Taiwan’s Role

We have looked briefly at the importance of prayer, the Internet, and radio for reaching Chinese around the world. Now consider the strategic place of Taiwan.

The Need

More than 23 million people live on Taiwan. Less than 2 % of them are active Christians.

Meanwhile, Buddhism, Taoism, and popular Chinese religion are flourishing, using methods borrowed from the Christians, enjoying strong government support, and building on their ancient roots in the soil of Chinese culture.

Children are fed a steady diet of myths from these religions each day in school; television news reports feature national leaders paying homage; and the large Buddhist relief organization makes headlines each time disaster strikes.

With some exceptions, Christian churches struggle to survive, much less to grow, while millions of souls remain outside their doors in darkness.

The Resources

On the other hand, the Christians in Taiwan come mostly from the middle and upper-middle classes. Highly educated, sophisticated, and mobile, they travel the globe for business, education, and fun.

Thousands of excellent books are available for their growth in Christian understanding. Seminaries provide excellent training for future pastors and current church leaders. Dozens of mature churches offer fellowship, teaching, and constant reminders of the imperative of evangelism.

Taiwan’s believers enjoy complete religious freedom and maintain close contact with Christians around the world. They are internationally-minded, savvy, and poised to make a difference.

Christian scholars in Taiwan have done solid work in theology and the relationship of the Gospel to Chinese culture. At the same time, they have grappled for fifty years with the complex challenges posed by modernization, urbanization and prosperity – just the issues perplexing many believers in China today.

Did I forget to say that many very dedicated followers of Christ bear witness to Him in Taiwan, and around the world?

The Present

Indeed, Taiwan’s Christians are already working hard to make an impact for good in China.

More than one million Taiwanese live and work in China. Thousands of them consciously seek to set a Christian example and share the truth of the Gospel each day. Others travel, and even live, in China for the express purpose of evangelism and edification.

Many churches have been planted in major Chinese cities by Christians from Taiwan. Leaders from the house church movement receive regular training from their counterparts from Taiwan.

In fact, a recent survey discovered that trainers from Taiwan are usually more attuned to the real needs of China’s believers than the Westerners who seek to build leaders there.

They know the language, understand the culture, and build long-range relationships. From years of observation and friendship, they have discovered what works best in China.

In other words, they don’t go in with a “one-size-fits-all” curriculum taught in a foreign language by strangers from an alien background.

The Challenge

Well, then, should those in the West just let their brothers from Taiwan carry the ball? Of course not! There’s a lot they can do to help.

First of all, we should pray regularly for Christians in Taiwan and for the missionaries who seek to encourage them. They are a tiny minority in a sea of pagans.

Next, we can support those organizations which serve Christ in Taiwan, such as OMF International, TEAM, SEND, the Conservative Baptists, the Southern Baptists, China Ministries International, China Evangelical Seminary, Campus Evangelical Fellowship, and many more.

Our Part

We now have in Taiwan one couple studying Chinese at Tunghai University, and our assistant Belle Huang. I spent three weeks in February there, and plan to return in August to teach two short courses for China Evangelical Seminary.

Your Part

Would you pray for God to revive his church in Taiwan; to send more Christians from America there to be witnesses of Christ; and to strengthen my co-workers and me for effective ministry?