wfn.org | Suspect Apprehended after 3rd Church Fire on Taiwan's East Coast

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David Alexander
Taiwan Church News
2564-1

    Taitung, a small city on Taiwan's East Coast, has experienced its
third church fire this year.  On April 11th at 3:30 AM a fire was
reported at Taitung Evangelical Alliance Church.  The blaze began the
narthex, and so damaged the 38-year-old structure that it must be
entirely rebuilt.   The location and pattern of this fire closely
matched that of an arson attack on Ma-lan Presbyterian Church on
February 6th and Taitung Baptist Church on February 9th.  Fire
investigators called in detectives from the central government's police
bureau.  They studied the scene of the most recent fire and reports of
the earlier fires.  Within a few days they arrested Lin An-han, who
publicly denied any involvement, but was bound over for trial.
    Taitung Evangelical Alliance Church is currently without a full time
pastor, and is served by Tsai Ing-der, a student from Chung-tai
Theological College.  He said that the building was already slated for
eventual replacement, but the plans have now to be brought forward
because of the fire.
      Evangelical Alliance Operations Committee chief, the Rev. Mr. Liao
Hsing-min, said, "Following the fire our alliance engaged in ardent
prayer, asking God to stop the arsonist and calling for mercy, that
whoever did this would realize his wrong and repent."
      Rev. Hu Chih-chiang, moderator of the East Coast Presbytery of the
Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, said, "There is wisdom in leaving church
facilities unlocked and open to all who care to enter.  It fosters good
relationships with neighbors and those who park their cars in front of
the building.  We must care for those who sincerely approach us. If they
have issues with the church, we need to be able to engage them in
dialogue, avoiding violence and injurious activities.
      Taitung Evangelical Alliance Church will, for the time being, hold
worship in its rectory.  The building fund on hand for a new sanctuary
is three million Taiwan Yuan (103440 Euros), but this is insufficient
for complete reconstruction. The Alliance hopes to pray for
understanding of God's will, and asks that Christians from all over
Taiwan pray as well.

For further information contact: Hu Chih-chiang  FAX +886 3 8651144
                   Taitung Evangelical Alliance Church  FAX + 886 89 350050