The Pastors of Christ to the Philippines-Ilocano District (CTTP-ID) emerged with the project “Bayanihan Para Sa Simbahan” during the Pastor’s Meeting and Planning of Activities for the year 2020. It is an ongoing activity wherein the pastors and several members of various CTTP-ID churches gather together to help one particular church for free. These works include church building construction, church building renovation and repairs, church landscaping, and other forms of works or improvement that a specific church needs. The work lasts for one to two days to finish the needed work in time.

The Bayanihan (pronounced as buy-uh-nee-hun) is a Filipino custom derived from the Filipino word “bayan,” which means nation, town, or community. The term Bayanihan itself literally means “being in a bayan,” which refers to the spirit of communal unity, work, and cooperation to achieve a particular goal.

The original schedule for this activity was postponed due to the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic and the first implementation of the project was conducted on October 24, 2020, at CTTP-Kalliat wherein they were able to start the construction of their church building. The second was at CTTP-Badduat on March 15-16, 2021 wherein they were able to excavate a part of the church grounds to establish a more spacious pastoral house kitchen. The third was on March 29-30, 2021 at CTTP-Taracay wherein they were able to finish the installation of the ceiling of the said church. The latest is at CTTP-Palan-ag last May 13-14, 2021 wherein they were able to construct concrete steps at the entrance of the church and improved the way in going to it. 

As part of the activity, church members expressed their gratitude by providing meals and snacks to the volunteer workers. Some even post their finished works on social media to show how their church improved with the help of this Bayanihan activity.

As of the moment, the pastors were planning their next steps and the next churches to help in the coming months. Their goal is to help all churches in CTTP ID to ensure that they have a comfortable and convenient place to worship and so on.

This kind of initiative shows how the church should help each other, especially during these challenging times. As one body in Christ, it is crucial for all the members that we care for each other and that we should not neglect to encourage one another. One of the many ways to show our love to each other is through this Bayanihan.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25