wfn.org | Taiwan Church News: Churches donate government-issued consumer vouchers to help those hit by financi

["Lydia Ma" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>Taiwan Church News

>2968 Edition

>January 12~18, 2009

Churches donate government-issued consumer vouchers to help those hit by  financial crisis

>Reported by Chen Wei-jien

>Written by Lydia Ma

During 2008 New Year’s Eve prayer meeting, Taipei Bread of Life  Church Senior Pastor Shen-chu Chow urged church members to donate their  consumer vouchers to help those struggling financially or help the  families of those who just lost their jobs get by during this difficult  season. Church members at the prayer meeting responded with enthusiasm  and about 1,500 of them responded to the call.

The government of Taiwan will issue consumer vouchers worth $3,600 NTD  (approximately $105 USD) this month to all Taiwanese citizens in hopes  of increasing consumption levels. Due to the financial crisis, Pastor  Chow is encouraging church members to use the vouchers wisely instead of  wasting them. He is also urging them to be thrifty and generous by  donating the money toward charity. He believes that people should  support one another to get through these trying times and hopes that the  church’s 10 thousand members can donate the vouchers in full so as  to raise $10 million NTD for charity.

In addition to consumer vouchers, Taipei Bread of Life Church is also  encouraging members to donate their year-end bonuses, either in part or  in full. It is also organizing a “Zero Savings Campaign”  during the first quarter of 2009 to encourage members to donate all  their monthly savings during those three months. According to the  church, “Kindness Charity Fund” could amass $50 million NTD  (roughly $1.5 million USD) from the year end bonuses, “Zero Savings  Campaign”, and consumer vouchers. All of the money collected from  the fund will go toward interest-free loans for the unemployed and those  with low incomes. It will also provide kids with student grants to pay  for their school fees. The church will also provide part-time jobs at  the church for unemployed people, offer vocational training, and help  aboriginals market their produce.

In terms of eligible recipients, the church is prioritizing church  members who are in need or people referred by church members. Beside  Taipei Bread of Life Church, other Bread of Life churches across Taiwan  will also participate in fundraising for “Kindness Charity  Fund”, bringing the number of participating churches to  approximately 70. Pastor Chow hopes that the kindness of his church  members will spur others to come up with good ideas so that people can  unite to become a positive force in society by helping each other get  through hard times by faith.

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