Taiwan
Liebenzell Mission had established over a half-century
of ministry experience in China when the Communist government prohibited
missionary activity in 1952. Seeking ways to use trained personnel and
a wealth of experience, arrangements were made in 1955 to enter Taiwan.
Mission work began among the Chinese and later included outreach to native
Taiwanese tribal peoples of the mountain regions.
Taiwanese folk religion is a blend of Buddhism and the philosophy of Taoism
and Confucianism. Animism is very widespread and, as the economy
has flourished, materialism is becoming increasingly rampant. Only
2.5% of the over 22 million residents are Christian.
In 2005, Liebenzell celebrated the
50th anniversary of the mission work in Taiwan. The work started small,
with former China missionaries engaging in pioneer evangelism in mountainous
rural areas. Soon three churches were thriving on God's word and more
missionaries came to join the work.
Today, 14 active churches trace their roots back to Liebenzell's work. Missionaries have also engaged in theological instruction at the Yu-Shan Bible Seminary, youth ministry, community development work (such as teaching English) as well as continuing efforts in pioneer evangelism. Work has centered in the region around Taipei, the region around Taichung, and in Hualien.
At the end of 2007, in assessing the ministry here, Liebenzell decided to gradually end its active ministry in Taiwan. Most of the present missionaries will return to Germany when it is time for their next regular home assignment, while one couple will remain until they retire in a few years. Liebenzell hopes to use returning missionaries in an outreach to the large number of Chinese university students in Germany.
Prayer Requests:
• Church planting and youth ministry
in Taichung
• Revival among the native Chinese
in Taiwan and of the tribal peoples
• Students and teachers at the Yu-Shan
Bible College
• Evangelistic pupil and student ministries
Recent News:
• All Things New (27 Mar.)