3142 Edition
May 14-20, 2012
Editorial

Translated by Lydia Ma

When it comes to evangelistic ministries among indigenous peoples, Taiwan’s track record in the 20th century is filled with touching and successful stories. But as we relish in our accomplishments, we should also evaluate our work and press on so that we can reach new heights in the new century.

A glance at indigenous ministries in Taiwan reveals that God’s grace and mercy abounded in all aspects of evangelism among indigenous Taiwanese. When people in Taiwan first heard of the gospel, it was the indigenous peoples – one of the most marginalized ethnic groups in this country – that received and accepted it first.

Since then, the power and work of the Holy Spirit is the reason why evangelistic ministries among indigenous groups flourished and inspired so many people. For example, we see the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of foreign missionaries, Taiwanese pastors, and indigenous pastors when they braved difficult winding roads in the mountains to share the gospel in places where means of transportation are scarce.

When missionaries tried to share the gospel in indigenous communities, some of them were treated coldly while others were rejected. But neither cold treatment nor cruel treatment fazed them because they knew that they were preaching the risen Christ. Because of their efforts, the gospel was preached to indigenous peoples and churches began to sprout in every indigenous community.

The PCT founded Yushan Seminary because it saw the need to continue sharing the gospel with indigenous peoples and train some indigenous Christians to become leaders and missionaries in their own communities. It has been 66 years since the founding of this seminary and, over the years, it has trained more than 500 people to become pastors, further strengthening the foundation laid by the first missionaries long ago.

The focus of missions among indigenous peoples in the 20th century was to establish churches in every indigenous community in Taiwan. As we continue the work of sharing the gospel in the 21st century, Yushan Seminary must not only stand firm on its foundation but also brave new storms. Some of the new challenges that await indigenous ministries in the near future, which hardly needed to be addressed in the past, include self-rule, preservation of land and natural resources, preservation of mother languages and indigenous cultures, health problems, environmental degradation, education and urban migration, etc.

These new challenges ad issues that affect the daily life of indigenous peoples must be studied and not avoided when discussing evangelistic ministries among indigenous peoples and Yushan Seminary must not ignore them.

Besides its mission to reach indigenous peoples for Christ, Yushan Seminary should also consider partnering with other churches in ministering to the rest of the nation. Perhaps it could start offering training on cross-cultural missions and share its wisdom and experience with others. Perhaps it could consider being more active in ecumenical ministries and missions to third-world countries, particularly in ministries to indigenous communities in other countries. We are confident that Yushan Seminary can help others with their mission strategies and it can reach new heights in the 21st century.