From time to time, I have stressed the importance of Taiwan, not only as a base for reaching people in mainland China with the gospel, but as a major mission field in its own right.
Now, more than ever, I believe that Christians should focus prayer on Taiwan. Why?
The Gospel Need is Great
Though the Christian church has a long history in Taiwan, is mature in many ways, and enjoys complete freedom of religion, the vast majority of the more than 23 million inhabitants of Taiwan are steeped in idolatry and superstition.
Active, biblically faithful Christians do not number more than two or three percent of the population. The rest, even most of those who are highly educated, practice traditional Chinese religion. They make offerings to various “gods,” as well as to their ancestors. The headlong race for material prosperity consumes their minds and souls.
As a result, they are ignorant of the one true and living God, the only source of real life, and the only giver of true peace and happiness. Sexual immorality is rampant, even during festivals at the birthdays of the main idols.
Naturally, marriages are crumbling, depression is endemic, and social conflict is on the rise. The larger culture has joined much of the West in rejecting God’s truth about sexual identity. Same-sex marriages have been legalized.
The Church is Weak
Speaking now of Protestants, we rejoice that there are so many good churches and strong believers in Taiwan. Seminaries abound, most of them theologically sound. Christian books are offered for sale in bookstores. Parachurch organizations seek to take the gospel to workers, at-risk women and children, students, prison inmates, and immigrants.
At the same time, we have to acknowledge that the Prosperity “Gospel” has wreaked havoc, leading people to follow Christ for material and worldly gain. The seminaries of the largest denomination propound theological liberalism. Some evangelical schools have compromised belief in the inerrancy of Scripture.
Most Christians in Taiwan are educated, middle-class professionals. Many are worldly. Less than 1% of the 15 million working class people know Christ.
Time May be Short
Communist China has always insisted that Taiwan is a breakaway province that must be “reunited” with the mainland. In recent months, with the re-election of a pro-independence president and increasing U.S. support for Taiwan, China has threatened to take action to “recover” Taiwan, by force if necessary.
Its military aircraft regularly probe Taiwan’s airspace, while its navy approaches and even circles the island in warning maneuvers. It has more than 1,200 missiles that could destroy many of Taiwan’s defenses in a blitz attack.
Though the U.S. no longer has a formal treaty with Taiwan, it has expressed a commitment to resist an invasion by China. Many analysts doubt, however, whether America could really protect Taiwan against a sudden move.
For a sobering assessment of this highly explosive situation, see this article.
Meanwhile, the risk of military conflict between China and the United States in the East China Sea rises almost daily. We are on the verge of a war that the Chinese believe they could win.
Given the history of Chinese government restrictions – to use a bland word – on churches, it is highly possible that Christians in Taiwan could soon be facing a huge challenge.
Our part:
We have three colleagues in Taiwan. I try to maintain contact with them and with our many Taiwanese friends, though I have been hindered by my inability to find the file with their contact information. Nine of my written or edited books have been published in Chinese there, and three others have been in the process of translation for several years.
And yours:
Please PRAY.
Ask God to
Enable translators and publishers to issue my books soon, and use those already published.
Help me to encourage our friends in Taiwan through calls and correspondence.
Strengthen the hands of our colleagues, and of missionaries.
Revive and multiply Christians in Taiwan.
Pray “always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints – and for me” (Ephesians 6:18-19a).