Taiwan Is Wide Open for the Gospel

In 1887, Free Churches in the United States gathered resources to send their first international missionary to China—Hans Von Qualen. This act of obedience to God’s command to share the gospel with the nations led to the growth and expansion of the Free Church in China, leading to the creation of the Evangelical Free Church of China . Today, God is calling leaders of the EFCA and international Free Church movements toward another mission field—Taiwan.  

ReachGlobal, the international mission of the EFCA, has a ministry presence in many countries in Asia. From Japan to regions in southeast Asia and beyond, ReachGlobal works with regional partners and local churches to extend gospel ministries and invest in disciplemakers to establish the Church where the gospel isn’t known—places like Taiwan. 24 million people live in the modern cities and mountainous, rural communities of Taiwan.  

Unfortunately, only a small percentage of their population professes to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The people of Taiwan have great need for the gospel message, which presents an exciting opportunity to live out the Great Commission. To meet this need, the EFCA, in partnership with several Free Church denominations in Asia, local churches and seminaries around the world, is building a collaborative ministry in Taiwan, called the Taiwan Initiative.  

To provide more insight into this significant ministry, I’ve invited Ken Law, the Taiwan Initiative director, and Stephen Chandra, ReachGlobal’s Asia division leader, to explain the strategies behind the Taiwan Initiative and how local pastors, leaders, missionaries and churches can partner with us toward the goal of reaching the people of Taiwan with the gospel. May God open your heart to the need in Taiwan.  

Kevin Kompelien

EFCA President 

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In today's interconnected world, certain corners of the globe remain in relative obscurity. Taiwan, a vibrant island nation in East Asia, is one such place where the need for the gospel often goes unnoticed. We hope to reveal the spiritual landscape of Taiwan and the efforts being made to bring the light of the gospel to this nation. 

Understanding Taiwan's spiritual complexity 

Taiwan's spiritual climate is a tapestry woven from threads of Buddhism, Taoism and ancestor worship. This diverse spiritual landscape presents unique challenges to those seeking to share the gospel. For individuals who embrace Christianity in Taiwan, familial pressure can be a significant obstacle, especially when family members adhere to different belief systems. 

Statistics reveal that roughly four percent of Taiwan's population of 24 million identifies as Christians, but the number of faithful Christ-followers within this percentage is considerably lower. Taiwanese people exhibit a deep interest in "spiritual matters," as evidenced by their devotion to idols and deities. 

Despite previous gospel efforts, the growth of the church in Taiwan has been gradual, and it has not experienced the kind of revival seen in other regions. This presents a substantial challenge to those working to spread the gospel in Taiwan. 

Forging crucial partnerships 

Collaboration is key to addressing Taiwan's spiritual needs, and the EFCA has been at the forefront of forming partnerships with various Free Church denominations. These partnerships were born from a shared vision. 

After conducting extensive research with the assistance of ReachGlobal colleagues who have Taiwanese backgrounds, as well as seeking guidance through prayer, I (Stephen Chandra) identified the spiritual challenges and opportunities in Taiwan in 2018. This realization prompted me to connect with Ken Law, who was serving as the President of the Evangelical Free Church of China at the time. Ken and I found common ground in our vision for Taiwan, leading us to initiate discussions about a potential partnership.   

Through collaborative discussions involving leaders from various Free Churches in Asia and EFCA ReachGlobal, a concerted focus on Taiwan emerged. In March 2019, these leaders gathered in Malaysia, where we crafted a shared vision to address Taiwan's spiritual needs. 

Years of consistent prayer, discussions and engagement with local church leaders ultimately led to the emphasis on establishing bilingual churches. These bilingual church plants are viewed as foundational platforms for evangelism, discipleship and launching broader outreach endeavors. 

Challenges hindering gospel growth 

Taiwan may be a place where religious freedom is upheld, but gospel growth has been slower than anticipated. Several factors were highlighted as obstacles to the spread of the gospel. First, many local churches in Taiwan do not prioritize missions, often turning inward and lacking a clear vision for outreach. Furthermore, discipleship training within these churches is frequently underdeveloped. 

Additionally, the withdrawal of some foreign mission organizations from Taiwan was prompted by concerns about potential military conflicts between Mainland China and Taiwan. These challenges create a unique environment where the spread of the gospel faces significant hurdles. 

Effective gospel strategies 

To address the spiritual needs of Taiwan, we’re placing significant emphasis on bilingual churches, where services are conducted in both English and Mandarin. This approach is deemed the most effective way to reach the people of Taiwan, given the rising interest in the English language and the government's goal of becoming a bilingual society.  

A few years back, an American friend initiated a bilingual church in the greater Taipei area. His efforts successfully drew expatriate families and young Taiwanese families alike. This church provided a welcoming space for both expats and local Taiwanese families to worship and foster a sense of community. Taiwanese families were drawn to this congregation due to their desire for increased exposure to an international community and their aspiration for their children to develop strong English language skills. A recurring sentiment among Taiwanese families was, "I want my children to speak English like the American children do." 

Several Taiwanese churches have expressed interest in partnering to establish bilingual churches. Alongside these partnerships, plans are in place to independently plant bilingual churches. These initiatives recognize not only the importance of sharing the gospel but also the guidance of the Holy Spirit in addressing spiritual strongholds and engaging in spiritual warfare. 

The need for missionaries and ministry leaders 

Currently, the Taiwan Initiative's most pressing need is for missionaries and ministry leaders to serve in Taiwan. While Taiwanese churches are willing to provide Mandarin-speaking pastors for the new bilingual churches, there's a shortage of English-speaking pastors and missionaries. 

Beyond pastors, workers with diverse skills—including counseling, English tutoring and community outreach—are in demand. This underscores the initiative's goal of making a lasting impact on Taiwan's spiritual landscape. 

Identifying gospel candidates 

Local church pastors and ministry leaders in the U.S. and other English-speaking countries are encouraged to actively engage in identifying and recruiting candidates for this gospel mission. Collaboration with EFCA ReachGlobal, participation in short-term mission trips to Taiwan and providing financial support to missionary candidates called to serve in Taiwan are avenues for involvement. 

Furthermore, pastors serving in local churches are encouraged to consider short-term assignments in Taiwan, typically spanning 1-3 years. Believers with qualifications and experience in areas such as counseling, administration, English tutoring and more can also play crucial roles in the mission to bring the gospel to Taiwan. 

Taiwan may not be a familiar name on the global stage of missions, but it is undoubtedly a place where the gospel isn’t known. As individuals and churches work tirelessly to bridge the gap between Taiwan's spiritual climate and the transformative power of Christ, we invite others to join us in this remarkable journey of faith and ministry. 

Who do you know who has a heart for the lost? How might you encourage them to consider ministry in Taiwan? 

Learn more about the Taiwan Initiative.