PCT churches reach out to Japan in wake of earthquake and tsunami

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

March 14~20, 2011

3081 Edition

Headline News

PCT churches reach out to Japan in wake of earthquake and tsunami

Reported by Sam Lee

Written by Lydia Ma

PCT General Assembly contacted partner churches in Japan in the aftermath of 
the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11th, 2011, to inquire about 
everyone's well-being and express solidarity. Associate General Secretary Lyim 
Hong-tiong said his office also contacted PCT missionaries currently 
ministering in Japan through calls and e-mails, as well as several partner 
churches in Japan, to convey concern and lend moral, medical and material 
support. All PCT missionaries in Japan are doing well, but some PCT partner 
churches from United Church of Christ in Japan have suffered structural damages.

PCT General Secretary Andrew Chang will pay a visit to partner churches in 
Japan in the following days to coordinate relief efforts while Church and 
Society Secretary Huang Che-yen just returned from a 5-day preliminary survey 
in Japan on March 19, 2011.

To help streamline relief efforts, PCT has set aside a special account for 
donations from across the country toward helping Japan's rebuilding efforts.

In a related effort, the General Assembly convened a meeting on March 14, 2011, 
to discuss possible aid and rebuilding strategies. Chang underscored that 
Japanese churches were quick to come to Taiwan's aid in the aftermath of 921 
Earthquake and Typhoon Morakot, thus current efforts were opportunities for PCT 
churches to express gratitude during Japan's time of need.

Chang also reminded churches that nuclear power plant explosions or nuclear 
waste leakages can be just as traumatic and dangerous as earthquakes and 
tsunamis. He went on to implore the Ma administration to re-evaluate Taiwan's 
nuclear energy and petrochemical energy policies in addition to reassessing the 
safety and operations of the 3 nuclear power plants currently in operation in 
Taiwan.



Churches and Christian organizations nationwide join relief efforts



Many Christian agencies are rising up to lend a helping hand in the aftermath 
of the quake and tsunami. For example, Chinese Christian Relief Association 
(CCRA) donated 100 generators and NT$1 million up front and is currently 
discussing with partner organizations in Japan on what items to send in the 
next shipment.

In addition, Taiwan Christian Service is collaborating with Japan International 
Food for the Hungry in a fundraiser, while Chinese Christian Baptist Network is 
issuing an open letter urging all Baptist churches in Taiwan to pray and donate 
money for rescue efforts in Japan. World Vision Taiwan has called for emergency 
relief efforts and has urged all Christians in Taiwan to join in prayer and 
financial assistance.

In response to the recent freak fire in ALA Bar in Taichung that claimed 9 
lives and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan that claimed thousands of lives, 
newly founded Taiwan Justice Action Church in Taichung held a memorial service 
to honor these victims and pray for Taiwan and Japan. The church, founded on 
February 27, 2011, has a mission and a structure resembling Taiwan Justice 
Action Church in Taipei.

This service, held in the afternoon of March 13, 2011, was attended by many 
members from local social organizations. Rev. Chiang Meng-che from Changhua 
Presbytery led everyone in prayer, asking God to comfort the families of the 
victims in Taichung and Japan.

Rev. Tsai Chu-chieh gave a sermon highlighting actions humans have taken to 
harm both the environment and one another over the years. He spoke against the 
inadequacy of current safety mechanisms to counter nuclear disasters and also 
referenced recent public criticisms over the ineffectiveness of safety 
inspections, which precipitated in an overcrowded nightclub bursting into 
flames when a dancer’s fire torch touched the ceiling. 

Tsai added that payback time has now come upon humanity and those in positions 
of authority must be held responsible for their action because many times, it's 
“acts of humans” - rather than acts of nature or acts of God - that precipitate 
deadly disasters that kill indiscriminately.



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