December 5-11, 2011
General Assembly News
PCUSA evangelism office visits Taiwan during Asia tour to strengthen partnership with PCT
Reported by Lin Yi-ying
Written by Lydia Ma
PC(USA) Office of International Evangelism coordinator Rev. Michael Parker and his Asia-Pacific coordinator, Rev. Mienda Uriarte, recently visited Taiwan as part of their Asia tour. The two made an official visit to PCT headquarter office on November 30, 2011, and were greeted by Associate General Secretary Lyim Hong-tiong. PCT and PC(USA) staff then convened a meeting to discuss partnership opportunities in mission ministries.
According to reports, PC(USA) and PCT have enjoyed a close relationship and partnership from 1984 to 2006 and have convened triennial mission conferences. Though these triennial conferences have not been held since 2006, visits from PC(USA) officers have taken place every year in the past 4 years. The friendship between the two churches is long-standing, said Lyim, adding that the plot of land where the General Assembly headquarter office now stands was donated by PC(USA).
After meeting with Parker and Uriarte, Lyim told Taiwan Church News that both churches had reached a partnership agreement on Southeast Asia missions, especially mission projects in countries such as Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
After visiting Taiwan, Parker and Uriarte are scheduled to fly to China and meet with pastors from China Christian Council to discuss missions and how to allocate budget pertaining to mission work in China.
Commenting on mission partnerships in China between PCT, PC(USA), and CCC, Lyim told Parker and Uriarte that both PCT and CCC are members of the World Council of Churches, and as such, their relationship should be based on mutual respect, and equality. Lyim added that if the PC(USA) is willing to be a channel facilitating partnership and communication, the PCT is more than happy to partner with PC(USA) and CCC in expanding mission ministries in China.
