On a particular Good Friday, I made a confession to the parish priest. In order for my sins to be forgiven, he gave me an instruction to kiss the wooden idol in front of the altar. I was shocked and my mind started to challenge the Catholic doctrines.

By Anthony Lopos

I grew up in a family of Catholics. Since my childhood days, I regularly attended masses every Sunday, especially the Simbang Gabi, the nine consecutive dawn masses before Christmas celebration.

When I reached high school, my family joined the group of Mike Velarde’s El Shaddai, which made me more active in Catholic Church activities. I spent many nights in the PICC grounds in heavy rains and flood with umbrella turned upside down. We had considered the words of Mike Velarde prophetic, that we would receive more blessings from heaven by collecting rain water. Numerous times I raised three fresh eggs when Velarde performs his “pray over” ceremonies. I never questioned anything that this man told us to do; jumping three times, writing prayer request (with money of course) and attaching it to balloons so that it would reach heaven faster.

I was also an active youth participant during Word Youth Day in 1995 when John Paul II visited Manila. I remember when I was tirelessly waiting for the bullet-proof Pope Mobile to pass-by just to take picture of that man whom the Catholics consider the representative of Christ on earth.

During Lenten seasons, I regularly participated in visita iglesia and processions especially on Good Friday, the overnight walk to Grotto in San Jose Del Monte Bulacan.
Despite all these, there was an incident that triggered my mind into questioning the veracity of catholic doctrines. On a particular Good Friday, I made a confession to the parish priest. In order for my sins to be forgiven, he gave me an instruction to kiss the wooden idol in front of the altar. I was shocked and my mind started to challenge the catholic doctrine of worshipping idols: Why my sins can be forgiven by just kissing those wooden idols!

I started then looking for a new belief, a new religion. I tried to listen to Jehovah’s Witnesses when they regularly visited me in our house. I listened to doctrines of Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo; I attended several “Pamamahayag” through my uncle and aunt who were loyal deacon and deaconess of Iglesia Ni Cristo of Manalo. I attended several gatherings of Born Again Groups, MMCC, and the Pentecostal Church. I asked some of my friends who were members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church about their doctrines. I read articles of Islam.

I did all of these because of one thing: I was looking for the true religion after my disappointment to catholic doctrines. Since I was never convinced by any of these religious groups, in despair I decided to convince myself that maybe there is no God.

So I became an atheist at one point of my life. I studied science, the theory of evolution and other stuff the atheist people believe in order to convince myself that maybe there is really no God.

But deep inside, I knew there is a supernatural being that created all things. I read the Bible but I couldn’t find any group that would perfectly match what I read in the verses of the Holy Scriptures.

One day, a classmate of mine in engineering asked me a question that triggered my dying curiosity in religion. “Napapagod ba ang Dios”? was the question. (Does God get weary?) I answered “No.” He took the Bible in the library and read Isaiah 1:14 where God says he gets weary. He asked me again the same question and I answered back, “Of course, yes!” and cited the verse he read. But then he read Isaiah 40:28 where the Bible says God does not get weary.

He kept on asking question after question and giving answers directly from the verses of the Bible. Suddenly I felt my classmate (a member of Church of God International) knew something about religion. He knew something that I never heard from other religions.

I asked him, “From whom did you learn all these things”? He told me to watch on that night on SBN 21 the program “Ang Dating Daan”. There I saw the man who was teaching things I have never heard before.

That night was the first time I heard Bro. Eli Soriano on TV. There was something inside of me that I could not explain… a feeling of joy, the first time I felt in my life. I can still remember the moment when I finally told myself, “This is it, I found it!”

I finally found the true religion, the true Church of God in the Bible in 2001, so I immediately decided to join. There I learned that in order to be a member, I needed to fully understand and accept the doctrines of Christ in the Bible being taught to every aspiring members of the Church. I was enthusiastic then that I immediately joined the indoctrination sessions. I felt so much joy when I started learning one by one the fundamentals of Christian doctrines: to whom we should listen as our teacher when it comes to religion, how we should pray so that we can be assured that God our Father will listen to our prayers, and other topics that I never heard from any priests nor preachers of different religious groups.

But since I grew up in a religion that is very lax in following the commandments of our Lord Jesus, I was totally stunned when I started listening to the do’s and don’ts for a true Christian; discovering that this congregation truly and faithfully follows the teachings of Christ written in the Holy Scriptures.

That time I discovered that the first hindrance on my desire to follow our Lord Jesus Christ is my own self. Self-preservation and the idea that I might not be able to obey the doctrines of Christ prompted me to discontinue listening to the indoctrination.

Because of what I have learned previously from Bro. Eli’s preaching, I did not like listening to other religious preachers anymore. I could now easily determine the errors in their teachings. Although I was truly convinced that this is the true Church of God written in the Bible, I was being discouraged by my own self to serve God and follow His commandments. And so, for one year, I wandered spiritually.

Then the idea that one day Christ will judge all men on Judgment Day really scared me. I already committed many sins in the past. I realized that I was not ready that time to face my Creator if the Lord Jesus Christ would arrive on that very moment. I realized then that the divine fear that I felt was the driving force that brought me back to ADD Coordinating Center in order to listen, once again, to the most sensible preacher in our times, Bro. Eli Soriano, and learn the doctrines of Christ.

Barely a month after, I finished the indoctrination sessions on a cool Wednesday inside ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga. At 1:04 in the afternoon, December 18, 2002, Bro. Pablo Angue immersed me in the water of baptism. I cried for repentance of my sins, as I promised to God our Father that I will faithfully serve Him as a Christian for the rest of my life in the true Church of God. Thanks be to God, my entire being was totally changed thereafter.

I haven’t heard the saying, “Look into the teachings and not in the person” but only from him. So I craved for the teachings Bro. Eli taught from the Bible. I felt that I was a slave of a certain unseen force that I needed to escape and be freed.

By Crister Leal

I hadn’t known anything about Ang Dating Daan until my high-school days about 2001 or 2002 through a segment in a certain TV program of Bubble Gang titled, “Ang Dating Doon.” I didn’t know who those funny guys impersonated or spoofed back then till the music enthusiast in me craved for a music television channel.

I accidentally tuned in to SBN 21 where there were music videos back then, and found a program that showed a debate between religions. There I first saw Bro. Eliseo “Eli” Soriano of Ang Dating Daan. He was the host then of the long-running TV program, Ang Dating Daan. So, he was the guy they spoofed, the one that knew the Bible by heart.

In his program, I found the settings just like what I’ve seen in “Ang Dating Doon,” where there was a long table, a backdrop with trees and a pathway. I marveled at how Bro. Eli answered questions, all from the Bible. Even on debates, I saw how Bro. Eli triumphed against the other religions including my former one, the Roman Catholic. From there, I found myself addicted to that program; I found the truth.

But I was only a weakling high school teen back then, I knew my parents would get mad at me if I would join too early. So I waited. I was a choir guitarist in a catholic chapel way back then, but the teachings I heard from Bro. Eli were in my heart.

Whenever I was in the chapel I wouldn’t stand-up whenever the priest said so. I wouldn’t kneel down if the ‘Eucharist’ is held. I wouldn’t eat the ‘Host’ and most of all, I started not doing what they called the ‘sign of the cross.’ And with that the deacons and deaconess told me that I should behave well, but none of them did I obey. I had understood then from Bro. Eli about idol worship, about these signs and symbols that had no meaning for a real Christian.

Rumors came to me, from newspapers, from TV and from the internet that Bro Eli has too many law-cases and too many flaws. They said he is a rapist; they said he had libel cases and some said he is gay. When I heard all of those, I asked myself, how can that be? How, when all the teachings I heard from Bro. Eli are so pure and unblemished? I haven’t heard the saying, “Look into the teachings and not in the person” but only from him. So I craved for the teachings Bro. Eli taught from the Bible. I felt that I was a slave of a certain unseen force that I needed to escape and be freed.

Finally I graduated. No one can stop me now, not even the lies they throw at Bro. Eli. I’ve been listening for about 7 or 8 years. With the help of God I got baptized in 2010.

For the day of my baptism, I didn’t tell my mom about it days ahead. I only told her that dawn when I had to leave for Apalit. I didn’t wait for her lips to say something. I simply slipped past the door and went my way ahead.

My mother acted normal the first time but when I got active into various church’s activities especially in KKTK. Later on, she acted strange – not just like when I was a catholic that I came late at night from gatherings with friends drinking alcohol, barhopping and dating girls. Today she is madder when I went home late from church activities.

My father has reacted violently in text messages (because he is in Saudi Arabia) since that day I baptized, he’s texting that my church, the Members Church of God International, is a cult and was saying various things against Bro. Eli. There was a time when they almost dragged me out of the house when I got home from a trainees’ activity.

I haven’t had talks long enough with my friends from the choir group in the Catholic Church. My co-guitarist often borrowed my guitar and amplifier during Sundays way back then, but now he didn’t.

I had batch-mates in TUP-Manila that belonged to a Born-Again group named Lakas Angkan Youth Fellowship. Visiting their gatherings many times before, I found myself comparing that Born-Again group with MCGI. Bro. Eli’s teachings were in my heart way back then.

When my TUPian batchmates learned that I was baptized in MCGI some of them removed me from their friends’ list in Facebook. I had added their pastor-leader to my Facebook friends but he didn’t confirm my friend’s request. Meanwhile, my ex-girlfriend didn’t talk with me anymore after baptism.

Comparing my life before with my life now, for the flesh it was easier before. I got hired immediately. I was more relaxed at home resting at ease for I would not worry about mom and dad scolding me and blaming my 7 years in college. I could hang out with my friends and I can be dragged anywhere they go.

BUT I PREFER MY LIFE NOW. Indeed it is much easier before, and I can’t believe I am living this life now. Maybe it’s not me living anymore because without God I can’t do all these.

I haven’t seen Bro. Eli personally because when I got baptized he was not in the Philippines anymore. But what do I care if I haven’t seen him? I thank God for giving us a Brother Eli, because he introduced us the real teachings of Jesus Christ and taught us to endlessly thank and praise the true Almighty God. And all I can say is that Bro. Eli is innocent from all the lies which the enemies fabricated.

To this day, I thank the Almighty I’m still serving Him. To God be the glory!

As Bro. Eli speaks, I also sniff the shabu’s smoke from the filter. My two senses were taking different drugs at the same time: My nose was inhaling the shabu smoke, while my ears were tuned to the words of God in the Bible.

By Conrado Pagulayan

My life before I was called in the Church of God is what is called a “non-sense” life.

I was a drunkard. I was also addicted to drugs, particularly marijuana. Marijuana is usually smoked as a cigarette. One experiences some high when smoking marijuana. There is pleasure in it, but it can distort perceptions.

I also came to the point that I could not perform any task without taking any shabu. Shabu is a prohibited drug that is addictive and destructive. These are some of the following effects for an occasional user: i) Insomnia which can last for as long as three days; ii) You feel energized and alert; iii) It enhances activity , iv) There is increased sexuality, and v) It makes you lose your appetite. Some take shabu in order to lose weight. I was taking it for all the pleasure I derive from it. Just like Marijuana, there is pleasure in taking shabu.

To support my vices, I became a driver of a friend who was an extensive user of shabu. Aside from salary, I also received my personal shabu supply from them. That is also the reason I became more addicted to drugs, but this paved the way for my calling in the Church.

It was during one of those sleepless nights. This is one of shabu’s effects to me. Perhaps I was already experiencing long-term effects which can include among others, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia.

I was high at that time. To entertain myself, I turned on the radio. There, at that moment, was my first time to hear Bro. Eliseo Soriano’s voice.

While I was listening to Bro. Eli’s program, the Ang Dating Daan, I was also taking shabu. I was doing it simultaneously. As Bro. Eli speaks, I also sniff the shabu’s smoke from the filter. My two senses were taking different drugs at the same time: My nose was inhaling the shabu smoke, while my ears were tuned to the words of God in the Bible.

I continued on listening to Bro. Eli for quite a time. I kept tuning in to his program in the radio as I always longed for his voice. One day, I found myself more addicted to what Bro. Eli was saying. Because of Bro. Eli, I was more addicted now to the teachings in the Bible.

Listening to this preacher made me realize that I should change. Even before, I was dreaming of change. It just couldn’t be! I can’t remain with my vices.

But then I loved my vices. On the other hand, I also loved listening to Bro. Eli, which is why I decided to continue with both.

I think God has His own ways. I think God touched my heart. Suddenly, there were some questions in my mind that were answered upon listening to Bro. Eli. It is also the answers that made me come to my senses.

It was when someone inquired to Bro. Eli. That someone was asking, “How will someone know if he is being called by God?” Bro. Eli replied, “It is when you get to be interested with the words of God, if you are always searching for it”.

And then, it was followed with the question, “Would someone change by himself alone?” Bro. Eli answered, “No, if it’s only for man alone. He cannot change himself. He needs God to lead him in righteousness. If it is his will, God will help him.”

After that second question, another question didn’t leave my mind; the same question that became the basis of my affiliation. The question was “What if you are already faithful, yet you are not following the will of God, what will happen to you?”

Bro. Eliseo Soriano read Proverbs 1:24-31 which said something about hard-headedness, disregarding God’s counsel and God would not anymore listen but laugh at one’s calamity.

Proverbs 1:25-31 (New International Version)

25 since you disregard all my advice
and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me,
29 since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the LORD.
30 Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

I was astonished! From that time on, I kept hearing these words of God in my mind. It was like the “last song syndrome” that it kept repeating in my head. I have never heard of it before.

Now, it rings in my head. This happens mostly at a time I do something evil. The echo is there to remind me! It keeps me balanced, and I am now free of my vices.

Thanks be to God! I am now affiliated with this church, the Members Church of God International (MCGI). This is the church where I experienced fear of God and his laws. Now, I am a changed man. To God be the glory!

[ Conrad Pagulayan is a Group Servant, of the Locale of Cubao].

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 3,100 times in 2010. That’s about 7 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 9 new posts, not bad for the first year! There was 1 picture uploaded, taking a total of 14kb.

The busiest day of the year was November 28th with 556 views. The most popular post that day was Behold! Bro. Eli is telling the truth about Catholic Church Idols!.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, angdatingdaan.org, mail.yahoo.com, touch.facebook.com, and yirmeyah.net.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for marks of the seer, marksoftheseer.wordpress.com, voicing of add hymnario, marks of the seer wordpress, and who has eliseo soriano indoctrination studies?.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

Behold! Bro. Eli is telling the truth about Catholic Church Idols! November 2010
20 comments

I went seeking for Bro. Eli’s kind of Bible that makes him easily flip for a verse December 2010
12 comments and 2 Likes on WordPress.com

My Girlfriend asked me to Choose between Her and my Faith November 2010
10 comments and 3 Likes on WordPress.com

What was this preacher doing to my husband? December 2010
21 comments and 2 Likes on WordPress.com

The Message of Christ is Written in my Reformed Brother November 2010
16 comments and 1 Like on WordPress.com,

With my father, I did not ask permission for my change of faith because I could guess how he was going to react. So now, he was saying, “You live under my roof; why did you change your religion without asking permission from me? You have no respect! You can only make decisions like that if you are on your own!”

By Mark Jay Dulap

I was not a drunkard, nor a bad boy nor astig (tough guy), not even a drug user. I was part of a religious group that I used to believe was a true church – the Roman Catholic Church. The only difference is that it is a false church, a false religion. This, I came to find out later.

I am a former religion catechist and was an active member of the Roman Catholic Church in San Antonio Maria Claret Parish, a missionary organization in Zamboanga City. I was still studying that time, a high school student then.

I had entered three organizations in this church: the CYM or “Claret Youth Movers,” the Charismatic group Music Ministry, and then the catechists’ group. I was active for 7 years with the Roman Catholic Church.

Our house was just near the Parish. Every Sunday I attended mass and helped our priest in propagating the catholic doctrines in public schools. The same thing happened when I had vacant times after class.

Every month of May, we are assigned tasks in “Flores De Mayo,” the so-called Virgin Mary’s Month, to teach little children on how to pray “Our Father.” I had also a girlfriend that time whom I met at Flores De Mayo.

As I went along the way, I learned to love reading the Bible and I also loved to preach to the young ones. Then, I heard Bro. Eli Soriano’s Bible expositions on TV. Every night at 9pm I would watch this preacher on TV at IBC 13. I remember him warning: “Niloloko lamang kayo ng mga pastor niyo! Mag-ingat kayo sa mga bulaan propheta!” (You are just being fooled by your pastors. Beware of false preachers!”). It did not take long for me to realize that his teachings were very far different from what I was teaching the children as a catechist. These were simple canned question-and-answer lessons that children are asked to memorize. I cringed, learning that those I had been asked to teach were not true!

To my mind, this man is being guided by the Spirit of God because of his bravery in speaking out the truth. I recommended then to my fellow catechists and charismatic members to watch Bro. Eli on TV. But they mocked me saying, “Nagmumura yun!” (But he cusses!). I still continued my duty as an active catechist in the Catholic Church; at the same time, however, I watched Bro. Eli regularly.

As a member of the Roman Catholic Church, I was not completely convinced of my faith. Although I did not voice this out to my fellow catechists, seminarians, and priests, I was beginning to feel that the RC is not the real church. Since I loved reading the Bible that time, I found out that there are doctrines and practices that are not part of the teachings of Christ.

Ever since I watched Bro. Eli on TV, I became more and more convinced that the church or organization that I belonged to is not the real church established by our Lord Jesus Christ. I had been defending the catholic doctrines against pastors and Muslim critics, and now I had to stop.

Reading the Catholic Bible made me find out that not even a single doctrine or practice of the Catholics came from God. I didn’t believe that God is made of stone and wood or even plastic!

When I asked a question to my coordinator and fellow catechists about the Catholic teachings, they became irritated for lack of a rightful answer to me. They said I will only become a fool if I follow the whole Bible because no man can follow the entire teachings of the Bible perfectly.

As the priests appear in white clothes at the altar during mass to be seen by everyone, I felt that they are like apostles or men of God. But, after the mass they smoked outside the parish church. Smoking is not for those sanctified; I was to learn that from Bro. Eli.

Some of the brothers (those who are to progress as priests later on) even brought girls to their office homes. My cousin, a former sacristan, can testify to these things. He sees what they do in these places.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the sign of the cross that I used to do, I became more afraid of it! I learned it is a sign of the Anti-Christ, sealed in the hand and forehead. The waters that they used to bless people are simply waters that came from faucet; they just prayed on it so that, according to them, it can now devour bad spirit. But we were taught it is really blessed water! Those images I used to respect, I now see them as mere manikins!

I knew that their so-called Holy Communion every Sunday consisted of eating bread that merely came from the bakery. Every “holy week” of March they made penitence or sacrifices for a Jesus that dies every year, but then they repeat the cycle of a sinful life afterwards. They also prayed to a Mama Mary for the souls in purgatory to be saved while there is no purgatory mentioned in the Bible! What weird teachings!

After some four months, I decided to go and look for a locale of the Church where Bro. Eli preached. I got so curious of him and made up my mind to ask for a Bible. Perhaps there is a difference in their Bible that made Bro. Eli easily flip for a verse.

Thank God, I found one Church locale by just asking the tricycle driver to bring me to a locale of Ang Dating Daan. This group is known by this name in the country. Lucky for me, one was just nearby in the side of the street.

I was invited to an impending mass indoctrination as they had no stock of Bibles that time. These are usually being given away during Bible expositions. So I went home empty-handed. I also wondered why every time I asked a tricycle driver to bring me to the Church locale they only agreed for a fare of 10pesos!

God may be really calling me now! Why are things getting difficult? I attended every night the indoctrination sessions without the knowledge of my active friends in the Parish. I was feeling that this is the true church that God had established. God is now calling me to be part of the church!

Before the end of May came, I was already thinking many times about my shift of belief. This was on how to explain to my friends and loved ones that I will be leaving the Catholic Church and its beliefs. I was thinking of what could be their reactions if they found out.

Later, I decided to get baptized. During that day, a shining light from the sun scattered all over the water! I was so happy that day. I was baptized on the river of Upper Pasonanca on July 24, 2002 by Bro. Rodel Mangiliman. I was in fourth year college that time.

Earlier on, my parents would resent seeing me watch Bro. Eli teach on TV. Now that my father came to know I got baptized in the Church, he got really angry with me.

I did not ask permission for my change of faith because I could guess how he was going to react. So now, he was saying, “You live under my roof; why did you change your religion without asking permission from me? You have no respect! You can only make decisions like that if you are on your own!” My father is a “Serado Kandado Katoliko” which means: “I was born a Catholic, I will die a Catholic.” I could only do nothing that time but cry.

Rumors spread about my whole family in the whole Basilan Province in my father’s side. It would make another round of a story of hatred because of my new-found faith.

We still eat together as a family. The only problem was that my father would often remind me that I made a wrong decision in joining the Ang Dating Daan. I could not watch anymore TV programs of Bro. Eli if my father was in the house. Bawal na! (Forbidden!).

I did not say anything to the priests nor to the brothers as a sign of goodbye. I didn’t sleep in the parish church and make it as part of my home anyway. We have our own house that is a walking distance to our parish. I didn’t know what the priests were saying about me. I am sure, however, that they got the idea that I left them because our neighbor family reports to the parish.

I remember my last day before I left the Catholic Church. I was then totally convinced that it is a fake church! It happened on the last day of May 2002, an ending day of Flores de Mayo. I kept on staring at my students in Flores de Mayo and even looked up the ceiling of the parish. I said to the children without talking to them, “You will have to be on your own now, because at the end of this day I will pack my bags and leave behind all the abominable teachings of the Catholic Church.”

My girlfriend left me eventually, and I felt that the world was so unfair. Why is this thing happening to me? Being downhearted, I kept to myself. I stayed at home reading the bible.

When my fellow catechists, charismatic and youth members found out that I became a member of the Ang Dating Daan, they reacted as expected. All of them, including those who were supposed to be brothers in the church maintained a distance from me. They showed me faces of hatred and displeasure.

My friends in catechism and coordinator said: “Sayang ka Mark bakit ka pa nagpalit ng religion, isa ka pa naman sa magaling na catechists.” (It’s such a waste! Why did you shift religion? You were one of the best catechists we had!).

They didn’t smile at me anymore unlike before when I was with them. The other former friends of mine in the parish said: “Hindi ka magiging masaya sa buhay mo dahil nagpalit ka ng religion.” (You will never be happy in your life because you shifted faith!)

I can only say I found the real church; this is my home this is where I belong. I pray to God that he will open the minds of these people like what he did to me.

Later, I met some of my students in catechism. They had become Church workers! (Mangagawa). Thank God, we met in the true church!

I am so happy because I am now a member of the true church established by Jesus Christ. Bro. Eli is the only one who had enlightened my path, who opened my eyes, who opened my heart to know the truth, and that is why I am here now in the true church. I now understand why Bro. Eli can easily flip the Bible pages for a verse!

Whatever people may say, I have learned and am still learning many things when I joined the true church. It is miles and miles away from the Catholic faith which I used to profess.

Just like this man asking questions, my life had become complicated at the age of seventeen. I did not know whom to cling to. I didn’t know where to go.

By Jennifer Copo

Just about the time Prince Charming was about to propose to his princess in a romantic drama series I was watching, my cousin suddenly switched the channel which pissed me off. I kindly confronted him wanting him to realize his disrespectful attitude. He was just quiet and never said anything. Since he was older than I was and I was aware of his ill-temper, not to mention that I was also scared of him, I had no choice. I would have to watch whatever he would be watching.

It was a Soriano guy he was watching most of the time. The same Soriano that annoyed me most of the time too. And so I had had to patiently watch TV with him, my Prince Charming story had to wait.

My cousin eventually got baptized in the Church of this preacher. I had sensed that eventually it would have to be that way. One time, I was at home alone reading when he came handling his Bible. He taught me Biblical things, seemingly indoctrinating me. After that we seldom saw him staying at home. Our neighbors said he was always at a Church locale in a particular place. Few months after that, he had to move to the province because of his work. My cousin was gone, but of course my life continued.

I was 13 years old then. Very young.

It was during my Senior High school that I realized I wanted again to listen to that man’s voice that I got disgusted with four years ago. I never knew this preacher’s full name until such a time that I realized his importance in my life.

There was something in him that made me long for the things he discussed in his teachings. I’ve tried searching for him, for his voice. I knew I would be able recognize his voice the moment I would hear it again.

“Pray to God and ask for His help to guide you in knowing the true church and it will lead you in knowing the true meaning of your existence and purpose in life. God will never put you down. Just always ask for his guidance.”

These were the words I’ve first heard from the preacher that my cousin usually watched. They were his answers to a man who asked why humans were created by God. He had asked advice on how to make his worthless life meaningful.

Just like this man asking questions, I had my life become complicated at the age of seventeen. I had no parents to support my teenage life. I was living with my relatives then but I became rebellious to them. My situation that I could not detail here was at its worst. What does a teenage life usually deal with? Matters of the heart? My needs at this point needed some answers but I did not know whom to cling to. I did not know where to go.

I distrusted everybody because nobody understood me. This was a time I felt so, so low. In my feelings of emptiness, the words of that preacher would ring in my ears, soothing me, providing me a way out. “Pray to GOD and ask for His help to guide you in knowing the true Church. It will lead you to know the true meaning of your existence and purpose of life.”

How I longed to hear that man’s voice again. I decided to listen to him attentively the moment I could find him. I realized that he was different from other preachers. There were new truths I was learning from him that I have not heard before. I noticed that he gets everything he says from the Bible.

In my search, I failed to find him, however. Later, I was to understand that, that was Bro. Eliseo Soriano and that he was not allowed to broadcast in national television. I couldn’t understand why a preacher like Bro. Eli should be stopped from preaching. They said he was having problems with a rival church group that was influential with the censors.

My cousin came back to our house fortunately. Since he was a member of the Church, I had a longer opportunity to listen to Bro. Eli’s Bible expositions and debates. These were neatly entered in compact discs so that even if we could not access him on TV, we could continue learning. I felt that I didn’t want to stop listening since then. Bro. Eli’s teachings gave me inner peace and happiness and I was ever hungry for more.

Finally, my life took a turn. I was in better control. I no longer felt empty and misunderstood. I wasn’t homeless and without a family. From Bro. Eli, I learned that God is sufficient from all points – that he could both be mother and father to those without parents. Most of all, I learned the purpose of life and how it could be meaningful.

On July 4, 2003, I was baptized in the Church of God. It was my most special day because since then my life had taken on a Biblical meaning. I started to live as a true Christian. I began shunning away evil and living clean. I left whatever was an ugly past.

Up to this moment, I am learning with God’s help to feel the joy of being a member of the Church, and being with Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel that I consider to be the true preachers of God.

Through them, I am able to understand God’s Word unknown to many great and respected people. Blessed indeed are those whose minds were opened, and I am one of them. I could never explain the effect, as well as the influence, they have made in my life and to many people I’ve known.

Sometimes I would sit back and think of what my life could have been, had I had not known the truth. Perhaps I would have been a battered wife, desperate and needy at a young age, unable to handle my family’s needs.

Or perhaps a career woman, self-centered, selfish and having a lust for fame and money. I might have been someone uncaring, with no concern for others but myself.

Or perhaps I would have been dead by now, for I might have committed suicide because of hopelessness.

Perhaps one of these misfortunes could have happened to me, had I not known the truth. Because of God’s kindness, however, He had mercifully called me to His Church.

God led me to a life according to His Will that is teaching me the very purpose of my existence.

[Bro. Daniel is Daniel Razon, Vice Presiding Minister to the Members, Church of God, International or MCGI. He is next in rank to Bro. Eli.]

I prevented him from watching the show and that was the one thing in common between me and his family. We did not want him to be attached to this Soriano thing in any way. But like a real rebel, he continued watching. He would only shift to another channel when he saw me coming.

By Alma R. Evardo

It was in 2003 when I and my husband decided to live together, but we were married in civil rites the year before. We were leaving with his parents that time as husband and wife. However, between the two of us, we have so many things uncommon. We often fought in so many ways and almost every night. It came to a point that his whole family became an enemy to me.

Because of that, I felt that my life was so much ruined. I found myself deciding that I was wrong in marrying him. And oh! He had promised me a grand wedding that would be remarkable among our families and friends! But where was it?

As days past, I noticed my husband watching over a television program titled Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) and Itanong mo Kay Soriano, Biblia ang sasagot (Ask Soriano, the Bible will answer). I understood that these were about biblical matters but that they were so much foreign to my own. In the Roman Catholic Church, watching programs like these is not expected. You get your instruction about religion from the priest. And so I started persecuting him.

I threatened to leave him. I kept warning him that if he entertained joining that group, our relationship will not work out. Above everything else, I dreaded a husband with a different faith and belief as mine. But as days passed, his eyes were still glued to that Ang Dating Daan TV program. “Better tell your parents that there will be no Catholic Church wedding coming because you are joining another religion,” I nagged him.

My husband simply smiled and said nothing. Nevertheless, I prevented him from watching the show and that was the one thing I had in common with his family. We did not want him to be attached to this Soriano thing in any way. But like a real rebel, he continued watching. He would only shift to another channel when he saw me coming.

My husband eventually started getting cold to me. He would sleep with his back turned to my face. He refused to do the sign of the cross. He had also stopped bringing the rosary with him like he used to do before leaving home for work. And that made me think, what was happening to my husband? What did this man (Bro. Eli Soriano) do to him? To the extent that the picture of this preacher was now appearing as wallpaper in my husband’s cell phone! But presto I deleted it! I hated it!

Later, we decided to move in to another house owned by his parents and settled on our own, but it was just a wall away from them. Over here, it remained a pre-occupation yet for my husband to keep watching the Ang Dating Daan show. The difference was that I realized I did not prevent him anymore. Instead, I found myself also watching Bro. Eli Soriano.

Oh, my! This preacher is telling the truth! And he reads direct from the Bible to prove his point! There were many things he said that opened my eyes. From then on I started loving to watch the program. I saw myself believing in everything Bro. Eli was saying. Eventually, I told my husband that he could now join that church where Bro. Eli is, and forget about his promised grand wedding for me.

With the help of Bro. Romanito “Tom” Maunahan, who was my co-worker at California Pizza Kitchen ATC branch, we were able to access the address of a Church locale situated at Signal. Right then, I helped my husband find the locale because he was in a hurry. He only had a month left before he would move to Taiwan to work for Eva Airways.

And so, one afternoon we tried to find the nearest Ang Dating Daan Coordinating Center. I could still imagine the mocking of the tricycle drivers from whom we inquired about the exact location of the Center. No tricycle driver was willing to bring us there. Instead they laughed and mocked us. And so my husband told me to stop asking because he noticed that most of the tricycles had the three-colored sign of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

We decided then to just walk and find it on our own, but we had gone so far already and still didn’t know our way. I got irritated and told him to ask again for some help, but he refused. I shouted, “Look, I have work at 4pm and it is almost 3pm. If you really believe that what we are going to do is God’s will, can’t He touch someone’s heart among the people here to bring us to this Ang Dating Daan Coordinating Center?” In not less than three minutes after I had said that, there appeared our high school classmate with his motor cycle and helped us get there.

My husband started attending special indoctrination sessions, finished it in just a week, and left to Taiwan for work. He got baptized on April 22, 2005.

I could say I became a believer also, but at that time, I was not yet fully decided to join the group. It was because of so many things. For example, I didn’t like wearing skirts; I wanted to shape and shave my eye brows. In short, I was very much vain.

Alone at home, my life changed. I stopped watching the Ang Dating Daan show because it was suspended. I understood later that it had problems with the Movie Television and Radio Classification Board (MTRCB). The camp of the Iglesia ni Cristo had filed a case against it and the MTRCB gave them way. I started to smoke and spent money extravagantly. This lasted for some five months.

One day I realized that I was no longer happy with my life. But why? I had money that ordinary people cannot have. My husband was giving me monthly allowance, and I also had my salary. However, I was not happy. I felt like there was something missing.

I decided then to resign and look for God. I went to the Ang Dating Daan Coordinating Center of Bagumbayan, Taguig and inquired for indoctrination. Someone from there approached me and told me to come back on a Mass Indoctrination scheduled on a November 16 of that year. And so I did. On my first day of indoctrination, I started to recall the past days of my life. They played instrumental music. I can’t remember what song that was, but I started crying. I cried a lot and asked myself why just now these things came to me.

I could not explain my emotions at that time. It was just that I was contented sitting there and listening to the lectures on Church doctrines. The days went on and I kept attending the indoctrination sessions.

I enjoyed them immensely and I found out on my own what Bro. Eli Soriano did to my husband during his calling time. God had changed him! God had changed me too. Through Bro. Eli Soriano, we were able to hear God’s words.

Finally, I finished my indoctrination and got baptized on December 9, 2005. I thank God for giving us Bro. Eli Soriano and Kuya Daniel Razon. Later, my youngest brother and my parents had joined the church also.

Thanks be to God! To God be the Glory!

We always closed the shop on Saturdays, which I thought was the only time not appropriate for the business to close. It is the only day the business is good. When I asked them why, they simply answered “We go to Church! Okay!??”

By Joseph Gil Custodio

When I was growing up I studied in a school run by “born-again Christians” from nursery to high school. We were taught by the same in other private schools, except that we were obliged to attend Sunday schools, Christian living classes, chapel days. We were taught to memorize verses, read the Bible, and other stuff. I found these things seemingly religious but very confusing.

I wasn’t new to the whole Bible-Christian-living thing, when I was growing up. My mom was too persuasive when it came to going to church on Sundays, but I wasn’t into it. I was lazy waking up on Sundays.

So back in college, I still attended a church of the born-again but not with the intention of really worshipping. The church had a service which catered to younger people like me, and in this case, some local celebs or kids of actors and actresses were attending the service. Their so-called “praise and worship” felt like a rock concert, I found myself amused with it and thought to myself it was cool attending. But still, the hunger for truth kept bugging me.

I was a very hard-headed person, a happy-go-lucky, careless individual who only thought of himself and did lots of stupidity back then. I did not concentrate on my studies as a fine arts student so I wasn’t able to finish. I was drunk almost every day and night, partying or just doing something to feed my hunger for some gimmick. I numbed myself of frustrations in life by smoking much marijuana.

I still remember an event one night, because there were not many programs to choose from on late night programming. While browsing the channels, I came across two guys. They seemed to be mocking at each other at first, but as I watched, I realized they were on a very intense debate. This guy, who seemed to be the fans’ favorite, smashed his opponent with verses after verses from the Bible of clear evidences of what he was trying to prove. At that point I realized this guy is the real deal! I recognized him to be Bro. Eliseo Soriano or Bro. Eli of Ang Dating Daan.

Well, at first I wasn’t a big fan of his, though I had this guilty pleasure of listening and watching him every once in awhile. I was very much entertained with how he knows the Scriptures from cover to cover. However, I was still a prisoner of my wicked deeds and didn’t take time examining the doctrines he was preaching.

At the age of 20, something big struck me in the head, bulls-eye. My girlfriend, also as young as I was, got pregnant and as a product of my stupidity, we tried doing some stuffs to abort the baby. Moreover, due to some unfortunate events, I wasn’t able to defend my thesis, which meant I could not finish my degree. I was a student then facing a problem of how to sustain my wife with my own money. We were so afraid to reveal things to our parents, so then, I felt like the whole world dropped on my back and I was very miserable.

After some 5 months I learned to accept that this was my fate, that the baby doesn’t have anything to do with my problems. I learned to be happy and be excited about her birth, but it wasn’t God’s will for me to be a father that time. My baby got miscarried! The feeling of emptiness came like a huge blanket covering me, suffocating me till I felt like I didn’t want to live anymore. I was so dumb.

When the doctor gave the baby to me, I was stupified to find that she was stuffed in a huge empty bottle of mayonnaise! Perhaps that was so because I told him I will bury the baby later. With the baby on my hands I felt like sinking; I felt like I was hanging atop a building with only my aching finger to keep me from falling. It was as though the rush of blood in my head wanted to burst out from my ears. I thought that dying was my only way of escape. I felt worthless, and all I did was cry.

My wife suffered stress due to my selfish actions. Her water bag broke, and she lost a lot of amniotic fluids. We were hiding her pregnancy so I wasn’t able to take her to the hospital on a weekend until we could see each other on a Monday. So basically she would have died with my baby if I were not able to rush her to the hospital. She was bleeding for almost a day, and the baby died inside her.

I said sorry to my wife while she was lying there staring blank at the hospital ceiling. I was a coward! I was afraid to recognize that there is God ready to answer my fears. I was afraid to lose the freedom I had: the never-ending nights of sex, drugs and rock-and -roll. But I really felt sorry, really felt guilty. While feeling so all alone, I forgot there is God – the God I needed to turn to – to change my miserable life.

After going through this ordeal, with the help and mercy of God, everything went back to normal again. I decided to take my life seriously to the point of seeking God.

I met 3 guys, one of whom was my sister’s high-school classmate. They were big like the guys you see as metal rockstars. Big muscled, poker-faced, long-bearded, and quite frankly, they seemed like some people you won’t want to mess with. The other guy was thin but was mischievous looking. So then, I had a deal with them to establish some sort of a business venture.

We had a small advertising shop, because they were into arts, and I was also into it. We hanged out together, did all our stuff together, made friends, and eventually we all got ourselves comfortably with each other.

But at some point I found them interestingly unusual. First, my family owned a small restaurant. I used to bring some food for us to eat so that we can save money while manning the shop. But then they would always ask every detail about the food’s history. Whatever it is, they needed to find out before munching the grub, as if they were monkeys trying to check the food first before eating, and that looked weird to me.

Second, we always closed the shop on Saturdays, which I thought was the only time not appropriate for the business to close. It is the only day the business is good. When I asked them why, they simply answered “We go to Church! Okay!??”

Third, one event happened, so I asked them that if they wanted to chill out, I will take charge and buy some booze and we’ll relax. Right, after saying that, I saw their faces as if I said something offending that they instantly wanted to rush outside to puke or whatever. I was really confused yet still interested, to hang out with them.

One time I was cleaning the shop, I saw a CD under the office table, saying DEBATE. Immediately I felt excited, because I had started getting fond of watching Bro. Eli debating with people. However, I wasn’t expecting to get that stuff from them. Actually they didn’t tell me about those kinds of stuffs until I and my wife got really interested with their faith and started asking some questions.

While all my questions were answered by them clearly, when they asked me questions, those questions really bothered me, not for days but months. It was because I couldn’t answer or even justify my answers to them. For them, I just stared in amazement that those questions would come from those guys who looked as if it would never cross their minds to read the bible or even be interested with religion.

I was looking at their outer being, not inside, so I wasn’t really expecting those things from them at all. As days passed, my venture with them got really deep and every time we got together we always talked about the Bible, and yeah, they kept on asking me questions. When I asked, all their answers were, “Ask your pastor,” so sometimes I would get pissed off. At the back of my mind the pastor I know would go nuts if he’ll try to answer just one question they gave like, “Where was God living when he didn’t yet create the Heavens and the Earth?”

I spent half of my life living in confusion, so there; at that point I decided to end it. I think I found the Truth a long time ago. I’ve been wanting to know, to answer all the questions about religion. At that point I only knew one person to turn to, to answer all those mysteries, all those unanswered discussions regarding faith and religion, and most of all, about God. That person is Bro Eli.

After being invited to a “Grand Pulong” at that time or “Bible expo,” I felt very welcome. Upon entering the venue, I felt people were expecting me to come as if they knew me. Every time I turned to those guys whose smiles were a way of communicating that they are happy to have me as their guest, I felt really at home. I felt refreshed; I felt this is it!

And then after that, our Business partners never saw us for a month or so. They thought we were not even interested or that we despised their faith. Little did they know we’ve been undergoing indoctrination sessions. And when we saw each other again, we were now equally all brethren in the Church! We all cried for joy, realizing this.

For those things that intrigued me, I was to find out that members of the Church of God International, where Bro. Eli preached, do not eat blood, the strangled, the double-dead, and food offered to idols. That is the reason they do not simply eat any food without knowing the source. As to Saturdays, this is the day they spend for weekly Thanksgiving and in the evening, the Worship Service. Profits on these days do not mean anything to them because God is their priority. They remain in Church. Finally, members of this Church do not drink liquor. Suggestions for drinking do not appeal to them.

Six years have passed but I still remember every detail of the events that led me from darkness to light- events that had changed me with God’s help. I don’t regret those things. They have somehow made me realize how lucky I am to have found the answers that for a long time I had been waiting for. I had wanted to live a life with reason, to have wonderful preachers like Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel. These are the preachers who give their lives selflessly for people like me to have another chance, to live according to the will of God and truth written in the Bible. Thanks be to God!

[Joseph Gil Custodio is a Church member from the Locale of Qatar.]

The TV program that night ended, but I could not explain the feeling inside of me. I got very angry with Bro. Eli! I hated him! It was maddening! And yet it was the truth! I was contented with what I heard, but I did not entertain it.

By Jocelyn Cervania

I clearly remembered my days when I was still a member of the Catholic Church. At primary years, it was a school requirement to attend Sunday Mass and ask the parochial priest to affix his signature to our index card as proof of our attendance.

I was also then a member of the Legion of Mary, where we study the life about Mary, mother of Jesus. My interest to serve God increased and in my own understanding of how to show it, I started joining some church groups introduced that time. I went to nearby churches that celebrated their saint’s day. I always made myself present in every traditional practice of the Catholic Church. For that, in my own assessment, I was an active church goer and religious person. In all those days I had spent, we studied the Bible very minimal.

At my collegiate years, I felt a hunger deep inside of me. Despite continuing the church services every Sunday and the usual practices, I still had the feeling of discontentment. And such feeling of discontentment drove me to look for another religion.

I attended once the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) worship, and after learning that Jesus is not God in their doctrine, I discontinued attending. Many times, too, I had attended Born-Again Movement groups, and I thought I found already what I was searching for. My enthusiasm, however, began to wane every time they preached about contributions. I knew it was in the Bible, but I had the feeling that there was something wrong.

I first heard the televised preaching of Bro. Eliseo Soriano in my friend’s house when I visited her. Her mother was an inactive member of the Members Church of God International (MCGI) that Bro. Eli preached. I clearly remembered that it was due to the “gayak” doctrine (Christian Dressing) that she discontinued attending. I didn’t understand her explanation then. Also, I wasn’t interested much; neither did I clearly understand Bro. Eli’s preaching at that moment. I had other interests, and so I never heard Bro. Eli again.

Later, my life turned sour; I had emotional problems, but my newly-found religion (the Born-Again) did nothing to comfort me. I found myself wanting my desperate life to end as I was so depressed that time. My depression turned to frustrations. My frustrations turned to sins. And those sins turned me into another human being – alive but with a life so meaningless.

Having had acquired insomnia, I stayed late watching TV. And that was the second time I heard Bro. Eli at SBN 21, when there was no other channel airing that late night.

Bro. Eli preached with much boldness and bravery, and each time he read Bible verses to prove what he was saying. This time the topic was about the practices of the Roman Catholic Church regarding idols. I ran to fetch my Bible and hurriedly looked for the verses for myself. I had doubts then that he was telling the truth.

Behold! Bro. Eli is telling the truth about Roman Catholic Church idols! Lo! The Bible verses are written very clearly, he is telling no lies! God is much displeased with idol worship! For many years, I had believed the opposite.

The TV program that night ended, but I could not explain the feeling inside of me. I got very angry with Bro. Eli! I hated him! It was maddening! And yet it was the truth! I was contented with what I heard, but I did not entertain it.

The next night, something was telling me to watch again the program”Ang Dating Daan,” and I did. At the same time, there was also something pushing me to change the channel and stop listening to Bro. Eli. I prayed so hard to God with tears, asking Him for His guidance. Deep within me, I knew that I had found the true religion! It was the one I had been searching for a very long time!

I have no words to explain my feelings every time I hear Bro. Eli’s preaching. I find myself contented. This preacher was sent by God, for he is telling no lies. He is just reading the Bible to explain and to answer everyone. I have my Bible on me, and I can verify everything he is saying.

I never went to the Catholic Church again: neither to the Born-Again groups.

On June 8, 2007, together with my husband, I got baptized. We are very fortunate to be members of the Church of God International!

[Jocelyn Cervania is a member of the Locale of Amaya, South District, Cavite.]

I think the same thing happened to me because I am not evil and all I knew was that in life there is God. But I didn’t know what He was for. After I was able to listen to Bro. Eli, it was like magnet that I could not stop listening to him anymore. I was never like that before; spiritual things were not my interest.

By Onyx Rivera

I am a former Catholic. My mom is a Catholic through and through, while my father is a former member of the Iglesia ni Cristo ni Manalo (INCM). But that had been a long time ago back in Laguna. My father left that because at first he thought it was the true church.

His siblings were fighting and so he left home for Manila and there got married. Almost all my relatives from my father’s side are members of the INCM. You might be curious about me, but I hope there will be a time that I can convince them to be with me in the true service of God.

I had classmates in High School who were from the INCM but we never did discuss differences in our faith. Neither did they invite me to visit their chapel. I was still a catholic then.

In August 2001, two of my childhood friends introduced to me the Ang Dating Daan. One of them was a Catholic and the other, a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. I refused to listen and watch that TV program which they zealously did. I ignored my friends and said, that’s okay; we can have different faiths. And as long as we remain friends, I will respect your faith.

That was my belief then, until it was my turn to listen to Bro. Eli without noticing that I was getting addicted to it. This was between August up to September 2001. I learned Bro. Eli is Bro. Eliseo Soriano, also a preacher.

I went to a Grand Meeting, the same one being held by Bro. Eli in many places. It was held near our place, in Rasak Sports Complex. I thought I needed a Bible and so I went to SBN 21 in Strata.

It was on August 21, 2001. I saw my classmates there; I even greeted them before I would ask a question to Bro. Eli. I was one of those lined up to ask questions regarding anything in the Bible and he would answer – direct from the Bible.

On my way home, I was riding on a jeepney by Gabby’s, and I thought to myself, Wow! I was able to do that! Because, you see, I am very shy. Later did I realize that I was seen on TV, on the Internet, in the studio, and heard on the radio! So that is how it is when it is God who moves you! This is something!

I was alone in the jeep reflecting. One night when I was yet a Catholic, I was in bed wishing I would find the true religion if this one (RC) is not it. I asked God to show me. But I was surprised why I asked that. Wasn’t I in the true faith?

I like Bro. Eli because he has mastered the Bible and because he tells the truth. I would write and write in my notebooks the new truths he was saying. That was the reason I asked for a Bible from him.

My indoctrination sessions lasted to about a month. It was a worker then who administered them live. I was very happy whenever I watched Ang Dating Daan. My feelings were so light that I gave priority to the indoctrination sessions to the extent that I and my girlfriend parted ways. She had asked me to choose between me and my church.

I told her, Sorry, but I would have to choose this Church! It was so painful but because of my newly-found joy I stood my ground. She asked me, “Is it me or your Church?”

How good indeed is our Lord! I and my girl friend resumed talking to each other after I got baptized on October 12, 2001. On November 30, 2001, or a few weeks later, my girlfriend also got baptized. I could not ask for more.

God has been so good to us. My girl friend is now my wife and we are blessed with a child who reminds us of many things in our service to The Almighty.

Later on, my classmates also became members of the Church, now registered as Members Church of God International (MCGI). This is where Bro. Eli preached, the TV host of Ang Dating Daan. I got baptized ahead of them, however, on October 12, 2001 by Bro. Rodel Mangiliman in Apalit, Pampanga.

Do you remember what happened to Bro. Eli about getting and buying the ADD Convention Center in Pampanga? Didn’t he tell us that at that time he did not know why he had to buy a fishpond? What was he going to do with a big, big fishpond? Including those big tracts of land around, what were they for? Why were people selling those to him? Later on, he realized that it was for a Convention Center to be built!

I think the same thing happened to me because I am not evil and all I knew was that in life there is God. But I didn’t know what He was for. After I was able to listen to Bro. Eli, it was like magnet that I could not stop listening to him anymore. I was never like that before; spiritual things were not my interest.

Whenever it was Bro. Eli preaching, it felt so good listening to him. My parents wondered why I had to hide in my room the radio because my papa was using it. So there was a Bro. Eli to listen to; there were my classmates to invite me and challenge me to listen to Bro. Eli; there was the radio so I could listen. So I dumped my girl friend for the indoctrination sessions because faith was more important. These were all the events that led me to my request to God to show me the true church. He will supply the right thing at the right time anyway –just like my wife now who is also my sister-in-faith.

Those were the days. What is important is that I got affiliated in the true church. I hope to be able to continue in God’s service.