By Tim and Penny Iverson, serving in Taiwan. In YuanChang, near the western coast of Taiwan, Christians make up 0.1 percent of the population. It consists of several small villages with a total population of 32,000 yet had only one small Christian congregation before Alliance workers arrived there. This is one of the least-reached areas of Taiwan. The Iversons demonstrate God’s love in this community through the Amazing Grace church plant, teaching English in the public schools, and other relational ministries, as described in the following adapted article.
Nearly 70 children experienced the love of Jesus during a two-day camp at an elementary school on August 1 and 2, led by a team of Taiwanese high school students and leaders from the TaiDung Alliance Church on the east coast of Taiwan.
We taught English classes while the team led the youngsters in games, dance, and crafts as well as story and small-group interaction. Many who attended are from broken homes or being raised by grandparents, and they soaked up the love and attention they received from the Christian young people.
Because the event was held in a public school, the team members were not able to present an openly evangelistic message. Yet their faith in Jesus came across clearly in an environment where the influence of traditional Chinese folk religion is strong.
A highlight of the camp was the closing ceremony. The principal, who is not a Christian, thanked the team, encouraged the children to show appreciation, and then said, “Since we know these teachers are religious people, we need to also give thanks to the Lord.”
Coming Back for More
The team also led weekend activities at Amazing Grace Church. Several children who attended the camp returned on Saturday for the weekly Kids’ Club.The TaiDung students joined our local youth group, sharing testimonies and songs and playing games with the young people here, many of whom have yet to make a decision to follow Christ.
On Saturday evening, we opened the church for a coffeehouse, where youth and adults from the community gathered for conversation, refreshments, and games with the team. Finally, the TaiDung young people led worship and shared testimonies on Sunday morning.
Many of these young people grew up in the Alliance church as second- or third-generation Christians, but others have joined the congregation more recently. One high school student, Cristina, has been a believer for about a year. Though her parents are not happy with her decision, she is firm in her commitment to follow Him, no matter the cost.
What You Can Do
Pray
- Pray that God will multiply the work He began through this camp outreach. Also, pray for other young people like Cristina who chose to follow Jesus despite parental opposition.
- Using our weekly Alliance Prayer Requests, join other Alliance family members to pray for Alliance workers around the world.
Give
- When you give to the Great Commission Fund (GCF), which supports Alliance workers like the Iversons, you partner with them in reaching those who otherwise would never hear about Jesus and His love.
- Give now
Learn More
- Read another story by the Iversons about a summer camp outreach.