I got a new conscience that tells me what not to do!

The moment they sang the Doxology, my eyes were not closed; I was curiously observing everyone. Again, I asked myself: Why is it like this? I was having at that moment goose bumps all over my body. It seemed like they only have one voice that has one route: heaven. I didn’t know what I should do.

By Ruperto Movilla Jr.

I didn’t know anything about Bro. Eliseo Soriano before. He was just a byword to me. The one who was affiliated with the Members Church of God International (MCGI) or Ang Dating Daan (ADD) as it is locally known, was my eldest brother. I only got affiliated when I was 21. At that time we were residing at Quezon or Lagro in particular. Our landlady was not yet a member also in the church. I think that was the reason why she was exactly kind to my brother.

I had heard mocks against Bro. Eli and about the organization being a cult. There were also inquiries that question the doctrines of the church, which was obviously intended for the church’s infamy. In my desire to know the real state of my brother’s church, I planned to go with him in a gathering. What I didn’t know was that he really wanted me to go with him.

Twice then, I had been to Apalit, Pampanga where the Convention Center was based. The first time was when the impending New Year of the catholic calendar was approaching. We were supposed to be with our relatives as is the practice of most Filipinos. Instead of going to our relatives we spent the New Year in the thanksgiving of the whole congregation of MCGI.

In one of the gatherings that I had attended before, I heard some words from Bro. Eli which until now rings in my mind. He said that according to the Bible, “when it rains, the heaven opens.” This is the idea that made me get interested in the Bible.

I kept on attending gatherings, even up to the time that I was in our town, Olongapo. I went to Church locales just to hear the teachings of the Bible.

Affiliating with the Church, however, was not in my mind at that time, until one very memorable prayer meeting. This was the second gathering that I had attended. Everyone closed their eyes, praying: The church worker on duty, a man in old age, prayed. I felt a really strong emotion or some kind of unexplainable spirit that was present in that gathering. Even though it was not my intention to cry, I automatically bursted into tears that I just couldn’t control. I cried in that prayer meeting thoroughly.

Through that, I developed faith. I told myself, this congregation is different from the others – this church that my brother is affiliated with. Starting that moment, it seemed like the word of God had penetrated within me. I just couldn’t stop attending the gatherings.

Again, my brother took me to Apalit. In the gathering, when the congregation would sing, Bro. Eli was the one initiating the singing of songs of the Himnario. Then, the congregation followed. Everyone within the congregation was following what Bro. Eli was doing. I am wondering how they all memorized these songs: are they practicing together? I kept thinking about it.

Another thing was when the congregation sang the Doxology. The moment they sang the Doxology, my eyes were not closed; I was curiously observing everyone. Again, I asked myself: Why is it like this? I was having at that moment goose bumps all over my body. It seemed like they only have one voice that has one route: heaven. I didn’t know what I should do. What happened was that I was motivated to continue attending gatherings. The sad thing was that I was not yet affiliated with the church that time.

Things changed when I went home. I left Quezon and went back to Olongapo City (our real home). I can say that, there, my affiliation with the church was truly hindered. I was being persecuted for my new-found faith. My elder brother knew about my situation. He immediately negotiated with a church worker to visit me in our home.

Bro. Gary Galvan, was the worker assigned for me. He conducted Bible Studies in our house. Then, afterwards Bro. Ricky Lugto was with him. He was the one who taught me about the doctrines, live. Luckily, with the mercy and help of God, I had finished the indoctrination sessions. I am now affiliated with the church.

I did not regret having affiliated with this church. I felt the real guidance of God in MCGI. Through Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel I fully understand what the Bible says. I can now say that this is the true church here in the face of the Earth, teaching the incomparable truths of the Bible.

Here, there are preachers who are always ready to help, even though they did not know a person personally. If I recall how I was before, I would say that I have really changed. Before, it was my habit to curse every time I spoke. Even with just simple tete-a-tete my expressions contained curses. Surprisingly, that was gone. Sometimes I sort of let out a curse, but there is some kind of this conscience that I have never felt before. It reminds me that I shouldn’t do cursing.

Truly, there is a spirit guiding these people, and there is the spirit of God guiding Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel. Perhaps, if I didn’t have the opportunity to hear them nor know anything about them, I would still be in the darkness of this world.

[Ruperto Movilla Jr is a regular church worker of Pampanga Division and is now 9 years with the Church.]