shouting for emphasis.

Because of the hatred I felt towards my father and his new family, I became a sister in MCGI. And because of the love given to me by God, I realized that the events in my life had very good reasons behind them. God made me stronger to overcome life’s difficulties. Anger hasn’t defeated me, but instead, it led to the opening of my eyes so that I can see the light. Because of God, my hatred turned into love; jealousy, into understanding.

God has a purpose and has His own way to encourage us to go to His Church. We just need to open our eyes, ears and hearts so that we may find the answers we’ve always waited for in God’s teachings and laws.

 

I am a child of a preacher but I am an admirer of Bro. Eli Soriano

I was able to compare Bro. Eli to my preacher-father. Even if both of them gave the same teachings, still the understanding of Bro. Eli is deep.

By Mely J. Maravilla

I am a child of a preacher (A preacher of his own understanding, I came to find out).

However, I am an admirer of Bro. Eliseo Soriano.

My preacher-father was the one who told me to watch the program, Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path), the TV program of Bro. Soriano.

My father said, Bro. Eli is true – and Apollo Quiboloy of The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the name above every other name, and Willy Almeda of Jesus of the Miracle Crusade cannot even be one-half of Bro. Eli.

In our family, you know, whatever our father says, we believed it as truth because he is the preacher among us.

So when my father said Bro. Eli is real, I believed him and I watched all of this preacher’s broadcasts on TV (RPN9 Davao).

Then came the time that I could not sleep and I wanted to follow the congregation led by Bro. Eli.

Everytime I listened to him I was glad and my heart and mind were enlightened.

They placed an invitation on TV for indoctrination. After my class in college, after every 7pm, I would attend the indoctrination sessions.

Eventually, I was able to compare Bro. Eli to my preacher-father. I said to myself, even if both of them gave the same teachings, still the understanding of Bro. Eli is deep.

I found myself going through all the indoctrination sessions and was ready to get baptized.

I thought my father would be glad, but I was wrong. He was very angry and he wanted to stop me. However, I told him that I won’t attend the baptism rites, but will attend a meeting in school.

In truth, I went through with my baptism on July 20, 1996 at 10:35 a.m. in Tigatto River of Davao City.

I joined the Seminarian batch 1998-1999 in Apalit, Pampanga. In February 1999, I became a worker.

In October 2005 I was destined to Thailand and until now, I am here.

To God be the glory!

 

I was happy to see the real Bro. Eli Soriano whom the INC ministers said was a false preacher and a fool

I was surprised with what I have found out.  I have discovered the secrets that the INC is hiding – the filth behind the administration of Manalo hidden from us members especially in the provinces

By Nelsie Villanueva

I was baptized in the Members Church of God International on July 22, 2005 at the ADD Convention Center. I am from Mindoro Oriental but I was indoctrinated in Molino, Cavite.

I was a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo ni Manalo and I have spent eight years of my life in that church in my belief that it was the true religion.  I was a diligent choir member.  I have spent many sacrifices, time and money in that congregation.

There have been so many changes in my life then.  I have felt pagiging mataas (the sense of being superior) because of a teaching to us that it is only us who will be saved.  I belittled those who are not members of our church.  I became prone to temptations and committing sins.  If there were special celebrations, even we girls drank wines and liquors.

In addition to this, one thing that I came to notice in the Iglesia ni Cristo is that the choir members and the president often argue.  I never felt the love between the members, but instead, selfishness.

The deacons in the INC would line up outside the chapel while the service has not started.  All of them would be smoking cigarettes.  If they have heard news that someone is creating trouble in the nearby locale, they would all go there, headed by the minister, and armed with guns or other weapons.

Every time that there is ‘handugan’ (offering)  ‘abuluyan’ (contribution) or ‘lagak’ (deposit) in the locale, everyone should give, including one’s share for the payment for the land where the chapel is constructed (if it was newly built).  I have experienced joining reaping of ‘palay’ (rice) and our share would then be put in the box for Malakihang paghahandog (grand offerings). Every time someone from Diliman comes, there is Marangyang paghahanda (grand preparation) and he will also have cavans of rice to be brought to the INC Central Office.

When the yearly thanksgiving would come, it is a must that all should wear new clothes, and the ‘handog pasalamat’ or money offering should be greater than your ‘handog’ the previous year. This is what they called ‘sulong’ (upgrading).

During the years I have spent inside the congregation, several times I have noticed that the topics or texto were just a repetition of what were discussed before.  A text message was also sent to us that Bro. Daniel Razon was angry because he was removed from GMA7. I didn’t know who Bro. Daniel was and I wondered who he was.

I have also seen the pornographic comics that depicted a character looking like Bro. Soriano in supposed sodomy that my cousin brought. My cousin is a head of the choir.  After our worship service, I have even read that comics but I didn’t pay much attention to it.  There was also a time when all of the members were required to tune in their television sets to Net 25 every four o’clock in the afternoon so that non-members will hear the program.

I have INC relatives until now.  Their hearts are inclined to material things and riches, are fault-finders and don’t have love for their fellowmen.  When I went to visit their locale, I could see the locale’s administration troubled because of the arrogance of the ones administering the locale.

I was lucky enough to go to Taiwan. I had a stable job and a kind employer then.  But they changed when I asked them to permit me to attend the worship service and the yearly thanksgiving of the INC.  I asked permission through a letter because I was afraid that my employer would get angry.

After he had read my letter, he called for me.  He was very angry.    His eyes rolled and told me that as though he had a wound on his knee and that as though I was all the more pounding on it to give him more pain. He also said, “I only believe in myself and I don’t believe in GOD.”  I could not do anything but to apologize while I was crying. I entered my room and prayed; I almost lost my breath while crying.

As my story continued, something unusual happened.  My friends and elders in the INC pushed me to marry one of my co-choir members.  Because of gratitude, I agreed.

I thought it was just that easy, even if I knew that I did not love him.  I never stopped crying in the day of our wedding because I know that I am lying to myself and in my heart.  I even asked someone before the wedding if I can back out, but he said that I will be excommunicated from the INC.

Our ‘marriage’ was troublesome.  I was always afraid every time the night came.  I felt that I would be eaten by a monster.  I felt like a bird in a cage.  I wanted to be free.  I wanted to escape. My ‘husband’ almost was raping me.  It was a moment in my life that I deeply regretted.

That one year of our ‘marriage’ was very chaotic. Then he reported me to the locale minister.  I was summoned to his office and then I heard painful and shameful words that were hard to bear.

On that day that he reported me to the minister, I decided to leave him and told him that I am leaving INC, although I didn’t mean what I said.  I still believed then that the INC is the true religion.  We separated for about six months.

However,  he visited me in Laguna where I was working and forced me to come with him.  He said that I will be excommunicated if I did not go home and live with him.  The INC minister talked to me and because of my faith then, I accepted him.  After four months, we finally decided to separate.  We often had fights as he was often drunk.

I did not know where I was going.  My mind was cluttered and I didn’t even have anything that I needed.  I came to Manila from Mindoro.  I still continued attending INC worship service and I felt that I was filled with sin and I was lost.

I simply wished for myself to be able to see a pastor or a preacher to whom I could tell all my complaints and ask advice and prayers for the forgiveness of my sins.  Even as I thought about these things, I never planned to go to Manalo although I can easily go to the INC Central Office  in Diliman.

I have known Manalo as somebody in the highest place and not anyone can just face him. I remember once when I wanted to see Manalo and shake his hands. I came with my overseas-returning cousin who was being entertained by Manalo. His son was the one who welcomed us – he who is like a celebrity with many bodyguards and video cameras following him while we were falling in line to shake his hands.

Then I remembered one of my friends in Cavite.  I texted her and asked her if she can help me find a job.  She asked me to come and stay with her for the moment.

She was a member of the Church of God and she convinced me to come with her when she would attend their Church gatherings even though I was still attending INC gatherings.  She told me that she will not force me to join the congregation if I didn’t want to.  She just encouraged me to listen to the preaching in their gatherings.

I was surprised with what I have found out.  I have discovered the secrets that the INC is hiding – the filth behind the administration of Manalo hidden from us members especially in the provinces. Without hesitation, I decided to continue attending the Church of God’s gatherings and even indoctrination sessions.  I also attended the Saturday Thanksgivings in Apalit, Pampanga.

I was very happy when I saw Bro. Eli Soriano, whom I thought was a false preacher and a fool as what the INC ministers  had been telling us.   Only then did I realize that the video that I have been seeing on TV were edited versions of the INC!

I have discovered so many things that I have not learned in the INC. I have felt that peace and meekness that I have never felt in my former religion.  Very soon, the aides in the INC contacted me, asking where I was but I told them that I was voluntarily expelling myself from the INC.  I told them that I will never come back to INC because I have learned so many teachings and doctrines that I have never understood in the INC.

Then I accepted the true baptism.  My body shivered and I cried a lot when I was in the baptistery.

Some very important words that I have learned in the Church of God: “Thanks be to God!”

I have felt that God has answered my prayers.  Through Bro.  Eli, I have learned to love my fellowmen, have compassion and feed even the enemy. To do good unto all men as long as there is opportunity, and to remain humble and meek.

I also felt that in times that I have sinned, the Holy Spirit guides me to feel repentance and continue to walk with God.

Thanks be to God for His sent preachers that introduced me to the real Jesus Christ and to the Living God who wanted all people to be saved.

Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!

 

I learned from my enemy that the Ang Dating Daan is the only organization following the teachings of God these days

By Sara Mae M. Aroy

I am Sarah Mae M. Aroy of Locale of Tagum City in Mindanao. With God’s grace, I’ve been in the Church for two years now and member of the Teatro Kristiano

I am a former Catholic follower. I was raised by my parents having fear in God although we did not have an idea that what we believed in was not the true faith taught in the Bible.

I actually had no idea about the true Church and the true teachings of God before. I thought every church or religious group in the world was right and salvation can easily be attained by anybody through good deeds regardless of what church they belonged to.

There was an incident in our family that led my mother and two brothers to have known the CHURCH OF GOD INTERNATIONAL and soon became members of it.

One of my brothers, Bro. Ulysses Aroy, who was my bitter enemy and considered before as the “black sheep” of the family was the one used by God for me to be able to have and idea about the true Church and doctrines of the Lord.

Being a member of the CHURCH OF GOD INTERNATIONAL or “ANG DATING DAAN” as known to the public, my brother shared to me some of things he had learned regarding faith. He told me about Bro. Eli Soriano and some biblical prophesies proving that the organization of “ANG DATING DAAN” is the only organization following the right teachings of God these days.

My brother invited me to attend the indoctrination that was to be held here in the locale of Tagum City. Without my hesitation, I accepted his invitation and started listening to the doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ through Bro. Eli Soriano.

As the indoctrination went on, there were so many things I learned, especially regarding faith and serving the true God. My mind was opened up; my heart was enlightened and so I decided to be baptized and be a member of the Church.

I  still couldn’t  believe that I would listen and believe in what my brother,  Ullei, was sharing to me, knowing the fact that I really hated him so much because we were bitter enemies as I said. But as time passed by, with the teachings of God being taught to us every now and then, I realized and learned to believe that it was the power of the words of God that brought me here and made me stay in the Church up to this present time of my life.

I am very much thankful to God Almighty who called me and my family by his grace and great love. I’m very much thankful to God for sending Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel in this present times to open the minds of many people who have been blinded by many false prophets and pastors around the world. I thank God for everything in my life forever.