First evangelical church association

Continuing to Receive Grace Through the Taiwan West Coast Mission

​

This year’s Taiwan West Coast short-term mission brought together 160 participants—60 from the United States and over 100 recruited locally in Taiwan. They served in 13 schools through English Character Camps, VBS (Vacation Bible School), senior ministry, and adult visitation outreach. Teams were based at four locations in Miaoli, Taichung, and Yunlin, each using their God-given talents to share His love with the local communities.

​

1. A New Breakthrough: Senior Visitation

This year, a new ministry was launched in Nantun, Taichung, dedicated to visiting seniors, with many middle-aged coworkers eagerly joining in. In today’s divided society, many seniors, who were once accomplished, now feel neglected and very lonely. Our church members formed teams to visit and care for them.

Initially, some seniors would not open the door, even though it was clear they were home. However, our coworkers patiently waited and gently persisted. When the doors finally opened, the first words were often, “Why are you still here?”—not out of rejection, but from embarrassment, as they felt their homes were too messy to receive guests. Through persistence, warm fellowship, and prayer, our coworkers conveyed the love of Jesus. On the final day, we held a “Senior Fellowship Gathering.” Many seniors even came in wheelchairs, spending a joyful day together. They received long-missed hugs, shed tears of gratitude, and joined in laughter and singing. Truly, God’s love was overflowing in their midst.

​

2. The Establishment and Growth of Gospel Outposts

In addition to short-term missions, we have established several gospel outposts in recent years. The DaJia Community Center has now reached its 10th anniversary, celebrated with a Thanksgiving gathering. To our joy, the very first group of students returned. A decade ago, they were still middle schoolers; now they have graduated from university, with some working as accountants and others as military officers. Reuniting with their former teachers was a touching sight. We encouraged these young adults to continue growing in the church and to serve the next generation of students.

​

God’s grace, however, did not end with DaJia. In addition to the seven existing outposts, we thank the Lord that new gospel outposts were established in Taixi and Beigang this year.

• Taixi: A rural, underprivileged area often labeled as a place producing gangsters and criminals. Yet, we believe God has not abandoned Taixi. Instead, we pray that, in the future, it will produce pastors and missionaries rather than gangsters.

• Beigang: Even more spiritually dark than Dajia, Beigang attracts nearly ten million temple pilgrims each year, making it very difficult to establish a church. However, thanks to the efforts of Yunlin Blessed and Blessing Church’s Happiness Groups, a gospel outpost has been set up here. It’s as if God has planted a banner of victory in this place, and we trust He has an important work to do.

 

3. Vision and Future Outlook

This year marked the 18th anniversary of the Taiwan West Coast Mission. Before the pandemic, we had already hosted English Character Camps in Yunlin. After COVID-19, work resumed from Dajia and gradually expanded again, now crossing the Zhuoshui River back into Yunlin.

Yunlin Blessed & Blessing Church has adopted the “520 Vision”: to see 20 townships in Yunlin each establish 5 small groups, which will eventually grow into churches. Inspired by this vision, we have already partnered to create 3 gospel outposts. Next year, we aim to open new ones in Kouhu and Mailiao.

May the Lord continue to lead us forward, raising up more churches together, so that the West Coast of Taiwan will experience true spiritual revival.

 

​

繼續領受恩典的台灣西海岸短宣

​

今年的台灣西海岸短宣共有 160 人參與，其中從美國來的有 60 位，台灣當地招募了 100 多位，一同服事 13 所學校的美語品格營，同時還有兒童營（VBS）、老人事工與成人訪宣等。他們分別住在苗栗、台中、雲林等地的四個營地，藉著神所賜的恩賜，把愛帶給當地的居民。

​

一、長輩探訪事工的新突破

今年新增了 台中南屯的長輩探訪事工，許多中壯年的同工熱心參加。在這個 M 型社會中，許多年長者雖曾有過成就，但如今常被忽略，心靈十分孤單。教會同工因此組隊去探望他們。

有些長輩一開始並不開門，雖然知道裡面有人，同工們仍然耐心等候、不放棄。當他們終於開門時，第一句話常是：「你們怎麼還不走啊？」其實並不是拒絕，而是因為覺得家裡凌亂，不好意思招待客人。然而，同工們持續以熱情和禱告陪伴，使他們真實感受到耶穌的愛。最後一天舉辦的 「樂齡互助會」，許多長輩甚至坐著輪椅來參加。他們在那裡得到久違的擁抱，流下感動的眼淚，笑聲與歌聲交織，讓人深深感受到神的愛充滿其中。

​

二、福音據點的建立與延續

除了短宣，我們過去也建立了多處福音據點。其中 「甲美地社區關懷中心」已滿十年，並舉辦了十週年感恩聚會。令人欣慰的是，第一批的學生們都回來了。十年前，他們還是國中生，如今已大學畢業，有人成為會計師，有人成為軍人。他們和當年的老師們再度相聚，場面非常感人。我們也鼓勵這些年輕人繼續在教會裡成長，並回來服事他們的學弟妹。

​

神的恩典並不只停留在甲美地。除了現有的七個「美地」之外，感謝主，今年在台西與北港開拓了新的福音據點。

• 台西：當地十分偏鄉，也被貼上「流氓與黑道」的標籤。但我們相信神不放棄這裡，願未來台西不再是出黑道，而是出傳道與宣教士的地方。

• 北港：比大甲更屬靈黑暗，一年有將近一千萬香客前來進香，建立教會非常困難。但因著雲林福氣教會的幸福小組進入，神在此插上了福音的旌旗，相信祂要在這裡成就重要的工作。

 

三、異象與未來展望

今年是 第 18 年的台灣短宣。疫情前我們曾在雲林辦過美語品格營，但疫情後我們再從大甲逐步擴展，如今已再度跨越濁水溪進入雲林。雲林福氣教會領受了一個 「520 異象」：要在雲林縣的 20 個鄉鎮，每個鄉鎮都建立五個小組，逐步成為教會。我們深受感動，已經一同建立了三個「美地」。明年盼望能在 口湖或麥寮 開拓新的據點。願主繼續帶領我們，看見更多教會一同興起，讓西海岸經歷屬靈的復興。