"I thank God for calling me"

Former Religion:
I WAS BAPTIZED into the Catholic Church in the same way as my parents, grandparents, and most of the people in Austria were baptized. During my school days, I attended the mass and other religious activities regularly. . . . I believed then, that I was worshipping the true God so I did not realize that I was following man-made teachings like worshipping images. . . . . At the age of 21, I stopped attending religious activities because of my ambition to get into sports. . . . My mind was no longer set on reaching that most important goal—being prepared for the second coming of Christ on Judgment Day. For many years, I wandered away from “salvation’s path” and lived without hope until one daysomethingsomethinghunexpected appeneddto my life.my life.
Iglesia ni Cristo:
     In June 1991, I took a trip to the Philippines where I met Airen Borlagadan. I was so impressed by her kindness that I kept her address before I left the country. . . .  After a few days, I wrote a letter to her. Coincidentally, I also received a letter from her. In her letters, she asked me about my religion and she also told me that she is a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo or Church of Christ.  She emphasized that this is the true religion where God commanded people to enter.  So If I wanted to learn more about her religion, she would be glad to invite me to go to her church with her and her family. At that time, it does not really matter to me, which church one belongs, as long as he leads a Christian way of life. But later on, I changed my mind and finally decided to inquire into the teachings of her church, the Iglesia ni Cristo, with her assistance. . . . .  When I returned to the Philippines to visit Airen in March 1992, I attended my first worship service in her church and the solemnness of the occasion gave me a good feeling. I had never felt this before. One thing I noticed was the deep devotion of the worshippers. I was also impressed with the way the minister expounded the teachings written in the Bible. Moreover, the brotherhood and the unity among the members (as I learned later) made me interested to learn more about the Church of Christ.
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Former Religion:
     I was an active member of the Roman Catholic Church. At that time, I was already separated from my husband and was struggling hard in taking care of my two kids on my own.
Iglesia ni Cristo:
     Sister Lory persuaded and convinced me to attend the instruction in biblical doctrines in their area, knowing that if I would join the Church and serve the true God, I would find solace for my sufferings. . . . I was so eager to learn the doctrines of the Bible and so I didn’t hesitate to ask everyone many questions. Since then, my close friends and even my relatives had started to change their attitude toward me. But in spite of the fact that they were against what I was doing, I continued attending doctrinal instruction and worship services. During the course of my joining the Church, I encountered hindrances and heavy persecutions; many of my relatives and friends disowned me because of my decision to join the Church. It was my faith in God and conviction to serve Him that made me strong enough to overcome these things.
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Former Religion:
      Since childhood, my mother would accompany my brother and sisters and me to attend the Catholic Mass on Sundays. . . .  At the age of 12, I told my mother that I would no longer attend church services as I could not feel anything by doing so—I could not feel God. . . . She asked me to go on attending if only for her sake. I agreed but I attended only twice a year and this was during Christmas and Good Friday of the Holy Week. . . . At that young age I already had a lot of questions about so many things concerning my religion. I asked myself why I was baptized as a baby when I could not yet answer for myself. Another big question in my mind was on the doctrine of celibacy. I could not understand why the priests were not allowed to marry when they have all the right to do so. I asked myself why.
Iglesia ni Cristo:
     My first attendance in the Iglesia ni Cristp worship service was at Frankfurt Locale sometime in February of 1989. Many things attracted my attention—how the deacons and deaconesses were formally dressed, the seating arrangement that separated the men from the women, and the solemn atmosphere. I sat down and observed for a while until I, like the others, closed my eyes and prayed. At that moment, I felt something that I have never felt before. It was an overwhelming feeling that I could not describe. . . .  When the minister started to preach, some of the questions that have lingered in  my mind since age 12 were answered one by one. After having attended the worship service, I felt I needed to know more about this Church. There was also this invisible force that seemed like a hand guiding me to attend again and again. For the first time in my life, I found what I was looking for—a peaceful relationship with God.
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