June 27~July 3, 2011
Church Ministry News
Youth with cerebral palsy asks to be baptized
Reported by Chen Wei-chien
Written by Lydia Ma
Erlin Happy Christian Homes (HCH), a Christian organization that cares for children with disabilities, recently celebrated the baptism of one of its children whom they’d received and welcomed about 10 years ago.
Liang Ming-hsien, a severely disabled youth with cerebral palsy, recently took the initiative to ask his parents if he could be baptized. After explaining to them what baptism meant and obtaining their consent, he spoke with the pastoral staff at HCH. He was finally baptized on May 28, 2011 by HCH’s dean and PCT pastor, Rev. Chuang Hsiao-sheng.
According to HCH staff, the 22-year-old young man came to HCH at the age of 12 suffering from severe cerebral palsy and unable to read. Once at HCH, he learned how to read and also learned about Jesus through Sunday schools and Sunday services.
Though some people may have reservations about the lucidity of such children when they accept Christ and are baptized, HCH’s chaplain Rev. Tsai Shu-nien, clarified that Liang’s disabilities are physical rather than mental disabilities. Because he comes from a poor home, Liang wasn’t able to get proper education before coming to HCH.
However, “Liang Ming-hsien is usually very active and responsive during Sunday schools and always answers with enthusiasm questions teachers pose to students,” said Tsai.
HCH doesn’t require that its children accept Christ or be baptized, emphasized another staff, because it doesn’t want parents to feel coerced much less harbor negative feelings about Christianity. After all, the parents are also part of its ministry outreach.
