Buddhism is so entrenched in Taiwanese culture that it’s truly a big deal when someone comes to faith in Christ. It means that person has counted the cost and is willing to choose the Truth, even if it means significant family and societal pressures. In the nearly 25 years since Matt and Marla Hanna planted Kaohsiung Baptist Church in Taiwan, the missionary church planting team has celebrated every patiently awaited victory—those big deals—when people turn to the Lord and experience spiritual growth. The church now has roughly 40 members, including several well-trained deacons.

Ian is one of those deacons. Having received Christ during the early years of the church, Ian has persevered to share the gospel with his family ever since. The missionary team (now led by Josh and Rachel Stewart) has as well. Four years ago, their perseverance was rewarded when Ian’s parents began coming to church. They wanted to know more about this teaching that Ian had been bringing to them for years.

They were regular attenders until Ian’s dad had a stroke and fell into a coma for two years. God heard the prayers of Ian and the whole church when his dad woke up from his coma shortly before he died. In that window of time, he finally trusted Christ as his Savior. Shortly afterward, Ian’s mom also received Christ but developed health problems herself. Like her husband, she slipped into a coma for a year and a half before dying earlier this year.

Ian’s ministry to his family was not finished. He asked Josh’s help with the funeral service, prompting Josh to pray for one good opportunity to share the gospel with the rest of Ian’s family. Instead, the Lord opened the flood gates. As they waited for the funeral to begin, Ian’s family began asking Josh questions. Josh had five to six opportunities to clearly share the gospel, and Ian kept restating key points to make sure everyone understood. 

Although no one in the family has yet made a salvation decision, Ian and the missionary team persevere, as they have for years, to see God work the miracle of more “big deals” in Taiwan.

(Banner photo: Ian speaking at a church service)