Eli Soriano Members Church of God International

Eliso ‘Eli’ Fernando Soriano, also known as BES ( Bro. Eli Soriano), Brother Eli or Kapatid na Eli is a Fiipino televangelist. He currently the ‘Overall servant’ of the Members Church of God International (MCGI). It is an international Christian religious organization with headquarters in Pampanga, Philippines. He is also the main host of a radio and television program Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path).

Eli was born on 4th April 1947 in Pasay, Philippines. He started school when he was 8. He dropped out of school 3 months before graduation due to an alleged religious debate between Eli and the school administrator.

7th April, 1964, 3 days after his 17th birthday, he was baptized and became a member of the Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of the Truth - (
(CGCJPST) - his parents church.

In 1969 Nicholas Antiporda Perez, the church’s presiding minister, gave Eli the title of minister. The rumour was that when Perez died Eli would succeed him.

Perez died in 1975 and Levita Gugulan, not Eli, became the new leader. He initially accepted the appointment but later denounced her leadership by saying according to the Bible women should not be leaders of the church .
In 1976 Eli and his allies left the Gugulan sect. They setup their own sect with a similar name to CGCJPST. This resulted in a suit being filed. Eventually in 2004 it became Members Church of God International (MCGI.
( See Schism and information on MCGI)

Eli is known for:-
1.his signature method of ’ Bible Exposition’-in a live show guests get the chance to ask impromptu questions
2.his straight forward preaching and exposing what he believes to be doctrinal errors by local or international religious groups.
3. debating with different pastors.

He is very much into charitable works with his cousin Daniel Razon. These include FREE medical and dental check-ups, FREE bus rides, FREE transient home for homeless people.
( For the 4 projects in 2010 see ‘Charitable works’ for more more detail)

Ang Dating Daan (ADD) is a religious radio and television hosted primarily by Eli and began at the end of 1980. It is considered to be the longest running religious program in the Philippines. It is now aired in 73 countries worldwide including Brazil, India, Japan,Latin America, Portugal, Saipan,Spain, South Africa and the USA.It is translated into 5 languages over terrestrial television, radio, internet and carried by at least 7 satellites across the globe.
(See ‘Ang Datin Daan’ and BroEli channel)

Eli is currently in exile from the Philippines to evade various death threats over his preaching and the countless libel cases he faces from people he defamed.

Eli is using this opportunity to preach the Gospel of Jesus abroad.

Sources used
EliSoriano.com
Wikipedia