Chinese Christian Prayer Mountain

by Dave Dolan

In preparation for their "Target 1980" evangelism thrust, Campus Crusade in Taiwan tried to evaluate why some of their past mass-evangelism efforts had not been very successful. They determined that though there were many who were saved, it seemed most churches were having a difficult time with follow-up. In 1978 they began to encourage churches to develop small-group programs that could possibly help these new believers fit in. It was noted that the Full Gospel Central Church in Seoul, Korea had a very effective small-group program and perhaps there were things that the Taiwan church could learn from them.

Korean Vision Trip

In June of 1979 the first of many trips was organized to give pastors and lay people from Taiwan an opportunity to view first-hand what was happening in Korea. Around 200 people went on this first trip, including myself. Pastor Daniel Dai, then a Campus Crusade co-worker, was one of those instrumental in organizing and leading this first trip.

Though the original purpose of these trips was to encourage Taiwan church workers to organize small-group programs in their churches when they returned, what most came away with was much different. Over and over, those in attendance were struck by the strong emphasis on prayer in the Korean churches. One of the tools being used most effectively by the church there was the prayer mountain, a kind of retreat center, but with a strong emphasis on both corporate and individual prayer and fasting.

Three-fold Goal

Pastor Dai was particularly impressed with this emphasis, and after returning to Taiwan, began praying with his wife that God would provide a prayer mountain for the church in Taiwan. In 1980 Pastor Dai organized the Christian Global Mission Association, whose three-fold goal included: promoting prayer, encouraging spiritual renewal, and the fulfilling of the Great Commission. Then, in February of 1981, special meetings were held, and money began to come in for the establishment of Taiwan's first prayer mountain. Land just outside of Miaoli was donated in June and in July building began. Then on September 28, 1981, Chinese Christian Prayer Mountain near Miaoli, the first of its kind in Taiwan, had its dedication service.

Facilities now include three meeting halls of various sizes. Also, there are smaller rooms that will accommodate small groups, and more than forty individual prayer chambers. Generally, prayer mountain can sleep around 300 at one time, but in a pinch they can accommodate 500 or more. Throughout the year there are prayer retreats scheduled at least twice a month. Fasting is practiced by most in attendance, so kitchen facilities are not a major factor. It is estimated that over 10,000 people visited Prayer Mountain this past year. They maintain a staff of over thirty in Miaoli and about ten in Taipei.

Sensing that churches could use more help than just with prayer, in July and August of 1995, Prayer Mountain held its first eight-week intensive session to train pastors and lay people in a variety of areas. A different topic was covered each week. These included practical training in: prayer and fasting, worship, inner healing, spiritual gifts, Bible study, revival history, the workers personal life, and basic Christian teachings. The course was so well received, it will be repeated again this summer.

Although Prayer Mountain has been encouraging believers to pray for world missions for many years, last year they went a step further and began to actively send out workers. Besides Taiwan, they have held training sessions in mainland China, Indonesia, and Argentina. Chinese Christian Prayer Mountain also has an office in Taipei that handles much of the World Mission-related activity as well as holding training sessions and a weekly, Friday all-night prayer meeting. The Taipei office is also on Internet. Through it, they hope to call Christians around the world to pray.

Of course there have been areas of misunderstanding along the way. Corporate worship is lively, as is corporate prayer, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are often evident as some speak in tongues and others are healed during the course of special meetings. There are some who find this atmosphere uncomfortable or offensive. Then, of course, there have been groups who use the facilities but provide their own speakers, and have an emphasis that may differ from the retreats put on by the coworkers of Prayer Mountain itself. Follow-up is also an ongoing problem, but then that is often the case with parachurch organizations.

One of the pastors who has been very supportive of this ministry from the beginning is Nathan Chang, who pastors the Hsintien Covenant Church. He is a close personal friend of Pastor Dai and is often invited to speak at Prayer Mountain. Pastor Chang believes God is blessing the ministry of Prayer Mountain. He says both he and his church have been blessed by the ministry of Prayer Mountain, and that they often make use of its programs and facilities. He feels that besides the strong emphasis on prayer, Prayer Mountain's emphasis on the working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers is essential. (It should be noted that Pastor Chang's church presently has between 600-700 in attendance on Sunday morning)

Conclusion

As Chinese Christian Prayer Mountain approaches its fifteenth anniversary, we can only agree with Pastor Chang's statement that God is blessing the ministry of Prayer Mountain. There have been other prayer mountains that have opened and closed their doors over the years, but the ministry of the first prayer mountain in Taiwan, Chinese Prayer Mountain, remains strong. May God continue to bless and use this ministry to bring honor and glory to His name.

More information about Chinese Christian Prayer Mountain may be obtained by calling 03-763-5135.

Dave Dolan is a missionary with eighteen years of experience in Taiwan. In addition to duties as field chairman for his mission, he is also ministering to the congregation of the Taichung Evangelical Covenant Church where he currently serves as interim pastor.

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Originally published in the April 1996 edition of Taiwan Mission

Copyright 1996, Taiwan Mission Quarterly is produced and maintained by Taiwan Missionary Fellowship. Those desiring to reprint articles from Taiwan Mission should write to the editorial committee requesting permission and due acknowledgment should be given.

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