Stuck and spending most of our time at home, we may think that we live our lives inside a bubble.

For almost two years, our lifestyles have been patterned to allow for less contact and face-to-face interactions. Whether at work, in school, or in church, we are inevitably becoming accustomed to a virtual setup, as Zoom, Facebook Messenger, and other video conferencing applications are now our trusted companions to meet with our social groups. But while we found unique ways to still have meaningful connections with people, it undeniably takes a conscious effort not to be detached from reality. 

Because through our mobile phones, we are exposed to various forms of injustice and suffering. With just one tap, we are able to consume large volumes of depressing content that often lead to feelings of frustration and helplessness with our current situation. And perhaps, it becomes more convenient for us to simply care less--or not care at all--for the sake of ‘inner peace’. Maybe we cannot begin to imagine how we could act or voice out our frustrations in the comfort of our own homes. Some of us are barely getting by; some of us are already dealing with our own share of problems, as we literally try to brave through a global crisis. 

But being a disciple always begs the question: what would Jesus do, if he were living through COVID-19? 

And this is exactly the main theme of Envolve Ministry and HOPE worldwide Philippines’ joint congregational Sunday worship service titled “Hanapin ang Tungkulin”, which transpired last October 31, 2021 via Zoom and Facebook live. Through this event, the Envolve disciples were once again reminded that serving and discipleship cannot be separated, even at this time of pandemic.

The worship service started at exactly 9:00 am, with Ally Bondoc hosting and ushering in about 185 participants as they entered the Zoom call. After some singing to prepare everyone’s hearts, Hannah and Kent Elnar formally welcomed everyone to the special event. Reading Psalm 118:24, they encouraged everyone to rejoice for it was a day of ‘hope’ blessed by God. For benevolence, the message was given by SJ Lopez from ICOC Dagupan, whose main point was that our giving provides people the opportunity to say thanks to God. 

Afterwards, the communion and main sermon was given by Loren Lee. He begins by reminiscing about the annual joint congregational services the Philippine campus ministry, Envolve, conducts with HOPE. For the past few years before the pandemic, Envolve would have at least one joint worship service per year that visits the HOPE centers in BASECO and Payatas; however, due to the peak of living adjustments last year, there was no joint collaboration between the two ministries. Lee goes on to say that the time to be free from the pandemic is something that we are probably most looking forward to, and uses this in parallel with Jesus’ dream and desires for the Kingdom. With the same fire and fervour, Jesus looked forward to bringing heaven on earth. And using Luke 4:17 as reference, Jesus was not only aware but very clear of his goal since the beginning of his ministry: to bring heaven on earth through service.

The key takeaway in Lee’s message is that if Jesus were to live through this global health crisis, he would simply serve. Jesus would not be in the palace mingling with high-ranking officials or people of power, but he would be out on the streets and in the villages, feeding the hungry and other members of society who were shunned and cast aside. More importantly, Jesus would be with the poor--who were the very core of his tungkulin or service. During his time, Jesus faced different kinds of injustice and suffering, but he changed the world, through his example of service and genuine love for other people. Springing from this, Lee then challenged and urged the Envolve disciples to actively think of ways to serve and actually help out in any way possible. He added that we can only seek our true meaning of service in Jesus.

Following the conclusion of the worship service, the activities with HOPE began with Mendelssohn Casanas of ICOC Laguna introducing HOPE and briefly sharing his testimony. The seven centers of HOPE in Luzon and Visayas were then introduced through a short video showing the existing facilities, area managers, and staff; the seven centers are: Laguna Center of HOPE, BASECO Center of HOPE, Payatas Center of HOPE, Tacloban Center of HOPE, Ormoc Center of HOPE, Cebu (Daanbantayan) Center of HOPE, and Aklan Center of HOPE. Currently, Aklan has no facility yet, but programs and operations concerned with child protection services, education, disaster risk reduction and management, health, and nutrition just like the other HOPE centers are still being managed and facilitated. The history of HOPE was explained after by Bryan Suriaga, the area manager of BASECO, and he proceeded to also share a brief testimony about his decades of service to HOPE.

The participants were then randomly assigned to six breakout rooms composed of the six HOPE centers, excluding Aklan. Each breakout room would be facilitated by the area manager and other HOPE staff, tasked with explaining their programs and how the disciples from the Envolve ministry could volunteer. Each HOPE staff in the room introduced themselves and shared why they serve in HOPE and proceeded to explain their existing programs. A Google form was then sent to each participant to fill out which center they would like to volunteer in and what type of activities they are thinking of conducting in the area.

In one breakout room, a staff from Daanbantayan shared the transforming experience and opportunities volunteering provides for those in need. Not only does HOPE aim to help solve problems such as hunger by providing food, but they also aim to be holistic in their approach of service to those in need. They do this by targeting multiple facets of these people, by educating them, giving them spiritual and psychosocial support, teaching them sustainable sources of livelihood to help their families, among many others. Serving in HOPE is not just to simply hand out monetary or in-kind donations and let the people carry on with their individual lives. Truly, HOPE empowers so that each person receiving help could stand on their own, but each volunteer also strives to be more involved--concerned with steady, sustainable, and personal growth--so that in return, more people could help more people.

After the breakout rooms, many participants were inspired by the many miracles and stories of HOPE shared by the staff. Most of the Envolve disciples left the meeting with a renewed sense of purpose and outlook towards service. They were reminded that at the very core of these volunteering programs that transform the lives of people are benevolent hearts; whether to provide funding, to add to the manpower, or any other type of service within HOPE, all would be impossible without people moved to give to God and his people.

In this light, we might be living at a time of crisis, but we are also living in a golden era of opportunities made possible by our current digital landscape. As this event makes abundantly clear, our tungkulin can be found with only a shift in perspective. Rightfully so, life in isolation has made it more difficult to feel more connected to others, but as we embrace another year ahead, we must remember to fix our eyes on Jesus’ example. He lived unbothered by the stresses and worries of everyday life and rather focused on what matters most. In him, we see that apathy might be easier, but genuinely caring for other people is more noble and fulfilling. Right now, there are plenty of ways for us to help, whether it be through monetary or in-kind donations, volunteering, writing, creating infographics, or simply sharing valuable information on how to help those in need. 

But however we may serve, we must be reminded of this: we do our part when we simply care.