Profile of the church

Name of church: Cross and Crown Baptist church

Address: BLK 6, LOT 12B, HIGINIO street, St. Michael Village, Las Piñas

Landline: 875-29-02

Church Pastor: Pastor Daniel Charles Tessin Jr.

Diocese: N/A

Names of guest pastor: Ronald Barrets

Vision and mission statement: To glorify God. To win souls

Patron saint: N/A

List of youth organisations: Youth group

List of outreach programs: Men’s fellowship, senior fellowship, bible study

Schedule of services:

Sunday

09:30am – 12:00pm

05:00pm – 07:30pm

Wednesday

06:30pm – 08:00pm

Interview of a church worker and observation of an organisation

Name of interviewee: Melody Erasmo

Age: 35

Name of organisation: Senior fellowship

Nature of organisation: Activities, bible study

Number of Interviewee’s years in org: 4 years

Picture with interviewee

The interview with Melody Erasmo who is a secretary of the church:

Q- Why did you choose this church?

A- "This church is a fundamental, the preaching is really Gods work, she loves this church."

Q- What do you do as a secretary?

A- "Take notes whenever there’s a business meeting, which happens annually."

Q- What else do you do?

A- "Librarian, help in fellowships, teaching Sunday school, cleaning, singing, playing the piano and visitation."

Q- How does this help you become a better person?

A- "It is a ministry; it is a means before the Lord."

Q- How does this help you become a better Christian?

A- "Make more comfortable in church, Enjoy fellowship."

Thank you again Ms. Merasmo for your time!

Report on the 1 hour observation of the organisation:

During my 1 hour observation of the organisation, I watched people aged 50 and over playing an odd game that involved the song ‘bahay kubo’. I watched them play another game where they had to push a lime from one side of the room to the other side using a pen. After that, there was a short bible study followed by food.

The people seemed to have enjoyed their time there.

Church activity

An activity the church did was called the men’s fellowship where only the male members of the church were allowed to participate since the females did not want to take part in any of the activities that the men did.

I watched the teenagers and even the Pastor take part in various activities throughout the 3 hours. I myself was talked into taking part. We played broom ball, which is sort of a hockey game but instead of a hockey stick, a broom and the goals were overturned chairs. We then also played a game which involved looking for certain words from verses in the bible which we then had to find in the room and present to the judge. After that, a quick bible lesson and then some food were given out to everybody.
In the end, I got to know everyone more whilst enjoying my time there.

Church relationship (reflection)

Growing up in the UK, I went to church regularly only because my parents said I have to. Older, I began to realise what going to church really meant but soon after establishing a strong bond between me and the community of that church, I moved to the Philippines to study. I didn't know which church to go to nor did I even know if there was a church in this country. I later happened to come across a flier which says come to this church, and without a thought I chose that church as the place I would do my involvement project.

To begin with, like all new relationships I was not so close to the community within the church. Even though I was welcomed, I had this uneasy feeling that everyone was constantly judging me on any actions that I do to see whether I was theist or agnostic so I tried to lay low and not express myself as much. 

During the morning services, I would often sit near the back like an outcast and as soon as the service was done, I would scurry on home without saying a word to anyone. Not knowing anyone apart from the Pastor, made me feel lonely. But it all changed when I was slow on making it out and was stopped by a church member. The church member used a common conversation starter which was ‘how are you,’ one thing led to another and then bam! I was surrounded by the whole community, wanting to shake my hand and greet me. Overwhelmed by the sincerity and the misinterpretation I had of them, I began to enjoy my time there.

Nearing the end of the project, I knew about 95% of the community in that church, minus the names, I also sat nearer to the front. I made a promise to them that I would continue going to that particular church, not just because it was a one minute walk there, but because I liked the church and it touched something in me.

All in all, I would say that my relationship with the church, if I was to rate it, it would be a 9.

Reflection of the interview (reflection)

The interview I had with the secretary Melody Erasmo has made me rethink a lot about my understanding of church workers. I used to think that they only worked for the money and not for the faith. It has made me realise that working for the Lord is a gift that they cherish and prioritise more than anything else. For Melody to help in other ways in the church apart from her usual role as a secretary shows her commitment to fulfilling her role as a servant of the Lord and she is a good example of what a true Christian should do.

This has made me come to a realisation that I too must do all that I can to help spread God's love and fulfil my role in this world. 

It's weird how one religious and committed person can have such an impact on the lives of the people around them and change their perspective on how they think and act for the Lord.

Because of this, I feel as if I should help out around not only for the church, but for God and country.

Significance of community (reflection)

To me, the significance of community has always been an important aspect of everyday social life. It can help one feel at ease to be surrounded by those that they know. Without a community, life for one would be very boring and dull in my opinion. No one to talk to and would be all alone in that one environment or location.

If there was no community in a church, then what meaning does that church have if there is no one there for the Pastor/priest to preach to? A committed community is needed to help keep the church going and through this, peoples faith will grow.

Luckily the church I did my project in had a community, a small yet very strong and close-knit community. The commitment which I saw within them was very impressive, they would wait 5 and a half hours in the church for the afternoon service after the morning service on a Sunday. The people wanted to that so they can be with each other, and that leads me to believe that community has a lot of meaning and importance to it.

what am I most thankful of for doing this church service? (reflection)

Throughout the eight weeks with a total of 10 hours I have been helping out at the church, I have learnt a lot with an equal amount of things that I am thankful for.

For starters, I have found a church which I can regularly attend. Ever since I left the UK I had no church to go to and this project has brought me to this church.

Second, I have met new people which I have made bonds with and I am sure that because of them, I will keep attending masses and helping out.

Third, I'd just like to say that because of the bible studies I constantly attend for the project, I have actually learnt a lot more about God than I have learnt in the church I go to back in the UK. 

That teacher is gooood.

And last but not least, like all people, I'd like to thank God for bringing me together with that church, for all that I have learnt just by helping out at that church in a total of 10 hours and for giving me the strength to accomplish my tasks.