Newly Baptized Testimonials: September 19, 2014

Read short testimonials of faith from some of MCGI’s youngest brethren baptized on September 19, 2014 at the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga.

Sis. Isabel Tenoria, 78, Former Catholic, Bicol Province

On Joining the Church of God

I’ve been listening to Bro. Eli for a long time and I really liked the truths that I’ve been hearing from him. It’s what I’ve been looking for. I’ve always thought about the day when I could change from the ways of faith I was raised in.

My son Danilo was a member of the Church, and suggested that I listen to Bro. Eli. He has been a member for three years now, and as for me I’ve been listening for a year before I got indoctrinated.

When I was watching TV, I saw the invitation for the Mass Indoctrination, and that’s when I decided that it might be the opportunity for me. I needed to attend it, but the problem was my children wouldn’t allow me to go alone.

I’m 78 years old and they were worried about me going alone. Fortunately, I convinced one of my children to accompany me. Although there’s a tropical storm today, I believe that God is there; rain or shine, He will take care of us.

On Being Baptized

It’s like a very light feeling. There was something different, an unexplainable joy that made me cry when I received the baptism.

On MCGI Leaders

I hope that they will continually be blessed by God and Lord Jesus Christ. I’m hoping that the propagation will prosper, so more people will learn the truth and know the real way to salvation.

~o~

Sis. Florenia Vasques, 51, Former Catholic, Rizal Province

On Joining the Church of God

When I first heard Bro. Eli’s preaching, I liked it already.

My mother was listening to him when I went to her place, [so I got to] listen to Bro. Eli, and I really liked what he was saying. I found myself looking for his voice and the way he teaches.

We started [indoctrination] last week; I was with my mom. My mother listened to Bro. Eli longer than I did; I think it was just a week for me. When she invited me to attend a gathering, I immediately said, “Yes,” because I really wanted to hear more. Then we both got baptized.

On Being Baptized

My husband asked me why I’m going to get baptized because it wasn’t long since I started listening. I told him that I really wanted to get baptized, and that he shouldn’t stop me.

He wanted me to listen first and study it [for a longer time], but the very first time I heard the preaching I really wanted to be part of the congregation already. It feels really good. I’m moved with the things I’ve learned especially when verses were being read.

On MCGI Leaders

[May he receive] continuous blessings from God. I hope that his preaching will be heard worldwide, so he can help more people, more lost souls. Bro. Eli is truly one-of-a-kind.

~o~

Sis. Sherrly Ann Hernando, 34, Former Methodist, Manila

On Joining the Church of God

I believe that it is here [in the Church of God] that I have found the true meaning of life. I truly felt the love of God despite all the sins I’ve committed. It’s a big deal to me.

Before I was indoctrinated I had many questions in life. I’m 34 years old and I’m continuously in search for answers to life’s questions.

I used to watch on TV and surf the Internet for videos; it wasn’t regular. But then a friend of mine invited me to watch Bro. Eli again. Then one thing lead to another and here I am now. That friend of mine actually became my boyfriend and we got baptized today.

On Being Baptized

I can’t really explain the happiness I was feeling. I am so thankful because I’m changed, and my sins have been cleansed. Even if it’s raining really hard today I believe that God guided us here; nobody can stop us.

On MCGI Leaders

I thank God for giving us Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel as instruments to deliver His words, His true words that we use as guide in our daily living.

~o~

Sis. Nancy Magana, 56, Former Catholic, NCR

On Joining the Church of God

Even though I was able to attend indoctrination sessions before, by the time I was going to be baptized, something became a big hindrance to me. It was true what Bro. Eli said, something will try to hold you back, and you need to be strong.

Although what happened wasn’t really something that bad… It was my parents, they got sick. Now as I reflected on it, I decided to move forward with the baptism. It was a sign from God. I’ve accepted everything in my heart without any doubt. I am very happy that I’ve received his never-ending blessing.

On Being Baptized

I don’t feel troubled anymore. It’s like God has helped me with everything. Just last year, we didn’t even know how to properly pray to him. Now, we really are blessed to be here and serving him.

We discovered Bro. Eli through his TV and radio program. And we really contemplated on every word he says. Everything is purely from the Bible: Nothing more nothing less. The completeness is in the Bible itself.

I’ve been following Bro. Eli for five years now but I wasn’t paying much attention to it before.

On MCGI Leaders

I hope for everyone who are still searching and still confused to be enlightened through the Holy Spirit of God, through the preaching of Bro. Eli. I hope that the good words of God be inculcated in their minds and hearts. We are thankful to God. I am truly happy.

~o~

Bro. Angelito Caro, 49, Former Catholic, Bulacan Province

On Joining the Church of God

It was because of Bro. Eli’s television program. I saw that it was purely biblical, and I’ve also done some reading on my part. I’ve realized that this is the true Church.
A long time ago I’ve already started watching the show. I think about two years ago, but I wasn’t avidly watching it. Lately, more or less three months ago, I’ve been following the program eagerly. Actually it was my wife and I who were watching it until the wee hours. Nobody told us about it; we were just flipping through the channels [when we found it].

On Being Baptized

I feel changed, like all my problems are gone. I feel relieved.

On MCGI Leaders

Bro. Eli, Bro. Daniel, thank you very much for the teachings that provide salvation for people.

~o~

Bro. Joel Embudo, 38, Former Catholic, Manila

On Joining the Church of God

The truth is, I’ve joined different religions besides Catholicism. I also attended a gathering of the INC [Iglesia Ni Cristo], but I never found the truth that I was looking for.
Then when I went to Saudi to work, I was also a guest in some Born Again functions. It was okay at first. Even though the Bible is not allowed there, they had their ways to preach. Then time came that I got baptized there.

When I got home here in the Philippines, something changed; I wasn’t satisfied anymore, something was lacking. Although there were things they didn’t allow us to do, but it wasn’t enough.

A time came when our brother-in-faith invited me; he was my brother-in-law and a Church of God member at Saragoza. It was there that I fully understood that there was really a better teaching.

I’m really grateful that I am part of it now. I am now baptized and I am thankful to God. I know that my family will also benefit in this. I just hope I can also convince my wife to join.

I know that there is tropical storm but that’s not a hindrance. I am firm in my decision; my heart is set out. Like what is said, we should not put it on hold or leave it for tomorrow. So with God’s mercy we arrived here safely.

On Being Baptized

I feel very light, and it causes this unexplainable joy. I was able to let out all my wishes, my worries. I reflected on the sins I’ve committed before; it gave me relief.

On MCGI Leaders

To my leaders, I hope they will be guided by God always. I hope for them to continue to do good deeds. I know that Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel have many struggles, but those don’t stop them. They continue to lead lost souls and other brethren. May they be blessed by the Lord and be given strength to save more people.

~o~

Bro. Jerico & Sis. Arlene Canja, 32 & 27, Former Catholic, Manila

On Joining the Church of God

Bro. Jerico: I’ve seen [the program] before on television and I realized that I wanted to join the congregation. But my wife, she didn’t know about it yet.

Sis. Arlene: Yes, I had no idea about it.

Bro. Jerico: I really waited for her. With God’s mercy, she agreed and so we went to be baptized together. I’ve been certain [about this] for 10 years now.

Sis. Arlene: I’ve only been certain about this last week. The indoctrination had a total of seven sessions. I attended all those. It was my first time to listen to Bro. Eli.

Last night I was still conflicted whether I should proceed with the baptism today. This morning, while we were travelling here, my child was having a fever. It was like there were too many stumbling blocks.

Then, the roads we were supposed to take were heavily flooded. We were stranded in Balintawak; the vehicle we were using seemed to be shutting off. We really needed to find a way to get here. Had we waited for the rain to stop, we wouldn’t get here in time.

When we got here, I contemplated about the events that were. I thought that if God was calling me, why should I have to wait for some other time. Also, I really understood the teachings that we were listening to every night.

On Being Baptized

Bro. Jerico: I felt a change in me. Of course, I was also a sinful man and I also wanted to change, to be free from the sins I’ve committed. This is the chance given to me to really start over, to begin to serve God.

Sis. Arlene: It was like I was feeling lighter. All the things that were bothering me are all gone now. I’m so happy also because we were baptized at the same time. It was like I wanted to jump, and I was smiling at everyone I see. I realized that this is the feeling when you finally found the truth.

On MCGI Leaders

Bro. Jerico: Thanks to Bro Eli because if he didn’t persevere, if he didn’t do his best to make ends meet with God’s help, we wouldn’t see him on television or on the Internet [through angdatingdaan.org].

Sis. Arlene: I hope that they will always be guided and be given strength. May they [get through all] trials and temptations, so they can help and teach more people like us.

~o~

Sis. Rubilyn Dungca, 33, Former Catholic, Manila

On Joining the Church of God

I was able to listen to the doctrines, and that’s when my mind was opened to the beautiful teachings from the Bible. I learned what direction my life should be headed, and that all questions can really be answered by the Bible.

My brother is the deacon of our coordinating center in Saragoza, Tondo. Honestly, we were still in high school when he started listening to Bro. Eli. I once asked him what he was listening to but at the time, I was still uninterested in it.

There’s no storm that can stop me from doing what my heart is set out to do. From the very start, when I attended Bible Expositions, I knew I really wanted to continue this. I wanted to finish the whole indoctrination and get baptized. I felt like this one is really the right way.

On Being Baptized

I’m happy; it feels comfortable and light. It feels like all the pent up worries and resentments and sins that I’ve committed are gone. We really need to set ourselves free from all of that for us to move on and feel that our life is finally complete.

On MCGI Leaders

Thank you very much to Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel. I am thankful that they are instruments of God for us to learn all the beautiful teachings, and help open the minds of people who have lost their ways.

I learned that even though we made mistakes in the past, we can change; we just need to keep in our hearts and live by the teachings and doctrines that we will learn from them. I hope that the Lord will continue to give them good health so they can continue to propagate the words of God.