MCGI thanks those who offered support, tributes for the late Bro. Eli Soriano

The Members Church of God International (MCGI) has expressed its gratitude and appreciation to all those who extended their sympathies and tributes for the passing of international televangelist Brother Eliseo “Eli” Soriano.
It has been a week since Brother Eli, host of the longest-running religious program in the Philippines, “Ang Dating Daan,” died at the age of 73 but messages of condolences and support continue to pour in.
“While we in MCGI believe that the recorded preachings of Bro. Eli are more than enough to console and heal our broken hearts for his sudden passing, your messages recognizing his efforts and sacrifices give us great joy and a sense of pride as members of the Church of God International and strengthen our resolve to pursue his aspiration—for us to love and care for one another, attain Godly perfection, and make known the words of God in the Bible to all mankind,” the MCGI said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Among those who offered condolences was President Rodrigo Duterte, who, in a recorded video message, expressed his sympathies to Brother Eli’s family, loved ones, and supporters as he remembered the late preacher’s dedication and efforts to spread the word of God.
Some local politicians, diplomats and even leaders of different religious groups have also sent messages of support and recognition of Brother Eli’s services and charity works.
“We would like to especially thank President Rodrigo Duterte, distinguished senators of our country, governors and mayors, ambassadors, leaders of different religious groups, members of the mass media for practicing fair and constructive journalism, and the tens of millions of netizens around the world for your condolences and expression of sympathy,” the MCGI said.
“It is heartwarming to know that we are one in spirit in regretting the loss of our beloved Bro. Eli,” it added.
“Your words of appreciation on the life, dedication, and sacrifices of Bro. Eli serve as a testament of a life well-spent. His exhortation of God’s words in the Bible not only made a great impact in our hearts and minds, but also to countless people from all walks of life around the world,” it further stated.
Consolations and accolades offered by many people are indeed pleasing to hear, the MCGI said, but if Brother Eli were only around, “he would definitely tell us that all praises and honor belong to the Almighty and that he is merely an unworthy servant.”
The MCGI said that one biblical reminder that Brother Eli frequently told his listeners and viewers are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 17:10: “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”
Brother Eli started his flagship program “Ang Dating Daan” in 1980. After years of challenges to find a permanent home, ADD and Bro. Eli’s other programs “Truth in Focus” and “Itanong mo kay Soriano” finally settled with UNTV on 2004.
He was forced to leave the Philippines in 2005 due to religious persecution. He settled in Brazil where he continued his global evangelization efforts.
He was known for his straightforward and courageous method of exposing errors in doctrines of various religious groups locally and abroad through his signature segment “Itanong Mo kay Soriano, Biblia ang Sasagot” – a non-scripted Bible Exposition being broadcasted live on TV and the internet where guests can ask impromptu questions which Bro. Eli answers with verses from the Scriptures.