wfn.org | TCN: Interfaith parade and prayer meeting held ahead of World Games 2009

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>      Taiwan Church News

>2993 Edition

>July 6~12, 2009

Interfaith parade and prayer meeting held ahead of World Games  2009

>Reported by Li Hsin-ren

>Written by Lydia Ma

“We pray that God will bless the 2009 World Games in  Kaohsiung so that all events will run

smoothly,” exclaimed the group of believers gathered to pray  for the World Games to be

held in Kaohsiung from July 16~26. Presbyterian Church in Taiwan  (PCT) Kaohsiung

Presbytery and Shou-Shan Presbytery joined Catholics, Buddhists,  Taoists, Muslims, I-

Kuan Tao, and other Protestant denominations in this interfaith  prayer meeting and parade

held on July 4th. Many Christian churches were invited to attend  this event and show their

support for Taiwan and the World Games to the rest of the world.

According to reports, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu had paid a visit to  the two PCT

presbyteries in Kaohsiung area to thank them for their support and  concern for the World

Games and seek their prayers for a successful and peaceful World  Games.

During the parade and prayer meeting, the two presbyteries had  assembled a war drums

team and a praise moves exercise team. As these two teams marched  from Zuoying area

to the main venue where the World Games would be held, they prayed  and sang and

chanted “Jesus loves Taiwan” and “Jesus Bless  Kaohsiung”. The prayer meeting began

with a presentation from the praise moves team in a show  demonstrating confidence,

>vitality, and health.

According to San-Duo Presbyterian Church’s pastor Rev. Chang  Shian-jiue, a member of

the committee that organized the prayer meeting and parade, the  World Games will be a

big event not only for Kaohsiung, but also for Taiwan. The  significance of this event

prompted Kaohsiung to invite religious leaders from Taiwan and  more than 40 religious

organizations to pray and bless the games. Protestant churches  were led by Kaohsiung and

>Shou-Shan presbyteries.

Chang pointed out that the World Games were the biggest  international competitions to be

held in Taiwan and Christians should be first in line in praying  for these games as citizens of

Taiwan or residents of Kaohsiung. He believes that the games are  great opportunities for

the world to get to know Taiwan and Kaohsiung.

Kaohsiung Catholic Bishop Peter Liu said harmony and solidarity  among Catholics and

Protestants is best illustrated when both get together to pray for  the World Games in

>Kaohsiung.

According to Kaohsiung City Councilor Chen Shin-yi who heads  Kaohsiung City Hall

Christian Fellowship, Christian city councilors have been working  hard on securing

resources for the games and helping with preparations. These  councilors need our prayers

>and God’s guidance.

Chen recounted how her team had experienced miracles and  God’s guidance as they

prepared for the World Games. She referred to the Global Day of  Prayer held on May 31st

as an example and said the venue, Kaohsiung Arena, had originally  been reserved for

another event. After much communication and negotiation, the  prayer meeting was

successfully held at Kaohsiung Arena and Christians experienced  God’s faithfulness and

>grace.

The World Games held in Kaohsiung are excellent opportunities to  show the world that

Taiwan is an independent country and Taiwanese people are proud of  their country,

emphasized Chen, who encouraged people across Taiwan to come to  Kaohsiung and

attend the games. She also encouraged them to bring along national  flags and banners

displaying Taiwan’s unique identity so the world would see  Taiwan up close and personal.

According to Chen, the national government’s indifference  toward the World Games has

been disappointing and baffling. Anxious about China’s  reaction, President Ma Ying-jeou

has been hesitant about whether or not to attend the games and has  yet to issue an official

statement on this matter. Furthermore, the national government  originally denied Kaohsiung

city government’s request for $230 million NTD in support  funds needed for the games. Only

recently did it agree to financially support the games by  contributing $70 million NTD as part

>of an installment plan.

The contrasting attitude toward the World Games between the  national government and city

government not only demonstrates that these two institutions are  at odds with each other,

but also shows the national KMT government does not identify with  Taiwan and the World

Games. Chen is urging Christians to pray for these phenomena and  for unity between

national and local governments in preparation for the World Games.

Kaohsiung City Hall Christian Fellowship invited coaches who have  athletes participating in

this year’s World Games to host a joint press conference as  they urged the national

government to fulfill promises about safeguarding benefits given  to competitive sports

athletes so that both coaches and athletes wouldn’t have to  worry about their futures.

Athletes representing 105 countries are scheduled to compete at  the World Games in

Kaohsiung. Despite much support from many countries, Chinese  authorities have

continuously intervened in preparations leading up to the games,  such as forbidding the use

of “Taiwan” in promotional materials and only allowing  the use of “Chinese Taipei”. To

circumvent this restriction, event organizers are using the term  “my country” instead to

highlight Taiwan’s autonomy and independence.

It was a touching scene to see people from different religions  pray together for the success

of the World Games, said an event organizer, but what sets  Christianity apart from other

religions is that we can pray whenever and wherever we want.  Therefore, Christians in

Taiwan must remember to pray for the World Games and pray that  Taiwan will be blessed

>through hosting these games.

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