At a tender age of 29, Eli led a rather small flock, composed mostly of members who were older than he was. In 1980, the small congregation led by Eli registered as Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas, (Members of the Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Ground of Truth, Philippines) appointing Eliseo F. Soriano as Presiding Minister.

In the early years of his incumbency as Presiding Minister, Eli lived in what is now called the Old Central. This is where most of the major activities of the congregation were held at that time. In this small place, which was often flooded when heavy rain pours, Eli lived with some of the pioneer members who became witnesses to his life as a compassionate leader of God’s nation.

During those days, the church workers were still quite few, but it grew in number eventually. When there came in the Philippines an outbreak of Hepatitis B, he subjected all the workers to vaccination. That was during the 1980’s when there were only about 100 church workers.

When diseases would spread in town, Eli would provide vaccines for all of the brethren. He would buy anti-tetanus and all kinds of vaccines in order to secure the brethren’s health. He would task his helpers to coordinate with the Department of Health. If there were 500 brothers and sisters who would want to avail of the medications, he would find ways to accommodate them all.

For Thanksgiving Day, the compassionate leader would cook his favorite menus, and then walk around the convention center during lunch time carrying with him a casserole. As many as he could find among the brethren not having any or enough food, he would fill up their plates until his casserole was emptied.

Eli was often brought to the hospital then by his companions due to his asthma. There were such times when he almost couldn’t breathe and could hardly even speak. Although bleary from his medication, his companions would still hear him uttering the words, “The brethren… never forsake the brethren….” These were the words that would come out of his mouth.