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Taiwan Church News 3045 Edition July 5~July 11, 2010
City and Aborigine churches share resources to further God’s kingdom
Reported by Sam Lee, Chen Yi-hsuan Written by Lydia Ma Photo by Chang Mo
Shin-Shing Church will henceforth loan its old church building to Rukai Presbytery so the latter can start an Aborigine church in the southern region of Tainan City. Their agreement became another successful example of partnership between Aborigine churches and city churches.
Shin-Sing Church moved to a new location at the beginning of 2010. The church’s former chapel, education building, and parsonage are located in southern Tainan. The church originally planned to sell its old property to pay for the new building’s mortgage.
After much discussion between church elders and the church’s pastor, Rev. Wu Ke-hsun, the church decided to retain its old property because they felt it would be a shame if these buildings were torn down once the property was sold. Ultimately, they hoped the old buildings could still serve some ministry purpose.
Aware that PCT General Assembly encouraged urban churches to lend their premises to Aborigine churches seeking to branch out in urban areas and reach Aborigines there, Shin-Sing Church contacted the General Assembly and expressed its desire to share its old properties.
After PCT associate general secretaries Lyim Hong-tiong and Sing ‘Olam made some calls and confirmed Rukai Presbytery was very interested in partnering with Shin-Sing Church, a tour of the church was quickly arranged for July 1. Leaders from both sides confirmed a deal the same day after visiting the church. A thanksgiving service marking the beginning of this partnership will be held on August 1.
Commenting on this partnership, Wu said it was wonderful that his church would be partnering with an Aborigine church in furthering the gospel. He was also glad the old church building would retain its evangelistic purpose. According to reports, Shin-Sing Church will loan its premises to Rukai Presbytery for free for at least 3 years.
Rukai Presbytery’s Moderator Rev. Kaynwane said he was very grateful to Shin-Sing Church for helping Rukai Presbytery further its ministry in urban areas. Kaynwane hopes that Rukai Aborigines can start their own city churches in Kaohsiung and Taipei soon.
When interviewed about this partnership, PCT Associate General Secretary Lyim Hong-tong said statistics indicated that many Aborigine Christians were migrating to urban areas for work in recent years. PCT believed it was vital for them to continue attending church services that use these Aborigines’ own mother tongues even though they may now live in cities.
He maintained that protecting ethnic culture and diversity and bringing out every ethnic group’s unique gifts were important core values of the PCT. He hoped more city churches would get involved in similar partnerships.
In related news, an Aborigine fellowship near Fongshan, Kaohsiung, officially became a church at the end of June 2010. Members of this new church, christened Kao-Fong Presbyterian Church, include Aborigines working in Kaohsiung area and those who’ve relocated there after Typhoon Morakot destroyed their homes last year.
The fellowship had been hoping to build a church in Fongshan area to minister to Aborigines living and working in Kaohsiung. It’s a well-known fact that many Aborigines who leave their hometowns to work in the city inevitably leave their church and faith once they relocate. Guiding these lost sheep back into the fold will be a prime concern for this new church.
Kao-Fong Church first began in February 2009, led by a retired minister. Rev. Ibu, who served as coordinator of South Bunun Presbytery during Typhoon Morakot, will become the church’s full-time minister starting July 2010. She asked that Christians pray for this new urban Aborigine church.
On the eve of the 1st anniversary of Typhoon Morakot, Rev. Ibu also asked for prayers on behalf of Christians living in permanent housing units operated by Buddhist Compassion Relief Foundation.
She disclosed that only one-third of Christians living there continued to meet and attend church services. Apparently, the remaining two-thirds had either left Christianity or embraced Buddhism and formed ties with Buddhist Compassion Relief Foundation.
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