[3133] PCT and CCH visit Mongolian churches and build partnerships

PCT and CCH visit Mongolian churches and build partnerships

Reported by Sam Lee

Written by Lydia Ma

PCT General Assembly Moderator Chiohh Lyiam-Syian and Changhua Christian Hospital (CCH) chaplain Avai Niahosa travelled to Mongolia on February 26-March 2, 2012 to visit local churches, a seminary, and a hospital. Their goal for this trip was to establish a mission partnership between PCT and churches in Mongolia.

CCH embarked on its first medical mission to Mongolia last year because the PCT thought it was important to have first-hand information about Christianity and missions in Mongolia. Upon this first official visit to Mongolia, Chiohh reported that 80% of the country’s churches do not have a building and Christians worship either within their own homes or in a small group setting in the house of a member. Hence, Chiohh said Mongolia could be considered as an overseas outreach destination for the PCT.

Avai underscored that the current population in Mongolia is 2.75 million and Christians account for 5% of the population. There are approximately 600 churches nationwide, but the number of churches and Christians has been climbing rapidly in the past 20 years. In contrast, the salary of pastors in Mongolia is relatively low and pastors face many hardships.

Avai also said that Union Bible Center is the most prominent seminary in Mongolia and students are eligible to become pastors once they obtain a Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree. Hence, churches in Mongolia hope to increase the educational level of its clergy.

After CCH’s first medical mission to Mongolia last year, Mongolia National Hospital sent 5 doctors to CCH has interns and 2 of them are still in CCH. Avai said that CCH will continue to reach out to Mongolia through medical missions. In response, Mongolian churches hope that the PCT can assist them in establishing church hospitals. They also hope that local churches in Taiwan and Mongolia can build strong partnerships.