Title: Basketball Evangelism in a Hakka Village Taiwan Church News 2838, 17-24 July 2006
Reported by Chiou Kuo-rong, written by David Alexander
The Hakka Evangelism Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan drew several congregations in Taoyuan together to sponsor a basketball gospel camp for three days beginning July 10th. In all, 73 students from area elementary and middle schools participated. Two-thirds of the participants had no connection to churches. After 3 days of learning, exercising and playing together, sixteen young people made Christian faith commitments.
Young people from Cheng Tao Church in Seattle, USA, helped lead the activity. They are zealous about basketball and about evangelism. One of them, Alex, has led teams to Taiwan for similar actions many times in the past. He said that the aim is not for a mere 3 days of activity, but on a whole life transformation. In his experience the heads of households observe very closely and see the care and joy that their children experience during this camp. That attitude is a powerful testimony, and many families develop good impressions of the church through it.
According to Alex, it is common to hear people say that young people are intent on developing independent identities, so adolescence is seen as a time of rebellion. Through basketball and other team activities little steps are taken in maturity. Things progress in small steps, and progress is often invisible. Speaking directly about the 73 young boys who came to camp, he said that, at first, they were unable to organize themselves, to do independent thinking, listen very well or share. Because of that, he and his companions in leading the activity never ceased praying. By the third day, however, some transformations had begun to happen. Things became “hot”, and within the small group that he led, four boys decided for Jesus.
Alex knows that getting young people to attend a church youth group is not an easy thing, but he sees sports groups as naturally attractive. Friends can be easily invited in, and the expenses of setting up some equipment are not heavy. As youth come into the facility for sports, relationships can be established. This can be very useful in Taiwan, he thinks, because students here get too little exercise. Churches have a natural place for an “in” with youth through sports.
The activity drew the attention of Formosa TV, which reported it through its network. The Rev. Peng Rong-tao, pastor of Long-than Presbyterian Church, praised God for this opportunity to use public airwaves to spread the gospel.
For more information: Peng Rong-tao jedo@cm1.hinet.net
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw