Apostle Samuel Mendiondo
1926 - 1987
The Apostle Who did Justice to His Name...Called and Dedicated to God, before His Birth as the Prophet Samuel:
Samuel Mendiondo García, was born to Eusebio Mendiondo and Eustaquia García, in Havana, Matanzas Province, Cuba, on March 30th 1926. His parents promised to dedicate him to the Lord seven years before his birth. Born to parents of religious background, he was named "Samuel," as the biblical prophet of the Old Testament of the same name.
Samuel was only nine years of age when a female missionary visited his home with a message of the truthful Church of God, since then he embraced the Church's faith. At the tender age of 12 on October 4, 1938, he was submerged in the waters of the river San Juan, in the city of Matanzas.
Nine years later, on September 3, 1947, he married the young church member, Francisca Fernández. Eight days later, on September 11 along with his wife, he took oath to the Lord, fulfilling the request of his parents before his birth to dedicate him entirely to the service of God. Unfortunately, his father was unable to see his petition carried out, but his mother was able to see her prayers answered when she saw her son dedicating his life to the Lord's cause.
On August 17, 1948, in a Waiting of Anointed Service led by the then Bishop Ángel María Hernández, the Lord blessed him with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thus he extended the work of God and carried out a great labor of evangelism and many were able to know the Lord and were brought to Him. At the last Conferences celebrated on June 10, 1961, by the Apostle Ángel Ma. Hernández in Colón, Matanzas Province, Mendiondo rose to the rank of Bishop and continued attending his work in his territory.
Meanwhile, growing tensions between the Cuban regime and the different religious organizations in Cuba were increasingly escalating. Faced with the disappearance of the Apostle Arturo Rangel on August 17, 1966, Mendiondo managed to leave Cuba on February 27, 1968 establishing the Church in the United States. On May 14, 1971, he escalated by the testimony of God to the rank of Archbishop.
15 years later on January 3, 1987 he advanced to the highest rank of Apostle by the grace of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Mendiondo's life is highlighted through his virtue, humbleness, and love, reflecting the life of this great servant of God. He was known to always have a word of encouragement to his fellow brothers. His complete devotion and dedication are of deserving recognition among the saints.
Death of the Apostle Samuel Mendiondo García
Not long after his appointment as Apostle, on October 15, 1987, the Apostle Samuel Mendiondo García ceased to exist. He left in his bequest a pure and intact testimony...And for all his works and deeds, would not his name be written in the Book of Life?