wfn.org | Taiwan's Churches Cry for Peace

[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Taiwan Church News 2665, March 30, 2003
Reported by Lin Yi-ying. Translated and rewritten by David
Alexander

   Congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT), in
response to the onset of the American led war against Iraq, were
all asked to lift prayers for justice and peace during public
worship on March 23rd. The prayers implored the Almighty to grant
mercy and love and called on people to support humanitarian
relief.  The General Assembly of the PCT also appropriated
350,000 Taiwan Yuan (9,730 Euros) for humanitarian aid, to be
administered through the office of Taiwan's Vice President, Lu
Siu-lian.
   PCT General Secretary William J. K. Lo said, "The PCT has
called for a nationwide movement of  united prayer, calling on
God to bring the war between America and Iraq to a quick end, and
to prevent casualties among military personnel and civilians.  We
pray that God will prevent terrorist attacks from happening
anywhere in the world, so that all people might be free of fear.
At the same time we call on God regarding China's armed threat
against the people of Taiwan.  Since China's government can
quickly launch as many as 400 pre-targeted missiles at Taiwan, we
ask that God be the defender of security and peace for all of
Taiwan's people."
   On March 23rd several electronic mass media outlets sent
reporters to Gi-kong Presbyterian Church in Taipei City.  The
church occupies a residence where the  mother and children of an
anti government activist were assassinated in the aftermath of
political unrest in Taiwan more than 20 years ago.  Gi-kong
church has become a center of advocacy for freedom from
terrorism. To the mass media gathered on the 23rd, this
congregation represented all 1,216 PCT congregations nationwide
at prayer for justice and peace in the world.
   Rev. Hsu Cheng-tao preached on the topic, "Never Again Walking
the Road of Ignorance". He asserted that human beings in pursuit
of justice often become blind to humility, and in pursuit of
powerful love often neglect mercy. That leads to walking the road
of ignorance, upon which one sees only his or her personal
"justice" and neglects the Justice of God.  People walking in
ignorance are unable to perceive the leading of God.
   The elder who led the worship service read a letter from the
General Secretary and called the congregation to pray in
opposition to war and terrorism, and for the establishment of
true justice and peace.
   Rev. Lo himself was the preacher at a Korean church in Taipei
that day.  He said that the PCT stands firmly upon faith in
Christ as it calls on God for an end to the war against Iraq and
for peace in the world.  He preached from the Old Testament book
of Micah, chapter 4, verses 3-4 as he encouraged all present to
pray.  "He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide for
strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into
plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not
lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any
more; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his
fig tree; and none shall make them afraid..."	He called for all
peoples and nations of the world to understand the implications
of these verses, and for believers to pray and to work for the
end of war, that all might enjoy true justice and peace.

For more information: PCT General Assembly   www.pct.org.tw
		      Gi-kong Church gikong@newtown.org.tw
		      William J. K. Lo	 wmlo@ms2.pct.org.tw

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