by Sharlene Cabudoy
It’s Friday night. FNL is starting, and the praise and worship band is just beginning to play music. The main lights turn off, the spotlights and multicolored lights come on, and a PowerPoint slide appears on the wall showing the lyrics of the first song. The instruments are amplified and the sounds they make fill the room. A few seconds later the voices of the singers come through the speakers, as well. For the members who attend FNL regularly, this set up is typical of a Friday night. Rarely anyone questions how these technical aspects of the service are brought about, yet when something goes wrong with an amplifier or a microphone, everyone knows who to call on.
These are the men who sit behind the sound booth during every service and event, and they are the ones who make sure that each laptop, light, PowerPoint and speaker are working as they are supposed to. It is because of the work of Tito Edick Fernando, Tito Jun Jun Fernando, Kuya Jeff Nazaire, and Daryl Purificacion that all the technical and multimedia aspects of GSCC function correctly, and because of them we are able to give glory to God through amazing services.
Our church has been blessed by the talents of these men. It must be difficult to constantly multitask during services, yet they seem to pull through each time. During praise and worship, not only do they give their praises to God, but they must pay attention to the lyrics that they are posting for the entire congregation to see, as well. They must also keep their ears sharp as they listen for any feedback or difficulties that are happening with the mics or amps. There have been times when the batteries of microphones would run out during service, but just a few seconds later one of the guys from the sound booth would come to the rescue and replace them. Aside from that, our tech crew also has to be on hand before each service and event to set up the equipment. So in addition to multitasking, they have to be punctual; otherwise, Sunday mornings or Friday nights would be delayed and somewhat disorganized. Yet, in spite of the pressure that is put upon them, our tech crew puts an amazing effort into helping provide our church with the best services we could possibly have. It is truly amazing to see how God can use His children in so many ways.
When asked about their previous experiences in this ministry, it is surprising to learn that Tito Jun Jun and Daryl did not have any. Tito Jun Jun simply saw that there was a need in the church, and he followed God’s lead in this area. “With the guidance from Kuya Greg and Kuya Audy and some additional research,” he said, “ I was able to learn the ways of the sound board.” Daryl’s sparking curiosity of the sound board gained the attention of Tito Edick, so he gladly began teaching Daryl how it worked. Now he constantly helps during each service. Neither had worked as a part of a tech crew before, yet both had willing hearts to help in this ministry for God. Kuya Jeff, on the other hand, has always been, as he refers to himself, a “tech geek” who loves “everything that beeps and blinks.” Not only did he help in this ministry at his former church, but he also has a career in the technical and multimedia industry. “Through an invitation from the leaders of GSCC I was able to use my passion for multimedia to glorify God,” he says. These men answered to God’s calling to be a part of this ministry, and thanks to them that our church is blessed with such wonderful services.
Our tech crew has a job that is mostly behind-the-scenes, and rarely are these men seen center stage, yet all of them are so humble and do not mind being behind the sound board or the computer for they know this is where God needs them. When asked how they feel about using their technical skills as a way to give glory to God, they each responded with such grateful hearts. “Serving God in any way is incredibly fulfilling,” Tito Jun quips.. Kuya Jeff reminds that all of us are created by Him, for Him. “This means that all of our abilities are blessings from God, and in return we should use it for His glory.” The youngest of our tech crew, Daryl, expresses how blessed he feels to be a part of this ministry and how much of a privilege it is for him. He states that although our technical crew does not gain much recognition for their work, he knows that God always does. Truly, God has blessed our church with such an amazing, willing, and humble group of men who are ready to do God’s work no matter what He asks of them.
