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Pastor Focuses on Chinese Immigrants to South Africa
By Craig Pinley
CHICAGO, IL (March 29, 2002) - Frank Tuan provides a unique bridge ton behalf
of Chinese Covenant ministries, having received support from both the
Taiwan Covenant Church and the Evangelical Covenant Church in North
America to begin a church in South Africa.
The pastor of South Africa Chinese Covenant Church in Johannesburg, Tuan
strengthened that bridge during March visits to a number of Chinese
congregations in the United States. His visit also allowed him to expand
his understanding if Covenant ministries in North America.
Prior to his departure Wednesday this week, Tuan met with a Chinese
contingent at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Springfield,
Massachusetts, and traveled to Evanston Covenant Church to get
acquainted with a Chinese fellowship group starting there. He also
completed visits to other Covenant churches where he renewed friendships
with short-term missionaries who traveled to South Africa through
Central Conference-sponsored trips last summer.
"I have looked forward for the opportunity to come to the United
States," Tuan said during an interview two weeks before his departure.
"We're a bit lonely in South Africa, but we realize that we're part of a
larger (denominational) family and we're enjoying visiting other
churches. And
at the same time, I'm enjoying the opportunity to meet with some of
those from the short-term trip and spending time with them."
In 1991, the Tuan family (accompanying photo) - Frank, his wife, Ada,
and son, Steven - were supported and commissioned by Taiwan Covenant
churches to work with a group of Indian Muslims in Johannesburg through
a parachurch ministry now known as Serving in Mission (SIM). The Tuans,
who are from the Taipei Covenant Church in Taiwan, discovered that there
were many Mandarin-speaking Chinese immigrants coming to South Africa.
Eventually, SIM asked Tuan to work with Chinese immigrants, beginning in
Johannesburg and continuing in four other areas. A Bible study group was
formed in 1995 and a year later that group began church services at a
Baptist church building as the South African Chinese Church.
The first and perhaps most challenging goal for his church was to help
immigrants (especially adults) adapti to a predominantly
English-speaking culture. Another important role was to help the
children remember their Chinese heritage.
Children integrate into the English-speaking culture more quickly
because they attend English-speaking schools, but they often lose their
mastery of the Mandarin language and the nuances of that culture. As a
result, the church now conducts English-language classes for adults and
Chinese-language classes for the children.
In May 2000, Dave Dolan, coordinator for Chinese Ministry with the ECC
Department of World Mission, traveled to South Africa and met with Tuan,
pastor John Kuo of the Taipei Covenant Church and Rev. Franklin Chang,
general secretary of the Taiwan Covenant Churches. A partnership was
formed to provide support for Tuan's church and in July 2000 the
congregation changed its name to South African Chinese Covenant Church.
The congregation of 80 not only has made an impact on its community, but
it has expanded its vision by sending missionaries to three other
African nations. The congregation recently purchased a building and is
planning a worship service for English-speaking individuals. English
language courses and Bible study sessions have already started with the
assistance of short-term SIM missionaries.
Tuan hopes that more Covenant congregations will consider his church's
unique ministry as they consider short-term mission trip options. He
says has already seen the positive effects of a Vacation Bible School
(VBS) ministry provided by a short-term group from the Central
Conference. And more help is coming from Covenant Women Ministries,
which has scheduled a
short-term trip to South Africa in January 2003.
"I had this desire that if the Lord gave me the opportunity, I wanted to
become a missionary and be able to bring the gospel to others and pass
on God's grace in response to His call," said Tuan. "By getting to know
Dave and Judy Dolan and being invited into the Covenant, I can represent
the Chinese people to bring the gospel to Africa, and that's a real
blessing to me."
For more information on the South African Chinese Covenant Church or
potential short-term mission projects, email Tuan at sacc@acenet.co.za.
For more information on Chinese ministries throughout the denomination,
including those in Calgary, Alberta; Springfield,
Massachusetts; Evanston, Illinois; and Rosemead, California, email Dolan
at dldolan@attglobal.net.
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