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How a Catholic man from Vienna, Austria came to know
the church, studied and come to believe its teachings, then converted  Iglesia ni Cristo.

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  Inspiring Convert Story-33

"I thank God for calling me"

Karl Metzinger
Vienna, Austria

 

     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.

     When I finished commercial vocational school, I became a leader in our Catholic youth organization where members participated in many activities like sports contests. We were also urged to do good deeds like helping both the aged and the handicapped. It was truly a nice period in my life and I felt this was where I belong.  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. I became an active member of several sports clubs. I enjoyed the victories, parties, and the trips abroad. 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 day something unexpected happened to my life.

     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. When I got on my plane to Europe, a thought occurred to me and I wondered if the two of us would ever meet again.      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.

     I started to attend the worship services every Thursday and Sunday. Brother Noel Ferreras, the assigned minister in the locale, taught me the Church’s fundamental doctrines after the worship services. With the assistance of Airen, who translated the lessons from Tagalog to English, I began to understand the teachings of the Iglesia ni Cristo. Through Brother Ferrera’s and Sister Airen’s full support, I was able to finish all the lessons. Unfortunately, I returned to Europe in May 1992.

     While at home in Austria, I informed my father about my listening to the teachings upheld by the Iglesia ni Cristo. I told him how strong I was in the belief that this Church is the only Church where salvation can be found. Later, I convinced him to attend the worship service every Sunday in Vienna until, finally, he decided to embrace the Church.

     My father could only attend the Bible study on doctrines once a month as Brother Danilo Caalim, the resident minister of Frankfurt, Germany would come and taught the lessons in German. This helped my father a lot. It also made me understand the teachings of the Church better. Brother Jorge de los Reyes Jr., the head deacon of the Committee Prayer in Vienna, assisted both my father and me in our quest for the true faith.

         Finally, we were baptized on February 20, 1994 in Frankurt, Germany. I felt that God had given me the chance to leave behind all my sins.

     I am greatly indebted to both Brothers Noel Ferreras and Danilo Caalim who patiently taught me the fundamental doctrines of the Iglesia ni Cristo. I also thank Brother Jorge de los Reyes Jr. and all the brethren in Vienna Committee Prayer for giving their support. Above all, I thank the Almighty God for bringing me to the right path. I always pray to Him to help me lead a Christian way of life.

     I wish that my family, relatives and friends would also listen to the teachings of God in the Iglesia ni Cristo so that they, too, would inherit the eternal life that God has promised to His chosen people.

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Source:  God's Message

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