On the afternoon of 24th November the faculty, staff, students and families of Tainan Theological College and Seminary repaired to the school’s undeveloped “sattelite campus” in the foothills of Kaohsiung County for a season of recreation, worship, tree-planting and feasting. The campus, in Yen-chao Township, was given to the college by the Chuang family, members of Tek-seng Presbyterian Church in Kaohsiung City, about 3 years ago. It is comprised of 6 hectares of land, including a spacious lawn, abundant woods, and a large and stately house.

Events included a softball tournament between three teams composed of students and faculty. This was followed by outdoor celebration of the Eucharist and the planting of 300 trees at one end of the property. The planting was an expression not only of environmental concern, but of faith that like the trees, the gospel might truly take root in and be nourished by the soil of Taiwan.

During the worship college president Huang Po-ho commented on the wonderful course of events that led to the college’s receiving the donation of land, and of the great encouragement that the gift was to the school. He expressed his hopes that the rural location could become a place of faith nourishment. Currently it hosts a monthly overnight retreat which is bracketed between evening and morning prayers conducted in the style of Taize, in France.

Apart from that use, the facilities and land are available for use by church and other groups for retreats and spiritual refreshment. As time passes, and more programs are developed, it is hoped that the usefulness of the location to Taiwan’s Christians will grow, and that many will be strengthened there.

For more information: Tainan Theological College and Seminary www.ttcs.org.tw