We are here because most people in Taiwan do not know of the hope that Jesus Christ offers to them. This is especially true of the working class—the vast majority of whom are in bondage to idolatry and superstition and the destruction these bring.

• Why are working-class Taiwanese "unreached?"
• Why did OMF decide to focus on the working class?
• What are our ministry needs?

Why are working-class Taiwanese "unreached?"

Like much of Asia, Taiwan is in the midst of unprecedented social, political and economic change. This has led to an erosion of traditional values and social structures. Families have started to break down, with Taiwan having one of the highest divorce rates in Asia. With this have come many other social problems, especially among the working class.

Despite over 100 years of missionary involvement in Taiwan, Protestant Christians make up only about 2% of the population. As many as 10% of all university graduates are Christian. These are the kinds of people who are generally most welcomed by local churches.

Yet among 15 million working-class Taiwanese (about 70% of the total population), less than 0.5% are Christian.

Most working-class people do not easily fit into existing churches because of differences in background, mindset and education. Others are alienated from society or belong to subcultures that local Christians have difficulty relating to. Some believers do seek to reach these groups, but few resources are devoted to them. Most local Christians do not have the vision to reach out to people different from themselves.

The working class tend to:

* have a lower level of education and socio-economic status.

* be more traditional, holding strongly to Chinese folk religion.

* prefer speaking Taiwanese, their “heart language.”

Why did OMF decide to focus on the working class?

There are many needs in Taiwan, but we have decided to focus our energy on reaching the working class. Our reasons:

* The Taiwanese working class is a large unreached people group. They are separated by culture and language from the local Christian community.

* Very few local Christians and churches are reaching the working class.

* OMF Taiwan has a long history of ministry among working-class people.

What are our ministry needs?

There are many areas in Taiwan with no Christian witness.

We are praying for 5-10 new people each year so we can establish new church-planting teams and expand the current work. We need people who are able to share the gospel with working-class people, establish non-traditional churches, reach out to youth and care for families.

Find out more about the kinds of ministries we are focusing on.