Profiles Of Converts To The True Church Of Christ [Iglesia Ni Cristo]

To: The Public
Here's your chance to undestand the spiritual mindset of those who converted to the true Church of Christ [Iglesia Ni Cristo]!!! Examine them and may the true God [not the Holy Trinity of the Roman Catholics and Protestants nor the Holy Quadruplets]will fathom and search your hearts and minds so that someday you will be us in the true worship which is exclusive only to the Iglesia Ni Cristo in these last days!!!
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Edwin Pobre, former Baptist
posted by TheBrotherhood @ 4:00 PM
Why I became an Iglesia Ni Cristo member
By Edwin Pobre
Locale of Long Island City, New York
I THANK GOD for sparing my life several times in the past to give me the opportunity to find the way to salvation. I also thank God for utilizing Brother
Efren Navoa, who invited me to a Bible Exposition in July 1996, and his wife, Sister Lita, who patiently guided me until my baptism.
I was a former Baptist and have always believed that the Bible is the word of God. As a Baptist, I was made to believe that salvation came by faith alone and not by works; that all one needs to do to be saved is to accept Jesus as his personal savior.
I remained strong in this belief until my father-in-law told me that one cannot be saved without works. According to the Bible, he said, faith without works is dead. He tried to convince me through their own published interpretations of the Bible. However, it occurred to me that their interpretation was self-serving.
Nevertheless, doubt started to creep into my mind and I began to question how one can be saved by a dead faith. I talked to a lot of Protestants from different sects about their opinion on this matter, but I quickly realized that they were in the same boat as I was. They all believed that faith alone can save man.
Having the approval of my peers, I remained in my belief that I have been saved because I have accepted Jesus as my personal savior. I believed that no matter what I did, good or bad, I was entitled to eternal life.
Today, I shudder at the thought of what might have been had I not known the Iglesia Ni Cristo before I passed away.
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Post 1........to be continued....
Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 2...to be continued...
I met Brother Efren Navoa in 1993 but we never had the chance to sit down and talk about anything else but business. I had a stroke the following year, crippling my right leg and arm. As I recovered, I accepted an offer to get involved in a marketing organization, where, by coincidence, Brother Navoa was also involved in. One day I saw his Iglesia Ni Cristo ring. I was intrigued and was prompted to ask him about his beliefs.

Brother Navoa discussed with me his beliefs, telling me that only the Iglesia Ni Cristo will be saved. He went on to tell me that the Father is the only true God and that Jesus is a man, not God. He told me that the Iglesia Ni Cristo is the same Church that Christ established in Jerusalem and that Brother Felix Manalo is the messenger sent by God to fulfill the Biblical prophecies referring to the reemergence of the Church of Christ.

My pride was bruised. I was hurt because everything he said ran counter to my beliefs. But I had always believed that when there are two opposing beliefs, it is possible that one is true and the other is false, or that both may be false. But I was certain that it was impossible for both to be right.

I wasn't the type of person who debates over religious beliefs, but since my own and my children's salvation were at stake, I was compelled to search for the truth and determine which belief is right.

To me, the Bible is the ultimate arbiter of religious disputes among professed Christians, so in order to search for the truth, I read the Bible for the first time in 27 years. I consulted the Bible to find out if what Brother Efren told me were true. But as I started searching, I quickly realized that studying by myself was impossible. I needed someone to tell me what to look for and where to find it. Eventually, I got tired and forgot about it until four months later when Brother Efren invited me to another Bible Exposition.
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 3....to be continued...

When Brother Efren handed me the invitation in July 1996, I was actually very eager to go although I tried not to show my eagerness. I expected the Bible Exposition to be just like all the others I have gone to. I even suspected that the Iglesia Ni Cristo had its own version of the Bible to support its belief.

The exposition turned out to be very different from what I had expected. The format was unlike anything I’ve seen before. The minister simply asked questions that I’m sure everyone was dying to ask, then he simply answered the questions by reading the Bible He did not tell stories or jokes nor used flattering speech as evangelists and pastors do. What amazed me was how the minister connected seemingly unrelated verses like a jigsaw puzzle to present the whole picture of salvation. He was using several versions of the Bible, none of which was their own.

Many questions entered my mind. I wanted to know about God's righteousness regarding sin, about his will regarding salvation. Once and for all, I wanted to settle the issue of whether faith alone can indeed save man.

Quoting directly from the Bible, the minister read the invitation of Jesus to enter the door of the sheep and related it to what the Apostle James said about faith and works. It made sense to me that if one has true faith in Jesus, entering the flock must be the first act or work to prove that faith. He went on to explain the relevance of the Church and the righteousness of God regarding sin. He pointed out that Jesus is the Savior of the Church and that it was for the Church of Christ that Jesus died.

I learned that while every man must pay for his own sins, Christ paid for the sins of His body, the Church. I understood that in order for Christ to pay for a man's sins. that man must first be one with Christ in His body, the Church.

While I believed everything that I heard to be true, the question that bothered me most was why I needed to become an Iglesia Ni Cristo member. As far as Baptists were concerned, everybody belongs to the 'Universal Body' of Christ and all religious groups are mere denominations of this universal body. Somehow I still held on to my reservations regarding membership in the Church of Christ.
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

I spent the following week talking with my Protestant friends. They gave me a heavy dose of Greek and Hebrew Biblical translations to prove that the Church is irrelevant to salvation. I found this extremely hard to digest. I looked forward to another Bible exposition.

Then I met the real Jesus in the next Bible exposition. The Jesus that I have been made to believe was a God. But for the first time in that Bible exposition, I heard Jesus praying to His Father, and referring to His Father as the only true God. I also heard Jesus talk about Himself as a man with flesh and bones and not the one true God. I was certain that this is the same Jesus who is called God by Catholics and Protestants, and the same Jesus who was the son of Mary and the same Jesus who died on the cross.

The following day, I spent three hours with the resident minister, Brother Tom Guingab, Jr. to ask questions about the universal Church of Christ which I believed I already belonged to. I also asked him about the different verses which Protestants believe indicate that Jesus is God. Patiently, Brother Tom pointed out that the original Church established by Christ was misled by false preachers. Citing Bible prophecies and historical accounts, he patiently traced the history of the Church up to its reemergence in the Philippines through God's last messenger Brother Felix Y. Manalo. His delivery and explanation of the various verses quoted by those who teach that Jesus is God made sense to me. For the first time, I learned that the doctrine of the Trinity which Protestant pastors explain as a mystery is actually a doctrine made up by the Council of Nicea in 385 AD by the Roman Catholic Church, which Protestants themselves believe is the apostate Church.

After the meeting, I spent nights going over the verses I had written down. I attended various Protestant Bible study groups and asked them what they thought about the doctrines I have just heard from the Iglesia Ni Cristo. I talked to pastors to find out how they would handle the issues. I got a variety of reactions, most of them irrational. Some even tried to prove Jesus wrong when He said that the Father, and not Him, is the only true God.

I wondered how one could profess belief and faith in Jesus yet tries very hard to prove Him wrong. To my simple mind, if the Father alone is the true God, as Jesus Himself said, then common sense dictates that Jesus cannot be God.

I attended another Bible exposition, but this time, I had already come to the conclusion that the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s doctrines were more scriptural and rational than my former belief. I decided to know more about Iglesia Ni Cristo’s doctrines, signed up for their Bible studies to receive the basic doctrines. There was no pressure in this decision. I thought that if I'm not convinced by the end of the studies, I could simply back out. I thought that I didn't have anything to lose by listening. I thought that I had more to lose if I didn't listen because these doctrines might turn out to be right after all.

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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 4.....The End

I requested Brother Tom to conduct the Bible study at my home so I could get my wife and children to listen as well. For several weeks, Brother Tom came to our house after his regular Bible studies at the chapel. He could have been resting in bed during those times, but I'm extremely grateful that he was patient enough to come. I am grateful for the brothers and sisters who welcomed me into the fold like a long lost brother. They are too numerous to be mentioned here by name, but thanks to God, their labors were not in vain. My wife and I received the Holy Baptism at the same time. One of my four children is currently undergoing the probation process.

I pray that one day, my other children will also humble themselves enough to let go of what others have taught them, listen to what the Iglesia Ni Cristo preaches and use their God-given intelligence to rationally distinguish the right doctrines from the false ones.

I became an Iglesia Ni Cristo because its teachings are more scriptural than the doctrines I used to believe in. I am now convinced that the Iglesia Ni Cristo is the true Church of Christ for which Jesus shed His blood. I invite everyone who truly desires to be saved to join our Bible studies and make sure that they're on the true way to salvation.

Published in God’s Message Magazine, September, 1997, pp. 16-17

posted by TheBrotherhood @ 3:46 PM
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Hey everyone look at this guy Rizalino Arrabis! The gayest man you'll ever see!

http://www.yasni.com/rizalino+l.+arrabis/chec...

To: The Public
For inquiries about the true Church of Christ [Iglesia Ni Cristo}, kindly log-on to www.iglesianicristo.ws !!!
You can also watch our NET25 TV and GEM TV [Global Expansion Media or log-on to its respective website!!!
You may proceed also to the nearest true Church of Christ chapel near your place!!!
And all of you are invited to our First Centennial Celebration this coming July 27, 2014!!! See the true Brotherhood in its Glory and Stature!!!

To: The Public
Here's a woman who no longer likes the False Holy Trinity and the Holy Quadruplets:
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Saturday, June 11, 2005

Erlinda Mirafuentes-dela Cruz, former nun

posted by TheBrotherhood @ 9:47 AM

A farewell to the nunnery
By ERLINDA MIRAFUENTES-DELA CRUZ

I was born and baptized into the Catholic Church. My grandmother taught me how to pray the Angelus and the rosary daily. My early childhood was replete with different sizes of statues of all saints elaborately dressed like mediaval beings and arranged on the altar where we knelt before them as we recited long and repetitious prayers in their honor. My mother, Dominga Calderon, taught me to have a personal devotion to all souls in Purgatory. I became a prayer leader of the novena for the dead especially during All Souls’ Day in the cemetery. I devoutly observed different practices such as fasting and abstinence during holy week and the nine-day novena in preparation for the feast days of the honored patron.

Many years had passed and my spiritual knowledge was deeply rooted in the catechism. I observed diligently the reception of the sacraments, particularly holy communion, confession, and other para-liturgical services. Through the help of my spiritual confessor I became a catechist when I was a senior in high school. My heart was filled with so much love and burning zeal to spread the glad tidings by teaching the catechism in public schools. As a result of this missionary commitment, I decided to enter the convent in order to serve God in a very special way as a nun.

First, I joined the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) congregation in the year 1979. I stayed with this congregation until 1987. Then from 1988 to 1994, I joined the Sisters for Christian Community (SFCC), an international congregation. I became a perpetually professed Sister but everything was in vain.

I sought God’s kngdom for 14 years as a nun but I felt there was a vacuum deep in my soul. I started to doubt my religious vocation as a nun. I got tired of reciting and chanting long prayers. I felt a complete dryness in all spiritual exercises. I kept on hoping that someday I may be able to overcome this inner torment.

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Post 11...to be continued
Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 2... to be continued...

Then one day, as I was about to leave the country to go on another missionary journey, I met Aldy Perez Dela Cruz, an active member of the Church of Christ(Iglesia Ni Cristo). In one of our sharings, he graciously invited me to observe the way the Iglesia Ni Cristo worships God. Full of biases and inhibitions I hesitated for about three times. I refused his invitation because I thought then that the Iglesia Ni Cristo was “Iglesia Ni Manalo.” Furthermore, the thought was imprinted in my memory that changing a religion is committing a mortal sin and my soul will be damned in hell. I was scared.

Suddenly, I remembered the thrust of Ecumenism as promulgated by the Vatican Council II. Inspired by this, I curiously observed the Iglesia Ni Cristo worship service at Putatan Chapel, Muntinlupa City. To my great surprise, I was deeply touched by the hymn sung by the choir. I couldn’t help but join the brethren in crying throughout the hymn-singing. More so, I was overwhelmed by the impact of the preaching of the minister about the relationship of parents and children.

After few weeks I felt a craving, hungering and thirsting for another worship service. I attended the worship services several times, and then I realized that the true light was gradually shining in me. I finally decided to listen to the doctrines of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. The lesson that dealt with the sign of the cross were the focal points of my conversion. I was so terrified when I learned the true meaning of the sign of the cross on the forehead. I thank God for the gift of Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the messenger of God in these last days. I felt extraordinary gifts from God right after studying the first ten doctrinal lessons.

At last, I felt deep within my heart that I found His kingdom in the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Truly ispired by His light and love, I immediately wrote a letter to the SFCC Sisters in the USA, requesting them to dispense me from my vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. I was officially dispensed from my vows on April 10, 1994.

I joyfully continued studying the remaining lessons until April 30, 1994. For more than six months I was tested on how faithful I was in attending the worship services. Most of the time I attended the worship service in Dagupan City.
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 3....End...
I observed that the more I attended the worship services, the clearer my faith and conviction became that the Iglesia Ni Cristo is the answer to my spiritual dryness when I was inside the convent. The solemnity and orderliness of the worship services, and the teaching that is purely taken from the verses of the Bible, were totally absent from the Masses I heard in the convent. I would experience the power of God and His mighty blessings whenever the ministers and deacons lead the prayer. I had never felt these extraordinary graces when I attended Masses or any liturgical services when was a nun.

Finally, on October 1, 1994, I was baptized into the only true Church, the Iglesia Ni Cristo. This is the most unforgettable date in my life.

“But seek first his kingdom and hs righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."(Mt. 6:33, NIV). This passage in the Scriptures is truly fulfilled in my life now that I am a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. I found His kingdom in this Church.

I pray to God that He enlighten the minds and touch the hearts of all religious nuns and priests, that as they see the kingdom of God in their respective convents, they may be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to listen to the teachings of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. May they become more receptive to its doctrines that will lead them to true happiness, freedom and peace. May they become authentic followers of Christ through the teachings of the Scriptures, the only source of faith, that will lead them to salvation and to become true heirs of the new heaven and the new earth.

For all my brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends, I pray to God that, through the ministers and members of the Iglesa Ni Cristo here in the Philippines and abroad, they be graciously called into the true Church of Christ and be saved on the Last Day.

Published in God’s Message International Magazine, November-December 1996 issue, pp. 8-9

posted by TheBrotherhood @ 9:34 AM
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

To: The Public
Here's my Officer and Gentleman [U.S. Navy Chaplain] who joined the true Church of Christ!!! Learn from him:
POST 1....to be continued...
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Teodoro G. Dizon, former priest

posted by TheBrotherhood @ 9:24 AM

I was ordained as a CATHOLIC priest
Story of a former Roman Catholic priest

I am TEODORO G. DIZON from the Locale of Miami, Florida. I was born in Camiling Tarlac, Philippines, to a family of practising Catholics. At the age of 11, I became an altar boy, assisting priests on many Catholic activites like fiestas, masses and other religious celebrations. I observed the works and sacrifices of the priests in serving the people. Drawn to this kind of service of being close to people, I made up my mind to become a priest and, at the age of 14, entered the seminary in Pangasinan, Philippines.

It was in my fifth year in high school (equivalent to first year in college at that time) when I heard about Brother Felix Y. Manalo and the Igesia Ni Cristo(Church of Christ). The priest mockingly said that, upon the demise of Brother Manalo, the Iglesia ni Cristo would vanish. I had the impression then that the members of this Church were unified only because of the dictates of Brother Manalo, which is why people, including me, referred to them as members of the "Iglesia ni Manalo" (Church of Manalo).

I was ordained as a Catholic priest on April 1, 1962. My first assignment as a new priest was in Concepcion, Tarlac. It was there where I received a call from a minister of the Igesia ni Cristo, inviting me to a Bible study and discussion. I tried to ask permission from my superiors but was told not to go. Now I realize that, even then, I was being called to the true Church, for altough I was not able to respond to that invitation, I was really interested to learn more about this Church.

In 1967, while I was assigned in Luisita, Tarlac, I was chosen to be sent to study in Rome. I was there for two years, studying Pastoral Theology and completing the degree of Licentiate in Sacred Theology. From Rome, I went to the United States in 1970 and became assistant parish priest in one of the parishes in the diocese of Broolyn, New York. In 1976, I applied to be a U.S. Navy Chaplain.
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 2...to be continued //Former Roman Catholic Priest who converted to the Iglesia Ni Cristo....
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I had a second encounter with the Iglesia ni Cristo in 1978 when I was assigned to the naval training center in Orlando, Florida as a chaplain in the navy housing compound. There I met and became close friends with Brother Romeo Manalaysay, then head deacon of the Orlando congregation, and his wife Ligaya. I even let them use the navy chapel for their worship services when their congregation did not yet have permanent place. At that time, Brother Lorenzo de Vera, the minister from Jacksonville, Florida, was one of the ministers being sent to officiate the worship services. Since I was responsible for opening and closing the chapel, I attended the worship services. During those times, I felt the call of God working in me and my belief in Christ as God was changing. Nevertheless, I argued and debated with Brother de Vera and another minister, Brother Dominador Santos, on certain religious issues. As my knowledge of the true teachings of God increased, I continued attending the worship services faithfully. I even had a chance to meet the late Brother Cipriano Sandoval during one of the special occasions of the Church.

I was subsequently assigned to Guam, where I continued attending the worship services of the Iglesia ni Cristo when, at the same time, leading and saying mass as a navy chaplain. From Guam, I was assigned to Barstow, California, where I met Brother Reynaldo Valdez, the minister assigned in Riverside locale at that time. After officiating the worship services in Las Vegas, Brother Valdez passed by my place to conduct a Bible study. By this time I had aready decided to leave the priesthood and study the doctrines being taught in the Church. Around this time, I also met Brother Paul Membrere, then district minister of California, who advised me to continue my Bible lessons. When I moved to Miami, I continued my biblical studies under Brother Danilo Besa, a volunteer worker.

On February 3, 1986, I was baptized in the Locale of Jacksonville, Florida by Brother Venros Santiago. This was the happiest day of my life on this earth. All the doubts in my mind, especially about Jesus Christ as a man, were cleared. I was also impressed by the unity and brotherhood among the members of the Church and the ordeliness that is being observed during the worship services.
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Post 3....End////Roman Catholic Priest who converted to the Iglesia Ni Cristo...

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My conversion to the true Church was the happiest moment in my life. It freed me from the shackles of Catholic Church and her hypocrisy and false teachings which are contrary to the words of God written in the Holy Bible. I am presently a deacon and committe auditor in the Locale of Miami. I advise those who are not members of the Church, including the Catholic priests, to carefuly read the Bible especially the verses pertaining to Jesus Christ that He is not God but man. And to all the members, be more active and dedicated to our membership. Let us be firm and steadfast in our faith because this will help the new members become more stronger in the Church.

FOOTNOTE:

During my Philosophy and Theology years in the seminary, our professor in Religion named Bernard etrais remarked that, someday, the Philippines will send missionaries to the distant lands. I thought then that it would be the Cathoic Church who would do that, but now I realize with firm faith and conviction that it is the Iglesia ni Crist that is sending ministers all over the world.

I would like to thank the following ministers: Brothers Angel Casanova Sr., Felix im, Al Casanova, Angel Casanova Jr., Leopoldo Ricardo, and Manuel Andaya, the present district minister of the Southeastern Seaboard, and all the other ministers and brethren who helped me become a strong member of the Church. I would also like to extend my sincerest gratitude and love to my dear wife Agnes and to my daughter Kimberly, who both hold offices in our Locale of Miami, and to my in-laws, Brother Amado and Sister Aurora Tanedo, Sisters Arlene and Mel Tanedo for their acceptance and support. But most especially, I thank the Almighty God for giving me the light and calling me to serve in the true Church, assuring me that if I succeed, I would certainly receive the promised salvation come Judgment Day.

Published in God's Message Magazine, International Edition, October-December 1999

posted by TheBrotherhood @ 8:33 AM
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

To: The Public
Here's another Roman Catholic Priest who converted to the true Church of Christ!!! Learn from him:
Post 1...to be continued..
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April 15, 2010
Converts: Another "ex-Catholic priest"

Note: This is from Pasugo Marh-April 1979 issue

The End of my Search for the Real and True Light

Theophilus Darku

(LIFE AND PRIESTHOOD)

Among the classical pieces of the masters, Handel’s “Messiah” has always been food for thought for me. The part that engaged my attention the most, was one taken from Isaiah 9:2 "The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;...". I have come to love and play this piece very often without recognizing the impact it would have on my life in these last days. Another portion, from Isaiah 9:6, also got my attention. It reads, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This verse eventually made me eager to seek the light diligently until I found it. But let me touch on this later on.

Right now let me introduce myself. The name is Theophilus William Darku, born in Cape Coast Ghana, West Africa on June 27, 1927. I come from a Catholic home with five other brothers who are all Catholics. My father died a Catholic, last February at the age of 73. My mother who is 74 years old is still living. I was a Catholic priest from 1953 to 1973. Let me interest you with a brief story about my first name. When I was born, my parents found out that I was sick. My mother told me I never cried even I was hungry; I never showed signs of something being wrong with me. I just lay there. This disturbed my parents very much; and as all parents would do, they tried everything and consulted doctors to get me well.

Eventually on July 28, 1928 they gave me up, and took me to the church to be baptized, so that I would die a baptized Catholic. The old priest was amazed when the story of my sickness was related to him. He remarked “God loves this child that he preserved him till this day of baptism.” So the baptismal name he gave me was Theophilus, meaning lover of God. And that was how I, Theophilus William Darku, came to be nicknamed “God’s animal” when I started school.

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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 2... to be continued///Another Roman Catholic Priest joined the true Church of Christ...
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I attended St. Francis Catholic Elementary School. Then in 1942 I desired to become a Catholic priest. I went to seminary’s secondary school—ST. Theresa’s Seminary. It was wartime then, and the seminary was used as a strong hideout by high officials of the British army. As a result, the seminary was moved to join St. Augustine’s secondary school. It was at St. Augustine’s that I finished my secondary education in 1947. In 1948 I went to St. Teresa’s seminary to study philosophy for two years, and theology for four years.
On Dec. 8, 1953 I was ordained a Catholic Priest at St. Francis cathedral which is in Cape Coast, my home town. My first assignment was to go back to the seminary and teach Latin. I taught in the seminary till Sep. 1954 when I was appointed assistant pastor to work with an old priest. I soon found out that I had to cater to 36 outlying towns and villages which were several miles away from the central station. Very soon the number rose to 72 when another section of the region was added. I was incharge of all Catholic schools and churches in that region. I visited and stayed in each town or village once every two months. In 1958 I was transferred to another region where this time I had 60 towns and villages under my ministerial domain.
Let me mention a few of the many things I did in these towns and villages. First, I was the ass. Manager of the Catholic schools in that region. I paid the teachers salaries at designated centers; set up bookstores for the sales of school books, equipment and church materials; made a quarterly accounting on equipment and maintenance grants received from the government; checked school and church reports, records involving teachers, students and cathechists, always taking proper action when necessary to correct and improve the prestige of the schools and churches as well. I also officiated at church services—baptizing, hearing confessions, performing marriages and burial services. In short, I was doing everything a Catholic priest does. In june 1960 I was appointed chaplain to a Teacher Training College, where I also taught mathematics, history, religion and did other duties as part-time chaplain for Ghana Army, Navy, and Air force. In 1965 my bishop sent me to visit Rome, Amsterdam, and England, but through special contacts and arrangements I was able to travel parts of Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Holland and England.
Then in August 1966 my bishop asked me if I would like to go to a university in the United States and study business Administration. He also asked me if I was willing to do parish work while pursuing my studies in the United States. I naturally agreed to whatever he suggested because I was eager to get out of the country. On Oct. 17, 1966, I arrived at St. Rita’s church in Indianapolis. After the formal introductions and other such things I was shown my place and work.
In 1968 I landed in the Indiana University school of business, where I got my Master’s degree in Business administration. In 1970 I decided to join the Dominican Priests, so that when I went home in the country, I would be able to start a Dominican house there. Since in my country all the native priests are secular priests, I thought my going back as a Dominican would give aspirants to the priesthood a choice between secular and regular priesthood. My hopes were shattered when I found out that my bishop had written the Dominicans not to accept me.
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 3......to be continued///Another Roman Catholic Priest joined the Iglesia Ni Cristo...
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I used to spend my summers preaching in the northeastern states of the U.S to raise funds for the churches in my country. It was during one of these summers in 1971 that I questioned my bishop, when he visited the church I was working about his letter to the Dominicans. He spoke many lies to me, and finally I told him that if I couldn’t go to the Dominicans I would never work for him, and I would leave the priesthood. For a time I felt disillusioned. Human elements have crept into this work. I became aware that the churches are no longer for our good but for our goods. This bothered me very much. I decided to serve my God not according to the scheming and money-making devices which are a departure from the so called truth. Commercialism in the church, and the special attention its fluent members received, became apparent to me.
In Aug. 1973, a friend of mine, who is now in the University of California in Sta. Cruz invited me to spend my vacation with him and find time to acquire a teaching assignment in the University there. I considered his suggestion and so, in Sep. 1973 I arrived in San Francisco in the first leg of my trip to Santa Cruz. Then, I changed my mind about the continuing journey. I told my friend that I would rather stay in San Francisco.
In the meantime, I had written to St. Rita’s Church in Indianapolis that I was no longer in the priesthood and that I was looking for a job in San Francisco. I encountered many obstacles here in my efforts to find a job. Eventually, through the enthusiasm of dome ex-Catholic priest in San Francisco, I agreed to accept any job until a better opportunity could present itself. So in May 1974 I started working at Bechtel Corporation. Things were not good for me and there were still people who looked to me for help and advice. As a result I stopped communicating with people who have known me. Only my parents and brothers had my address and knew my whereabouts.
In the midst of all disappointments, I decided I would not belong to any church anymore until I have ended my search for the light. So I read my bible at home, stayed out of trouble and communicated with Jesus. But then a verse in the Bible bothered me, Jesus said in Matt. 18:20, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.". this text engaged my attention for a long time and it became the reason why I would attend any church on Sunday, in order to be assured of Jesus being in the midst of the gathering. But then, I objected, because some of these gatherings are not really in the name of Jesus as most of the time the hidden aim is in the name of money. I concluded that my prayers still lacked the proper power, but I continued with my search for the real light, until something happened to change my life.
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Hey Rizalino you don't mind that I posted your pictures do you? Just thought everyone would luke to see the oldest gayest INC ever. You should be proud!

Bwahahahahahahaha

Post 4......to be continued///Another Roman Catholic Priest joined the Iglesia Ni Cristo...
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It was June 1976 when a friend casually told me,“Why not go to the Orient for a meaningful life?” I said,“What do you mean by that?” She said,“You have been a Catholic priest for 20 years now and you are no longer a celibate. Why don’t you find a wife from the Orient? Orientals are noted to be very good wives.”. I told her I was not interested, but I have put before the Lord to give me a good and faithful wife. My friend gave me the address of a lady—Eugenia B. Banares, After much hesitation I wrote to the lady in Hongkong. Very soon some interest was fostered and the line of communication was opened and became frequent. In 1977 we talked about marriage but then there were the usual obstacles from the Immigration. Since we are not married yet, she couldn’t come to the U.S.A I was not an American Citizen so I had to wait till I became one. At the end of March 1978 I was called by the Immigration office to appear in court in San Francisco for my citizenship. Eugenia, whom I call jeannie, has been praying for this too.

Jeannie would be coming to the USA and I must find a way to make more money. I decided to write a request of transfer from my present job, to a better one. I was confident that with a new resume I would get one of those top jobs though it might take me away from California. Everything was set to go. Then came the spoiler. On april 21, 1978 I was told that according to my request for transfer I had been scheduled for an interview for a new job, and I was given three days to decide if I wanted it. I didn’t know iw as taking a step that was going to influence and change my future. At the same time I was thinking of the copies of the resume I was ready to send out. I called up Jeannie that night to ask her to keep on praying.
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 5......to be continued///Another Roman Catholic Priest joined the Iglesia Ni Cristo...
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(TURNING POINT)
On april 25 I went for my interview for the new job. It turned out right but then I had to go and see the person who was given me a detailed description of the things involved in that work. The date was set for the 27th and 28h of April. On the 27th I went to see Brother Raul Nepumoceno, the person who was leaving the job I was supposed to take. After describing everything he asked If I would take it. I told him I would. Then came the switch. I told him I used to be a Catholic priest. I told him I just clung to my Jesus—my God and all. Then came the retort: jesus is not God. I said,“Look here, this is what I have been taught in the Catholic Church and this is what everybody believes in the Catholic Church.” Then he said,“The minister of my church can prove to you from the bible that Jesus is not God but a mediator.” I told him I could also prove from the bible that Jesus is God. So he invited me to visit his church on Sunday, the 14th of may.
After the worship service I went to see Bro. Rizalino Santos who was going to give me proofs that Jesus Christ is not god. At first I thought I could easily refute his arguments with two verses from the Bible to show that Jesus is God—Isaiah 9:6 and John 1:14. However, he took the wind out of my sails when right at the start he quoted I Cor. 4:6, which admonishes not to go beyond what is written. How I admire the calmness and dedication of Bro. Santos that day. I was convinced that Jesus Christ is not God . he proved it beyond doubt and I was ready to get up and leave, when he said,“Now let me show you who Jesus Christ really is, from the bible.” I was really amazed. My treasured verse, Isaiah 9:6, couldn’t prove the divinity of Christ. I, therefore, asked Bro. Santos if I could get his notes on all the proofs that Jesus is not God. He told me he would going to Oakland for a ministerial class that Tuesday, and if I was willing, he would pick me up for the class. I agreed wholeheartedly. After the class, he suggested that he come to my Apartment on Saturdays for Bible study on Doctrines. I told him it was alright to me.
Later, out of pride I said to myself “If Christ is not God, so what? I am not going to attend any church again. I can stay home and just read my bible and stay close to my God.” I told myself I would attend one last doctrinal lesson and that would be final.
Before that, however while reading God’s message, the magazine of the Church of Christ, I was struck by John 10:9—cited in one of the articles—wherein Jesus says, I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.. Then I asked my self, how does one enter?(The answer to this was revealed to me later in that last class which I promised my self to attend.) Then I found a stronger power in my old text—in Matt. 18:20 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.", Could this possibly happen in the gathering of the Church of Christ? More curious now, I became wager to be in the gathering.
It was during this class that I met Bro. Fernando Ibarra, who, with untiring efforts, kindled my interest in the Church of Christ and continued persistently with many calls inviting me to attend diff. functions and worship services here and there. I can truly say that Bro. Ibarra, ahs been instrumental in my conversion to the Church of Christ. We used to chat on the power of Christ that I find in the gathering together of the members. At times when I didn’t want anybody bother me, Bro. Ibarra would insist on picking me up for a worship service, a church dedication, or a baptismal service somewhere. I am grateful that God has used him as the instrument for me to see the great light I read about in Isaiah 9:2.
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 6......to be continued///Another Roman Catholic Priest joined the Iglesia Ni Cristo...
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On the 26th of Aug. 1978, I was baptized in Redwood City. It was a real happy day for me, to realize how all my sins were forgiven and that the Good Lord had turned a new leaf for me.

As soon as I got to my apartment I phoned my cousin who was studying at the Christian Theoligical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. I told him with a shout,“Hey! I have found the light.” He asked,“Where?” I said,“In this Church of Christ.” He said,“Don’t deceive yourself, all churches are made for money.” I said,“Not this one. You have to see it for yourself.” Then he asked whether the church has any literature. I said there is the magazine called PASUGO or GOD’S MESSAGE. He said,“Send it over a thorough perusal.” So, I mailed him the PASUGO issues from Jan. to July. Anyway he has promised to come in Dec. to see the Church for himself. I then called my youngest brother who is studying in Indiana State University and told him about the good news. He is also coming in Dec. this year to see for himself. I then wrote to my girlfriend Jeannie telling her I have found the true light and that my search is over. I even gave her the address of Bro. Pastor palacios in Hongkong. She went immediately and I got a postcard from her saying that they have started the Bible Study sessions. I called another friend telling that I have found the light. She said,“You have now fallen from grace to grass.” I said,“It is the other way ground. You are still in the grass and I have gone up now. I know because it is in the bible, always—come to the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

Now I thank the Almighty for leading me in these last days to the true light. In my heart I feel sad for my friends who embraced the Catholic faith but, because of pride, fail to make a true search for the light. I have compassion for the other people in my country who will embrace this light with joy and enthusiasm, but now have no one to bring this to them. I am sure that it’s God will that they should be saved too, and a way will be provided by the Almighty himself. No one knows his designs.

For my brothers and sisters in the Church of Christ I say, hold fast to your membership because “”(I pet. 5:8). As I said, there is sufficient power in the gathering together(Mt. 18:20). Stay with the Church always, for Christ is coming. We are in the last days, you know!

Now I wish and pray that more people will be called by God and given to Christ to be saved. Outside the body of Christ—the church of Christ, there is no salvation—the bible says it clearly. Be saved and enjoy eternal bliss. This is coming from a former Catholic Priest. I was a priest for twenty years and I know what I am saying. It’s all in the bible—the inspired book of God. Outside the bible, its all human talk—not for your good but for your goods.
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Real Elias Ibarra
Guam