March 12, 2015

MCGI ARTICLE

Newly Baptized Testimonials: February 20, 2015


Read short testimonials of faith from some of MCGI’s youngest brethren baptized on February 20, 2015 at the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga.

Bro. Roderick Cruz, 31, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province

On Joining the Church of God

Depression came into my life last year. I lost everything.

I thought that the people I helped would become my support. It’s not that I was asking for return favors; I just thought that they would be my go-to in my time of need. But it didn’t turn out that way of course; they’re just men.

Almost every day, every night, every hour, I felt weak. I had depression; I felt like I wanted to commit suicide. That was [the time when] I was going to have my birthday on December 9. I was supposed to be a gonner then. Firstly, I was guilty of the sins I committed, and I also kind of neglected my family; though they were in a sense, supported. It’s just that, I lost everything.

I have long been coming here. It was in about 2003 when Bro. Joebeth invited me; he’s the husband of my wife’s uncle. He’s Bro. Joebeth Ola, the Church worker. But even before that, I’ve been listening already, since I was in high school.

However before, I was just really doing some half-hearted searching. Whatever good I hear, [I take it]; when I see something wrong, I look for another. It’s because I’m a “come what may” kind of person.

But that time, I was almost always tuned in to Bro. Eli, because I had no one else I could turn to that… I felt like I was hopeless; I had no one to guide me. It was only the words of God that gave me strength. I would watch on television, in my car, on the radio.

As I’ve said before, I lost everything: My job, my wealth, my loved ones; it was like that. So this is not a kind of decision in a sense. This is a calling perhaps.

I lost my job; I lost everything. I prayed that I would be given a chance. Then I had a project in Balintawak. So I talked to Bro. Joebeth and told him, “I want to attend the indoctrination sessions.”

They’re all true [the doctrines] actually. It’s just that we’re really [unmindful] in life. We’re just too… We just take [God’s word] for granted. As they say, “Something [trying] needs to happen first in your life before you understand.”

On Being Baptized

Now, I feel good. I feel light… Every time I think about it, I cry. I’m really sorry for everything I’ve done. Even as I was just going into the water, I was already crying, until I was baptized.

When I got out of the water, and this is not exaggeration, but I really felt light inside. All I want is, as I said to Him, “I want to serve.”

Actually, I want to be a Church worker, God willing. Of course, if He will entrust me with the responsibility as I was a former sinner, and in the eyes of people, someone worldly.

Though, I didn’t have any vices like smoking, drinking liquor; I didn’t have those. I didn’t gamble. It was only just womanizing that weakened me. I hope, I”ll be able to continue.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

I’m thankful to him. Actually, I always thank him, but there’s just no way [for him to hear it]. I’m thankful for the explanation, because among the rest – from what I have seen – he’s the nearest to the truth. I can’t say among all because I don’t know everything. But he’s the closest. He’s one of a kind.

~o~

Sis. Flordelina Clavacio, 51, Former Catholic, NCR

On Joining the Church of God

He [points to husband] was the first to become a member. And then after three years, perhaps because of his constant praying, he really asked from the Lord that I became baptized. And I’ve been called by the Lord to become a member now.

I listened to the indoctrination sessions; I attended gatherings like Worship Services, Thanksigivngs, and such. That’s why I got encouraged to join, and because of the program of Bro. Eli on TV. From my listening, I saw that what Bro. Eli is saying is really right and true, because it’s really in the Bible.

On Being Baptized

I truly feel so clean today. I’m happy and I really feel cleansed.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

I hope that they will continue to be given more bodily strength and a clear mind that they may be able to spread to the whole world, to other people [the Gospel of the Lord], that they in turn may hear and understand it.

May they be given more health and longer lives that they may be able to encourage more to to join the Church, because it’s where the truth is.

~o~

Bro. Jonalyn Ruisan, 23, Former Korean Born Again Church Member, NCR

On Joining the Church of God

It’s because I want the wisdom that comes from God. This is the wisdom that He gave me. I want to serve Him and to worship only Him.

That’s what I always asked of Him before I went [to Manila]. I said to God, “I want wisdom, God.” I always prayed; I always carried my Bible with me. The Lord is really perfect because He brought me here.

This is the wisdom [I learned when] I joined the Church of God. This is [the calling that] I wanted to respond to, [something] that I also want to share to my parents.

Before I left, I shared [about the Bible] at home, because I believe in the Father in heaven. That’s the reason why I went here. Perhaps, the Lord also wished for me to be baptized.

I’ve never been baptized before in the [organizations] that I went to. So this is the chance for me to turn my back from all the sins I have left behind. The Lord said that there is [a chance] for us to change. This is what I wanted from Him.

I am thankful to God because this is the opportunity… He brought me here to approach Him again serve before His presence; every day and every night I [will] serve Him. I read the Bible at my aunt’s place. They would be asleep, but I would still be awake because I want to learn more…

My aunt Beth invited me [to a Church gathering], until I learned and got touched by what he [Bro. Eliseo Soriano] said. I felt happy and was crying with tears of joy. I can’t explain the joy I feel. I’m happy because … if you’re really true to yourself, you will feel the aches inside [go away].

On Being Baptized

When I was baptized, I felt so light. It was like I was floating, and all the hurt I felt inside are gone, like it’s back to zero.

You feel as if you’re starting again. That’s why I said, “I believe in You, Lord. I give you my whole heart and whole soul. I will serve You.”

This is the wisdom that I want. I can leave my parents, my siblings or anyone of my friends, my best friend; I left them that I may be able to serve Him now. I don’t want the wisdom I learned that [I received].

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

I hope that God will continue to use them in spreading [the word] that comes from the Father in heaven that we all may be able to believe the Lord God, the Highest.

I hope we may be able to continue and not lose this opportunity [given] by the Lord and Father, this chance that we may believe.

~ o ~

Sis. Angelina Sanchez, 54, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province

On Joining the Church of God

I wanted to prove something to myself.

My nephew invited me; he asked me if he could invite me [to a Church gathering]. I said, “Why not?” We live in Balagtas, and he went there. He’s from Parañaque, but he even went there to fetch me.

He said that we would just [listen] to the word of God, so I went with him. Then, I developed an interest in it, so I went with him again and again. I continued with it until I arrived at baptism.

On Being Baptized

I feel good. I feel light inside.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

I hope they may continue their service unto the Lord. And I hope that they will be able to help many more people.

~ o ~

Bro. Rolando Arellano, 60, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province

On Joining the Church of God

Ka Erning and I are friends. I was a former member of the Knights of Columbus.

Now, Bro. Erning visited me one time and [invited me] to listen to a Bible Study; I listened. Until one day, I was also invited to the locale to hear the teachings of God.

They were very nice. The explanations were really well, very clear.

On Being Baptized

I feel unburdened inside, and I feel [peaceful] in my mind and in my heart. You will really feel it if something has changed in you.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

I hope that their service to people will be longer that they may be able to lead many more people unto salvation.

They are instruments of the Lord. Actually, I listen [to The Old Path] on TV nightly. I would fall sleep listening, and my wife would turn it off. When I wake up the next day, I would just see that it’s already turned off. I always tune in to it. After getting exhausted from watching basketball and boxing, I watch it.

~ o ~

Sis. Maria Elena Macatantan, 55, Former Freelancer, Pampanga Province

On Joining the Church of God

A long time has already passed, but it’s only now that I’ve been called, [rather] it’s only now that I have heeded to it.

It has been a long time since [God was calling me]. Now, I finally answered; it really has been long overdue.

I used to smoke, and didn’t wear skirts; I didn’t know how to wear skirts. I wore jeans and was boyish. I didn’t fashion wearing skirts even in college. And also, smoking was a habit.

—-

I’ve been listening for a long time as my sister is already a member. My mother and brother are also members. I was the only one left out as I was in Antipolo. Whenever Bro. Eli speaks, “Your heart is hard. You’ve been listening for ten years now,” [I feel that he’s speaking to me].

Our mother is already 99 years old. I was still in Antipolo then, when my sister who takes care of her got sick. Since my mother’s birthday was on February 16, she wished that I would come. Of course, since nobody was there to take care of her, I took the liberty of doing the task. I’ve been here [Pampanga] since December 31st, and have stayed here for quite a long time now.

I’ve been here [ADD Convention Center] before. She [her sister] brought me to a Bible Exposition. I was able to ask a question directly to Bro. Eli even before. It was a long time ago, about 2002 perhaps because Bro. Eli was still here.

On Being Baptized

I’m happy and I feel light. Also, I feel as if I became more beautiful. It’s as if I’m very pretty.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

Bro. Eli, this is it, finally. Finally, Bro. Eli, I’m in the Church. I won’t get offended anymore with what you say about those who take too long a time to join, having hard hearts. With Bro. Eli, he speaks for all. Now, this is it; I’m here. Welcome me [laughs]. Thanks be to God.

~o~

Sis. Priscilla Payumo, 70, Angeles City, Former Assemblies of God Member

On Joining the Church of God

Actually, my husband has been baptized for a year now. We were indoctrinated together, but I decided to not get baptized then because I wanted to be certain of myself first.

There were many things that I couldn’t leave behind. I cursed a lot at working people; I was hotheaded. I didn’t want to be belittled; if they’re rich, I can also eat what they’re eating. If they will brag, I will brag the more. But now my belief in life is, as the verse said: Love your enemy. So now, those things are gone.

Also before, whenever I went to the hospital and see a sick person, I would say, “Oh, he’s going to die already.” But now, I feel different when I see someone sick. Different. It’s like I feel love towards my fellow. I would say, “Lord, please heal them.”

I seem to have also developed a sense of trust in others, because I didn’t want to trust strangers [before].

—-

Now, I try to push myself [forward], especially that I’m already baptized. I don’t want to go back to my former ways. Before, I couldn’t resist wearing lipstick and eye shadow.

I always had eye shadow on. I would apply black eye shadow to the lining of my eye so that it would look deeper. Now, I don’t anymore. My eyebrows are even tattooed. But I scrape it off to erase it.

I don’t anymore wear lipstick. And since I’m used to wearing lipstick, what I do now is apply [lip balm] so my lips won’t dry.

Now, my husband is very happy. He didn’t know that I was getting indoctrinated [at first]; I surprised him. I only told him about it during the sixth indoctrination session. He called right at the moment that [I] was in the locale. I told him, “I’m here getting indoctrinated.” He was elated.

But he was the more so happy today. “My joy has tripled,” he said. “Now, we can get married in the Church,” he told. My husband is already old. He even underwent a mild stroke.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

I’m thankful to God, and for the messages of Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel. It’s like I didn’t know so many things before, and that my eyes were opened, my mind, enlightened. So praise God and thanks also to Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel.

~o~

Sis. Wenifreda Peralta, 45, Former Catholic, Tarlac Province

On Joining the Church of God

Because it’s here where I saw the unique teachings that I did not hear from other religions.

I entered many [religions]. When I was 14 years old, during high school, I entered a Born Again group. When I already had a child, about 21 years old, I became a Baptist, and then returned to being a Catholic. It’s like I wasn’t content. I couldn’t find anything [to satisfy me]. I didn’t know what was true.

Then Sister Blanca invited me to her [church]. I asked her, “What do you do there, because I feel that something’s lacking in me.” Then, she said, “We have thanksgiving, and it’s like this. If you want, you can [attend]; you can listen.”

I replied, “I want the word of God. I just want to hear something because I feel that I’m not content, because my life is messed up.” She invited me one time. After that, I continued with it nightly, and I went straight into indoctrination.

Then I thought, I think it [following the doctrines] will be difficult. But Bro. Eli said, nothing is hard [for those who love God]. I was having second thoughts earlier, but he said, “We can rely on the word of God that He will not forsake us.” So I didn’t have cold feet anymore.

I didn’t listen to Bro. Eli before; I didn’t even know him as I was busy. All I attended to before was just going to the market, [selling] vegetables. All I minded was vegetables.

But I knew the words of God, from what I learned from the Baptist. However, it’s like I wasn’t content, like something was always missing in my life. I didn’t know; I couldn’t anymore understand what I was hearing [there].

On Being Baptized

When I went to the baptistery, I said to Him, “If I won’t be forgiven, please make a way for me not to be able to go into the water.” My feet even felt numb, and I said, “Please make a way.” I didn’t know what to do, whether I would have more sins or not.

With God’s mercy, until I went into the water, I was really crying; I couldn’t help myself. The Lord gave me an opportunity. I felt that following God is difficult; there’s always a hindrance.

[But] after I got out of the water, it’s like I felt so very light. So I said, “I was forgiven by the Lord.” Even when I was still young, I’ve already undergone trials that I wasn’t able to overcome; perhaps, I was really overtaken by them. I could say that because I wasn’t able to perform my duties properly.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

Bro. Eli, many, many thanks unto God. Because of you, I found [the truth] and was enlightened. I heard the words of God that have really gone into my heart. Many, many thanks especially to You oh Lord.

May the ministry be blessed that many more people will be able to know the truth. Thanks be to God exceedingly.

To God be the glory!

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