Tag Archive | God’s deliverance

From Muslim to Christian: The Miracles in the Life of Bro. Rene Pedregoza

Dec23

Bro. Rene was a Muslim. He grew up with his grandfather who was a sultan and his mother who was a teacher in Arabic. His parents separated when he was young, because his father refused to convert to Islam. In 1995, he worked for Christian fishpond owners as messenger to all the commanders of the rebellious groups in Mindanao. His task was to bring the collections from the fishpond operations. It was during this time that he acquired malaria.

Bro. Rene Pedregoza

His uncle and other relatives who were Muslims were into witchcraft and they could also cure diseases caused by witchcraft using traditional medicine. All kinds of plants and fish that are used for burning were applied to him to cure his malaria, but these all failed.

His Christian wife asked permission to bring him to the doctor. But the doctor couldn’t offer any help. He doubted if Bro. Rene could survive the disease. Bro. Rene and his wife returned home without hope of healing. He began to lose appetite to eat. For 3 months, he couldn’t eat well. He stripped off his clothes in public without him being aware of what he was doing.

One day, his beloved mother was watching a Christian TV program which compelled her to say to him, “Son, your grandfather is an imam. He sits as judge to the whole Muslim community. One of your uncles is a sultan who cries morning, noon, and evening Allahu Akbar! But I want you to watch this so you will know what it teaches.”

At that time, Bro. Rene had not expected healing to come for he had been asking himself in desperation, “Is there a God who loves mankind?” But he heard the beloved pastor, Evangelist Wilde Almeda say, “Whatever is your situation right now, whether you’re a Christian or a Muslim, only believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the God who will heal you!” Bro. Rene hobbled towards the TV to touch the screen and cried out, “Dearest Lord! I wish that my uncles had told me there is a God who loves all people! But at this moment, I am believing that there is only one God in the whole earth! If you are the God of the Muslims and Christians, heal me, please!”

For 3 months, Bro. Rene had not been able to stand. But at that moment, he felt something very cold enter the top of his head and bathe his whole being and he was able to stand strong on his own two feet! He cried out, “There is a God who loves all people!” He received complete healing from his malaria.

Bro. Rene searched for Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry in Zamboanga but with a mixture of fear because Muslims are not supposed to believe in the name of Jesus. He found the outreach and he was baptized in water in Jesus’ name. For fear of their Muslim community, his wife ran away to Manila. Before long, Bro. Rene followed her for fear that his relatives would kill him for converting to Christianity.

For 6 years, they lived in Manila and attended worship services in Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry.

But in 2000, after the beloved Pastor Wilde Almeda and the 12 prayer warriors went to the camp of Abu Sayyaf in Talipao, Jolo, Sulu and came down safe and unharmed, he realized there was nothing to fear after all. His faith was strengthened all the more and he declared that there is a God who saves and delivers! That the God of Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry is the one true living God!

He traveled back home to Zamboanga and looked for his uncles whom he greatly feared. He found one of them, a sultan, who had been bedridden for 7 years. Bro. Rene told him, “Uncle, this is your opportunity to know that the God of the Christians and Muslims is one!” And he proceeded to testify that JMCIM brethren fast for 30 days or more and live, unlike their practice of fasting. They make night day and day night. They fast during the day time but eat during the night.

His uncle replied, “Son, I receive your Jesus. Baptize me now in His name!” After baptism, his uncle was able to stand up and walk. He shouted, “It is true that Jesus is the only Almighty God!” They organized a Bible Study inside the Muslim community. All fears were vanished because they had proven that God loves all people including the Muslims.

One day, some Muslim children bathed in the river. When they returned, one was missing. An hour had passed before they found the child dead. He had drowned in the river. One of Bro. Rene’s uncles who was a hadji looked for Bro. Rene’s mother and the JMCIM brethren. He told Bro. Rene’s mother, “Your preacher has been testifying that in Jesus Miracle Crusade, the dead are raised. Prove to me now whether this is true!”

Bro. Rene’s mother hurried to the room in fear and begged God in prayer. She said, “Lord Jesus, show to them that You are God who is almighty and all-powerful!” She then lifted the dead child and cried out, “Lord Jesus, prove to them all that You are the God of Christians and Muslims! Please, make this child live!” The child gulped the breath of life and he lived in Jesus’ name!

Later on, one of his uncles who was a commander of MILF and had 17 wives threatened him, “If you don’t stop what you’re doing and if you bring your other uncles to that Church, I will kill you!”

One of his uncles who was a sultan in one of the Muslim towns came to him. He was already blind. He said to Bro. Rene, “Son, I heard that you have become a member of Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry. I have also heard how good your God is.” And he told Bro. Rene of how God had miraculously delivered the beloved pastor and the 12 prayer warriors who only carried Bibles from the hands of the Abu Sayyaf. He believed that the beloved pastor Wilde Almeda is a true prophet of God. This uncle, too, received the Lord Jesus and was baptized in water in His name. When he came out of the water, he could see!

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

All glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving belong to our Lord God Almighty – our dearest Jesus!

Advertisement

MMTC Bus Tragedy: The Amazing Testimony of Sister Rose De Guzman

Dec11

(The entirety of this testimony was taken from my book Quiet Strength: And Learning from Women of the Bible Who Had It which was published in 2014. Mommy Rose’s amazing testimony is one of the few featured testimonies in the book. Mommy Rose went to be with the Lord a few months ago in a full old age. Hers was a blessed life and her testimony, God’s great miracle in her life, will live forever in our hearts).

Sis. Rose de Guzman

At 73, Sister Rose, or Mommy Rose as she is fondly called in Church, still possesses vibrant vitality and health more than other women her age or even younger ones. When she testifies in the pulpit, she is straightforward and her voice carries an underlying power which can only come from a life that has experienced God’s miracles first-hand.

In 1978, when life was generally hard and Sister Rose had to help her husband to provide for their family of eight, it would also be the time that she would suffer from anemia. A neighbor who was very concerned with her took pity of her situation and lent her money so she could see a doctor at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Novaliches, Quezon City. The doctor who checked up on her gave her prescriptions for her healing and advised her also to undergo blood transfusion every month. Sis. Rose could not afford to buy the costly medicines let alone a bag of blood for transfusion. Meanwhile, she was growing weaker and paler each day.

But in the same year, she attended a spiritual and healing crusade of the JESUS MIRACLE CRUSADE MINISTRY held at Plaza Novaliches in Quezon City. Through the prayers of Beloved and Hon. Evangelist Wilde Almeda, she was healed instantly. The following day, to prove to her doctor that she was healed in the name of Jesus, she went back to the hospital and showed herself to the doctor. After some tests, the doctor was amazed to find that she was, indeed, cured from her anemia! She noticed Sis. Rose’s cheerful demeanor and asked if she had been taking the medicines she had prescribed, to which sis. Rose readily answered, “Doc, I can hardly buy food, how much more those costly medicines?”

She proceeded to testify to the doctor that she attended the crusade of Jesus Miracle Crusade Ministry wherein she was prayed over by the beloved pastor, and thus, she received healing. “That’s marvelous!” Her doctor exclaimed in awe.

Sister Rose and her brood continued to serve the Lord faithfully in Jesus Miracle Crusade Ministry. Her husband refused to be converted though. Every time they attended worship service, he stayed at home. Sis. Rose and her children traveled from Novaliches to Urduja Village in Caloocan City which was quite a long distance. Since the Sunday service was a whole-day affair, her husband wondered where they ate every time they went to church. They did not pack lunch, neither did they have the money for it, so he asked what they were eating the whole day. Sis. Rose’s youngest daughter, 5-year old Wela, answered, “Tatay, the food there is really delicious! We eat the Word of God and we are filled!”

Shocked, Sis. Rose and her teenage daughter Marissa glanced at each other. “Nanay, how did Wela know such a thing?” Marissa asked her mother quietly.

“Her answer came from the Lord,” Sis. Rose answered.

Sis. Rose and her children attended church in Jesus Miracle Crusade Ministry without her husband. And so it went this way for four years.

On April 22, 1982, a day no one in the family would ever forget, a great miracle happened. Sis. Rose was selling mango at the side of the road near their house along Quirino Highway. Her son, 9-year old Timoteo, was with her assisting her. That side of the busy highway where buses ply was a row of fruit vendors.

A Metro Manila Transit bus was approaching at high speed. When a car in front suddenly braked to a stop, the bus driver tried to avoid crashing onto it, but it was too late. The impact of the crash and the momentum of the bus sent it flying over the side of the road, ramming through the vendors’ shanties until it finally stopped on top of Sis. Rose’s stall, pinning her, her son, and a dog underneath. But before the bus even landed on top of them, Sis. Rose managed to shout, “Halleujah! Praise the Lord! Lord, save us!”

The bus instantly killed one of the vendors in its wake. Two sisters who were buying mangoes were rushed to the hospital but both perished the next morning.

Meanwhile, pinned down by a pile of wood from their wrecked stall and the bus itself, Sis. Rose and her son saw the dog beside them smashed and dead. But Sis. Rose and her son were both alive and unharmed! They were both amazed as to how on earth could they have survived such a tragedy! They knew without doubt that it was God’s hand which delivered them – a miracle of all miracles!

Timoteo was able to pull himself out from underneath the wreckage and bus with nary a scratch, shouting gleefully, “PRAISE THE LORD! PRAISE THE LORD!” Later on, Sis. Rose was rescued and pulled out, also uninjured.

Sis. Rose’s beloved husband, Bro. Timoteo Sr., witnessed the whole mishap. When he saw his dear wife and son disappear beneath the bus, he knew for certain they would both be dead. But he couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw them come out, alive without a scratch.

Such a miracle of this magnitude merits our remembrance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace!

Because of this, Bro. Timoteo Sr. gladly surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and together with his family, served Him faithfully in Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry to this day.

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

All the glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving belong to our Lord God Almighty!

(Photo courtesy of Sis. Leah de Guzman Morales).

Near-shipwreck: The Testimony of Beloved Captain Ferdinand Estillore

Sep26
Beloved Captain Ferdinand Estillore testifying in the pulpit during Friday Overnight Worship Service at Amoranto Stadium, Quezon City, Sept. 2013.

Beloved Captain Ferdinand Estillore testifying in the pulpit during Friday Overnight Worship Service at Amoranto Stadium, Quezon City, Sept. 2013.

It’s a blessing to listen to beloved Captain Ferdinand Estillore testify in the pulpit (he rarely testifies for he is mostly at sea). His spiritual fervor after all these years of serving the Lord (not to mention his success in his profession and material blessings in abundance) has not waned.

He testifies that before he surrendered his life to the Lord in December of 1990, his personal life was in chaos. He and his beloved wife didn’t have peace in their marriage. It was beset with frequent fights triggered mostly by Capt. Estillore’s many vices. As a captain of an international shipping line, he was not immune to the worldly practices sailors are exposed to.

One night while he was at home on vacation, he happened upon the TV program of JESUS MIRACLE CRUSADE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY. He listened at the preaching and realized that he was the one targeted by the beloved Hon. Pastor Wilde E. Almeda’s words: his way of life as a seaman and the vices he was immersed in. The message of the Gospel hit home and Capt. Estillore began to cry. He and his wife decided to attend the worship service and receive the Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation. Their whole household was saved and peace began to reign in their hearts and home.

Five years later, Capt. Estillore’s faith would be tested. Their ship was navigating the turbulent waters of the Pacific Ocean from Solomon Islands headed for Korea. But the northeast monsoon brought violent winds, and waves wreaked havoc upon the ship, causing a long gash (hole) along its side. The pressure of water coming into the ship was so strong that water was filling up the bodega of the ship so fast it tilted the huge vessel slightly to its side.

Capt. Estillore mobilized his men immediately, instructing them to pump out the water using all the submersible pumps found in the ship. But they could not control the water. Capt. Estillore cried out to the Lord, “Dearest Lord, you will not abandon me now!” (Before he boarded that ship, he was prayed over and laid hands on by the beloved Hon. Pastor Wilde Almeda). So, he trusted God that they will not perish and the ship will not sink.

They did everything they could to reduce the damage and Capt. Estillore sent messages to the Japanese Maritime Safety Agency and to the US Coast Guard in Guam informing them about their predicament, but he had not yet requested for rescue. He said it was the hardest decision he had to make. He went to his cabin and there, he sank to his knees and prayed and cried out to God, “My dearest Lord! You will not abandon me! Please give me wisdom on how to save this ship and my men!”

His men worked overnight pumping out water from the ship, but in the morning, the second engineer went to Capt. Estillore’s cabin and asked what time they were abandoning the ship. Instead of answering him, he ordered the second engineer to go help in pumping out water.

While Capt. Estillore was busy making various reports, the chief engineer and the electrician came to him and reported that the previous night while they worked to pump out water, they saw a big bird hovering above the starboard of the damaged bodega. They said that for 30 minutes the bird hovered above it and they marvelled at the sight.

Capt. Estillore hurried to his cabin and wept. He held his Bible and began to sing and worship. He sang just one song for an hour, Tell My People I love Them. He sang with all his heart and soul, worshiping God with all his being. Then he opened his Bible and he was brought to Psalm 91.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (Ps. 91:11)

The ship’s owner radioed him and advised that they proceed to Guam, but the waves were so turbulent along that way that Capt. Estillore knew that if they went that way, they will sink after just an hour. So he cried to God again, asking for guidance. He moved the ship in such a way that it faced Surigao Strait. And so, they followed that way, navigating away from the rough seas, the strong waves and winds were behind them. The ship slowly straightened up from its tilting position and Capt. Estillore breathed a huge sigh of relief and thanksgiving.

When they finally docked in Cebu, Philippines safe and sound, some media men met them and interviewed Capt. Estillore. He boldly declared that he was a Christian serving the Lord in JESUS MIRACLE CRUSADE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY. While the ship was being repaired, Capt. Estillore flew to Manila to testify of God’s mighty deliverance.

Capt. Estillore and his family remained faithful to the Lord and continued to serve Him to this day. They have been continually reaping God’s promises and abundant blessings. His children are now successful professionals in their chosen fields.

Hallelujah! To God be ALL the glory!

~ Sis. Rina R. Peru

Through the Flood: The Testimony of Bro. Edu Cortez

May15
Bro. Edu Cortez testifying at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City, May 2013.

Bro. Edu Cortez testifying at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City, May 2013.

I am delighted to share with you the testimony of a brother in Christ who is also a world-class wedding photographer. Glory to God! Bro. Edu, though he is fast becoming an acclaimed photographer, remains to be humble. He speaks softly when he testifies in the pulpit but one could sense his deep reverence to his Lord and Savior.

In 2009, when Typhoon “Ondoy” inundated much of the country, especially Metro Manila, Bro. Edu was faced with a huge problem: not only was he concerned with the safety of their rented apartment-cum-studio/office, but he also had a very important wedding coverage in Tagaytay. At past midnight after the typhoon just stopped ravaging the country with its torrent leaving Metro Manila massively submerged, Bro. Edu looked out of their apartment to inspect the situation. It was that morning that he needed to be in Tagaytay to photograph a wedding.

But he couldn’t see the street. Everywhere was water, and it was high. (Bro. Edu and us live in the same area. Our village was deluged up to over 6 feet high, first time ever. In our house, which is elevated from the street, the water in the first floor reached up to my husband’s chest. The flood was that great). But Bro. Edu’s photography business was just starting in those days. It was hard to get clients and if one ruins one’s name just because of a no-show, what will happen to him and his fledgling business? No, he couldn’t afford to lose this one.

Bro. Edu found himself in an almost impossible situation. It was a no-no not to cover the wedding. No, it just wasn’t possible. Just think, if it were your wedding and you have spent a huge amount of money for the preparation just to make it memorable, but then there is no one to take the photos – it is unimaginable! But how could he ford the rushing floodwater? His situation was desperate.

But he didn’t lose faith in the God he, his wife, and his beloved mother diligently serve in JESUS MIRACLE CRUSADE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY. Quickly, he and his wife disassembled the cameras and other photography paraphernalia, and piece-by-piece, they carefully wrapped each one in plastic making sure it was as secure as possible. His beloved wife, Sis. Mherl, was silently crying as they packed the equipment. They put them all in a backpack including Bro. Edu”s shoes which were also wrapped. They had made sure that water would not leak into the gadgets but, who could be so sure? She was also worried about her beloved husband braving the fierce flood.

At 1:00AM, Bro. Edu went out into the darkness and into the murky floodwaters. He did not expect it was that deep! He was wearing a shirt and a pair of pants that he was willing to throw away when he had the chance to change. First, he was going to his uncle’s house along Katipunan Ave. in Quezon City. There, he would be lent a car to bring him to Tagaytay.

Bro. Edu had to grapple for support as he forded the floodwaters. It was up to his shoulders. He would walk the entire distance from their place along Marcos Highway near Marikina to Katipunan Ave. Brothers and sisters, that.is.far. At one point, he followed a barbed wire and held on to it. Debris, small and great, made it very difficult to forge on without hurting himself.

In front of Sta. Lucia East Grandmall, he was faced with the decision whether to walk at the side of the road or at the center. He chose to walk at the center thinking there might be manholes at the side. But he was wrong. Before he knew it, he fell into an open manhole and he was quickly sinking! He cried to God for help and suddenly, a strong force lifted him up from the hole and plunged him onto the ground. But he had lost his balance and he was being taken by the fierce current. But just as he thought he was helpless, he got entangled with a rope, and miraculously, this rope pulled him in the other direction and he came through safely.

To make the story short, he arrived in Tagaytay at 7:00 in the morning, just in time for the wedding he needed to cover – weary but grateful that God saved him from the gruesome flood. His clients were actually surprised to see him since they knew how great the flood was.

After the wedding, his clients had time to watch news on TV and they saw the great danger Bro. Edu went through just to do his work he was hired for. They saw and they were shocked. How could Bro. Edu have survived that fierce flood? Why did he care so much for their wedding and endangering his own life in the process? Because of this, the couple found deep gratitude to Bro. Edu. They sent him a considerable amount of money to his bank account as a token of their gratitude. And not only that, they also created a website featuring Bro. Edu’s photography, informing all their friends and associates, that here is a very talented photographer and one who doesn’t let down.

Hallelujah! To God be all the glory!

You may contact Bro. Edu by visiting extremedetails.ph or on his Facebook page.

~ Sis. Rina Peru

From Satanist to Born-again Christian: The Amazing Testimony of Beloved Major Bobby Naguit

Jan10
Beloved (Ret.) Major Bobby Naguit testifying in the pulpit during JMCIM Sunday Service at Amoranto Stadium, Quezon City, Phils. on Jan. 8, 2012.

Every time beloved (Ret.) Major Bobby Naguit, a former Satanist, stands in the pulpit to testify, I feel the powerful anointing that emanates from his testimony – a testimony of how all-powerful and merciful God is! Our God is mighty to save even from the hands of Satan – literally! And his testimony doesn’t fail to bless me.

The following is a direct translation of his testimony which was recorded while he was testifying on the pulpit on January 8, 2012, Sunday Worship Service at Amoranto Stadium, Quezon City. Because of the sensitivity of the material, great care was taken to translate his testimony word for word, him speaking directly. There was also a need to change the names and omit some of the places he mentioned, to protect the privacy of those people. This testimony was translated and shared with the purpose of giving glory to God – that He is all-powerful and His love and mercy are beyond comparison. Also, to let the world know that there is a God who saves, who gives hope, who forgives however sinful a person is, solves problems, makes all things new, and brings true peace and joy!

******

Halleluiah! Praise the Lord! Let’s give the Lord Jesus a hand of applause! First of all, I greet our dearest Lord Jesus a very pleasant morning. Secondly, I greet our beloved parents-in-the-Lord, our beloved Hon. Pastor Wilde E. Almeda, the last prophet. To all his beloved children and all the beloved brethren in the faith!

Beloved brethren, I’m here once again standing before you. It’s been quite a long time since I last testified. To all of you who are newcomers, I am a retired major of the Philippine Army during the time of General M and General PC. You know beloved brethren, before, I didn’t believe in this kind of fellowship or congregation. I was born a Catholic, then later on became a member of Iglesia ni Cristo, but now, I belong to the JESUS MIRCLE CRUSADE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY. I’m going to relate to you how I arrived in this congregation.

I started in the Philippine Army and was assigned in Jolo. When I came back from my deployment in Jolo, Gen. M and Gen. PC took me when **** was formed during the time of [Pres. Ferdinand] Marcos. And after ****, there was **** under Gen. M. I was assigned in SOG, Special Operations Group, and we handled cases like anti-economic sabotage and anti-dollar salting.

You know beloved brethren, I started just an ordinary man: I was contented with my life and with whatever I had. I became greedy when I began working as a military officer. When I was assigned as head of SOG, I had men under me who were assigned in the field to catch those people who were involved in economic sabotage. I told my men to do their work well and follow the law.

Once when I was already one year in my work, I found a wad of money on my table. And from that time on, every morning when I arrived in my office, I would find cash on my table, sometimes P10,000, sometimes P20,000. So, I called my sergeant and inquired about the supply of money on my table. My sergeant replied, “Sir, that’s for you. It’s your portion.”

“What portion?” I asked. “Sir, we caught somebody and we settled it, so, that’s your portion.” He answered again.

So, that’s how it started. At first, I was really wondering why my men, being ordinary agents, could buy cars, afford to have other women and spend extravagantly. I later learned that this was how they operated. Because I didn’t have the Spirit of the Lord then, I accepted everything that was given to me until I was no longer satisfied with what I received. So, the amount became bigger and bigger.

You know beloved brethren, a person who doesn’t have contentment in life will come to adversity. Remember that always.

A long time passed and one day, I was called by Gen. M. “Major Naguit, I will assign you to a diplomat, to Gen. G. He is the head of *** in Asia.”

“OK, sir, no problem, wherever you want to send me.” I answered.

So, we went to Gen. G. I was introduced to him at ****** where he lived. Gen. M said to Gen. G, “This is my man, Major Naguit. He will be assigned to you as chief security.”

G said, “OK, I’ve read his credentials. Leave him here and I’ll talk to him.”

So, Gen. M left me. G was an American Jew and he was the head of *** here. Then he said, “Major Naguit, before you work for me as chief of security, I have one requirement.”

“What is it, sir? I am a military officer.” I said.

“Yes, but I still have one requirement. You must become son of Satan.” He answered. I was taken aback!

“Son of Satan? Satanas? Sasa…satan?” I stammered. “Yes. I’ll explain it to you later,” G answered.

I hadn’t accepted this yet but I was already “in” as security officer and the work was difficult. It was high-profile. Sometimes it was highly-confidential. There was legal and there was illegal.

“Before I can trust you, you must be son of Satan.” He told me. I said, “Son of Satan. This is the first time I heard it. OK!” I answered.

Because I was so greedy with money, at that time I was receiving $400-a-week plus my salary plus my allowance plus – and this was the best part – the most sophisticated guns that were issued to us. The first uzi, micro-uzi here in the Philippines, I was the first one to have. Gen. R was only second.

So, time passed, then he [G] told me, “You must be baptized as Satan’s. Son of Satan.”

“OK”, I said. “What are the requirements?”

“OK, here’s thirty thousand pesos. I want you to buy a child which is 3-days-old.” Three-days-old!

“OK, no problem.” I said. I went to a government hospital near Central Market. I met some doctors there. I bought a child worth P30,000, girl, 3-days-old.

Then, I told G, “Sir, I have already bought a child which is 3-days-old.” He knew how old a child was. Then, he took it and said, “OK, gather the men. We’ll leave.”

We all rode our cars, his back-up, and we went to Baguio, to the highest hotel there that has now become a haunted house. There, we offered the child to Satan.

G was marked with 666. I couldn’t believe it, but when it was my time to be called – I experienced cruelty!

You know beloved brethren, one o’clock in the morning, we offered the 3-day-old child. It was placed in a square glass box and under it, there was a funnel and a chalice to collect blood. Then G prayed in Latin and after praying, he stabbed the child […] Its blood was collected in the chalice.

Then we drank the blood, all six of us who were new.

You know beloved brethren, sometimes I really don’t want to relive this many, many times because it’s very hard. It’s very painful. 

When I had drunk the child’s blood, beloved brethren, I felt like something had entered into my body that I didn’t know what. After we had drunk the blood of the child, its flesh was burned and was given to us to eat. After this, he [G] said, “You are now my sons, you’re children of Satan.”

I was shaking. I was shaking not knowing what had entered my body and I felt like I wanted to vomit, like I was losing my mind, I didn’t now!

Soon after that, maybe after about 3 or 4 hours, in the morning after we were done, my feeling had changed. It had changed! It was so until – everything that I was told to do, I did! (A long silence here because beloved Major Naguit was weeping).

I’m sorry. I wish I didn’t have to relive… (still crying here). You know beloved brethren, it’s really hard when you’re not with the Lord. When they tell you to kill, you will kill, without any reason. When you are told to do something, you will do it. Devoid of love. Even my wife, my children – nothing! Love was gone, beloved brethren, I didn’t know. (More weeping). 

But I’m giving thanks because the Lord’s love for me is great! You know beloved brethren, the more I was committing sin, the more I felt heavy inside. But I was becoming braver because I wanted to drink blood often. I wanted to smell gun powder often.

Then there was a transfer of government from Marcos to Cory [Pres. Cory Aquino].

One time, I was close-in with him [G]. I was with Sergeant F and two of my men. We were inside a club, because we frequented clubs. We would enter  ****** in Makati. We would order them to close it at midnight until dawn.

The dollars of G… When he lighted a cigarette, he didn’t use a lighter. He would burn a hundred dollar bill to light his cigarette and just let it burn to ashes. One time I asked him, “Don’t you regret wasting your money?”

“Don’t ask me that question again or I’ll kill you. My money is all over the world. All the money in the world is mine.”

When he would call me and instruct me to call Switzerland, he would give me the code and tell them to send this amount of money. Only serial number. After a month, millions of dollars would arrive. Then, the bank would bring it to us. They brought it to the house, we didn’t withdraw in the bank. That’s how rich Satan is.

One day, we were escorting him [G] inside the club. Only a table separating us, one o’clock in the morning… When we drank then, Russian vodka, one bottle. G didn’t eat, he only drank wine. You would marvel at his life when you see and know him.

We were inside the club and we were about to leave, beloved brethren, when a big man stood up, opened his jacket and upon opening it, he released a fine Ingram and aimed it at us. The intention was to kill G. What I did as security officer, I pushed G, I didn’t have time to pull my gun. After I pushed him, two bullets hit me and entered my stomach. White cutter with double action went through my flesh which destroyed my internal organs.

At that instant when I was shot… Remember beloved brethren, this had happened in my life. No money will be called, no rank, no degree… You will not call any doctor or anyone. You will call only one name – the Lord Jesus Christ!

When I fell to the floor… Sgt. F told me, “Sir, when you were shot and fell down, you shouted and shouted. You were shouting, ‘Lord, forgive me!'”

The Lord is so good! He gave me a chance to repent.  There were many who weren’t given the chance to repent. But I was given the chance by the Lord to repent so I could serve Him! So that I could say that the Lord lives! Satan has power but it has limitation. But the power of God reaches the heavens! No limits!

******

When beloved Maj. Naguit was brought to the hospital, he was pronounced “dead on arrival”, but according to the doctor, he revived in the morgue so he was brought to the operating room. When he woke up, the doctor told him what happened and said that God gave him a second life probably because there is something God wanted him to do.

Major Naguit stayed in Makati Medical Center for about a year. This was in 1987. On his 8th month in the hospital, he told his sergeant to switch on the TV and it opened to the program of the JESUS MIRACLE CRUSADE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY. Three times within a month, the TV opened to the program of JMCIM but he ignored it.

In 1992, while he was walking in Luneta Park, Manila, after making a collection in Binondo, he passed by the Quirino Grandstand and saw the on-going crusade of JMCIM. He recognized it and stayed for a while to observe.

During that time in the Philippines, there was El Nino phenomenon. It had not rained for many months. Beloved Hon. Pastor Evangelist Wilde E. Almeda of JMCIM declared that the following Sunday, May 10, he was going to pray for rain and even invited leaders of other religious groups, the police, the military and even from the side of the New People’s Army to witness the miracle that was going to happen.

Maj. Naguit was so angered by the beloved pastor’s declaration and said to himself, “We’ll see who is more powerful between us!” He went back on May 10 fully prepared to rain bullets to the beloved pastor once his prayer for rain was not heard. He had prepared his gun, feeding it with the “usual” ritual. When the beloved pastor stood up and raised his hand to pray, Maj. Naguit testifies that the skies darkened, thick clouds gathered, a powerful lightning flashed with a loud thunder, then the rains poured out. He was so shocked he couldn’t move. He was frozen from where he was standing. Then he felt a terrible shaking while copious tears poured out from his eyes. While the rains continued to pour out and he was completely drenched, he was also crying uncontrollably. He couldn’t understand what had happened to him!

On the next worship service, he went back and this time,  he desperately cried out to God, “Lord! Give me peace in my heart! Bring back love into my heart, I beg you! Give me peace and love and I will serve You all the rest of my life!” Beloved Maj. Naguit received the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized in water in His name.

He was completely changed. His beloved wife and children saw and felt the change, and they gathered around him and lovingly showed him how much they had longed for him and his love and how much they had yearned to show their love and care for him. He received the love, peace, and joy that he had been longing for!

To this day, beloved Major Bobby Naguit continues to serve the Lord faithfully.

To God be all the glory!

The Lord Lifts Up the Lowly: The Testimony of Bro. Edward Tan

Dec26
Bro. Edward Tan testifying in the pulpit, Dec. 2012 at Amoranto Stadium, Quezon city.

Bro. Edward Tan testifying in the pulpit, Dec. 2012 at Amoranto Stadium, Quezon city.

Here’s a testimony that would bring us encouragement and strengthen our faith as we meet the new year.

Bro. Edward Tan grew up in a wealthy Filipino-Chinese family. Never in his wildest imaginations did he think that there would come a day that all the affluence would disappear in the blink of an eye. But indeed, fate would have it that their family’s business went bankrupt and they lost everything including their home.

There were nights that Bro. Edward went home and find his siblings gone one by one, then he would find them sleeping in the streets. Gradually, his family broke apart and his siblings each went on his/her own way. Bro. Edward was so depressed he wanted to kill himself. He seriously planned to end his life, but when he was about to carry it out, he heard a voice speak, “Don’t do it. I love you.” Bro. Edward didn’t see anyone and he couldn’t understand what it meant. But this did stop him from taking his own life.

Bro. Edward stayed in Luneta Park, forlorn. One day, he was walking around the vicinity of the park destitute, until he reached Mehan Garden. He saw the worship service of JESUS MIRACLE CRUSADE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY being held openly there. He stopped in his tracks, for, according to his testimony, he had nowhere to go anyway. He listened and observed and while he did so, he was amazed by what he saw: the beloved brethren were clothed in garments projecting holiness, singing and worshiping the Lord with all their hearts, minds, and souls. When the beloved Hon. Pastor Wilde E. Almeda stood up for the altar call, inviting all those who are lost to come and receive the Lord Jesus Christ, Bro. Edward thought, “Is this what it means by the voice I heard?”

Bro. Edward felt the love he was longing for. That night, he received the Lord Jesus Christ as His Savior and was baptized in water in His name.

He left the place with peace and joy in his heart for the first time in years. About two days after having received the Lord, he was walking again around Manila not really knowing where to go. But the Lord had set the cycle of blessings on his life so that on this particular day, he met his old classmate. The classmate was shocked to learn about Bro. Edward’s family’s misfortune. He invited Bro. Edward to their home in Corinthian Gardens in Pasig City, gave him clothing, and a job in one of their family’s gas stations.

Bro. Edward was so glad and his faith in God was all the more strengthened. He believed that God had finally started to bless him. When he received his very first salary, and although he wanted so much to buy the food that he was craving for, he gave it all to the Lord as his first fruits offering. He wanted to honor Him with it.

Later on, Bro. Edward desired to have another job and he prayed earnestly for it. He saw an ad in the newspaper and he wanted so much to have that job. The only problem was, this big multinational company was looking for applicants that were graduates of Ateneo, La Salle and UP. He didn’t even finish second year college and not in one of those schools. But, he had great faith in God, believing that He would be the One who would give him this job. So, by faith in Jesus’ name, he proceeded to apply.

He testifies that when he walked into the room, the other applicants who were graduates from the three reputable schools, looked at him from head to toe. They whispered to each other and couldn’t hide their amusement. They laughed at him. There were seven levels of  interviews in all, through different managers and executive officers. Even the first interviewer was surprised to see him and asked if he knew the requirements. Bro. Edward told him the truth about himself, and he also professed his faith in Jesus Christ. He started to share God’s miracles and mighty deeds in the Church. The interview turned out to be a sharing of Gods’ testimonies.

At the end of the first interview, the manager told Bro. Edward that he passed it and he was going to the next level. And so it was, until Bro. Edward completed all seven levels of interview, and he got the job he was desiring for.

At this point, I remember King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, how God humbled him and showed him that He reigns over all the earth, frustrates the schemes of men, and derides their worldly wisdom. Meditate on the following:

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?” (Dan. 4:34-35, emphasis added)

Bro. Edward continues to serve the Lord faithfully to this day.

Halleluiah! To God be the glory!

~ Sis. Rina R. Peru

Double Miracle: The Testimony of Bro. Jao Apostol Part 1

Oct17

Brother Jao Apostol testifying in the pulpit on a JMCIM Sunday service at Amoranto Stadium, Q.C.

One would listen to Bro. Jao Apostol’s testimony and one would marvel at the abundance of miracles in his life. I heard his testimony again last October 7 when the Church gathered to worship and celebrate the 12th anniversary of the victorious Mindanao Peace Mission and I knew I had to write it.

Bro. Jao grew up in the Visayas where he was a sacristan (altar boy) in one of the big Catholic churches there. Though he worked in church every Sunday, this didn’t shape or train him into a godly person, but rather the exact opposite. He grew up learning all kinds of vices until the time came that he was accused in a double murder. Bro. Jao was so afraid he fled to Manila.

In Manila, he allied with other ruffians and got involved in transport robberies, hold-up robberies, drug pushing, and other crimes. He would loiter in Luneta Park together with his friends waiting for someone to victimize. In one of these instances, since the crusades of the JESUS MIRACLE CRUSADE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY were often held at the Quirino Grandstand in those days, a brother in Christ approached him and shared with him the Gospel. According to Bro. Jao’s testimony, this brother shared his testimony, how he was changed by the Lord and delivered him from all his vices and addictions, as tears streamed down his face. Bro. Jao’s hard heart was pried open and he went with the brother who invited him.

Bro. Jao received the Lord Jesus Christ, was baptized in water in His name, and began to serve Him faithfully. He was completely changed by God. He started to work decently. He became a pedicab driver along Agham Road in Quezon City. But the police apparently didn’t know that Bro. Jao was a changed man. He had been closely monitored by them and one day, he and one of his companions were picked up by the police and brought to a deserted place somewhere in Fairview. When they had walked a far distance from the road, being obliterated by tall talahib grass, they were told to get down on their knees. They were to be annihilated.

The two men aimed at Bro. Jao’s companion and without much fuss, they shot him in the head and he was killed instantly. While this was happening, Bro. Jao abandoned himself to the mercy of God. He had prayed silently and when it was his turn, the guns of the two men didn’t fire. They did it again and again to no avail. Suddenly, they were gripped with so much terror that they fled, running in great fear. And thus, Bro. Jao was delivered from their hands.

Another one of his testimonies was about the healing of his child. His child got sick of pneumonia. It became so serious that he brought him to the hospital, to East Avenue Medical Center, upon the urging of his unsaved loved ones. But while his child was in the hospital, Bro. Jao needed to attend Friday overnight worship service. After the service, he went back to the hospital. He was met by his sister-in-law who was so fraught, accusing him of leaving his dying child.

Then the doctors also approached him, informing him that his child had been dead for 10 hours. But Bro. Jao told them his child was only asleep and he would be raised up by the Lord Jesus. He ran to his child, prayed agonizingly, then laid his hand on him and cast out the demon of death. His child breathed and came to life again, and recovered from his illness.

These are just two of Bro. Jao’s amazing testimonies. I hope to be able to write more of them in the coming days.

Halleluaih! To God be all the glory!

~ Sis. Rina Peru

The Hand of God: Miracle in the Life of Sister Mary Anne Bongo

Mar28

Sis. Mary Anne Bongo testifying in the pulpit during JMCIM's Sunday Service at Amoranto Stadium, Quezon City, Phils. (March 2012)

At the start of Sis. Mary Anne’s testimony in the pulpit, she couldn’t contain her gratitude, her praises to the Lord for another great miracle that God has wrought in her life. She had been working in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as a domestic helper, and when she finally set foot on Philippine soil at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, she couldn’t help shouting, “Mabuhay, Pilipinas!” (“Long live, Philippines!”)

In late-2010, Sis. Mary Anne and her employer traveled from Jeddah to London. On December 3 of the same year, a day Sis. Mary Anne is bound never to forget, they left London for Jeddah. According to Sis. Mary Anne’s testimony, they didn’t notice anything amiss while waiting for their plane even when they were boarding. But when they were already airborne, they noticed that there was something wrong with the plane.

The passengers began to panic. They removed their seat belts and stood up, not knowing what to do. The children began to wail. There was a commotion as passengers panicked and felt dizzy with the way the plane was flying. Even Sis. Mary Anne became dizzy in her seat beside her employer. But she recited The Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23 in her mind and she felt her head clear up.

The passengers, who were mostly Muslims, were standing up, calling and crying out to Allah. When Sis. Mary Anne felt that the aircraft was already going on a nose dive, she also stood up and with all the strength in her, shouted “Halleluiah! In Jesus’ Name! In Jesus’ Name!” many times. She was crying out and shouting as loud as she could.

Almost instantly, the plane stabilized and was able to maintain its altitude. The other passengers were amazed and on an impulse, some of them flocked to where Sis. Mary Anne was standing. They were hugging her tightly, thankful that they were safe. But the other passengers were asking, “Who shouted ‘Halleluiah‘? That’s not allowed with us!” And Sis. Mary Anne, still empowered by the Holy Spirit, boldly answered, “I belong to the JESUS MIRACLE CRUSADE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY headed by our beloved Honorable Pastor, Evangelist Wilde Almeda, back there in the Philippines!” She said she really lifted up the name of the Lord Jesus Christ whose power is unequalled and whose mighty deeds are unsurpassed over all the earth.

It was then that the captain announced that they were going to have an emergency landing at Qatar airport. But inside the aircraft, the cacophony of children’s cries and passengers talking at the same time continued.

When the plane landed at Qatar airport, all the passengers were in a hurry to leave, but it turned out that there were reporters in the plane and they besieged Sis. Mary Anne, wanting to interview her. For Sis. Mary Anne, this was an excellent opportunity to make the name of the Lord Jesus Christ known to all that were present there and give glory to Him. Sis Mary Anne who was of great faith (glory to God!) and who has been serving the Lord in JMCIM for many years, was more than glad to announce to the whole world that the Lord is all-powerful, ever-living God.

People were hugging her and asking questions. Her Muslim employer came to her defense. She introduced Sis. Mary Anne as her staff and that she’s a Christian from the Philippines. And while the interview went on, the plane’s pilot approached her and said, “So, you were the one who shouted in the plane.” And the passengers cried, “Yes, there was a miracle inside the airplane!”

At this point, the pilot said that in all of his years of flying and piloting an aircraft, this was his first time to experience a near plane crash.

And then he testified that when the plane was uncontrollably going down fast, he saw a big hand hold the aircraft and it stabilized.

(Sis. Mary Anne was weeping in the pulpit while shouting Halleluiah!)

Can we shout Halleluiah? Amen! Halleluiah! (Choking back tears). The God we serve is an almighty God! He never changes!

Because of this miracle, Sis. Mary Anne endeared herself to the whole household of her Muslim employer, so much so that they wanted to come visit the Philippines and see the great congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ!

(This is not the first miracle that happened in the life of Sis. Mary Anne Bongo. In the late ’90s, the Lord showed her a great miracle which has become a classic major testimony in the Church. By God’s grace, I will write about this in “Miracle in the Life of Sis. Mary Anne Bongo Part 2”).

Sis. Mary Anne Bongo testifying in the pulpit during JMCIM worship service in Cebu, Phils. (March 2012)

Halleluiah! To God be ALL the glory!

~ Sis. Rina R. Peru

Robbery Miracle: The Testimony of Sister Tarciana Sibayan

Mar14

Sister Tarciana Sibayan at JMCIM worship venue at the Amoranto Stadium, Quezon Phils. (February 2012)

There is a Bible verse that our Church, JESUS MIRACLE CRUSADE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY, holds onto like a fool-proof weapon far more powerful than any man-made ones. Many of the beloved brethren from the earlier years of JMCIM up to the present have completely believed and trusted in this verse literally, every word of it.

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. (Is. 54:17)

I swear by God that in the almost-nine years that I have been serving the Lord in JMCIM, I have heard enough testimonies of brethren being saved by God from firearms, knives and other deadly weapons that could astound many believers around the world if they were all written and shared. There are many, I assure you, and the ones that stand above the rest are the testimonies of our beloved Hon. Pastor Evangelist Wilde E. Almeda and the twelve prayer warriors when they went up to the mountains of Talipao, Jolo, Sulu in the island of Mindanao and entered the camp of the Abu Sayyaf. You can read the whole story of the victorious peace mission here.

What I’m going to share to you now is the mighty deliverance of God in an ordinary day that He wrought to an ordinary believer.

Sister Tarciana and her family used to be very poor – no food, no home. When they received the Lord Jesus Christ and served Him faithfully in the ministry of Jesus Miracle Crusade, the Lord prospered them. He gave them a business from which they get their livelihood. Sis. Tarciana gives her tithes and love offering diligently and the Lord increased their business more. It is a “variety store” where they also serve cooked food. Variety stores or in our native tongue, Sari-sari stores with carinderia (canteen) on the side are a very popular kind of small business among Filipinos.

At dawn a few weeks ago, Sis. Tarciana and two of her store helpers were opening the store and putting merchandise outside. Suddenly, a motorcycle with three riders stopped in front of the store. Two of the three men quickly entered the store while Sis. Tarciana, knowing their evil plan, ran to the cash drawer. There, one of the men pointed a gun to her face but Sis. Tarciana shouted Halleluiah! with all her might. Because of this, the man wrenched Sis. Tarciana’s mouth and then put the gun inside her mouth but Sis. Tarciana was quick to push it away and again shouted Halleluiah! with all her might. The man shot her on the face but the gun didn’t fire. Nothing.

He then motioned his companion to be the one to shoot her which he did three times on her face but – nothing. There were just three clicks. The gun didn’t fire.

“Who are we that God would protect us so mightily? I didn’t have any weapon except my voice. My voice that was desperately calling to God for help. Thank you, Lord!” Sis. Tarciana sobbed uncontrollably in the pulpit.

Her two children came out and her 10-year old son shouted, “Mama! Hallelluiah!” He saw everything that happened. He heard how the gun clicked three times and his beloved mother was unhurt.

The two robbers panicked as they tried to amass as many change as they could from the drawer. Then they again pointed the gun at her, but Sis. Tarciana, emboldened now, held down their hands and again shouted Halleluiah! as loud as she could. The two robbers, in panic and visibly shaking, ran out of the store and escaped in their motorcycle.

The place where Sis. Tarciana keeps the bills and her cell phones was untouched. The robbers didn’t see it.

Halleluiah! To God be the glory!

~ Sis. Rina Peru

God’s Mighty Deliverance: Testimony of Kidnap Survivor Sis. Angie Letada

Feb8

Sister Angie Letada at the Amoranto Stadium, Quezon City, Phils. Taken Feb, 2012.

Sis. Angie begins her testimony being barely able to control herself from crying freely. She testifies that on January 7, 2012, Saturday, at 7:00 in the evening, while they were celebrating her beloved mother’s birthday, she went out to buy barbecue at a street corner near their house. While she was standing along the street near Heritage Homes in Marilao, Bulacan, a red, tinted van without a plate number suddenly came speeding by and two hooded men picked her up.

They forcibly pushed her into the van. She fought with all her might until her clothes were ripped but she didn’t prevail. Inside the van, she saw three other women who were blindfolded, gagged, and their hands were tied behind them. As soon as she was inside the van, they also quickly blindfolded her and tied her hands behind her. They did not put a gag in her mouth.

She felt the van was going in circles. Although she was so scared, she desperately asked for forgiveness for all her sins and shortcomings to her family and to the Lord and began singing praises to Him. (Many times during her testimony, Sis. Angie would burst into tears just remembering the trauma she had gone through).

She testifies that they took their watches and other belongings. One of the kidnappers declared that they were going to kill them all because they couldn’t get anything of value from them. Sis. Angie continued to sing praises to the Lord much more desperately.

At 4:00 in the morning, she was praising relentlessly, proclaiming the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. She completely surrendered her life to His keeping. Then, the driver of the van ordered his companions to release the one in white (Sis. Angie was the only one wearing white among the victims). Sis. Angie continued to pray feverishly, begging the Lord to save her and let her live and she vowed that she will serve Him all her life. She also begged the kidnappers not to hurt her, telling them she has two little kids.

One of the kidnappers took her slippers telling her that he would give them to his wife. Sis. Angie answered that they could take everything as long as they wouldn’t hurt her. She could feel the Lord Jesus just standing by her side.

The kidnappers dropped her off at around 4:00 in the morning. It was dark and raining, and she didn’t know where she was. The place was like a forest and she couldn’t recognize it at all. She was barefoot. Surprisingly, she found 100 pesos somewhere in her pocket. She remembered her beloved husband giving her the money. She was so thankful to the Lord for this. She used the money for fare. Then, she met an old woman who let her use her cell phone.

She was able to contact her beloved mother. Her family finally found her at Tabang Exit in Bulacan. Later, they heard in the news that there were three women found dead in Balagtas, Bulacan. Sis. Angie didn’t want to think that these were the three women that were with her inside the van, but she was just so overwhelmingly thankful to the Lord Jesus for His GOODNESS! Balagtas is near Tabang Exit where she was found. And it was in Balagtas that the three bodies of women were thrown.

Sis. Angie almost couldn’t believe the miracle that happened to her – that she was delivered by the Lord from the certainty of death and she was brought home safe.

HALLELUIAH! THE HIGHEST PRAISES TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!!

~ Sis. Rina Peru