The Inner Light of Christ :A Case Study on Taiwan Friends Mission (1954-2014)

• Main Authors: Wen-Hsi Chen, 陳文禧
• Other Authors: Chang-Shing Wu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/99752322711836639723

碩士 === 中原大學 === 宗教研究所 === 104 === It has been 362 years since George Fox first received the vision from God in 1652. Fox set this mission to be Gospel centered; he had tried to respond the calling of God through medical treatment, education, humanitarian assistance and so on. The spread of Christianity in the history falls into the similar trend. Friends Churches（Quakers）also bring contributions to the spread of Gospel in Chinese sphere for identifiable ways; and it has inspired the researcher’s motivation for writing chapter one. In chapter two, besides illustrating Friends Churches'' initial history and the spirit of “The Inner Light of Christ”, the chapter would also explain an eye opening event of a sister from the Evangelical Friends Church - Eastern Region in America, who in 1887 opened a new page for the spread of Gospel in China. At the end of 1953, three pioneer missionaries arrived Keelung, Taiwan and began with the local mission works. In chapter three, it introduces how the missionaries set up the model and the organization. Within sixty years, Friends Churches established over sixty churches in Taiwan; starting from Chia-yi Province to the North, and then to the Middle. In chapter four, it describes the development of Friends Churches in Taiwan. Around twenty years ago, Friends Churches in Taiwan have reached out to Southeast Asia, Southern Asia, and Mainland China continuing the spread of the Gospel. In chapter five, it summarizes the whole article and in hope of providing valuable reflections enable to apply for further usages. On May 17th , 2014, Friends Churches held the sixty-year anniversary Thanksgiving Worship Service at Chung Cheng Hall, Chung Yuan Christian University. Friends Churches in Taiwan was established by the Eastern American Friends Church, which is only one of the 27 Friends Churches in America. This small size church branch has facilitates evangelization nearly 120 years in the Chinese sphere; humbly make endeavor and has no means to let know. Until now, she still stands firmly in the Chinese society. As the Bible says “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” (Job 8:7 NIV). Friends Churches in Taiwan is ordinary and simple, most locate in the country sides and among the streets and lanes. As Pastor Sheng-Chu Chou and Chung-Chien Shia once made a note on Friends Churches: “ They often time choose the trivial works to serve when they are in the union of the different churches’ congregations. ” Hope this research could be a small screw under the big mission’s construction. Keywords: Friends Church（Quakers）, Mission History, Gospel