wfn.org | Baptist Church in Taipei Hosts Ecumenical Prayer Service on Pentecost

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Sunday
Taiwan Church News 2727, 31 May through 6 June, 2004
Reported by: Li Hsin-ren .  Translated and Rewritten by David Alexander

"For the sake of the next generation, we call on the Lord to grant us unity!"
That was the theme of an ecumenical prayer service held on the afternoon of
May 30th at Grace Baptist Church in Taipei.  Under the banner of
"reconciliation" clergy from different churches and denominations gathered
and
offered the ministry of laying on of hands to young people. The clergy and
youth crossed denominational and ethnic lines and the feeling of unity for
the
sake of gospel ministry in this land was palpable.

The Rev. Chou Lien-hwa, elder statesman of Taiwan's Baptists, said, "Taiwan's
ethnic divisions are grievous. The churches have sinned!" He noted that in
the
wake of March's presidential elections even churches are divided into "blue"
and "green," and believers supporting different parties are not able to
gather
in the same place.  This, he said, is sinful

He is discouraged by what he sees, so urges churches to come together, not to
divide into "blue" and "green", and to return to the presence of God. "The
blood of Jesus Christ overcomes the alienation between races and between the
political ideologies of independence or assimilation.  Christians must
overcome, repent, forgive and accept different opinions within the church.
Only by means of prayer, intimate contact with God, can people be awakened."

For more information: Grace Baptist Church www.gbc.org.tw
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
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