General Secretary focuses on the emotional aspects of relief services during exchange with Japanese

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

3086 Edition

April 18-24, 2011

Headline News



General Secretary focuses on the emotional aspects of relief services during 
exchange with Japanese pastors



Reported by Chen Yi-hsuan

Written by Lydia Ma



One of the first and lasting impressions PCT General Secretary Andrew Chang got 
from his tour last week in Sendai, Japan, was the efficiency of rebuilding 
efforts from the part of the Japanese government.

Chang reported that broken roads had been quickly repaved, but church building 
clean-up efforts remained slow and passive in contrast. Hence, one of the 
purposes of his trip to Japan was to share with local pastors about PCT’s 
rebuilding efforts following the 921 Earthquake and Typhoon Morakot, and show 
them how churches can help by setting up local outreach and relief centers and 
minister to the emotional needs of the people. 

Chang said that PCT ran various local outreach centers that ministered to the 
public shortly after the 921 Earthquake and these centers remained open up to 4 
years after the earthquake. This experience taught him that such services and 
centers were essential parts of church mission.

His suggestion to National Council of Churches in Japan (NCCJ) was to create 
outreach centers and employ full-time staff, including pastors and social 
workers, to help and counsel victims. “This is also a wonderful opportunity to 
share the gospel with people!” he said.

Chang reported many Christian organizations outside Japan had offered to help 
Japan rebuild, but concurred with local pastors that the language barrier would 
be a significant problem.

In view of this problem, Chang suggested the NCCJ to recruit local volunteers 
to be in the frontlines and have foreign helpers on standby in the background 
to provide support and resources to these volunteers.

Concerned about the well-being of Japanese pastors who often traded stories of 
difficult rescues amid tears, Chang encouraged them and invited them to come to 
Taiwan for a tour and for some time to recharge themselves. “Shepherds who lead 
the flock mustn’t burn out or break down!”, he said.



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