Testimonies

Arnel Samoy's Personal Testimony

I grew up in a solidly religious home. As a family we did not miss praying during the so-called six o’clock orasyon. I was very religious, yet I was not 100% sure about my salvation. I held on to my traditional religious beliefs to have a sense of security. I considered myself a pretty good guy and I thought that I probably had a good enough standing with God. I thought that there was a great probability that I have earned my salvation, and that only the really bad sinners (killers, rapists, etc.) who would be sent to hell. However, as I grew older, I gradually became reluctant to go to church and do the daily orasyon. It became a burdensome mechanical routine for me and I no longer had joy doing it. I felt that God was just like a mechanical God.

The turning point of my life was when I realized how desperately I needed a personal experience of God’s saving grace. God sent some people from OBCCC, my church today, to meet me and boldly share their faith in Christ with me. I read the Bible and began searching for the meaning of life. On September 23, 1987, when I was in my second year High School, I finally understood that Jesus Christ died for me and that if I wholeheartedly accepted Him as my personal Lord and Savior, I would be saved. This truth hit me hard; I cried out to God and I became sure of my salvation.

God has done remarkable things in me and through me. I excitedly shared my new discovery with my classmates. With my heart filled with joy, I conducted bible study discussions with many students and I shared God's salvation to them during break times. Increasingly, my love for the Lord grew. I firmly believe what the Bible teaches – there is no other name under heaven by which man could be saved, other than the name of Jesus.

Today, God uses me and my family in OBCCC. I also serve Him in OBCC’s daughter churches such as the Servants of Christ Church (I am a pioneering servant there) and the God will Provide Christian Fellowship as assistant. To God be the Glory.

Rex' Personal Testimony

I belong to a family of 13 children. I was the one closest to my wise, upright grandmother. I admired her for her wisdom, common sense and strength of character. In school, religion and God appealed to me. I went to church everyday and became very devout to the point that I almost became a priest. However, despite my religiosity, everything seemed meaningless to me. I seriously studied martial arts and various self-cultivation philosophies. Life seemed mechanical, boring and lonely. My self-righteousness only made people uncomfortable with me. God seemed so far away. I felt lonely and depressed. In one moment of loneliness, I cried to God, "Are you real? Do you really exist? If you do, please reveal yourself to me?"

In college, my older brother, who became a follower of Christ, shared with me the good news that Jesus died for my sins. From the Bible, I understood that the reason why God seemed far away is because "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Convicted of my sins, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

Immediately after that, I bought a Bible and read it voraciously. I found great joy reading and memorizing the Book of Proverbs because of its excellent words of wisdom. I led bible studies and pioneered a church in an urban poor area of Old Balara, Quezon City, called Old Balara Christian Community. I succeeded in my career as University professor and manager in a multinational company in Makati City and became a businessman. Now, I lead and train my fellow businessmen how to manage their enterprises using the wise principles of the Bible. My vision now is to be a provider in God's kingdom and to activate the Army of the Providers in each local church.