Hard-hitting but sensible, truthful and sincere; He is God's messenger for this generation
“. . . But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood . . .” Gal. 1:15-16
ELISEO FERNANDO SORIANO was born on the 4th of April 1947 in Pasay City to Triunfo Soriano and Catalina Fernando, and was the 7th of eight siblings composed of five boys and two girls.
Brother Eli, as he is popularly known today to his millions of members and supporters all over the world, went to study at a late age of eight due to extreme shyness and inferiority complex. But despite that, he became a consistent honor student, from his first grade until third year high school. Barely three months to go before graduation, Brother Eli’s inclination leaned towards studying the HOLY SCRIPTURES. He found the Words of GOD in the Bible more interesting and more rewarding that he decided to give up school in favor of spending his time reading the Holy Scriptures . . . practically unmindful of the would-be academic honors that he might reap.
In April 7, 1964, exactly three days after his 17th birthday, Brother Eli was baptized in Seneguelasan, Bacoor, Cavite, and became an official member of the Church of God in Christ Jesus.
Bearing in his heart the intense and passionate zeal to serve the Lord, Brother Eli joined the ministerial class a few days after his baptism. With the help of the ALMIGHTY GOD, he turned out to be every inch a minister of Christ. He became an epitome of dedication, sincerity, and hard work. He exemplified what the apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to TIMOTHY, which said, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be though an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
In 1969, the late Brother Nicolas Perez, who was then the church’s Presiding Minister, made Brother Eli the sole recipient of the title “minister” . . . thus making him the only minister in the Church that time. Making it clear, then, that the aging leader was grooming his young protégé for a future responsibility.
When Brother Nicolas Perez died on 1975, Brother Eli served as a pacifier to a group of believers whose spirits were dampened by the unexpected death of their acknowledged leader. Although no one was formally appointed to be the official successor, Brother Eli nurtured the flock and did his best to keep it intact. He taught them that the death of their leader did not mean the disintegration of the church. But without him knowing it, his former colleagues had a dark scheme against. Driven by extreme greed for power, Levita Gugulan launched an underground machination to malign and discredit the person of Brother Eli. Her group masterfully crafted lies and disseminated ill information against him to destroy his credibility to the members. They did not endure sound doctrines. Having itchy ears, they heaved to themselves teachers after their own lusts. They turned away their ears from the truth and have turned unto fables.
Seeing this, Brother Eli, together with a few hundreds of members, immediately left the group. And in 1976, they registered Members of the Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Ground of Truth, Philippines, appointing Brother Eli Soriano as its Presiding Minister.
At a very tender age of 29, Brother Eli led a rather small flock, mostly composed of members who are older than him. He untiringly worked hard to propagate the Good News and to finance its propagation. He explored every business opportunity possible – from cooking to selling merchandise – virtually leaving no time for rest.
With sheer courage and resilience, and with the help of the ALMIGHTY GOD, Brother Eli was able to put up and host a radio and television program, “Ang Dating Daan”, which exposes the corruptions in the religious world as well as the numerous false doctrines of different denominations of faith . . . showcasing his wisdom and eloquence in answering queries from people concerning the contents of the Holy Scriptures. This paved the way for thousands of truth-seekers to read and be educated about the Bible.
From that time on, millions of people have turned away from their old faiths and cleaved to the doctrines and teachings of Christ, turning this Church into what it is today – a continually growing international organization.
Bro. Eli Soriano ... the man, the leader, and the servant remained steadfast in his faith. Amidst all the hardships, trial, and persecutions, Brother Eli’s unwavering commitment and dedication to this organization and to the whole of mankind remained undaunted. For four decades now, he has been offering his strength . . . his time . . . and his love for the glory of the ONE that sent him – proving without a shadow of a doubt that, he, truly, is God’s humble messenger in these last days.