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“. . . 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
 s
host of the popular “Ang Dating Daan”
program, and as Presiding Minister of
the Church of God International, who
doesn’t know Bro. Eli Soriano?
Brother Eliseo Soriano -- the man, the
leader and the servant -- remains
steadfast in his faith. Amidst all
hardships, trials, and persecutions, his
unwavering commitment and dedication to
mankind is undeniable. He has been
offering his strength, time, and love
for more than four decades now, for the
glory of his Creator, to prove that he
is truly God’s humble messenger in these
last days.
BIOGRAPHY
ELISEO SORIANO Y FERNANDO was born April
4, 1947 to Triunfo Soriano and Catalina
Fernando in the City of Pasay, Metro
Manila. Out of eight siblings, he is
seventh to the eldest.
As a child, Eliseo was very shy. He
disliked mingling with other people,
save for his family. Because of his
shyness, he entered school at a later
age. With his parents eagerly convincing
him to go to school, he finally entered
at the age of eight, but he skipped his
classes and escaped his teachers.
Yet compared with the other students in
his class, Eliseo was exceptionally
brilliant. This he had proven by
sweeping majority of academic awards and
recognitions. Furthermore, he was
elected president of the student council
and was chosen as assistant principal by
their school directress when he was in
high school.
But, he failed to finish high school.
Barely three months before his
graduation, Eliseo Soriano’s inclination
leaned towards studying the Holy
Scriptures. Reading the Words of GOD in
the Bible interested him more and won
him against continuing his education and
fulfilling his dream of becoming a
scientist.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
A day before he turned seventeen, his
parents requested him to accompany them
to a congregational gathering at a local
church in Pasay City. During the worship
service, Eliseo heard Nicolas Antiporda
Perez preach about the true Church of
God in the Bible. He was convinced that
Nicolas Perez was God-sent.
Nicolas Perez’s preaching opened an
interest in young Eli’s mind to read the
Bible. Unknowingly, this began a new
chapter in his life.
In less than a month, Eliseo approached
Presiding Minister Perez and requested
to be baptized. In April 7, 1964,
exactly three days after his 17th
birthday, Brother Eli was baptized in
Seneguelasan, Bacoor, Cavite, becoming
an official member of the Church of God
in Christ Jesus.
With passionate zeal to serve the Lord
in his heart, Eliseo joined the
ministerial class a few days after his
baptism. With the help of the ALMIGHTY
GOD, he turned out to be an exceptional
minister of Christ. As an epitome of
dedication, sincerity, and hard work, he
exemplified what Apostle Paul wrote to
Timothy: “Let no man despise thy youth;
but be thou an example of the believers,
in word, in conversation, in charity, in
spirit, in faith, in purity” (I Tim.
4:12, KJV).
In 1969, Presiding Minister Nicolas
Perez granted solely Eliseo the title of
“Minister,” making him the only other
minister in the Church at that time.
Clearly, the aging Perez was grooming
his young protégé for a future
responsibility.
Since then, the years of great trials
and sleepless nights began. These years
marked the onset of his many sacrifices,
even to the point of receiving death
threats. At a tender age of 29, Brother
Eliseo led a rather small flock, mostly
composed of members who were older than
he was.
AS PRESIDING MINISTER AND HUMBLE SERVANT
OF GOD THEN AND NOW…
Sensing a divine call to share the
divine Gospel of Jesus Christ, Brother
Eliseo broached evangelizing through
radio and television in the 1980s.
Faith in God, courage and perseverance
were among the guiding forces which led
him in approaching the Intercontinental
Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) Channel
13, and other radio stations in the
country. He requested for available
block time slots to air “Ang Dating Daan.”
The program showcased Brother Eli’s
wisdom and eloquence in answering
questions about the Holy Scriptures.
With that, his rally against false and
pretentious pastors and preachers came
about.
Aside from hosting the phenomenal “Ang
Dating Daan” in radio and television,
Brother Eli authored “Leaving behind the
Fundamental Doctrines of Christ.” This
was his first and only book written in
English published in the late 90s.
Brother Eli remains unfazed and
continues in his promise to serve God
and humanity. He devoutly shares and
teaches the Wisdom in the Bible.
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