April 21, 2015
Newly Baptized Testimonials: April 10, 2015
Read short testimonials of faith from some of MCGI’s youngest brethren baptized on April 10, 2015 at the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga.
Bro. Erlito Lotaria, 27, Former Catholic, Manila
On Joining the Church of God
I felt, as they call it, the calling of God. At first, I just watched Bible Expositions [on UNTV]. And then, I felt that I wanted to listen to it almost every night; I come home [from work] at 12 am. I wouldn’t go to sleep until I hadn’t watched the Bible Expositions.
I was just surfing channels looking for something to watch until I saw Bro. Eli preaching, and I stopped there. From then on, I continued [listening] and watched it nightly. I wasn’t content until I hadn’t heard [Bro. Soriano]. It was like I loved always hearing the teachings.
I made it a daily habit until I [met] a brother-in-faith at work. I asked him where an [MCGI] locale was, and he said to me, “Join the indoctrination sessions,” so I did that. With the help of the Church Worker there in Kamias and of Bro. David who aided me, I thank God that I have been baptized. Many thanks to God.
On Being Baptized
I’m so happy; I can’t explain it.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
I’m thankful that what you preach [is undefiled]; you don’t add nor take away anything from it. Many thanks to you. You’re the only preachers who are like this. That’s why I am exceedingly thankful to God. Thanks be to God
~o~
Bro. Federico Clarin, 47, Former Catholic, Nueva Ecija Province
On Joining the Church of God
It’s like I was called by the Lord, like there was a calling that happened to me. All of a sudden, I liked reading the Bible. Also, my friends, who are brethren in the Church, were able to encourage me to attend the indoctrination sessions.
I was also able to listen on television, [and] everything I heard from [it] was true. It has been two months since [the first time I listened]. I watched on TV daily and listened to the doctrines weekly, every Sunday. That’s why it took me a long time [to finish the indoctrination].
It was like I was studying carefully whether the teachings of the Church of God are right or not. But out of all the religions I saw, this is the right one; no[doctrines] are added nor taken away. That’s what I liked about this religion.
On Being Baptized
It’s inexplicable. It really feels light inside, like you’re a new [person]. It really feels unburdening.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
My only message for Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel is that I’m really thankful because I know that the religion that is the Church of God is true. I hope that they will be able to encourage a greater number of people [to join the Church], that they may be saved.
~o~
Bro. John Oliver Concepcion, 17, Former Catholic, Pangasinan Province
On Joining the Church of God
Because the preacher is true and faithful and the teachings are true and are written in the Bible.
I’ve long been [listening] as my uncles would bring me to Bible Expositions. It was in 2012 [when I started]. Now is the right time and opportunity [to be baptized].
On Being Baptized
I’m happy and it feels good that my being has been changed; the evil things that I did before have now been buried [with Christ].
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
I hope that they will be able to spread the word of God more in the whole world.
~o~
Bro. Napoleon Cataluña, 38, Former Catholic, Manila
On Joining the Church of God
I was assigned in Laguna in the Megapack Co. Then, my fellow security guard and I would watch Bro. Eli on television. He’s already a brother-in-faith: Bro. Mark Simple. He was the one who invited me to worship services until I liked [attending] it.
It was my first time to [hear] him on TV. For me, he bases everything in the Bible; he hides nothing. What he [preaches] is in the Bible.
On Being Baptized
It was somewhat nice, like I feel that I can go forward with my journey towards a new life, towards getting closer to the Lord. [I realized] that salvation is in Him, and not in anything else.
After I [got out] of the water, I thanked the Lord and asked Him to guide me that I may not be lost again, because I cannot do it alone or without Him.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
My message for Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel is that they may continue their service for many more lost people, many more lost [souls]. I hope that their lives will be longer that they may be able to help more and more people with the teachings of the Lord.
~o~
Bro. Mark Joshua Ventenilla, 18, Former Catholic, Pangasinan Province
On Joining the Church of God
I was able to listen [to Bro. Eliseo Soriano] as I was a BREAD [Bible Readers’ Society] member before. As I listened continually, I got enlightened.
The [doctrines] are very good; they really go straight into your heart. I can really see the work of God, like in my baptism a while ago.
On Being Baptized
I feel exceedingly happy; I can’t explain it. It was really pleasant. I felt like I was floating.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
I hope that God will keep on guiding them that they may be able to continue their preaching unto the world, because there are many now who are lost.
~o~
Sis. Princess Rhyss Aspiras, 16, Former Catholic, Pangasinan Province
On Joining the Church of God
It started when my uncle told me, “It would be better if you would be able to hear the doctrines,” so I listened. We looked for the locale in Alaminos.
Then when I got to listen, I found that it was very different [from my former religion]. I was enlightened by the doctrines.
It was my [first time] to hear [Bro. Eliseo Soriano] on the first day of the indoctrination. It was really different from my old [religion]. I really learned from there, so I told myself, “This is it.”
On Being Baptized
I felt like I was up in the air. I was so very happy.
On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon
May they be [continually] guided by God, and may their preaching grow wider.
