*ARCHIVED OCTOBER 2007 // CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT DATA
Taiwan (click here to view a satellite map)
Taiwan, East Asia
Population: 22,894,384
Christians: 4%
Dominant Religions: Buddhism/Taoism
Persecution Ranking: Not Ranked
Political Leader: President Chen Shu-bian
Religious Freedom in Constitution: Yes
Religious beliefs cross political and geographical lines in the secular state of Taiwan. The constitution of this multiparty democracy provides for freedom of religion, which is generally respected by the authorities in practice.
Ancestor worship is one of the main barriers to faith in Christ. Another is materialism, which has been stimulated by the rapid rise in living standards in Taiwan. There was a period of harvest when many missions moved to this nation after the fall of mainland China to Communism, which was followed by a time of stagnation (1960-1990). Gambling, ancestor worship, and rising materialism are all major challenges faced by the Church today. Few Christian Believers become active participants in congregational life, and there is a high drop-out rate.
Prayer Points
 |
Pray for a spiritual breakthrough -- for power to stand against gambling, entrenched ancestor worship, rising materialism, and aggressive opposition from non-Christian religions. Many Christians are still in bondage to, or in fear of, these things. |
|
Pray for those in seminary and Bible school, for relevant, spiritual training to be provided, and for good Bible teachers and effective evangelists that know how to relate the Scriptures to the root issues that hinder advancement and growth. |
|
Pray that God would raise up many Christian groups in schools that will be a vibrant witness among students in Taiwan's universities and abroad. |
Father, we pray for the life of the Christian Church in Taiwan, which is being sapped by rising materialism, to be renewed and invigorated. We ask that Your Spirit would make a life-changing impact through the JESUS film, Christian radio and evangelistic literature and every good thing that Your Church puts its hand to for the sake of Your glory. Amen.
|
