A Biblical Earthquake

March 2001

Dear Friends,

In the middle of the night of September 21, 1999, an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck Taiwan. Over 2,000 died, and more than 6,000 were injured. Property damage was over $3 billion. On March 18, 2000, Taiwan experienced a political earthquake. The party that held power in the entire central government since 1945 was changed. The candidate of the former ruling party (the KMT) came in third. Members of the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan (PCT) were urged to vote for change. They supported Chen Shui-bian, who eventually won the election. On January 29, 2001, the annual Bible and theology conference on campus ministry in the PCT was held in Puli. Original projections for participants were set at 150, so the actual enrollment came as a surprise. This year they had over 250 students, and it could have been higher, but they had to turn down many students because of the limitation of the campground facilities. This is a biblical earthquake. The students eagerly studied the Bible and heard the Word of God. I want to share this good news with you and other Christians.

From January 29 to February 3, the 38th annual Bible and theology conference drew students from all parts of Taiwan. Each day the conference began at 7:00 a.m. and ended at 11:00 p.m. In the morning and afternoon there were small Bible study groups. This year they studied Paul’s epistle to the Romans. The students were divided into 20 small groups for reading and discussion of the text of the epistle. Each group had two counselors. Prior to the event, the counselors had been trained to lead the groups. The counselors also introduced reference books on Paul’s letter to the Romans.

Every evening theological lectures were given, such as "Introduction to Romans," "The Power of the Gospel," "Justification by Faith," "Calvinist Thought of Election and Roman Catholic Thought of Election," and "Faith and Politics." After the lectures, workshops were offered on "Christian Feminism," "Introduction to the Disabled Person’s work of the PCT," the "Student Christian Movement," "The Situation of Minority Ethnic Groups in Taiwan," and "Introduction to the Non-nuclear Home." Each night the main speakers also offered workshops on these subjects. The Q/A times often went past the schedule. Of course there were worship services, morning prayer times, and gospel songs.

I (Choon) attended the conference for the first time. I was one of counselors for the small groups. The conference had a great impact on me. It was well organized and coordinated. The executive body (secretary of the campus ministry and counselors) and the student committee all worked together. Each day the executive body had a meeting to discuss daily problems and then related it to the student committee and to the whole group. Everybody worked very hard, especially the student committee. They were on the front line and did almost all the business, but the executive body was always ready to help and make suggestions, if the students got into difficult situations. I gave them an A+.

The students showed zeal for learning the Word of God. It was a six-day conference. Each day there were no long break times except the two-hour lunch time. No recreation time. And yet, no one skipped the small Bible study group. Even though a lot of students had colds and could not sleep well because of that, they still came to the group and read and studied the Bible and participated in sharing their beliefs with others. What wonderful students they are!

I truly believe that God prepared the college student workers and the students’ hearts for the conference. Many co-workers told me like that. Only 3 or 4 percent of the population in Taiwan is Christian. At the beginning of the 21st century, God blessed Taiwan, especially the college students. That is why this conference is so important. This is a sign from God. We received the blessing first from God and now let us share it with others so that all the Taiwanese people may receive it. Therefore, about 250 students are the hope of Christianity in Taiwan. The Holy Spirit wants to equip them with the Word of God. I believe that if the Holy Spirit touches our heart, all we have to do is to obey. I pray that the Spirit continually move the students and the college workers so that the Kingdom of God may be established on Taiwan, as we Christians obey Jesus Christ’s command.

Amen

Choon S. Lim

The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 187