Taiwan
Presbyterian Church of Taiwan
The Presbyterian Church of Taiwan (PCT) is one of our closest and significant relationships. For more detail on the PCT see their website: http://english.pct.org.tw/
Background
The relationship began in the early 1980s with the signing of a partnership agreement between the PCT and the PCANZ. Then Rev Stuart and Dr Alison Vogel went to serve in Taiwan on a medical and evangelism project among the Hakka people. The strong emphasis on creative evangelism, practical outreach and advocacy has remained since that time.
There have been many reciprocal visits, including youth exchanges. Taiwan and New Zealand have significant common concerns in the area of treatment of minority indigenous peoples and our two churches are working on sharing more in that area.
The PCANZ has consistently supported the PCT’s desire that the international political isolation of Taiwan be ended. The PCANZ General Assembly has over the years endorsed the PCT’s campaign to enter the United Nation and World Health Organisation.
Both the PCT and PCANZ are members of the Council for World Mission. Currently the two churches are jointly working on a project that will take place in co-operation with the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu.
Ecumenical Youth Exchange Programme
Aim
The primary goal of EYEP is to provide church youth with a unique ecumenical and cross-cultural mission experience that will challenge their faith and strengthen their commitment to Jesus Christ.
Objectives
- To provide church youth with a unique ecumenical and cross-culture experience that will challenge their faith and strengthen their commitment to Jesus Chris.
- To get to know each other more
- To participate deeper in local and global missions
When
PCT youth have been invited to CONNECT and to come to Auckland as described below. PCANZ youth have been ivited to Taaiwan to take part in the I love Taiwan programme.
The “I Love Taiwan” Programme
This is a major annual youth event hosted by the PCT IN July each year. It is a wonderful opportunity for fun, making new friends from Taiwan and around the world, for worship together and training in mission. The PCANZ has a standing invitation to send a group of young people each year. (Similarly, we invite PCT to CONNECT, the PCANZ youth camp).
See the PCT Website for details and also
http://www.evangelische-jugend.de/fileadmin/Oekumene_u._Internationales/2009ILT_Introduction.pdf
Also google I Love Taiwan Mission and watch Youtube videos posted there.
All accomodation, transport and other fees in Taiwan are paid by the PCT. PCANZ youth pay for the international airfare and insurances. The PCANZ can help with some of those. We would also like the congregations from which our youth come to be interested in and support them financially by prayer and fund raising, and hosting Taiwanese when they visit New Zealand.
Crisis Appeal
“More than 100 people have died and over 200 remain stranded as rescue workers in Taiwan struggle to reach communities cut off by floods and mudslides.” This statement was taken from a report provided by the Red Cross written on the 14 August 2009.
The Presbyterian Church of Taiwan is one of our partner churches, if you can help them as they care for those who have been affected by this devastating flood then please contact the Global Mission Office.
New Relationship between the Auckland Presbytery and the Presbytery of Taichung
Background
In November 2009, a Presbytery to Presbytery partnership was established between the then Auckland Presbytery (now Northern Presbytery) and the Presbytery of Taichung in Taiwan. In September 2010, representatives of the Presbytery of Auckland attended the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Presbytery of Taichung. Over 5,000 people attended the Sunday service. Taichung (literally: “Middle of Taiwan”) is a fast growing city with 73 Presbyterian Churches.
Purposes:
a) To promote the exchange of cultural and social experiences between our peoples and to learn from each other about mission in our two countries
b) To explore the possibilities of collaboration in preaching between the two countries.
c) To witness to the unity of serving one Lord, to glorify His name and to benefit the people.
Developments
At the time of writing, a group of young people from Taichung have been invited to celebrate Easter with young people in the Auckland and upper North Island. Congregations in the region are very welcome to make contact with the Asian Ministrries Committee (s.vogel@xnet.co.nz) about meeting the group.
While the relationship is managed and nurtured through the Auckland Presbytery, it is hoped that as future projects are developed, people and Presbyteries in other areas of New Zealand will wish to be involved in this relationship.
There is need for people to undertake short and medium term English speaking ministries in Taichung and we are exploring opportunities for people to undertake these.
Challenges
The relationship with Taichung and the PCT generally provide many exciting opportunities and challenges. Some are both immensely rewarding and demanding, such as the determination necessary to learn Chinese and the Taiwanese vernacular as spoken on Taiwan and to understand at some depth the issues and challenges associated with evangelism, outreach and political tensions there.