Bro. Roel Soriano, named Rogelio Ismael Isidro Soriano, was born October 1st, 1959 to his hardworking parents, Feliciano “Sanny” Soriano and Estela Soriano. He was second among six siblings and was fondly called “Maeng“, short for Ismael. Born in dire poverty, his childhood was hard and he often needed to find ways to help his parents make ends meet. His father was a carpenter and would fix other people’s houses for a living. His mother would wash the neighbors’ laundry and shop in the nearby palengke for other families for a fee. They were undernourished from eating the only things they could afford like rice and pakasyat, an inexpensive local sweetener. They also lived in a very small home in a down and out area in Quezon City.

Times were hard but Bro. Roel was determined to get his family out of poverty. His parents couldn’t afford to send him to college so he became a working student. He helped out at his uncle’s talyer scrubbing down cars, and with his talent in drawing and calligraphy would offer his services to anyone who needed them. He would write graduation certificates, draw plates for college students, and even sketch for company newspapers to save up for his tuition and allowance. With sheer determination and hard work, he entered Adamson University and finished his Civil Engineering degree making him the first in his family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. He also passed the Civil Engineering board exams and became a licensed Civil Engineer.

Education was important to him. He knew how it could turn things around and give him a better future. He worked for three years in an Engineering firm making good money. He was on his way to pursuing his dreams and enjoying a career that would give him and his family a comfortable life. He was also about to get married to his long-time girlfriend Sis. Cynthia “Chichi” Soriano and was planning to start a family of his own. The future looked bright for the young engineer. However, three months before their wedding, the Lord spoke to him calling him to ministry. He told Sis. Chichi that the pull was so strong he couldn’t possibly turn away. Sis. Chichi gave her full support and they got married committing to a life of service.

Bro. Roel’s journey with the Lord started when he was in his late teens searching for a real experience with God in the United Pentecostal Church (UPC). In 1979, his family accepted the Message after the miraculous healing of his younger sister, Elvie. Being an avid scholar of the Bible, he was at first hesitant to fully believe the Message. In time, as he studied the teachings of William Branham more and more, he became fully convinced that this was the truth. At the young age of 20, he was already helping his father, Bro. Sanny, minister to their small church in Quezon City called Galas House of Prayer. He would teach Sunday School, lead Bible Studies, and assist in other activities. When missionaries would come, Bro. Sanny would also defer to Bro. Roel as he was more equipped to converse with them in English. Because of his natural ability to lead and his passion for teaching, he was eventually asked to take over the growing church, moving it to Peralta Street and naming it, The Church of the Overcomer.

The church in Peralta would grow rapidly under Bro. Roel’s leadership. He had a gift for preaching simple but powerful sermons and he easily connected with people. He was also a good Bible teacher and loved to gather around music. Being a young pastor, he enjoyed being around other young people, so his youth group also grew. Because of his desire to introduce the Message to as many souls as possible, he also started many outreaches with young brothers from his local assembly helping him. He was remarkably creative and a natural trailblazer, so he came up with the most unusual ideas and activities. Because of his leadership and his unique energy, other ministers, young and old, started turning to him for direction.

As a newcomer, he naturally made the older ministers feel a bit uncomfortable and protective of their old traditions and antiquated ways of doing things. Bro. Roel was introducing pursuits that were never done before: youth programs, youth conventions, ministers’ fellowships, couples’ banquets, evangelistic concerts, trainings, etc. But even with the harshest critics, Bro. Roel was sure of his calling and persevered even more. The Lord blessed him and his ministry, bringing many souls to the altar through his aggressive evangelistic efforts and opening doors for him to meet American missionaries who would help him answer the great call. As his ministry was rising to unparalleled heights, tragedy strikes. In 1989, his church in Peralta, which was also his home for his little family, burns down to the ground leaving him with nothing but the clothes on his back. Standing on the pavement that was still hot from the fire and holding his 2-year-old daughter in his arms, he proclaims, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Areal Overcomer, Bro. Roel rose from this tragedy and in the same year, the church in Sta. Mesa is rebuilt. This trial cemented his faith and he grew even more hungry to heed the call for souls, yearning to find that last predestinated seed. The years after would prove to be bountiful for Bro. Roel’s ministry as the Lord fully sets him apart to do greater works. A true apostle, he would plant more than 60 churches across the country and through his diligence and hard work, establish and grow these churches who would eventually work hand-in-hand with him to fulfill the great commission. Being invited to different provinces to hold crusades and preach at different churches, camps and fellowships, he would find his real passion in missionary work.

Having grown up incredibly poor, he would always have a soft spot for the outcasts: people who were not welcome in society; the unwanted. This is why he would always prioritize urban poor areas and unreached places like forgotten villages in the mountains of Mindoro, Agusan, and Surigao or small sitios in Mindanao and Palawan. It was Bro. Roel’s joy to have served the lowly. For all of his achievements, he simply wanted to be known as “The Missionary to the Unreached Tribes in the Philippines“. He would ultimately baptize close to a thousand people from different tribes like the Mamanwa, the Tau’t Bato and the Mangyan leading them all to the light of the Message.

In the years that followed, Bro. Roel’s passion for missions and winning souls would eventually open many doors for him abroad. In 1994, he started an outreach in Hong Kong among Overseas Filipino Workers establishing a small fellowship that still endures until today. In the early 2000s, he was also vital in establishing the church in Milan, Italy, fortifying their faith and encouraging them, offering moral support through his regular visits. Recognizing his efforts and the great need to support the missionary work in the Philippines, he would also be invited to represent the country in different ministerial conferences in Canada, Europe and the United States. Through the years, Bro. Roel would establish himself as a trustworthy minister for missions, building a good reputation for Filipino ministers and earning the respect and friendship of foreign missionaries.

He would also gain recognition for his bold efforts to introduce the Message to denominational ministers through the Mystery Expo Seminars, a massive endeavor that would lead many denominational churches to the Message of the Hour. Bro. Roel’s trips were instrumental in connecting many local churches to churches in the States and in Europe primarily providing them with proper places of worship, sustainable sources of income for pastors who left their organizations, and support in the form of Message books, Bibles, songbooks, and musical instruments. Never one to take credit for his or someone else’s work, he would always say that without the kindness and the generosity of American and European believers, we would not have been able to help as many churches as we did.

Bro. Roel was called home on September 7th, 2021 after battling with Covid-19 and the complications that followed after. For years he has struggled with chronic health conditions like diabetes, a heart problem, and kidney disease. Notwithstanding his failing health, he worked tirelessly in selfless service to the Bride, faithful to his post of duty even during the pandemic. He leaves behind his church and congregation of 40 years who have now found their permanent home in a beautiful building called Overcomer Worship Center in Manila East, a testament of God’s grace and provision to a mission-minded church. He is survived by his wife, Sis. Cynthia Soriano and his two children, Paola and Yndi. He also leaves behind his favorite dog, Borgy.

He will be remembered as someone who lived to serve others. A quiet, soft-spoken man, who was humble and uncomplicated. The purest definition of a minister (ministri in Latin meaning “inferior, servant”) who, when you’re in trouble, would be the first to run to your rescue, would deplete his own resources to provide for you, would defend you when no one else wants to, and one who, without reservation, would help you without expecting anything in return. He was a man of integrity and courage. A real lion of the faith. Co-ministers remember him as meek and gentle, full of grace, abounding in wisdom, an excellent leader, a visionary, and someone who commanded respect by example. He loved to laugh, was approachable, and was loved by all.

According to the pastors closest to him, what makes him stand out among the ministers of his day is his servant leadership. Bro. Roel always gave preference to other people. He would always give you the spotlight and would always share the stage. “Bro. Roel was always willing to walk the extra mile and was 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,” says a close associate. People will miss his smile, his laughter, his warmth, and his wisdom. He was a problem solver, a good listener, a real friend, and a true burden bearer. He was an exemplary father who was present in his children’s lives despite the demands of ministry. He enjoyed spending time with his girls and was never too busy to give them his full attention. He was a loving husband who adored his wife and a dependable provider. He taught us that love is the greatest revelation, grace is a gift available to all, and winning a soul is the best thing you can ever do with your life.

His life and ministry point us to the only Source of Life, our Lord Jesus Christ. May God alone be praised for the mighty works He has done in the life of our precious brother, Bro. Roel Soriano, a humble servant and prisoner of Christ.

“And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.“

Mark 9:35