In 1983 I was in Muscat (Oman) working as a finance clerk in a reputed company where I met a brother named Jerome D'Souza who began sharing with me from the Scriptures. I was a staunch Roman Catholic but the Scriptures from ‘Romans’ and ‘Ephesians’ uttered by this brother created an uneasiness in my heart. Then he mentioned to me that the teachings and rituals in the Roman Catholic Church were not scriptural. He also gave me a copy of the "Seven Church Ages" by Rev. William Branham to read. I still remember that I read the whole book in one night, from 10 pm to 3 am. I did not accept the words at face value but checked to see whether what was written, tallied with the scriptures, and surprisingly they did. This book greatly stirred me and made me seek His Word more.
In the course of my studies, I received the revelation of the baptism in the Name of Lord Jesus Christ and that the Lord God is one Eternal Spirit and not a Triune God consisting of three persons as was taught to me in the Roman Catholic church. I wanted to get baptized immediately according to Acts 2:38.
In the course of my studies, I received the revelation of the baptism in the Name of Lord Jesus Christ and that the Lord God is one Eternal Spirit and not a Triune God consisting of three persons as was taught to me in the Roman Catholic church. I wanted to get baptized immediately according to Acts 2:38.
In 1984, I went back to Bombay on leave and one brother who was in the end-time faith took me to a pastor. On 30th June, 1984, in the pouring rain, I was baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. While I was in Bombay during my leave, I was attending fellowship in Agripada, pastored by Bro. Richard D’souza, Bro. Hubert D’souza was an elder in the same fellowship at the time.
Some two months after I returned to Muscat, I had a wonderful experience. I was in my room at night, praying. Suddenly I started speaking in tongues. It was sudden and spontaneous, and was beyond my control. It lasted for about 5 minutes. I thanked the Lord for this experience, confirming that he had given me the earnest of His Spirit. Then, two months later I again had the same experience. Looking back I compared that with what I knew when I was in Charismaticism in which the leader would compel and cajole us to roll our tongues and speak in tongues, and we used to convince ourselves that that was a Holy Ghost experience when it was actually counterfeit.
Some two months after I returned to Muscat, I had a wonderful experience. I was in my room at night, praying. Suddenly I started speaking in tongues. It was sudden and spontaneous, and was beyond my control. It lasted for about 5 minutes. I thanked the Lord for this experience, confirming that he had given me the earnest of His Spirit. Then, two months later I again had the same experience. Looking back I compared that with what I knew when I was in Charismaticism in which the leader would compel and cajole us to roll our tongues and speak in tongues, and we used to convince ourselves that that was a Holy Ghost experience when it was actually counterfeit.
I used to write to my wife, Hilda, about my new found faith, but she was reluctant and was continuously attending the Roman Catholic rituals and masses. In 1985 on my leave I gave her the "Seven Church Ages" book and some brethren of the end-time faith visited her and shared with her from the Scriptures. In February 1985, Hilda was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. I again returned to Muscat and was able to arrange a visa for Hilda and my daughter, Benita, who was 2 years old.
While we were in Muscat we used to fellowship with my friend Jerome and his family. We were in constant communication with Bro. L. S. Gan who used to send us his message books, together with issues of The Contender by Bro. Raymond Jackson, and the ‘Spoken Word’ books of Bro. Branham. We were having rich spiritual food.
While we were in Muscat we used to fellowship with my friend Jerome and his family. We were in constant communication with Bro. L. S. Gan who used to send us his message books, together with issues of The Contender by Bro. Raymond Jackson, and the ‘Spoken Word’ books of Bro. Branham. We were having rich spiritual food.
I shared the truth with all I came across. Many shunned me and considered my beliefs fundamental, others did not seem to want to ponder over whether what they had been believing all along was according to scripture or just blind belief in a man-made institution which their forefathers had belonged to.
In 1994, my contract was terminated. My family and I returned to Bombay.
I wanted to do something for the Lord. The Lord put it in my heart to arrange a convention with the help of Bro. Hubert, who is now the pastor of Faith Assembly in Borivli, Mumbai. We invited brethren of the end-time faith from different parts of India. Some 120 brethren attended the convention, which was held in Nasrapur in Oct-Nov 1994. The convention lasted 5 days. It was wonderful experience to meet and fellowship with brethren of like faith. The spiritual food for the convention was provided by the main speaker Bro. Richard Gan. All those who attended still remember and savour the memories of that time.
I wanted to do something for the Lord. The Lord put it in my heart to arrange a convention with the help of Bro. Hubert, who is now the pastor of Faith Assembly in Borivli, Mumbai. We invited brethren of the end-time faith from different parts of India. Some 120 brethren attended the convention, which was held in Nasrapur in Oct-Nov 1994. The convention lasted 5 days. It was wonderful experience to meet and fellowship with brethren of like faith. The spiritual food for the convention was provided by the main speaker Bro. Richard Gan. All those who attended still remember and savour the memories of that time.
I am now 19 years in the apostolic truth and am still learning.
On 25th May, 2003 I attended a meeting in YMCA, Agripada, where Bro. Gan preached. His preaching answered many of my questions. He mentioned that the important thing in our life is to do the ‘will of the father’ and that the other things, such as reaching out to others, performing miracles, doing ministry work, are secondary. By living our life according to the Will of the Father , which is according to His Word, our life itself will be a living testimony to the truth. I am now living my life taking one day at a time, and like Paul I am trying to ‘die daily’ so that I will be able to subdue the things of the flesh and reflect Christ in my life. The other works will follow.
On 25th May, 2003 I attended a meeting in YMCA, Agripada, where Bro. Gan preached. His preaching answered many of my questions. He mentioned that the important thing in our life is to do the ‘will of the father’ and that the other things, such as reaching out to others, performing miracles, doing ministry work, are secondary. By living our life according to the Will of the Father , which is according to His Word, our life itself will be a living testimony to the truth. I am now living my life taking one day at a time, and like Paul I am trying to ‘die daily’ so that I will be able to subdue the things of the flesh and reflect Christ in my life. The other works will follow.
Bro. Vally Serrao
(Written in June 2003)
(Written in June 2003)
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