A WORD FROM Rolando Rodriguez

Christian greetings.

From time to time I get asked all sorts of questions as to my involvement with the Jehovah's Witnesses and Bible Students. Below is my personal testimony that will hopefully tell my story.

My first initial contact with the Jehovah’s Witnesses was in the Bronx, NY. Prior to 1980, I had never even heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses. However, as I look back now, I can remember certain instances in my life, where I did come in contact with them.

It was in 1982 that I beganstudying with the Witnesses and in July 1983 I got baptized at one of their conventions. An old childhood friend of mine witnessed to me. Two week before my immersion, he was disfellowshipped.

All in all, I made all the necessary changes in my life to accommodate the Witnesses. I cut my shoulder length hair, shaved my beard, stopped drinking and drugging, and eventually cut my ties with all non-JW friends. Actually, most of my non-JW friends cut ties with me, since I was no longer any "fun" to be around. Some stopped visiting, and others found new friends, however since my departure, I have been able to rekindle some of those old friendships lost.

I even put my life on hold for the Watchtower. I broke up with a wonderful women, who loved me more than life itself. But because she was a "worldly person" and of the devil, I broke our relationship, as well as her heart. Because the Society at the time frowned upon higher education [i.e. college, trade school] I did not pursue it. Instead I settled for work at fast-food restaurants, flipping burgers, making minimum wage.

After a few mishaps, I left New York in 1985 and moved to Jersey City, NJ, to start life over. I became active with the local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in the area. It was also in that year that I decided I wanted to be the best Witness I could be. I thought, If I'm going to be religious and live the life of Christ, it’s time I got serious, (not that I was not serious before). So I decided to study my Bible more frequently, I also decided to study other religious groups, other faiths in and out of Christianity, so that I may be better equipped to talk with them. Jersey City was a melting pot of religious faiths, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, etc.

At the time I was working in New York, I purchased a book by the late Walter R. Martin, "Kingdom of the Cults." It dealt with Witnesses, Christian Science, Mormons, 7th-Day Adventist, Worldwide Church of God, Moonies, etc., it gave a history of each group, their teachings, and a refutation of those teachings based on the authors orthodox beliefs.

I found the book fascinating. Yet, I could not believe the authors accusations against the Society. So I decided to research his claims. Working in Manhattan, I went up to the New York Public Library in Manhattan and the Brooklyn Public Library and did my research. I made photocopies of older literature that I found on microfilm.

Eventually, I got in touch with cult ministries who in turned connected me to collectors. Imagine my surprise to find there is a market for old Watchtower literature. Some people collect stamps and comics, others, Watchtowers, go figure! I was able to obtain some of the Society's older literature. I spent thousands of dollars going into debt, since I had no idea that most of the writings of Pastor Russell had been reproduced.

My research led me to one conclusion, that the Society was not what they claimed to be. They made claims to being  the "sole channel of communication", "the Truth", "Jehovah's Visible Organization", "Noah's Ark", And stated, "if Jehovah is our Father, then the organization is our mother." And so, many Witnesses refer to the Society as "Mama." But it was more like George Orwell's novel; "1984", with Big Brother watching.

I was very open-minded, perhaps that's what kept me from fully disowning myself, giving up my identity, and fully converting to these people. My wife claims, I'm just stubborn and have a problem with authority. Good thing, that stubborness saved my life. I made many friends, some who were like family. I came to the conclusion, that, the Society was nothing more than a big publishing house, and the Witnessess were their salesmen.

My research revealed many things. For instance, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, was formed in 1881, and incorporated in 1884. The first issue of "The Watchtower" [at that time referred to as "Zion's Watch Tower"] was first published in 1879. Yet the Jehovah's Witnesses came on the scene in 1931. What did the Society do for some fifty years?

I began to study about Pastor Russell, I read his volumes, and everything I could get my hands on from his pen. One day I stumbled onto an old bookstore and found all of Judge Rutherford’s books from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, I purchased them for about fifty cents each. I read them all and took notes of the changes that were not supported by scripture and reason.

In 1988 I was appointed in the congregation by the Society. I served in a congregation of about 350 persons, in Jersey City. I gave discourses, held Bible Studies and took the lead in the door-to-door ministry.

In that same year I was introduced to the Bible Students. I obtained Russell's writings, re-read and studied them and compared them with current Watchtower teachings, worlds apart, apples and oranges. What I read bothered my conscience. Russell made a lot more sense and he focused so much more on Jesus and what it meant to be a Christian. What would I do? For two years it was a struggle. I corresponded with Bible Student's worldwide. Asking questions, obtaining literature, doing research. By 1990, I was convince that if there was "Truth" out there, Russell found it, although he didn't have all the answers, his outline of God's plans and purposes was enough to change my life, and so I accepted it. I shared my findings with my wife, but she wasn't yet convinced.

In 1990, l was laid-off from my job due to the recession, I couldn’t find work, I was unemployed for some eighteen months. Fortunately, we lived with my mother-in-law. Out of a little over 1,000 resumes sent, I only received 3 responses and one interview. The interview was in East Rutherford, walking distance from the headquarters of the Dawn Bible Students Association. After my interview, I stopped by the Dawn, and introduced myself, everyone was delighted to finally meet me, since they had been corresponding with me for over five years. We talked for hours. Since I was unemployed, to keep myself from going insane, I spent my time at the Dawn, and so they decided to "put me on the payroll" and put me to work. So I did some odd jobs for them, computers, bookkeeping, inventory, etc.

The brethren were surprised at my knowledge of the scriptures and of Bible Student history. We would talk for hours. One time I took some of the Dawn’s literature and while going door to door with the Witnesses, I placed them in the hands of the householders. I then started sharing my new thoughts to all I came in contact, including the Witnesses. My congregational discourses and studies were filled with quotes from the pen of Pastor Russell. Needless to say, this caught the attention of some in the congregation. And the persecution came upon me.

The Lord eventually enlightened Marilyn ,my wife, and we then started attending Bible Student meetings, as well as Kingdom Hall meetings. We had meetings everyday, and on Sundays we had back to back meetings. It tired us out.

To make a long story short, it would take a year. A year of ulcers and sleepless nights, Marilyn crying herself to sleep and I would wake up in pain. I resigned my position in the congregation, And shortly thereafter, Marilyn and I left and joined another congregation. The rumors followed, we were considered evil, we were apostates, a threat to other Witnesses, perverters of the faith. And yet with all the rumors, no one took action. Eventually, my mother-in-law had accepted the rumors, and evicted us from her home, she felt that Jehovah's Spirit would not flow in her home, as long as we were there. She informed us not to live in the area, because she did not want to smell our "apostate stench."

So, during the snow blizzard of 1993, we packed our things and moved to Northern New Jersey. We never looked back. The Bible Students proved themselves to be a true family. The elders among the Witnesses contacted us a few times, wanting to meet, but we ignored them. Marilyn debated with a few of them. But they never took action. Rumors were spreading that we started our own Church, I had long hair and a beard [a true sign of apostasy]. We had a ministry against the Witnesses. All kinds of nonsense.

Till this day the Witnesses have not taken action against us, to our knowledge we have never been disfellowshipped from the Witnesses. We haven't seen the inside of a Kingdom Hall in well over ten years, nor do we care too.

A lot more can be said regarding my time with the Jehovah's Witnesses, the congregational trials, the persecution, the spying by those we considered friends, the abuse, the slander the character assassinations.

In 1995 with a strong desire to witness and with the advent of the world wide web, I created Bible Students Online, it served its purpose, and wanting to not only give a witness to my former brethren, the Jehovah's Witnesses about the Truth, I wanted to defend it also, thus Bible Students Online was retired, and Bible Student Ministries was born, registered in the state of New Jersey. I began Witnessing via the internet. Visiting chatrooms, message boards and e-mail list.

As a result, other Bible Students began to create websites. Mostly affiliated with a congregation. Soon the Bible Students Forum was created and other Bible Students began to support it and it became a success. Although as the years went by the forum and the site was seen by some of my brethren as a thorn in the side. Mostly their side. But regardless it has had results like no other. Despite what my critics have to say, it works. and those who are searching for Truth and meaning, will see it.

I've been associated with the Bible Students since I left the Witnesses, it's been well over 15 years. I have served in various capacities, deacon then elder. I sat on various committees, authored articles, written booklets, and in the process ticked of quite a few people, including those within the Bible Students.

Why? Because I uphold the Truth as revealed to me by the Lord via the writings of Pastor Charles Taze Russell. I uphold them and defend it. Not all Bible Students do.

Thus when I uphold the Truth and am critical of the errors of those who would pervert the "Harvest Message", it makes some uneasy, questioning my motives and then the repercussions begin.

But  such is life, as the saying goes "The Truth hurts." People will be offended because of the Truth. Some say it's not what I say, it's how I say it. But Truth is Truth, and those who don't agree will always be offended regardless of how it is said.

As a result of this ministry, I find myself alone in this work, despite my being treated as a leper by certain ones, life is good, But having given myself to the Lord while still in the Watchtower Society, the Lord saw fit to test my true motives. He marched me through the mire, he put me through the fire and like fine gold I have passed the test of faith, thus far, yet I know that I have more to endure and prove, for it is "he who endures to the end" that receives the crown of life and reigns with Him. My goal is to be with the Lord, no matter the cost, all I have belongs to Him. I love Him, because He loved me first.

So today, I stand relatively alone, still believing and defending the Truth, and as a result of this ministry, many have come to know that Bible Students are still alive and well, some have even joined our ranks, making a consecration to the Lord and walking the narrow way.

I do have a small circle of friends who support me in my endeavors and assist me in the Witness work, and for that I am grateful.

In the end I can honestly say I have no regrets. I enjoyed my years with the Witnesses and have many fond memories with them, but as I grew spiritually stagnant, it was time to move on.

I also have many fond memories of my years with the Bible Students, they are my brethren, and I support them, I may not agree with everything they do, but they are still my brethren.

Of course, my standing with the Lord has nothing to do with my affiliations with the Bible Students. We will not be judged collectively, but individually. I stand before the Lord as an individual. I answer to Him and Him alone. I do not answer to man, whether they be Jehovah's Witnesses or Bible Students.

I encourage YOU to look into The Divine Plan of the Ages. If you don't own a copy, contact me and I will send you a FREE copy, no obligations. It will set you free, and as you delve into the other volumes of Studies in the Scriptures, you will be even more free to learn that God has a wonderful plan that involves every man, women and child.

If you wish to fellowship with other Bible Students join the Bible Students Forum at the following uddress: http://www.biblestudentsforum.com. If you wish to visit and study with Bible Students, contact me and I will put you in contact with someone. YOUR experiences needn't be mine.

This is my testimony I hope you enjoyed it.

Stay faithful and always give praise to the Lord! I am…
Yours by His Grace!

Rolando Rodriguez
Bible Student Ministries