• Timeline Of Ministry

    Bro. Roel Soriano
    1959-2021

  • Late 1970s

    Starts His Journey With The Lord

    Starts his journey with the Lord attending the United Pentecostal Church (UPC).

  • 1979

    Accepts The Message Of The Hour

    • Accepts the Message with his parents, Bro. Sanny and Sis. Estela Soriano, together with their whole household.
    • Under the Pastorship of his father, Bro. Sanny Soriano, begins teaching adult Sunday School in “Galas House of Prayer“, a small community church in Quezon City started by the Soriano family.

  • Early 1980s

    Starts Helping His Father In The Ministry

    Starts helping heavily in his dad’s ministry teaching, preaching and leading Bible Studies.

  • 1983

    Starts First Outreach

    • With his father, Bro. Sanny, starts his first outreach in Sapang Palay, Bulacan now under Ptr. Cris Regalado. For 3 years, they would patiently travel for 2 hours every Sunday afternoon, on public transportation, until the outreach became a full-fledged church in 1986.
    • Pioneers the ministry in Pangpang, a barangay in San Carlos in the province of Pangasinan. He would ultimately hold countless crusades here alongside missionary, Bro. Neil Murray, leading many souls to the Lord.

  • 1984

    Marries His Wife and Opens Up Church Of The Overcomer

    • Marries his wife, Sis. Cynthia “Chichi” Soriano, who eventually goes full time in ministry with him.
    • Opens the church in Peralta Street naming it, “Church of the Overcomer” where he is officially ordained as Pastor.

  • 1986

    Organizes and Holds the First Monthly Ministers’ Meeting

    • Organizes and holds the first Monthly Ministers’ Meeting (3M) in his church in Peralta Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila. It was always his vision to provide a venue for Message ministers, young and old, to fellowship at least once a month and use this time to equip and encourage one another. He also wanted to train the new ministers who have come out of different denominations and into the Message.

  • 1987

    His First Daughter is Born | Holds First Summer Camp Meeting

    • Holds the first ever Summer Camp Meeting in Pangpang with pioneering missionaries, Bro. Ray Maddox, Bro. Jackie Benton, and Bro. Neil Murray.
    • Organizes the first ever Youth Convention in Fairview. Bro. Roel pioneered many of the Youth activities we now love and enjoy (quarterly youth conventions, youth anniversaries, youth discipleship programs, youth camps, youth retreats etc.). Being a young pastor himself, he had a heart and a huge burden for the young people.
    • Starts a small family with the birth of his eldest daughter, Sis. Paola Soriano.

  • 1988

    Launches Youth Discipleship

    • Launches a youth discipleship program in his local church.

  • 1989

    Church In Peralta Street Burns Down | Second Daughter Yndi Born

    • The church in Peralta Street, Sta. Mesa burns down to the ground leaving Bro. Roel with no place for his congregation and no home for his family. Left with nothing but the clothes on his back, this was the biggest blow to his ministry and critics were quick to condemn. Quoting Bro. Roel during a conversation he had with one of his closest confidants, he said, “When the fire in Peralta happened, it was when I discovered who my real friends were.” His church temporarily finds shelter in P.U.P.
    • With the help of American missionaries and the cooperation of his local assembly, the church in Peralta is rebuilt within the same year.
    • His 2nd and youngest daughter, Sis. Yndi Soriano, is born.

  • Early 1990s

    First Manila Camp Meeting Organized | The Co-Bearer Training Program Is Born

    • Organizes the first annual Manila Camp Meeting in Rainforest Park, Pasig City.
    • Fires up Youth Activities in his local assembly, the Church of the Overcomer, by dividing his growing number of young people into five groups he called, “The Pentateuch“(The First Five Books of the Hebrew Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). Each group had a leader aside from the overall Youth President. They were being utilized to assist in the cell groups and other youth activities.
    • Sets up one of the most historic training programs under his ministry, “The Co-bearer Training“. Bro. Roel is the first Message minister in the Philippines to conduct a formal training aimed at developing the gifts of the young brothers in the church who feel they have a calling in ministry. These young brothers eventually turned out to be reputable pastors and assistant pastors.

  • Early 1990s

    The Message Spreads Heavily In The Country | First Message Exposition Meeting Organized

    • The Message movement spreads like wildfire in the province of Pangasinan with Bro. Roel as one of the main movers. Specific milestones directly influenced by his ministry are as follows:
      Bayambang outreach under Dr. Andrew Junio.

      • “Operation Pablo” in Dagupan under Ptr. Fidel Baltazar where Bro. Roel would visit and gather pastors and ministers to introduce the Message of the Hour. A group of 30 denominational pastors and workers attended the first time followed by a Message Exposition seminar.
      • A Message Exposition seminar in Urdaneta where many denominational pastors and workers like Ptr. Gerry Madarang and wife, Sis. Rosel Madarang were converted.
      • Camp Meetings in Lingayen under Ptr. Salvador Manaoat and his group.
      • Joint Fellowships in Sison Auditorium.

  • Early 1990s

    Produces First Music Album "My Song" | Birth Of Cartoon Character "Igol Dagol"

    • Produces his first album, “My Song” with original compositions that believers have grown to know and love. This album included songs like, “Just to Be a Blessing” also known as “Jackie’s Song” inspired by his good friend, Bro. Jackie Benton, “Gates of Love”, “Tinig”, “Konti na Lang”, “Lulukso-Lukso ang Puso Ko”, “Back to My Origin” and “Revelation 10:7”.
    • Gives birth to the iconic cartoon character, “Igol Dagol“. Igol is a cartoon eagle that Bro. Roel sketched and created and was a mainstay in the Church of the Overcomer’s quarterly newsletter. Being a fan of comic strips and a gifted artist himself, Bro. Roel used Igol to bring to light challenges in the Christian walk in a comedic and satirical manner.

  • 1992

    Pioneers The Monumental Ministry In Cagayan Valley

    • Pioneers the monumental ministry in Cagayan Valley. The enduring work of the Lord in this massive area started when Bro. Maurice Gumpal, one of his most trusted youth leaders, brought him to his hometown in Carulay. Both Bro. Maurice’s parents were saved together with 7 more people from their neighborhood. Through Bro. Roel’s dedication, hard work, and diligence, many churches in Cagayan Valley were formed and established. Esteemed churches like San Pablo Church, Ramon Church, Salay Church along with Carulay Church were products of his ministry. He always made sure that the churches had harmonious and orderly relationships with one another. He guided them, mentored them, supported them, and was a true Apostle and Elder to the Cagayan Valley churches.
    • Initiates a Message Exposition seminar in Cagayan Valley.

  • 1993

    Intensifies Efforts To Spread The Message in the Villages & Streets | Operation Pablo is Launched

    • Intensifies efforts to spread the Message of the Hour through village preaching and street crusades.
    • Conceptualizes and launches “Operation Pablo,” a brilliant and fearless effort designed to share the Message to individuals in the denominations. Bro. Roel mobilized his young people, specifically young brothers, to go into different denominational churches, attend their services, make friends, and in return, ask them to come to the church in Sta. Mesa to hear the Message. In retrospect, this was the start of the bold approach that ultimately evolved into what we now know as the Mystery Expo seminars.

  • 1994

    Work In Mindoro Starts | Hosts Bro. Ed Byskal | Takes His First Trip To North America

    • Starts the missionary work in Mindoro with Bro. Maurice Gumpal.
    • Goes on his first trip to North America to visit Cloverdale Bibleway and Bible Believers HQ at the invitation of Bro. Eddie Byskal.
    • Hosts Bro. Eddie Byskal’s first and only trip to the Philippines organizing a major convention and a camp meeting for him. This paved the way for Bible Believers to open an office in the Philippines seeing the great need for missionary work here. A true witness, Bro. Byskal had the privilege of attending a number of Bro. Branham’s services and accompanied him on several hunting trips.
    • Forms a small fellowship in Hong Kong for Overseas Filipino Workers, mostly sisters from Manila and Cagayan Valley. During the early days when Bro. Roel would visit because they couldn’t afford a flat, they would famously gather in the streets of Hong Kong and Bro. Roel would conduct the services there, standing and kneeling for hours. He would teach them gospel songs along the beach and would preach Message sermons in the parks. Eventually, he names the fellowship there “Bride of Christ Christian Fellowship” (BCCF) which still perseveres until today.

  • 1995

    Manila Camp Meeting Moved to Tagaytay City | Church Moved to Broadway Centrum Due to Growth

    • Moves the venue of the annual Manila Camp Meeting to Tagaytay City.
    • Moves his church to Broadway Centrum to accommodate the growing congregation.

  • Mid 1990s

    Tagaytay Ministry Started After Preaching at an Apostolic Church There

    • Is invited to preach at an apostolic church up on a hill in Tagaytay which sees the start of the ministry there. Bro. Cris Regalado, who was with him at that time, says he will never forget Bro. Roel’s pure humility.

  • 1997

    Starts Outreaches in the Bicol Region with Bro. Jackie Benton

    • Starts outreaches in the Bicol region with Bro. Jackie Benton. The church in Goa was among the first fruits.

  • 1998

    Embarks on His First Trip to the USA Ministering to American Churches

    • Embarks on his first trip to the United States ministering to American churches with his wife, Sis. Chichi. On the same trip, attends the International Ministers’ Conference hosted by Cloverdale Bibleway in British Columbia on Bro. Eddie Byskal’s personal invitation.

  • 1999

    Starts Talim Island and San Isidro in Surigao Del Norte Outreaches | Final Music Albums Produced and Recorded

    • Starts the Talim Island outreach triumphantly bringing the whole congregation, including the pastor, into the Message. The group was previously under the Church of Christ.
    • Visits a small town called San Isidro in Surigao Del Norte, Siargao which sees the conversion of Bro. Pentecostes “Cos” Dulpina, a pastor from Jesus Miracle Crusade (JMC). Local workers like Bro. Cos would eventually be of great help to Bro. Roel as he would mobilize them to set up Mystery Expos in the island and surrounding regions like Augusan Del Norte, leading more denominational workers, ministers and congregations to the Message.
    • Produces his final albums, “Your Love’s So Real” and “Langisan Mo“.

  • Late 1990s

    Starts Working for Bible Believers as their Senior Translator

    • Starts working for Bible Believers as their Senior Translator, training and supervising other ministers who wanted to help in this endeavor to translate the books of Rev. William Branham to Filipino.

  • 2000

    Attends the Missionary Camp Meeting in North Carolina and the Believers’ Youth Camp in Ohio

    • Attends the Missionary Camp Meeting in Ruth, North Carolina for the first time. This is the Missionary Camp Meeting now under Bro. Joe Greene and has since worked hand in hand with Bro. Roel in his missionary efforts in the Philippines. Upon seeing Bro. Roel in the audience and having known him from a previous trip to the Philippines, the host pastor back then, Bro. Dan Daisley, asked him to preach in one of the morning services. This paved the way for a lot of “open door” invitations for him from American ministers who wanted him to come and preach for their churches.
    • Attends the biggest Youth Camp in the U.S.A. called “Believers’ Youth Camp” (BYC) hosted by Bro. Mike Severt. This inspires him to start a Youth Camp in the Philippines which he eventually passes on to Bro. Danny Del Mundo.

  • 2002

    Birth and Spread Of The "Mystery Expo Seminars" Throughout the Philippines

    • The birth of the “Mystery Expo Seminars“. This name was personally created by Bro. Roel to formalize all efforts in bringing the Message of the Hour to denominational ministers in a seminar format. Bro. Roel made it a point to present the Message in a non-offensive way, applying an approach that was not arrogant and self-righteous, reducing chances for conflict or heated debates that defeated the purpose altogether. The first ever Mystery Expo was conducted in Bicol in 2002 where 50 ministers were present.
    • Visits Mindanao bringing the Mystery Expo seminars to Zamboanga Del Sur and Cabadbaran City in Agusan Del Norte with Bro. Lito Solo, a denominational pastor who was also a product of the expos that year.
    • Heads to General Santos City in South Central Mindanao encouraging the ministers there and forging a partnership with Pastor Sammy Durano supporting his radio broadcast, “Thus Saith the Lord” in DXGS Radyo Pilipino, an AM station in GenSan, bringing in many new converts into the Message.
    • Is invited to preach at New Covenant Gospel Church, a Full Gospel church in Baras, Rizal under Pastor Ross Franco.

  • 2003

    Goes on His First Europe Trip to Visit Germany and Italy

    • Flies to Europe for the time attending the Easter Meetings in Germany upon the invitation of Bro. Gerd Rodewald. He was asked to preach during the meetings and then visited different churches in Holland, Belgium and Norway.
    • Goes to Milan, Italy for the first time upon the invitation of a group of Filipinos under the United Pentecostal Church (UPC). This was the start of the ministry in Milan.

  • 2004

    The Message of the Hour Spreads Throughout the Country via The Mystery Expos

    • Brings the Mystery Expo seminars to Surigao Del Norte in Mindanao baptizing 76 souls just in one week. A total of 280 people accepted the Message on this phenomenal trip alone.
    • Baptizes 64 ministers in Cagayan De Oro City after teaching on the “Manifestation of Sonship“.
    • Holds another expo in Tangub City, Zamboanga Western Mindanao where a ministerial association of 70 ministers attended the 2-day meeting.
    • Heads to Dumaguete City to encourage and support Bro. Donald Tabile, a young pastor who recently accepted the message through the expos.
    • Presents the Message to 45 tribal pastors in Agusan Del Norte.
    • Conducts an expo for 60 ministers in Bacolod in the province of Negros Occidental. Three more expos were lined up within the same year.
    • Goes to Bohol in the Central Visayas region for a series of Mystery Expo seminars with Bro. Lito Solo ministering to more than 20 pastors and workers.
    • Starts holding the annual November 1 Joint Fellowship in the P.U.P. Auditorium.

  • 2005

    Conducts an all Day Mystery Expo Seminar to the "Pentecostal Pastors Fellowship" in Negros Oriental

    • Conducts a whole day Mystery Expo seminar for a group called “Pentecostal Pastors Fellowship” in Negros Oriental and ends up leading 17 ministers of 12 churches to the Message. Baptizes 200 people from this same group.
    • Starts working with Bro. Luth Cinco, another recent convert of the expos, in an aggressive evangelistic crusade to bring the Message across Agusan and Surigao Del Norte.

  • 2006

    Hosts the First LaFontaine Family Concert in the Philippines | Heads Back to Europe to Assist the Ministry in Italy

    • Hosts the first LaFontaine Family Concert in P.U.P. Through Bro. Roel’s endorsement, many churches were able to receive musical instruments and training from the LaFontaine Foundation.
    • Heads back to Europe and brings Bro. Maurice Gumpal, one of his closest and most trusted associates, to Milan upon the request of Bro. Rey Cabildo to assist him in ministry.

  • 2007

    Baptizes Over 100 People in Oslao, Surigao Del Norte | Heads to Mindanao to Minister to the Tribal Churches

    • Ministers to a couple of hundred people from the Mamanwa tribe in Oslao, Surigao Del Norte under Pastor Penados and baptizes over a hundred of them after the meetings.
    • Flies back to Mindanao to minister to Tribal churches of the Mamanwa and Manobo tribes distributing Message books and food.
    • Holds an expo in Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte with astounding results.

  • 2010

    Initiates Missions and Holds Mystery Expo Seminars in Palawan, Philippines

    • Starts the tribal ministry for the Tau’t Bato, an indigenous tribe in Palawan, including the Tau’t Daram and some Palawan Muslims.
    • Initiates a series of Mystery Expo seminars in Northern and Central Palawan. This intensified effort effectively spreads the Message in places like Paly, Sader and Arado II in Taytay, Palawan; in Irawan, Calitang, Bucana, and Sitio Sabang; in Cabayugan in Puerto Princesa City, as well as Sitio Caliagon in Aborlan; also in Bgy. Bagong Sikat and Sitio Tagbarungis, Barangay Inagawan, both in Puerto Princesa.

  • 2011

    Officially Opens and Dedicates Overcomer Worship Center (OWC) in Taytay, Manila

    • Officially opens and dedicates Overcomer Worship Center (OWC) in Taytay, Manila East, the permanent home of The Church of the Overcomer. After so many years of moving, renting and putting the needs of other churches before theirs, Bro. Roel and his congregation finally have a place to call home. The following year, through the Lord’s provision, his church purchases the adjacent lot to build a Fellowship Hall that will serve as a rent-free venue for joint fellowships, camp meetings and even weddings.
    • Sends his eldest daughter, Sis. Paola Soriano, to the Winter Youth Retreat in Michigan, hosted by Bro. Paul LaFontaine and Bro. Barry Coffey.

  • 2012

    Returns to Europe and Visits the Netherlands for the First Time

    • Returns to Europe and heads to the Netherlands first upon the invitation of Bro. Henk Dijkstra for his Special Meetings in Wapenveld. It was here that Bro. Roel reported on Philippine missions and preached in Bro. Henk’s church. Many other ministers who heard him preach also invited him to come to their churches and minister: In Belgium for Bro. Albert Crombugge, in Norway for Bro. Per Johanssen, and again in Germany for Bro. Gerd Rodewald, Bro. Bernhard Frank and Bro. Gustav Panknin.

  • 2013

    Returns to Mindanao and Palawan to Continue Conducting Mystery Expo Seminars

    • Returns to Mindanao for a series of follow-up Mystery Expo seminars.
    • Conducts a Mystery Expo seminar in Rizal, Palawan which sees the conversion of more denominational pastors and tribal leaders spreading the Message in Southern Palawan.

  • 2014

    Fortifies the Ministry in Palawan | Organizes and Hosts the First Manila Youth Retreat (MYR)

    • Fortifies the ministry in Palawan by equipping the newly converted ministers there through trainings, visits and mentorship.
    • Organizes and hosts the first ever Manila Youth Retreat (MYR) with Bro. Barry Coffey and Bro. Paul LaFontaine as speakers.

  • 2015

    Hosts the second LaFontaine Family Concert in Manila East and in Pangasinan

    • Hosts the second LaFontaine Family Concert in his church in Manila East and in Pangasinan.

  • 2017

    Launches Mission Trip to the Aeta Community in Zambales | Intensifies Mystery Expo Efforts In Surigao

    • Launches a mission trip to the Aeta Community in Zambales introducing the Message to the local Tribal Leaders. On that same year, Bro. Roel would personally train and teach these community leaders through a 3-day mini expo at his church in Taytay.
    • Intensifies the Mystery Expo efforts in Surigao which sees more denominational ministers and whole churches accepting the Message.

  • 2018

    Conducts a Mystery Expo Seminar at a Big Christian Community Called Balay Kahayag

    • Conducts a Mystery Expo seminar at a big Christian Community called Balay Kahayag in Daanbantayan Road, Medellin, Cebu. Is accompanied by local evangelists like Bro. Lito Solo and the late Pastor of the church in Lapu-Lapu City, Bro. Marlon Verallo.

  • 2019

    Celebrates 40th Anniversary of the Church of the Overcomer | Starts Monthly Message Ministers’ Fellowship and Training

    • Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Church of the Overcomer. The theme is aptly called, “Joshua Generation”.
    • Starts the monthly Message Ministers’ Fellowship and Training (MMFT) in his church in Taytay. This was his first and final effort to train younger ministers on how to properly execute the Mystery Expo seminars. The trainings would gather a minimum of 50 ministers per month and continued virtually during the pandemic.
    • Conducts what will turn out to be his final Mystery Expo seminars in Dumaguete and Palawan.

  • 2020

    Completes Filipino Translation of The Church Age Book | Preaches Virtually for Costa Rica | Baptizes 33 Souls in Malinao Sta. Cruz, Laguna

    • Finishes the new and improved Filipino translation of “The Exposition of the Seven Church Ages” by Rev. William Marrion Branham. The book is expected to be printed in the next year or two under Vision Books by Bro. Barry Coffey and Hickory Bible Tabernacle.
    • Preaches virtually for Costa Rica per the invitation of Bro. Eric Chacón, Pastor of Tabernáculo Emanuel. Bro. Roel was planning a missionary trip to Central America before he passed.
    • Baptizes 33 souls in a community church in Malinao, Sta. Cruz, Laguna at the height of the pandemic. This outreach, led by Bro. Celso Vergara, is also a result of several Mystery Expo seminars held there the months prior.

A Note:
All accounts were given freely by believers who personally witnessed these events. Some were taken from letters sent by Bro. Roel to American and European missionaries. Dates recollected may vary. Finally, this timeline only highlights some of his contributions to the work of the Lord in the Philippines. The rest were not included due to space limitations. We would also like to acknowledge all the ministers who have worked side by side with him through the years to accomplish all this as well as the support of Bro. Roel’s local church and his family. May his life serve as an inspiration to those of us who remain awaiting His glorious coming. To God be the glory.