Taiwan
January 29th

“Taiwan you who love God and seek Him will find Him!”
 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. (Proverbs 8:17,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | East Asia
Population | 23.58 million
Area | 35,980㎢ An island 150km from mainland China in Northeast Asia.
Capital City | Taipei (2.74 million)
People Groups | Total 35 groups Chinese 94% (Taiwanese 56.7%, Mainland Chinese 19.3%, Hakka 18%), Indonesian 1.7%, Other 4.3%
People Groups Unreached | 9 (18.8% of the population)
Languages |  Mandarin, Hoklo, Hakka
Total Languages | 25 
Bible Translations | Completed 18, New Testament 3, Partial 1
Religion | Christianity 6.3% (Protestant 2%, Independent church 1.9%), Ethnic religions 60.8%, Buddhism 27.3%, No religion 3% Evangelical 3.3% (780,000 people)

》 About Taiwan

The early inhabitants of Taiwan are believed to be of Malay-Indonesian origin, along with indigenous tribes, Japanese fishermen, and Chinese settlers. After the First Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan became a Japanese colony, gaining independence in 1945. In 1949, after losing to the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), led by Chiang Kai-shek, moved the government to Taiwan, maintaining its own political system separate from China. KMT ruled under martial law until it was lifted in 1987, and Taiwan held its first direct presidential election in 1996. In 2000, the KMT peacefully transferred power to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), making Taiwan the only Chinese-speaking democracy. Despite China’s opposition, Taiwan continues to survive politically and achieve significant economic growth. In the 2024 elections, Lai Ching-te of the DPP was elected president, standing firm against China’s “One Country, Two Systems” policy.

Taiwan’s economy has grown due to exports in electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals. It has the world’s 5th largest foreign exchange reserves but faces long-term challenges like diplomatic isolation, low birth rates, aging population, wage stagnation, and high housing costs. Taiwan’s GDP per capita is approximately $24,502

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Point

1. In 1872, Canadian missionary Mackay introduced Christianity to Taiwan, establishing hospitals and schools. Despite 150 years of mission work, the country remains spiritually dark, deeply rooted in Buddhism and ancestor worship. Only 6% of the population is Christian, and evangelicals number around 780,000. However, fewer people are converting, and some are leaving the church. Many believers struggle with gambling and immoral behavior, and rural churches often lack pastors due to a shortage of full-time ministers.
Let us pray that churches unite under the message of the cross and resist the spiritual forces that drive people toward materialism. May the church rise up, fear God, and live in obedience.

2. Many foreign missionaries have left Taiwan due to a lack of visible results, but opportunities remain for professional missionaries in various fields. Let’s pray for more missionaries to come to Taiwan, seek wisdom from God, and help gather the lost souls. Organizations like YWAM, OMS, and the Assemblies of God are active in Taiwan. Local churches and missionary groups aim to send missionaries worldwide, with the help of the Chinese Evangelical Association. Although the number of Taiwanese missionaries is small, we should pray for their dedication to spread salvation.

3. Taiwan’s indigenous people make up about 57% of the population, mostly in the working and middle classes. Christianity is common among mainland Chinese immigrants but is less widespread among native Taiwanese and Hakka communities. Organizations like OMF, IMB, and the Hakka Evangelical Association work to spread the gospel to these groups. Around 80% of Taiwan’s 14 Austronesian tribes have become Christian, largely due to Presbyterian missionary efforts. They face challenges such as social change, family breakdown, and urban migration but remain faithful. Taiwan also has a Muslim minority, including 60,000 Hui and 260,000 Indonesians, with 6 mosques serving them. Many foreign brides from China, Vietnam, and elsewhere have come to Taiwan through international marriages. Let us pray that all of Taiwan’s people hear the gospel, turn from evil, and fear the Lord.

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