February 5, 2007

Lunar New Year

Dear Friends,

Last week we had a continuing education event at the seminary, which gave me the opportunity to talk with many of my former students who are now serving in churches. One of the blessings in serving in Taiwan for as long as I have is seeing these young pastors become a blessing to their churches and to the people of Taiwan. I would like to share with you the stories of six of these young pastors.

Geelau

Geelau is serving an Amis tribal church very near the international airport south of Taipei. Her church is in the landing path, so while preaching, she often has to pause to allow the jumbo jet to land before continuing her sermon. The Sunday school room is above the sanctuary, so the Sunday school teachers also have to wait for the planes to pass before continuing their lessons. When aboriginals move to the city, they often have to live where the rent is not too expensive. Many of the members of Geelau’s church work in construction and often get off work late, so family worship and church prayer meetings are usually held quite late. Please pray that Geelau will be able to help her church members connect their faith with the challenges they face each day.

Chi-tzan

Chi-tzan, a non-aboriginal, is serving a church on a small island in the Taiwan Straits between Taiwan and China. This island is part of Penghu (the Pescadores), a chain of islands. Chi-tzan takes a boat from his island to the main island, and then takes a plane to Taipei. Most of his church members are fisher folks. Because of the danger they face each day in their contact with the sea, Penghu fisher folks, like those who fish around the world, tend to be very superstitious. Most of the residents of Penghu worship a traditional folk god called Matsu, who is called the goddess of fisher folk. So Christians have an important witness on the islands. Chi-tzan is seeking to make a connection between the Bible and the lives of his members.

Ji-hau

Ji-hau is a member of the Taroko tribe. His father, mother, and older sister are also pastors in his presbytery. Ji-hau’s ancestor was the first evangelist to this tribe. During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, she risked danger to share the good news of Christ with the people of her tribe. Her love for Christ and her love for her people led many of the Taroko people to become followers of Christ. Ji-hau’s church is in a village just a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean. He has started a children’s Sunday school and a youth group in his church. Since the village is not that large, I encouraged him on a visit there to spend time walking through the village to get to know those who do not often go to church.

Yabung

Yabung serves a church in the mountains in the center of Taiwan. Most of her members are farmers, and many of the young people have had to go to the cities to find work. Yabung’s husband is non-aboriginal and teaches primary school. They are expecting their first child in August. Yabung has an infectious laugh and a sincere faith. Pray that she and her husband will be able to help their church be Christ’s light in their village.

Walice

Walice serves an aboriginal church in a Tyral tribal village about an hour outside the capital, Taipei. The village has many hot springs, which hotels have developed into a tourist industry. Every weekend, city dwellers flock to this village to soak in the hot springs and eat in the hotel restaurants. Many of the members of Walice’s church work in the hotel kitchens or as maintenance staff. Because many are required to work on Sunday, they have their worship at 8:00 a.m. Walice is seeking to help the church members grow in their faith as they live in a tourist spot.

Isaac

Isaac, also a member of the Tyral tribe, is a quiet, gentle fellow who is serving an aboriginal congregation that is part of a larger non-aboriginal church in a high-rent area of Taipei. The non-aboriginals meet for worship in the morning and the city-aboriginals meet for worship in the afternoon. Isaac’s congregation is made up of folks from many different tribes, so he uses a common language of Mandarin Chinese to preach. Last week I had lunch with Isaac, and he asked me how to preach in a way that connects the Bible’s story with the stories of his church members. Isaac’s wife is of a different tribe and will give birth to their first child next month.

All of these young pastors face similar and unique challenges in their places of service. I am thankful for the opportunity to reflect with them on creative ways to touch the hearts of all.

Because churches in Taiwan need visionary, prayerful, faithful, and imaginative pastors, we are planning a program to connect the seminary experience with the first pastorate. We know that the first parish experience can influence a lifetime of ministry, so we hope to shape pastors who think theologically, plumb the depths of prayer and Bible study, and sensitively and pastorally respond to the needs of their members and the needs of society. We also want to create a community of pastors who will support each other along the way. Please pray for those who will participate in this program.

I remain deeply grateful for your prayers and financial support, which allow me to accompany these church leaders in their service to Christ and to the people of Taiwan.

Gratefully,

John McCall

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 253