Taiwan Church News 3825 Edition June 16 ~ 22, 2025 Weekly Topical PCT 160 Committed to Love in Christ and Care for Taiwan Reported by Lin Wan-ting from Kaohsiung The thanksgiving service for the 160th Anniversary of PCT mission was held at Kaohsiung Fengshan Stadium on June 15. Mr Lai Ching-te, president of Taiwan, Mr Pan Meng-an, secretary-general of the Presidential Office, Mr Chen Chi-mai, mayor of Kaohsiung City, Mrs Kang Yu-cheng, speaker of Kaohsiung City Council and many renown guests were invited to attend the event together with 8,000 PCT members. In his speech, president Lai affirmed the extraordinary contributions of PCT in its past 160 years’ services, which had rooted deep to sustain the needy, engaged wide to deliver medical care, and spoke audaciously for human rights, freedom and democracy in Taiwan. “It is praiseworthy that PCT declared three history-breaking statements and participated to promote social democracy and political justice in actions during the period of KMT authoritarian rulings, and these PCT services showcase a true love to Taiwanese people on the land of Formosa.” “Taiwan is currently facing many challenges at home and abroad, especially the aggressive threatenings of China’s annexation,” president Lai said. Quoting the scriptural verses of Ecclesiastes 4:12, “And though one may prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken,” he reminded the audience “even Taiwan is surrounded by various kinds of challenges, only a mind set of solidarity is the key to victory!” President Lai gave his thanksgiving to PCT for serving Taiwan society over the past 160 years, going through challenges together with Taiwanese people, and bringing in promising reforms. Sincerely wishing to work closely with everyone in PCT for the future of Taiwan, he urged “let us jointly act against annexation, care our neighbors, uphold Taiwan’s sovereignty, and live green and sustainable, so that our next generations can survive and live well on this beautiful land.” After the president’s speech, Rev Pan En-sheng, moderator of PCT General Assembly, and Rev Chen Hsin-liang, general secretary of PCT, jointly presented to president Lai a wooden plaque engraved with both the Word of God, “To act justly / and to love mercy / and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)”, and PCT emblem of burning bush. Later, Rev Pan En-sheng, Rev Chen Hsin-liang and Rev Wang Zong-ren, vice moderator of the PCT GA, prayed and blessed president Lai and Taiwanese people. The memorial service of thanksgiving was jointly served by De-Sheng Church Orchestra, Allied Choir of Nanpu and Payuan Presbyteries, and Elder Tsai Shu-lee, an acclaimed vocalist from the United States. Citing Romans 11:33-36, Rev Pan delivered the sermon, entitled as “Glory to God”, encouraging the assembly to share God’s grace through His abundant blessings and sacred communion. Rev Pan stressed that “God is the salvation for us all”, as shown in God’s calling of the apostle Paul to proclaim good news to Gentiles, and witnessed among so pioneering missionaries to preach the gospel to different ethnic groups across Taiwan. “God blesses the world with diverse cultures, inspires people to do their best of talents, and enrich the life quality prosperous,”indicated Rev Pan. “The mission of the PCT in its ecumenical ministry or co-operative service with other denominational churches all remind us God’s good news to people is not only to ‘live well alone’, but also enter into a ‘fellowship’ to love our neighbors.” “Human beings can’t fully understand God’s will, as His way and guidance are far above and beyond human imagination,” Rev Penn said. “In the past 160 years, the PCT confronts external or internal challenges incessantly, yet through a mutual learning and humble dialogues, all churches shall carry on walking humbly with God. No ministry is ignored, and no one is deserted.” Rev Chen Hsin-liang reminded the audience in his speech that the mission of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan started from the ministry of Dr James L Maxwell at southern Taiwan in 1865, and later followed by the service of Rev George Leslie Mackay in northern Taiwan in 1872. “Through missionary ministry, medical care, western education, social services and other ministries, PCT developed step by step along its evangelical mission and rooted the churches across Taiwan,” Rev Chen said. “Since its establishment, PCT responds bravely to kinds of historical challenges, which included persecutions from colonial regime of Japan, oppressions amid authoritarian rulings of KMT, tensions between the gospel and secular cultures and etc. In spite of these difficulties, PCT resolutely adheres to the spirit of “burning but not consumed” to walk humbly with God.“ Citing the PCT’s promotion and achievements in Taiwan’s democratic progress during the eras of KMT’s authoritarian rulings, as well as PCT ministries for environmental protection, gender justice, indigenous justice, protections for farmers and fishermen, and social welfare of people with physical and mental disabilities, “the PCT’s committed love of Christ does not stop short of audacious actions in Taiwan society,” Rev Chen stressed. “We believe that the church is the fellowship of God’s people, and we are called to preach the salvation of Jesus Christ and act as the messenger of peace, ” Rev Chen reiterated the Confession of PCT . Meanwhile, he believes this is the mission and responsibility of every Christian in Taiwan. “Faith is not only the moral guide of individual Christian, but also an indispensable foundation for collective ministry of all Christians in Taiwan society, ” Rev Chen stressed. “Only the committed love of Christ can bring true peace and resilience to Taiwan, and build up a glorious kingdom of God which is full of hope!” Translated by Peter Wolfe |