GIG, as we know it now, means an event for a musician/band or, in a more generic sense, some piece of work/job on a temporary or project basis. Having gigs, from time to time, gives workers some kind of refreshing relief from their usual and day-to-day activities in their regular jobs. In my case, my teaching gigs keep me updated with trends in the law. It also gives me the opportunity to interact with future lawyers coming from the millennial generation.
In the Philippine Airlines (PAL), an all female group of millennials has organized a gig every Thursday lunch. This gig, however, was conceptualized not to generate material wealth, as in extra compensation, but to boost spiritual wellness for each participant. For these ladies, GIG stands for Girlfriends in God. The fellowship over lunch break allows participants to share testimonies as to how their trials have turned or can turn into victory. In the words of one participant Faye, they “talk about God’s forgiveness, favor and, most of all, Jesus.”
These workers from the Human Capital (HC) Department (Patty, Buds, Elkah, Kon, Mitchi, Steph, Donna, Cris and Faye) first met middle of 2017 to read and study the Bible. These millennials were emotionally elated during that first meeting as their individual yet innermost prayers were somehow answered. On their own volition and unknown to each other, these ladies fervently prayed to have a venue at work where they can individually encourage and be reminded of God’s love. GIG was thus founded on the desire of some employees to love and be loved in faith. Growing in numbers and gaining traction from other believers in Christ, these ladies invited me to be part of this weekly activity. In one of the GIG fellowship gatherings, I noticed how bodies and souls were nourished. These Girlfriends in God enter and leave the HC venue with giggling (sic) encouragement at the fact that they are strengthening their own faith and of others out of love for one another.
GIG’s mission statement or petition this year is (1) to shine our light in our workplace, (2) to let God’s love be known especially to leaders in PAL, (3) to have more and regular number of GIG attendees, gentlemen included, and (4) to strengthen GIG’s relationship and to never cease to meet and talk about Him.
In the Bible, Matthew 18:20 tells us, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” When I attended one GIG lunch, I truly felt God’s presence among the participants as I heard powerful and compelling stories of struggles turning into victories. This GIG in the HC Department of PAL will hopefully influence other departments to come up with small groups. Who knows, future GIG can help PAL turn its trials into victories.
Inasmuch as a significant majority of my colleagues in PAL are believers, it would be a matter of time when GIG groups will spread like mushrooms in the forest, that is, effortless and all over. I learned that a few executives already met as a group, similar to GIG, with the hope of spreading His word through lunch fellowship meetings.
In the Bible, Psalm 133:1 says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” And one of the strongest unifying forces in PAL and elsewhere in most companies in the Philippines is faith in God. Let’s make more GIG (or BIG for the guys) time at home and at work. This kind of gig is truly refreshing.