Bock

Superb Ministry Model in Taiwan July 15 09

I had the chance to visit a church in Taichung, Taiwan that has a marvelous ministry model. The Thank God for Grace Church there has worked out a deal at the request of a elementary school to help at risk kids. These kids do not have a father or have a mother who does not speak Chinese or is being raised by grandparents.

I had the chance to visit a church in Taichung, Taiwan that has a marvelous ministry model. The Thank God for Grace Church there has worked out a deal at the request of a elementary school to help at risk kids. These kids do not have a father or have a mother who does not speak Chinese or is being raised by grandparents. The 40 kids they work with are part of an after school program that works on character as much as academics. The school chooses the kids. The church takes them in for extra time during the school year and a full program of support in the summer.

I spent two hours speaking with the pastor and his wife about the program, which has gained enough attention that the Department of Education has come to look at it. They have recently expanded the program to include Junior High kids. They and the school monitor the progress of the kids. The church also visits the parent/guardians annually or as needed. The entire description of the effort was impressive. The pastor says they try things and if they work they hold on to it and, if not, they move on. The school is located right across the street from the church. It was a pleasure to see and hear about such a wonderful program where academic help is made available but the heart of the kid is also engaged.

Thanks to TEAM for the tour and the church.

In the picture, Pastor Wang and his wife are in the middle of the back row and then next to me on the left. His assistant, a missionary from Japan (Rev. Siato), is on the end of the back row. Bill Franklin of TEAM Taiwan is next to me. 

2 Comments

  • Magnus Nordlund

    Historical Jesus
    Hi Dr Bock! Ive got a short question…. I intended some private reading this summer.
    Ive decided to dig deeper into the Jesus Quest i.e. the question of
    the historical Jesus. Could you recommend some books that would satisfy my eager to know more…

    Ive recently read Schweitzer’s classical account; Ive also read E. P. Sanders “the historical figure of Jesus”…

    Sincerely Magnus Nordlund, Sweden

    • bock

      Historical Jesus

      Read:

      Ben Meyer, The Aims of Jesus

      J. G. D. Dunn, Remembering Jesus

      Paul Eddy and Greg Boyd, The Jesus Legend

      dlb