It was Children’s Day. Jason attended the local elementary school’s assembly, where teachers and students gave talent performances. One teacher stepped on stage holding a trumpet. “Kids, does anyone know that Goddess Mazu is parading across Changhua county?” she asked. Around 90% of the students raised their hands excitedly. She added, “The parades won’t come to Puxin, but I invite you to get out there and join!”
At another assembly, the principal told the students, “If Mazu comes to you, please welcome her.”
Later, Hiwin and a short-term team were invited to taste mangoes at a printing shop owner’s home. Over snacks, the owner proudly shared how much food he had prepared for the Mazu pilgrims and how he helped others along the route. During breakfast with local volunteers after a storytelling session, Hiwin heard a mother share her struggles raising two young children after her husband’s death. She tearfully thanked “Heavenly Mother” – Mazu – for her help. A temple teacher had once advised her to stay with her in-laws to learn filial piety, even though they disciplined her children harshly. Hiwin grieved quietly, wondering how this woman’s life might change if she encountered Jesus.
Hard Ground for the Gospel
Every year, two major Mazu pilgrimages draw hundreds of thousands of visitors across Taiwan:
- Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage: Begun in 1730, this 9-day journey starts at Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung and travels about 340 km through Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi to Fengtian Temple in Xingang. The route is fixed.
- Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage: Started in 1863 from Gongtian Temple in Miaoli to Chaotian Temple in Beigang, this 8–12 day journey follows no fixed path, as pilgrims believe Mazu’s spirit guides them.
These events are deeply spiritual and cultural, drawing huge crowds and forming tight community bonds. Yet, the counties these pilgrimages pass through – Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi – remain to be hard ground for the gospel. Between 2004 and 2022, surveys showed 55 townships in Taiwan had less than 0.5% church attendance, with 22 townships having fewer than five churches.
Serving in Puxin Township
Puxin Township, where we live and serve, is one of them. It’s a rural area in Changhua with about 34,000 people—mainly farmers, factory workers, and foreign brides. There are only two churches, each with around 20 regular attendees. In 2013, OMF’s church planting ministry began in response to this need.
Since Puxin is a small, close-knit township, gospel work here is slow and relational. We spend time listening and praying, serving and building trust, and guiding families with God’s Word. Our mission is to evangelise, disciple, and mobilise working-class people in partnership with local believers.
We long to see local children worshipping Jesus, and parents placing their trust in Christ. Through God’s grace, OMF Taiwan long to see spiritually and numerically flourishing communities of disciples among Taiwan’s working class. Puxin is just one example. Many nearby townships also need workers who are willing to live and share the gospel among them.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
– Matthew 9:37
Would you pray with us, asking the Lord of the harvest to send workers into these townships, especially along the pilgrimage paths of Mazu?
Interested in learning more about ministry work in rural Taiwan? Watch the video below to see how OMF missionaries serve in the rural areas of Meishan and Puxin.
