This interview took place on November 1st, 2009. Click here to see the entire interview.
The interview will be conducted live
in the comment section of this post (scroll down this page). Jerry has 17 years of long-term missionary work experience.
Feel free to join in and ask any questions you would like to know about short and long-term missions programs and the state of the Christian church in Taiwan.
When asked about what he hopes people will come away from this interview with, Jerry said, ”The important thing is that they understand missions, pray for taiwan, and get involved in their church’s mission program.”
Note: Due to the openness of the internet, “Jerry” would rather not use his real name.
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Welcome Jerry. I am so glad to have you with us today. I would like you to start out by asking your background. Your childhood and how you decided to become a missionary.
I was born in Taiwan to American missionary parents and lived here till I was 18. Already as a teenager I was burdened for the people around me. In college that burden and interest grew. Finally around age 26 I decided to be a missionary to Taiwan. Other influences included trips back to Taiwan to serve for the summer.
When did your parents stop serving in Taiwan? Are they retired?
My parents left Taiwan in 1995 after serving here 35 years and retired a year later after making final reports to supporting churches.
As a missionary, what is your passion? Where do you find your inspiration?
My passion is to teach the Bible to Chinese people using the Chinese language. I get inspiration both from positive sources (I love seeing others teach the Bible in Chinese; I love seeing people’s response to teaching) and from negative sources (I hear people’s complaints when the teaching has to be translated; I am burdened when I hear people say they have never read certain books of the Bible).
Is there a certain life verse or mission verse that drives your work?
For me the Great Commission is full of meaning–In the process of making disciples, we evangelize and teach. I witness everywhere I go, but my main passion is the teaching aspect of the Great Commission.
How are you funded? Is it through a mission board, one church or multiple churches? Do you take donations directly from people?
Several churches in the US support my ministry, and then I receive some money from Asian sources, including individuals that give through my home church or directly to me.
So you receive tithes from the churches you pastor in Taiwan?
Right now I am in a pastoral role in two churches in the same area. The one gives nothing, and the other gives me a place to live for free and a small offering in appreciation for my help.
How many people attend your churches?
In the one, 120 attend each week, and in the other about 40.
Do people tithe 10% regularly in Taiwan? How does it compare to the tithing habits of American Christians?
There are some Christians who are very careful to tithe 10%. Others give more; and many give less. I really don’t know exact numbers–for either country. I have found it wise not to know people’s giving habits.
What are some cultural differences of kids growing up in Taiwan and America. What difficulties do kids in Taiwan face growing up?
The main difference is the pressure on kids in Taiwan for education. There is lots of family pressure and societal pressure to do well, and kids spend a lot more time in school and after-school classes than kids to in the US. American kids have lots more time for after-school sports and music and drama than Taiwan kids do. I think Taiwan has less drug use and weapons use than in the US.
What are some good ways to keep in touch with missionaries? How do you prefer people keep in touch with you?
I prefer for churches to appoint one person from their church to communicate repeatedly with the same missionary rather than having people take turns. I don’t think facebook can handle the open communication that missionaries need to have with their churches. All I put on my facebook account is, “I went biking” or something like that. Supporters of missionaries can write direct emails, have their whole missions committee or missions support group skype a missionary, or set up a phone conversation.
How often do you give updates to the people back home?
I write a prayer letter once a month and send it to my mailing list. Some people contact me more often.
What other ways are you using the Internet & Social media to connect with people in Taiwan and keep in touch with the people back home?
Through my website, emailing, and speaking to groups over Skype I try to keep in touch with people as frequently as they would like.
What is the best way Christians can help with short-term missions?
1. Get to know a long-term missionary
2. Have your church send you to help him
3. Go more than once to the same location
Do you have any short-term mission groups from other countries that come over to help you?
Just this past June a group came from Singapore. Right now a man from Japan is helping our church and another church. We have had various other short-termers over the years–from the US and from Singapore.
What kind of activities do they do when they are there?
The Japanese man helping our churches now spends a lot of time teaching our choirs and directing them. The Singapore group this past summer helped in typing up lists and organizing our shelves and even doing cleaning.
With the amount you have to write for sermons and teaching, have you written any books? If not, do you plan on it?
Although others encourage me to write books, I haven’t done so. Writing stories is more along the lines of my interests. Maybe one day I will collect many of my stories and publish them. Of course, the way things are going, web publishing may be the best route.
Jerry, I know you have to go. I’d like to thank you for taking the time to chat with us.
Is there any other thing you’d like to say to our readers who may be considering some kind of overseas mission work?
Begin now praying seriously about becoming a missionary. Pray that the Lord will prepare you through what you read, whom you talk to, and what opportunities you have to serve now. Pray each day for one continent of the world. Notice the news. Learn about the needs in countries around the world. Ask your pastor for suggestions of mission boards and then contact those mission boards and get to know them. Begin by praying now seriously about becoming a missionary.
Very interesting conversation. Keep up the goodwork.
Thanks! Stay tuned. We have a few more interviews in the works.