Newly Baptized Testimonials: February 7, 2014

Read short testimonials of faith from some of MCGI’s youngest brethren baptized on February 7, 2014 at the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga.

Bro. Nilo Ortega, 67, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province

On Being Baptized
I feel like a new being. I’ve been listening to Bro. Eli for quite a long time now, but it was only recently that I made efforts to join, and be a member.

It’s a good thing. I believe of course that it’s God who makes a way. In my case, it was through a reunion in our former school.

It was really my wife who was a classmate of Bro. Mamerto, but she already passed away, so they asked me attend instead. We met by chance, and he mentioned that he’s attending in “Ang Dating Daan” (The Old Path).

I told him I wanted to be a member and asked how I can get baptized. He told me not to worry about it and he’ll take care of me. That’s what paved the way of me joining the Church.

He brought me to a locale, to an indoctrination session. He went to my house early in the morning of Monday right after the Saturday reunion, and asked me if I was interested in hearing the indoctrination.

I told him that it’s actually very timely since I take care of my brother-in-law’s hogs in the morning, and my schedule is open at night. That’s it, that’s how I started off.

I started listening back in the ‘90s. Thank God I’m still alive; Bro. Eli always mentions this. So to those who are already of old age: Hurry up!

On MCGI Leaders
I hope Bro. Eli will be given a longer life, so he can still help save more souls. There are still a lot out there who were brought up by false teachings; I pity them.

I pray that both Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel be given longer lives, because there are still a lot of souls to harvest. There are a lot to harvest, but very few harvesters.

~o~

Bro. Michael Ramirez, 38, Former Born Again, Bulacan Province

On Being Baptized
I’m very happy. The feeling is different. I feel lighter inside. Those troubles I used to worry about before my baptism seemed to have vanished.

I learned of Ang Dating Daan through television. I would join my mom who is already a Church member, and listen with her.

Then I had a problem. [That’s when] I decided to join my mother; I attended a Church service.

One day I said to my mom, “Ma, I will go with you.” She responded with, “Oh God, have you already called him?” And I said, “Thank You.”

So I attended the indoctrination, and even Church services. I had a very big problem, and a brother (Church member) mentioned that I should continue the indoctrination to avoid making a detour along the way. I did not stop, I just went on and attended all sessions.

My mom said that if I didn’t encounter the problem I had, I wouldn’t have attended the indoctrination. I told my mother that I was honestly about to take my own life. Thankfully, I was able to listen to the doctrines. Like I said, the problem seemed to fade away on its own.

On MCGI Leaders
I am very grateful to God for what they did for me. The words of God you share with people, I am thankful for those.

~o~

Sis. Chelsea Garcia, 18, Former Catholic, NCR

On Being Baptized
I feel very light; the feeling is very light.

I got the chance to listen to Bro. Eli when I was younger. The people at home watched Bro. Eli, but I didn’t really understand anything.

When I grew up, some friends tried watching too; that’s when I understood [his preaching]. So last year, I started really watching, and listening through the radio.

On MCGI Leaders
Thank you because if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known the truth. If you’re not here, I will still be looking for answers until now.

~o~

Bro. Rudyrick Mirasol, 24, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province


On Being Baptized
The feeling is light. I was able to listen through Bible studies, Bible expositions.

I learned about Bro. Eli through my employers, back in 2008 or 2009. I was convinced to get baptized because of the truths I learned from the Bible.

On MCGI Leaders
I pray that God will take care of Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel, to save them from unfortunate incidents, give them strength, and be allowed to continue to preach truths in the Bible.

~o~

Bro. Elmiro Napa, 32, Former Catholic, Cavite Province

On Being Baptized
Honestly, while I was being immersed in water during my baptism, I fervently prayed to God.

What I felt earlier was something that I have never felt even when I was younger, until I experienced this strange feeling that I can’t explain. But I can recall from what I heard before, that that’s the Holy Spirit who was with me during my baptism.

To tell you the truth, I’ve been listening to Bro. Eli for a long time now. It was back in 1998 I believe, during my high school days.

The thing is, my faith was weak, maybe because I was very young then. But it reached a point when, I enjoyed watching him so much until 2003, and I became a Bible reader.

Actually, there was something unusual that happened to me that time. I was asking for a sign from the Bible whether I’m really worthy of Him; I prayed He would give me a sign.

Incidentally when I opened the Bible, the verse that came up was that part where God said, “I forgive your iniquities, make known your pleas.” That’s what I remember that I have read.

So in the morning, in the wee hours, I woke my mother up. I was planning to go straight here (at ADD Convention Center) even if I wasn’t a member yet. But because I lacked funds as we were having financial difficulty, I failed to go here.

Then time went by, I was employed to serve in 2007. In all honesty, I was a little careless then because I prioritized work. It came to a point when, in 2011, I decided to undergo indoctrination.

The problem I had to face during that time was my wife. She really stopped me from getting baptized. Although I really want to get baptized, at that time, due to my weaknesses, I was defeated again.

But I did not let go of God. I explained to Him, “Father, it’s not that I’m turning my back on you, but please give me a little more time.” I said I knew that His will must be followed.

Then came 2014, as January approached, I felt a weariness in my soul. It felt like everything was all about problems. When I woke up in the morning, there’s this problem; before I go to sleep, another setback.

I said to myself “It’s really hard without God.” That time I felt that this is probably my calling. So I discussed it with my spouse, and she got mad again, so I let three days pass, but accompanying me through those three days are prayers.

I fervently asked from Him, “Father, if it’s your will that I enter your truth, help me convince my wife.” The following week, I told her again about my decision and strangely, I was able to convince her.

I was surprised because it’s been years that we have been fighting over this. That’s why I believe, that God answers. As long as you ask for something that’s meant for you, He will grant it.

On MCGI Leaders
Actually, I am grateful that even if it took me so long before I got baptized, I got in while Bro. Eli’s still alive. And also now, he’s with Bro. Daniel too.

I’m thankful to God because I told myself when I was still outside of the Church that if I become a member I hope Bro. Eli is still alive. With the way he preaches, I have never seen anyone who propagated God’s words the way he does it.

I’ve compared him with pastors, priests, but [he’s] far too different. And the things Bro. Eli preach are really based from the Bible. So my message to Bro. Eli, may it be God’s will for him to have a longer life, so he can still preach the words of God to other people who have not experienced the teachings of God.

~o~

Bro. Ruel Manlapaz, 30, Former Catholic, Cavite Province

On Being Baptized
I’ve known Bro. Eli’s preaching for a long time now, but it’s only now that I got the chance [to be baptized].

The things I learned in the indoctrination sessions are all truths, all righteous. That’s why I didn’t have second thoughts to be a member of the Church. So I will just continue in this.

I feel refreshed, as if all my problems went away. It feels light. That’s what I feel inside.

I really monitored the program on TV and radio. I studied [the teachings] but I didn’t have the chance then. It was during the ‘90s, however. I couldn’t get closer, there was something [holding me back]. But this time, I really [pursued] it. I got baptized.

On MCGI Leaders
My message for Bro. Eli is to continue what he’s doing. It’s great to be able to have many people join the Church, so that our congregation will grow.

~o~

Bro. Ryan Kristopher Pamplona, 24, Former Born Again, Tarlac Province

On Being Baptized
It feels extraordinary. I should’ve been baptized long ago, a year ago because I have been attending services for about a year now.

With God’s help and mercy, I decided that I really want to be baptized. With God’s mercy, I have proven that the Church is really good.

I feel genuinely good right now. All of the weight, all the heaviness, those things that happened to me, my pains, everything, they’re all gone.

I feel good, however tired I am, no matter how far this place was. All I can truly say right now is: Thanks be to God.

I went here (the ADD Convention Center) because I have a friend who’s a member here. We met with Sis. Luz [Cruz]. Then I heard someone say, “Our topic later is ‘The faith of God.’”” Instead of going straight home, I decided to stay and wait for it.

On MCGI Leaders
Thanks be to God. With His help and mercy, I was able to listen to God’s words, and Biblical truths. If I weren’t able to listen, I may still not be sure where I am today.

Thank you very, very much. I hope more people will listen to them, I hope there will be more. Thanks be to God.