‘A church group is a community’

Beto Bebeto (center) and members of his religious community

Beto Bebeto, a local Indonesian pastor, told the Times that an increase in the number of English-speaking non-resident workers has led to the increase of international churches or local churches commencing English services.
This includes particularly the Indonesian and Filipino communities. As their numbers grow, those who are of Christian background certainly seek for a church to which to belong.
The Indonesian pastor believes that there are churches that will grow, while some churches will  remain dedicated to small communities depending on the religious group’s calling.
“There are churches serving domestic helpers [or] business people and there are churches that serve both. It’s really a matter of preference. You decide whether you like it, whether you feel comfortable,” Beto explained.
“A church group is a community, so the increase in the number of people attending merely reflects the fact that more people respond to the message of the gospel [for the new members who decide to embrace the faith] or people feel more comfortable being part of that particular church [for those who are already of Christian background],” he added.

An Indonesian church

Beto also said that any church group would hope to have more members joining the church and embracing Christianity.
“The gospel is good news.  Again of course this is a personal preference for everyone, so when you have good news, naturally you want to share it with your loved ones, family and friends,” he said.
The pastor also stressed that these churches serve as a second home, especially to the Filipino and Indonesian community.
“We just love to be around the same culture as well, and so usually it’s not only about the speaking the same language or singing Indonesian or Filipino songs but it’s the church activities as a whole,” the Indonesian pastor explained.
In these types of churches the attendees can have a meal and experience a sense of fellowship after Sunday services. While some churches provide the meals for free using the churches’ funds, some hold potluck lunches.
According to the pastor, the church is not simply about the Sunday service, but also about the community.
“You’re far away from your home, culture and food but suddenly when Sunday comes, when fellowship comes, you just feel at home because everybody is Indonesian […] and communication is held in Bahasa,” Beto stressed.
Beto also confirmed that the church financially helps its members who are in need.
“We sometimes help them go back to Indonesia when they don’t have money. […] We collect money from amongst us and we buy the ticket for them so they can go back,” he shared.
Although these churches have unusual names, these communities provide a support system to different ethnic groups in the territory. Members of small churches that have been established for years also offer emotional support to community.
“Regardless of how many churches we have in town; we are one body, we are one,” he said. “We’re doing our best to really serve the people.”  LV

‘I was a former gambler but I didn’t feel condemned’

Mylene Pacada (center)

Some of the believers who prefer to be a part of small religious groups rather than the traditional Church told the Times that they feel at home in belonging to a church community.  These church attendees also confirmed that “tithes and offerings” are voluntarily given to the church.
Some attendees noted how they had tried participating in other church communities before settling in one particular group.
“We have tried other churches prior to the one we’re currently attending. In this church we’re now involved, we felt warmly welcomed when we first visited,” said Mylene Pacada.
“I was a former gambler but I didn’t feel condemned in that church and they just encouraged me to change for the better with the help of God and the church,” she explained.
When asked whether church members are voluntarily providing financial support to other members of the community, Pacada answered, “The church is [also] helping us so I think that’s what we should do too. Without our [financial] help how can churches continue to operate?”
An active member of another church, Joana Lambina said there is a sense of belonging when one is involved in a church group, as its members treat each other as a family.
“Those who feel homesick could find the comfort they are looking for in a church. In these kinds of [small] churches, they can find a second family, a home, love and comfort,” she explained.
According to information the Times acquired, there are over 50 Filipino churches and some five Indonesian churches active in Macau.
These Tagalog and Bahasa speaking communities also have church councils in the region, which hold several prayer groups and fellowships.
There are approximately 400 to 500 Indonesian attendees in those five churches and prayer groups. The membership of Filipino churches varies from 30 to over 200 members.
Further, these types of churches in the region collaborate to hold activities together, promoting unity among the Christian churches in Macau.
Just recently, 30 churches and organizations have again held the “Cheer Macao Float Parade.” The event is an annual parade that gathers some 600 Christian participants to promote “love, joy, peace and unity.”
According to the organizers, the parade also aimed at spreading “positive energy” in the region.  LV