I am always amazed in Taiwan to hear the stories of new Christians. Only four to five percent of the population in Taiwan is Christian, so becoming a Christian here is no easy thing.

Most Taiwanese consider themselves Buddhists or Taoists, also worshipping traditional folk gods. These gods are people who did something heroic and then were deified. Traveling throughout Taiwan, you will see many temples full of different images of these folk gods. The most famous god here is Matsu, who was a young girl in southern China. One day, her father and brother were fishing in the sea when they encountered a strong typhoon. Matsu, knowing of their trouble in her dream, held onto them to save them. But her mother called her name and she unintentionally let go of her father, only having saved her brother. She became the goddess of fisherfolk and is now revered throughout Taiwan. She is often called the Holy Mother of Heaven.

The average Taiwanese is not monotheistic, worshiping just one god. They will worship whatever god can help them in a given situation. In many of the larger temples, worshipers will move from altar to altar, worshiping different gods for different reasons. There is a god who will help you do well on tests. There is a god who will help you make money. There is a god who will help you get pregnant.

One day, I had U.S. guests visiting Taiwan, and I took them to see a traditional folk temple. Many of these temples have a volunteer at the entrance to the temple (like many churches have at the front desk), so I asked this volunteer if this was a Matsu temple. He replied that it was. I then asked him why there were so many other gods in Matsu’s temple and asked, “Doesn’t Matsu get jealous?” I hadn’t told him that I was a Christian, but his reply impressed me with his knowledge of monotheistic religions. He said, “Only you Christians would ask that question. We worship whatever god will help us receive what we need,” knowing that Christians worship just one God.

The folk worship here tends to be transactional. The worshiper makes an offering of food or money and may light an incense stick expecting the god to respond to their request. In addition to worshiping these gods, the Taiwanese also believe that they must be cared for after they die by their children. Folks purchase “ghost money” with pictures of what they believe the deceased needs in the afterlife such as clothes, a house, or a car. They burn this ghost money making sure their departed relatives have what they need. They also make offerings of food and drink for their relatives. They believe that their departed loved ones consume the essence of this food and then they can take the offered food back home and eat it.

So, non-Christian parents are often very resistant to their children, especially the eldest son, becoming Christians. They often tell their children that, “you can go to church, but you can’t be baptized.” These non-Christian parents often understand the power of baptism more than Christians do, knowing that baptism leads to a new life where their baptized child will not make offerings on their behalf. The parents’ greatest fear is that their children won’t make the offerings, leaving them as hungry ghosts for eternity.

Recently, I was speaking at a large church in southern Taiwan and met a tall young man who told me that he was to be baptized the following Sunday. He said that he was the first Christian in his family, and his father was very resistant to him being baptized. He asked me to pray for him that his father’s heart would be softened and for his parents to attend the worship service when he was to be baptized.

Knowing the religious background of this land, I thought that his request was amazingly bold, but I prayed for everything just as he had asked. The following Monday, he sent me a note saying that his parents had attended church for the first time and witnessed him being baptized. He also sent me this picture of him with his wife, daughter, and his parents.

Often these new Christians become wonderful witnesses to Christ’s love in their families. When their parents and siblings see that they are kinder, more patient, and willing to help others, they also become attracted to Christ. It is truly amazing grace. When I pray now for these new Christians, I do so with faith that God will use them to bless their families, friends, and co-workers.

Thank you for your partnership in this grace-filled mission!

Gratefully,

John McCall

This article is used with permission of Presbyterian World Mission.

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John McCall (PCUSA) Update May 2024