wfn.org | Taiwan's Former President Leads Prayers for Peace

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

Taiwan Church News 2590  October 21, 2001
Reported by Kho Siau-pheng, Written by David Alexander
      As the sixteenth of September in Mexico commemorates the "Grito de
Dolores" when the first cries for independence were raised against
imperial Spain, the 10th of October in Taiwan commemorates the
beginnings of the rebellion in China that brought down the Ching Dynasty
emperors.  Taiwan's national identity is still politically tied up with
that event.  For so long as Taiwan's official identity in world affairs
remains "The Republic of China"  the national celebration day will
remain the tenth of October.
      This year in Kaohsiung City the Presbyteries of Longevity Mountain,
Kaohsiung and Pingtung held a joint rally to pray for Peace.  The three
presbyteries combine 177 congregations, 21,000 communicant members and
177 active clergy.  Special prayers were raised for the nation's
political, economic and social situations, and particular attention was
paid to the needs of Taiwan's weakest people.  Former president Lee
Teng-hui, a member of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, was invited to
speak to the assembly.  His topic was "A Biblical Vision for Taiwan's
Self-rule."
      "If not for the leading of Jesus Christ, then there would be no Lee
Teng-hui today." Mr. Lee said that during the 12 years that he served as
the president of the Republic of China he relied on his faith as a
resource for support as he met various troubles.  It was because of his
confidence in the will of God that his demeanor was criticized as "Smile
and never fear." (Don't worry, be happy.) In his remarks he called on
sisters and brothers in Christ to shun pessimism and pray daily.  He
encourages reading and application of the scriptures, and especially
recommends the Old Testament story of Job, whose troubles did not shake
his faith in God.  "With the Lord at the center of our lives, then turn
to this land with love and growth. The road of faith is the way of the
Lord."
    Many participants responded to the event by seeking out the
organizers with comments. Some indicated that the impression that they
held of Mr. Lee had been considerably altered from what they had
previously thought because of how Taiwan's mass media currently present
him.
For More Information: Kaohsiung Presbytery tkkkk@ms48.hinet.net
                  Longevity Mountain Presbytery  sspr@ms11.hinet.net