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Marlon Rivera: We’re a mixed religion in the family. My mom was a Catholic. My dad was a Protestant. My dad is always persecuting us. Saying that our worshiping idols, doing sign of the cross, will not be saved. Growing up with that kind of situation, I was kind of confused.
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STORIES of FAITH
Marlon Rivera: I’m Marlon Rivera. I’m from Las Vegas, Nevada. I grew up in Manila, Philippines. Growing up, it’s very challenging. Poverty is part of life in the Philippines. Seeing those kinds of…It makes me inspired to do well for my future and to work hard and study hard. I went to school and studied engineering and marine transportation. I wanted to be successful so that I could help my parents, of course. And I can have a better life.
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Mixed Religion
We’re a mixed religion in the family. My mom was a Catholic, and my. My dad was a Protestant. And when I was in high school, I became an altar boy. Growing up with that kind of situation, I was kind of confused because my dad is always persecuting us, saying that our worshiping idols, doing the sign of the cross. We will not be saved.
Even though I don’t practice most of the doctrine of the Catholic Church. I still attend mass because of my friends, mostly were Catholic. I attend mass although I’m more leaning to the practice of Protestant. My dad never insists for us to go to this church, but I think what he wants for us is to have a willingness to attend their service.
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“I Became Curious”
I was introduced to Iglesia Ni Cristo during my early days, during high school. My classmate invited me to a worship service, but I never pursued it because we’re still young. I was reintroduced to the Iglesia Ni Cristo after I graduated college. My classmates in high school, we bumped into each other again. And then she repeated to invite me.
I attended the worship service again. The lesson I cannot forget about the two churches. It was explained very well, and it’s clear to me the comparison of the ark of Noah and about the Church Of Christ. That makes me more curious about the teachings. I continued attending the 28 lessons. I think that’s the time that God is already calling me and knocking on my heart.
Although my dad told me about the nature of Christ and he’s God, I still was not convinced. They still have a question in the back of my mind about the true teachings about Christ. And that’s the thing that I cannot explain, that God is really, giving me a chance to know more.
Interviewer: What kind of questions do you ask the minister?
Marlon Rivera: The only thing that I ask is just the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father. And it’s answering that question. I don’t really have any questions because it’s all clear to me. I don’t know, it’s hard to explain the feelings of accepting the doctrines of the Iglesia Ni Cristo so easily because I think I was inspired.
During the time that I was still a Catholic, there’s no peace inside the chapel of the Catholic Church. And when I attended the worship service in the Church Of Christ—Iglesia Ni Cristo—it’s so peaceful, very organized.
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“Fight For Your Own Faith”
My baptism day, I can never forget. It’s July 14th, 1984. My parents were already here in the United States when I was baptized. So no one really will stop me or or persecute me yet. I didn’t realize that I would be persecuted when I came here in the United States. I was persecuted by my sister. She found out that I’m a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. She wanted me to leave the Church, but my answer is, “Don’t worry. Tomorrow, early morning when you wake up, I’m no longer here.”
That night, I could hear my parents crying because they knew I’m leaving the next morning. The lesson that I heard is that you have to, you fight for your own faith. But I didn’t realize that until it happened to me. And I told myself, God gives me the strength to overcome those feelings. Though my situation was very difficult because I didn’t know how I could sustain my needs. I just got here from the Philippines and have no work or anything. I called the Minister. They told me, “just come to the chapel and a Deaconess will help you.” I said, oh my goodness. I mean, they don’t know me, but they asked me to stay in their house. And I was so overwhelmed by their generosity.
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“When You Put God First”
When you put God first everything, you put your trust in Him, you have that sense of peace and security. I’ve been a member for 40 years. I think of the inspiration of God, that keeps me going. I could remember when I would just be by myself because my sister disowned me. I found a job, I just kept going.
I leave to God whatever future I will have. When you put your life in order and do the things that God commanded you, you have a sense of peace and security. You will not have a fear in your heart because you know that God will always protect you. That’s the experience that I had. Though I was by myself, I could say that I’m happy during this time. I remember in the beginning a great big struggle that I had. I never thought that it’s really a burden because I know God is with you. He upheld me. It gave me strength and inspired me.
Give yourself a chance to listen to know more about the Church. You will not regret listening in the Church. All the teachings are coming from the Bible. And what they teach is God’s voice.
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STORIES of FAITH
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