Bro. Manuel Peralta
I met Bro. Roel for the first time in 2006 during a Bible Believers Ministers’ Meeting. When the Bible Believers Office closed, it was Brother Roel who gave me copies of Spoken Word Booklets, two hundred (200) copies of the Seven Church Ages book and fifty (50) sets of Supernatural. It was then that I became a little close to him.
I started attending Mystery Expositions organized by AFLC led by the late Pastor Ross Franco, of which, Pastor Roel was then a covenant partner and one of the presenters of the message.
Pastor Roel was the one whom I invited to dedicate our church building here in Alaminos City in 2012. Our relationship became closer and since then, he had been an inspiration for me to follow his footsteps, although his ministry was much greater and wider in scope. When not a few tried to bring down my ministry, destroying my lowly name and killing my little reputation, he was the one that encouraged me to continue on.
Bro. Roel was the one who dedicated our camp site in Lupao, Nueva Ecija. He was the one who brought our beloved brother Joe Greene to minister to us in 2018, if I’m not mistaken.
Bro. Roel spoke softly, unlike others who are energetic, but the message was heartfelt and with authority. He had a voice of authority that when he spoke everybody toed the line. I never heard him destroying another man’s reputation nor saying negative things. He was one of the few who never said negative things about me and my ministry. On the contrary, he always gave me encouragement to continue in my ministry.
I believe that his greatest legacy was not being a pastor to a big congregation but being a channel of inspiration to ministers like me to continue to grow in the ministry to reach our fullest potential. Also, he was instrument in bringing in financial resources from those churches abroad who have the ministry to help poor churches, financially not waiting for something in return. He was a selfless man of valor.
Bro. Ben Soriano
What made Bro. Roel stand out among the ministers of his day?
He was an oddball. He was very humble and full of wisdom. An approachable minister. Friendly. He was so light to be around and very easy to talk to. Very responsible and well-balanced. He was really different.
What else can you say about Bro. Roel?
He was someone who was sure of his calling. Everyone felt him, his real care and concern for each of us, and everyone loved him. We still do. He lived with grace. He really is an unforgettable minister of Jesus Christ.
Sis. Beth Vinarao
What parts of his ministry did you personally witness and what would you say were the highlights for you?
Pastor Roel’s ministry was built on the supernatural powers of the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave up a very lucrative career because of this ministry. His preaching of the Word of Jesus Christ and delivering the Message from the first time I attended a service struck my attention and from then on changed my perspective of who the Lord is to me. That changed my life and my family.
What I will also remember the most will be the Mystery Expos. Pastor Roel finds every small window of opportunity to share the Word, no matter how remote or far the place is. Cagayan Valley End-time Message Churches were formed because of his ministry.
What made Bro. Roel stand out among the ministers of his day?
As a Pastor, his care and counseling to church members made him stand out among the other ministers. And this is because he was loving and compassionate no matter who you are and what your status is in life. For me, Pastor Roel is the best Pastor I’ve ever known and my favorite. I miss him so much.
What else can you say about Bro. Roel?
Pastor Roel’s traits that I really miss are his being empathetic, a good listener, a problem-solver, and being very talented but humble.
Bro. Garry Taburnal
What made Bro. Roel stand out among the ministers of his day?
His love for the people of God. Pastor Roel had the heart of God. And as a minister, he did not lack anything in his ministry. He fulfilled his calling very well.
Pastor Pentecostes "Cos" Dulpina
What made Bro. Roel stand out among the ministers of his day?
There are many pastors who are equally intelligent and good. Many who have equally big and growing ministries too. But for me, Brother Roel really stands out through time and across all situations. He was different. A rare breed. He was very humble, and he never got arrogant no matter how big his ministry became. He never promoted himself but instead promoted the Word of God and he shared it with us here (in Surigao). Brother Roel also had a very kind spirit. He did not think highly of himself. He reached out to anyone as best as he could. He was approachable and helped everybody.
What else can you say about Bro. Roel?
He was a good and loyal friend. Someone who, when other people would say bad things about you, wouldn’t believe it right away and would make sure to get all sides of the story first before making a conclusion or any judgment.
Pastor Mario Gumpal
What parts of his ministry did you personally witness and what would you say were the highlights for you?
The first time I heard how powerful his preachings were, it seemed like there was something in me that was awakened (the seed started to sprout). The old me was changed into a new one and my household and I started to live a Christlike life. Pastor Roel was the pioneer of the Mystery Expositions here in Cagayan Valley. As far as I can remember, he never wasted any time to preach whenever he visited Cagayan. Everytime he was here, he made sure that he could share the Word of God even in remote areas. He once said, “Why travel abroad when there are so many souls in far-flung areas in the Philippines that need to hear the Word of God first?”
What made Bro. Roel stand out among the ministers of his day?
Pastor Roel showed compassion to all believers. He was always meek and humble which made the person he was talking to feel comfortable talking to him. He never showed arrogance and he lent his ears and attention during a conversation. He was soft-spoken and he knew how to blend in in a crowd of believers, even among pastors. He can engage in various Godly conversations without making you feel bad or small.
I admire him because he always trusts the sovereignty of God in every situation. He was a humble person and had a serving heart. Loving and serving others are the marks of his life and his ministry in Cagayan Valley is evidence. He never lived for himself, he lived for the Lord. And when he died, he died for the Lord (Romans 14:7-8). He’s an example of a good leader. “We should follow him as he followed Christ.”
What else can you say about Bro. Roel?
He started his ministry here in Cagayan Valley as early as 1993, particularly here in Carulay. He poured out his time and effort here up to the early 2000s until Cagayan Valley Churches were formed because of his diligence and hard work. From time to time, he would always see to it that the churches have harmonious and orderly relationships with each other.
Brother Maurice Gumpal
What made Bro. Roel stand out among the ministers of his day?
What made Bro. Roel stand out among the many ministers of his day was his being a servant leader. He always gave preference to other people and was willing to walk the extra mile. A very humble, approachable, and flexible minister. A charismatic preacher, he had the ability to teach the Word and the Message in a way that even the unlearned could understand.
For me, one of the many successes of Bro. Roel’s ministry was when I brought him to my hometown to minister to my parents in the middle of 1992. Both my parents were saved together with seven more from our neighborhood. I never realized that that was the start of his huge ministry in Cagayan Valley. Our old house in Carulay, Echague served as a drop-off point for ministers Bro. Roel was sending there. My elder brother, Mario, who is now the pastor in our place, brought the ministers to different parts of Isabela to evangelize. Because of this, many churches were established such as San Pablo Church, Ramon Church, Salay Church, and of course the church in Carulay. The Message later on spread out to the rest of Cagayan.
The very highlight of Bro. Roel‘s whole ministry, however, was the Mystery Expo Seminars. It’s the reason why they called him “Mr. Expo.” It was very fruitful. At first, he was being criticized by no less than his close associates in the ministry but eventually, they too conducted their own copying his style.
Pastor Gerry Madarang
What parts of his ministry did you personally witness and what would you say were the highlights for you?
The life and ministry he displayed was not a matter of happenstance or coincidence. It was who he was.
The first time I met Pastor Roel was in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. It was during a meeting, somewhat like a Message Expo, back when we were still starting out in the Message and we were fixed on the contender of Bro. Jackson. That was when the monumental work of the Lord in Pangasinan started, when so many ministers, myself included, fully accepted the Lord through Pastor Roel.
I’m not sure if this will be considered a highlight of his ministry but back in 1998, Pastor Roel preached on “The Third Pull” during a Joint Fellowship here in Pangasinan. The next morning, that preaching was vindicated by God through a miraculous event I called, “Testimony at the Sea”. This was when big, dangerous waves took Brother Greg, a brother from our church, out into the ocean and he drowned. But applying the vindicated Word Pastor Roel taught through that preaching brought him back in front of me, alive and well.
What made Bro. Roel stand out among the ministers of his day?
I witnessed so many extraordinary things about this man. First, he never seemed to get tired when talking about the work of the Lord. He wasn‘t bossy. Instead, he was very humble and down-to-earth. He easily got along with people. He was full of compassion, and he was always ready to listen at any time of any day. I was able to prove that when another minister here in Pangasinan called him up wanting to consult about something. Without wasting any time, Pastor Roel immediately came over, and as he’s always done, stayed with me and my family at our home.
Another thing about him is that he was full of grace. There was no stale bread for him. He believed everyone was good. He never put a partition in the middle or caused divisions. I remember our Prophet said that if others build a circle around them, just build a bigger circle that would surround theirs.
I‘ve proven so many times that his motive and objective in sharing and living out the Word of God was right. I’ve learned so much from him and he has been such a great influence in my life as a minister, a pastor and a Christian. For as long as I live, the life that he’s shared with us will forever remain in my heart, as it will in the hearts of every member of my family and my congregation.
What else can you say about Bro. Roel?
Truly, there is only one Pastor Roel and cannot be duplicated.
“And when God places one, then, oh, all the whole church wants to be like that one, have the same kind of things, do the same things. We are cut out different, we’re made different, we are natured different, and we are positionally placed different, each one for a different work; maybe one for just a little kind of a work, another for a large work.”
60-0522M – Adoption #3
Rev. William Marrion Branham
Sister Marissa Nagallo
What parts of his ministry did you personally witness and what would you say were the highlights for you?
I’ve been under the ministry of Pastor Roel since 1986 when I was just 16 years old. I personally witnessed part of the Pampang Camp Meetings, the early youth activities, and when Sta. Mesa was burned down and rebuilt.
During my youth days, Pastor Roel was so hands-on with the youth ministry. He had a personal touch when it came to our lives. I can speak for myself how he taught me to face life, how to handle its adversities, and how to live my life to the fullest within God’s boundaries.
What made Bro. Roel stand out among the ministers of his day?
For me, personally, the best thing that made him stand out among the many ministers of his day is that he was willing to listen to everyone. No matter how insignificant you may seem to others, no matter how shallow you may think your issue is, he was there to listen. There were times he didn’t even need to speak but you would feel his concern.
The most significant trait I noticed about him was that he was like our Lord Jesus who let Mary, sister of Martha, sit at His feet listening to Him together with his disciples. He did not rebuke Mary as other ministers would do today because all they want is for the sisters to become Martha, someone whose rightful place is just in the kitchen. They forgot that the Lord rebuked Martha for being so busy in the kitchen, and commended Mary for choosing a better thing.
Pastor Roel had a better understanding that not all sisters are supposed to be Martha. He understood that sisters may also choose to be Mary.
I remember one time when I was with him in Palawan, he was talking to a sister and teaching her about the Message doctrine to equip her in handling disputes that tend to divide the church there. She was the sister of the church pastor who was not yet deeply planted in the Message at that time. In my mind, I felt the sister had a gift, and she could be a big help to him and to his ministry if they could collaborate with each other. Pastor Roel was not afraid to empower her knowing that she would be a great help to his brother’s ministry. Pastor Roel was not threatened by a strong woman. He knew how to handle her and how to channel her potential to be used in the kingdom of God.
Sadly, there are a lot of Marys in our churches that are not being given a chance to unfold their potentials because they not being allowed to sit at the feet of Jesus. Mainly because men just want them to be like Martha. Yet Martha was not happy with what she was doing, while Mary was commended by the Lord. A lot could be accomplished if churches will allow Mary to participate in God’s vineyard. Be like Jesus, allow Mary to be Mary. Christ showed us that example and I’m glad Pastor Roel followed that too.
Pastor Edward "Dong" Segumalian
What parts of his ministry did you personally witness and what would you say were the highlights for you?
I was a product of the Mystery Expo Seminar held here in Palawan in 2013 where our hearts were opened to the Word of the Hour. Since we heard Pastor Roel’s preaching, our hearts have always longed to hear it again.
Later that year, we found out that he was in the hospital for many weeks battling for his life. We will be forever thankful that God spared him and he survived, because looking back now, that life extension was given for us here in Palawan. In 2014, after he was out of the hospital and recovering, he went back to Palawan with some of his workers to encourage and strengthen us, and from that time on, the Message of the Hour has been endeavored to be preached in every corner of the island. As a result, many denominational ministers, and even tribal leaders were converted to the Message.
Because of Pastor Roel and his efforts, the burden and the desire to seek the last predestinated seed was passed on to many of our local ministers and church workers. Climbing high mountains and crossing deep seas, going from mountain to mountain, island to island, doing everything we can until the whole of Palawan is able to hear the Message that would change their lives, their families, and their ministries.
What made Bro. Roel stand out among the ministers of his day?
Pastor Roel‘s life is a good testimony of a true friend, brother, father in faith, and a man of God who didn’t hesitate to give his all to Jesus. A great example of a brother’s keeper. He had an ear that was willing to listen to anyone. He helped everyone without expecting anything in return. Pastor Roel was a man who always had an empty pocket because of his generous heart. Every time you spoke to him you would feel the sincerity of his heart. He was a man of God who faithfully did the will of the Father. He was a man that had great compassion for lost souls, and someone who did everything he could to bring them back to the Word. I pray that his life and legacy will always be remembered.
Pastor Cris Regalado
What parts of his ministry did you personally witness and what would you say were the highlights for you?
I first saw and met Pastor Roel when he started pioneering the Bible Study here in Sapang Palay, Bulacan with Bro. Sanny on September 10, 1983. From Galas House of Prayer in Balik-Balik, they would travel for two hours by public transport every Sunday afternoon. They patiently did this for almost 3 years until the service here became a full-fledged Church in 1986. Since then, I have often been involved in many of Pastor Roel’s launched projects.
Some of the things that are memorable for me in Pastor Roel’s ministry are the following:
● He was able to establish churches in various places and the pastors were mostly his former young people from the Church of the Overcomer.
● He represented the Philippine churches well in America and in Europe and that has helped many churches in need especially in the construction of church buildings.
● He conceptualized and started the Mystery Expo Seminars in the Philippines which paved the way for the Message to be properly shared to the ministers of major denominations.
What made Bro. Roel stand out among the ministers of his day?
● His high respect for ministers.
● His love for the fellowship.
● And his wholehearted assistance/service to missionary endeavors.
What else can you say about Bro. Roel? What are other things you remember about him?
● I was with Pastor Roel in Tagaytay in the 90’s because of an invitation for him to preach in a church up on a hill. Their church was not in the best condition and their floor was just the bare ground. But when the Emcee said, “Let’s all kneel,” Pastor Roel, without hesitation, knelt on the ground even though he was wearing a pair of white pants. I will never forget that moment because that was when I saw such pure humility in him.
● Another thing I will never forget about Pastor Roel was his free haircuts for young brothers. Back in the day, he would always carry around a pair of scissors at the Camp Meetings or Fellowships giving free haircuts to young men who needed them. Just like a shepherd shearing his sheep.
● Our mission trips that would always have a side trip dining. When in Tagaytay, we would go to the Bulalohan, when in Pampanga, we would eat Sizzling Sisig, when in Pangasinan we would have Grilled Bangus. He will not let you starve in the mission.
These memories are etched in my heart and serve as the reason for my desire to be with him again in the last day when our Lord Jesus comes. Shalom!
Sister Jinky Gumpal
What parts of his ministry did you personally witness and what would you say were the highlights for you?
What made Bro. Roel stand out? For me, he was a real godly man, a real gentleman who never used his pulpit to speak anything against his critics. He had many critics, but never did I hear him once talk about them behind the pulpit. He even spoke well of them. He knew how to choose his words. He respected the sanctity of the pulpit. Only the preaching of the pure Word of God ever flowed from that place.
He wasn‘t selfish. When he would go on mission trips, he would often come back without any money left. Sometimes he wouldn’t even have enough to pay the cab fare home. He would always give everything to ministers he knew were in deeper need than him. He was happy with that. Even his personal things he would gladly give away, including the shoes he was wearing.
Bro. Roel was “Mr. Grace”. The grace of God really flowed in his life. He extended grace to everyone, even to his fellow ministers.
I cannot highlight enough on the ministry of Bro. Roel. Because every part is a highlight on its own. But it’s noteworthy to mention the number of churches established under the ministry of Bro. Roel and the Church of the Overcomer. And his name and the names of everybody who helped him in this ministry will be wrapped into those souls, as long as the morning star shall glitter in the sky, just like Bro. Branham said.
But of course, it was not Bro. Roel who did all these things. He was just a vessel used by God. As Paul said in Ephesians 3:7, he was made a minister (like Bro. Roel was also made a minister), “according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of His power.” Truly, it was also the effectual working of God’s power in the life of Bro. Roel.
Glory to God! Hallelujah!
Pastor Ven Angue
What parts of his ministry did you personally witness and what would you say were the highlights for you?
I was able to witness Pastor Roel’s ministry from 2014 – 2021 through the Mystery Expo Seminars in different parts of the country like Binangonan, Rizal, Pangasinan and the last one being Malinao, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
I‘ve also been fortunate enough to be a part of many services that he went to like the Camp Meetings we’ve attended in Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Isabela and Calbayog, Samar.
What stood out for me were the Mystery Expos conducted in Binangonan and especially the most recent one in Malinao, Sta. Cruz, Laguna. What will stay with me forever is how the Lord used Pastor Roel for the last time in that expo in Laguna where I saw one whole congregation accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and through a mighty anointing touched and opened their hearts to also accept the Message for our day.
Also, what would say made Bro. Roel stand out among the ministers of his day?
I can only say what I witnessed in his life and ministry and that is, he was different from his contemporaries because of the character he possessed. He would reach out to you and accept you as you are. He would never hesitate to lower himself to reach you and listen to you. His humility of spirit was always there. I always felt it. The same grace he received from our Lord was the same grace he applied to others. He was always willing to understand and reach out as much as he could.
The monthly Message Ministers‘ Fellowship and Training (or MMFT) which Bro. Roel also started was such a big help to me, particularly the training, because I was a new pastor, and it gave me much-needed encouragement. It also taught me and many other Message ministers how to approach denominational ministers, an approach that was very good and effective because of Bro. Roel’s long-time experience in the field.
Pastor Luth Cinco
What parts of his ministry did you personally witness and what would you say were the highlights for you?
Pastor Luth Cinco gave a full-length video reply to this question which we have summarized in narrative form for you:
In 2005, Bro. Roel started working with Ptr. Luth Cinco, another recent convert of the expos, in an aggressive evangelistic crusade to bring the Message across Agusan and Surigao Del Norte. Bro. Luth has been with Bro. Roel in his most dangerous mission trips and have survived each of them by the grace of God.
Like when an old boat they rented to Calub Island in Del Carmen, Surigao Del Norte capsized endangering all 12 passengers, including Bro. Roel, destroying all their gadgets and causing them to wait in the water before getting rescued 2 hours later. Thankfully, no one got hurt and everyone was brought to safety.
He was also with Bro. Roel and one of his church workers when they almost got in a crossfire between the New People’s Army or NPA (a.k.a. communist rebels) and the military in Pangaylan-Ip, a village in Agusan Del Norte where Bro. Roel was invited to minister.
A woman pastor who attended one of the expos invited Bro. Roel to a Pentecostal church 4 kilometers away from the highway, a place where cars couldn’t get in. Bro. Luth accompanied him and his church worker along with 5 other Trinitarian pastors from Surigao. Upon arriving in the mountain where the church was, they were told that the community was NPA-infested, and it was a red-flagged spot for the military. Almost 60% of the people in the area were rebels. Bro. Luth, being the lead guide, was told that news of presumed “NPA supporters” from Manila visiting the village got to the military and there will be a raid that evening. Having heard this, the 5 Trinitarian pastors immediately left leaving Bro. Roel, his church worker and Bro. Luth alone to fend for themselves.
Bro. Luth informed Bro. Roel of the threat to their lives and asked him what to do. “Pastor Roel,” Brother Luth says, “This is the situation. They may kill us. But I will follow your orders. If you go, I‘ll go. If you stay, I’ll stay.” In response, Brother Roel says, “Brother Luth, if that happens and they actually kill us, maybe that‘s where our ministry ends. If that’s the Lord‘s plan, we just have to submit. If the Lord brought us here to die, then let’s thank Him and let‘s be ready.” Bro. Luth, still looking worried, was further comforted by Bro. Roel when he said, “Let’s just pray about it, Bro. Luth. We have committed to a service tonight. If soldiers come, I know the Lord will not leave us.”
Bro. Luth testified that there were men around with guns, clearly rebels, and it was a lawless place where anything could happen. In fact, three of the NPA commanders were inside the church that night. By the grace of God, they were able to hold the service that evening peacefully.
The next morning, Bro. Luth recalls, they receive a knock on the door from the woman pastor who invited them. She tells Bro. Luth that one of the NPA Commanders wanted to talk to Bro. Roel to ask for financial support. Bro. Roel willingly holds a conversation with the rebel Commander and humbly says, “We‘re not aware of your situation here but I will help you with what I have. That’s really all I can give.” He then takes out all his remaining money, five thousand pesos, and gives it all to the Commander. They all had breakfast, another service, and a baptism in the nearby river. Around 2 o’clock in the afternoon, Bro. Luth says they started packing to head home and when they reached the highway, they saw 6×6 military trucks arrive loaded with guns and bullets. There really was going to be a raid but by some miracle, the Lord did not allow it to happen while they were there. He let them go before the trouble even started. Praise the Lord!
It was also in one these trips in Mindanao where Bro. Roel waded through knee-deep mud to preach to 5 churches in Melale, a barangay in Davao de Oro formerly known as Compostela Valley (ComVal). Bro. Luth recalls this as one of the most difficult mission fields they‘ve ever been in. Seeing how Bro. Roel suffered walking in the mud for hours just to get to the believers, Bro. Luth asked if he was willing to return. Bro. Roel responds, “I don’t mind the mud. It will never hinder me from coming back. Where there are souls who need to hear the Message, I will go.”