In the early evening of May 7, 2013, parishioners packed the Parish Church to listen to a former Protestant pastor animatedly recount the story of his conversion to the Catholic Church.
Noe Dora was born to a Protestant family in Cebu City; his father was a preacher, his mother, a deaconess, while he and his siblings grew up actively serving in their church. For fifteen years after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, he served as a pastor, a distinguished preacher and the founding president of Pure Gospel of Jesus Christ International Ministries.
But as Pastor Noe pursued his studies and research, he became more and more convinced that the truths he sought were found, not in his church, but in the Church ; finally, he decided to become a Catholic . Not surprisingly, his church-mates, especially, his family were upset and did everything to dissuade him from converting. But on October 5 2007, he was baptized and confirmed a Roman Catholic by Bishop Joselito Cortes, Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu.
For the next two years, estranged from his family, and out of a job, Bro. Noe lived in a small hut, planting and selling vegetables to support himself. During this “period of suffering”, he discovered the beauty and biblical soundness of praying the rosary. He also developed a deep relationship with the Blessed Mother, whom he spoke lengthily of during his talk and with much affection. Despite the initial rejection, he continued visiting and persuading family and friends with oral and written proofs that he has found the true Church. In time, his entire family and several friends, including other pastors, decided to become Catholics too.
At present, Bro Noe is the head of the Association of Pastors converted to the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. He heads the Evangelization Ministry of the Oasis of Love Cebu, where he is one of the elders.
Recently, he has been in the news for “bringing back to the fold” boxing legend, Manny Paquiao, who briefly joined a bible-based evangelical movement.
Bro Noe’s two-hour talk passed swiftly, punctuated often with applause and roars of laughter from his appreciative audience. Many even stayed behind, eager to learn more of this remarkable man and his equally remarkable journey home to the Church.
But as Pastor Noe pursued his studies and research, he became more and more convinced that the truths he sought were found, not in his church, but in the Church ; finally, he decided to become a Catholic . Not surprisingly, his church-mates, especially, his family were upset and did everything to dissuade him from converting. But on October 5 2007, he was baptized and confirmed a Roman Catholic by Bishop Joselito Cortes, Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu.
For the next two years, estranged from his family, and out of a job, Bro. Noe lived in a small hut, planting and selling vegetables to support himself. During this “period of suffering”, he discovered the beauty and biblical soundness of praying the rosary. He also developed a deep relationship with the Blessed Mother, whom he spoke lengthily of during his talk and with much affection. Despite the initial rejection, he continued visiting and persuading family and friends with oral and written proofs that he has found the true Church. In time, his entire family and several friends, including other pastors, decided to become Catholics too.
At present, Bro Noe is the head of the Association of Pastors converted to the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. He heads the Evangelization Ministry of the Oasis of Love Cebu, where he is one of the elders.
Recently, he has been in the news for “bringing back to the fold” boxing legend, Manny Paquiao, who briefly joined a bible-based evangelical movement.
Bro Noe’s two-hour talk passed swiftly, punctuated often with applause and roars of laughter from his appreciative audience. Many even stayed behind, eager to learn more of this remarkable man and his equally remarkable journey home to the Church.
