More than two years since the pandemic showed the need for a special ministry to reach out in the digital age, Novaliches Christian Fellowship continues its simulcast of services every week, thanks to the efforts of its newly formed Broadcast Ministry.
Currently headed by Sis. Roda Baldonado, who also heads the NCF Special Events Ministry and an experienced member of the broadcast industry, the “tech team” as they are affectionately called is mostly composed of teens and young people with big hearts and eager hands.
“I’m very grateful to all the members of the livestream team for their willingness to learn and dedication to serve the Lord at such a young age,” said Sis. Roda.
Working behind the scenes, they are in charge of operating NCF’s video cameras and audio equipment, as well as managing the weekly livestream of the church’s worship service, prayer gathering and care groups.
"When we started the Broadcast ministry, only a few of us have some idea - and mind you, these were all just the barest of ideas - on how to use technology to share and expand the work we do here in the church," said Bro. Jay Baldonado, husband of Sis. Roda and one of NCF’s Deacons.
“I was actually excited being part of the team. I felt like this was the perfect time to fully apply what I learned from being a Broadcast Communication Major, said Sis. Roda. “Acting as executive producer, production assistant, cameraman, among others, gave me the opportunity to relive my College days learning and doing TV and radio production work, only now there is a real program being streamed live every Sunday morning via the internet.” .
Brother Jay was quite proud of how far the team has gone from a simple webstream to a regular production that’s almost comparable to professional studios. But more importantly, he was proud of the youth’s eagerness to serve the Lord where and when they were needed the most.
"I believe in what the Bible says - the Lord looks at the heart, and the skills, knowledge and talent will follow,” he said.
“And unlike professionals, they are doing this as part of their service to the Lord, as part of their Ministry."
It started out as a humble – but very vital – part of the regular worship, when the initial spread of COVID-19 in 2020 forced a total lockdown of the country. All manner of physical gathering were suspended, including church services. The preaching and worship service had to be streamed for the next few months from the house of Rev. Mark Dantes, NCF’s Senior Pastor. Quarantine regulations later loosened in May 2020, and with only a rudimentary webcam and some laptops to work with, the few people who were allowed in the sanctuary after the lockdown struggled to breathe more life into the livestream visuals, both for the preaching as well as for many other church activities, which started to resume online.
Nearly a week into the 28th Anniversary Celebration, Sis. Roda and Bro. Jay were already helping NCF’s online tech team with its first major upgrades in preparation for the anniversary, including a better camera and new audio-visual components.
"We are all laymen here, we're not audio engineers or any sort of experts in this field, and it's quite a challenge trying to learn how to operate the new audio and video components for our worship service,” said Pastor Mark.
"But we're doing our best to improve the livestream, and by God's grace, I’m sure we will have an even better livestream of our church services.”
