Emma Lyons (far left), second year student at Nashville Bible College, is spending three months in Taiwan. Here, she visits a local temple with a short-term missions team from Florida.
By Emma Lyons, Nashville Bible College Student
At Nashville Bible College, an international ministry experience is part of our Bachelor's degree programs, with students completing one or two experiences depending on their degree. Associate's degree students are encouraged to participate as well. Students can pursue opportunities aligned with their interests and ministry goals. Emma Lyons is currently serving in Taiwan, where her international experience is complementing her biblical education.
Nǐ hǎo! Greetings from Taiwan!
I am writing from the beautiful island of Taiwan in East Asia. I came here because I felt the Lord say that he was doing a new thing, and the word behind me was only, “Taiwan.”
Many hours have been spent in prayer asking the Lord why Taiwan, why right before I get married, why in the middle of the semester, and why not in the winter when it's cooler outside (I’m still asking this question), all of which the Lord has just said, “follow me.”
I came hesitant, not feeling sure of my own identity, having so many questions about the Lord, feeling terribly inadequate to speak about having faith, wary of leaving my fiancé for so long, etc. But one thing I was confident in was that the Spirit had made a way for the gospel to be preached in Asia, just like he had in Acts 16, so I boarded a plane and made the trek to Taiwan.
Emma and friends.
Three Weeks of Life and Ministry in Taiwan
I arrived a little over three weeks ago, and I have been having the time of my life. Each day brings a new adventure, which I find fascinating. It's not every day you get to talk to two strangers in the park about Buddhism!
I’ve had amazing tea, radish cakes, so much coffee, and so many laughs. I’ve explored public transportation on my own (thankfully it's in English and Chinese), probably looked really strange while trying to order food by pointing to the English menu, explored alleyways with unique shops, had conversations with locals, and been amazed at the mountain views.
I’ve shared meals with new friends, had tough conversations, and experienced the Lord’s kindness in intimate moments of worship. I’ve sweated more than I ever have before (I thought Nashville heat was crazy), averaged at least 15,000 steps per day, had big bowls of shaved ice and matcha ice cream, and taught English.
Taiwan has enough adventures to keep you entertained for a lifetime!
Riverside mountain view in Taiwan.
Seeing Taiwan Through the Eyes of Faith
Yet as I get up to run early in the morning, I find myself dodging people stopped on the sidewalks as they bow toward the temples scattered throughout Taipei.
Making my way through the MRT (public transportation) wasn’t as adventurous when I had to walk past elderly people curled up begging for scraps that no one would give them. I enjoyed the respect of the locals until I began noticing how some marginalized people were treated. I encountered attitudes toward suffering and disability that were difficult for me to understand.
On the same train, there is a child laughing for joy and a disabled person whom no one will care for. Never have I seen such an overt need for the Good News of Jesus Christ.
On my first day in Taiwan, another intern and I visited a temple and witnessed firsthand how some of the people here worship. Taiwanese come to the temple whenever they want something, and they go to their specific gods asking for a gift in return. Some will stay at the temple all day and cast lots before their god until they get the lot they desire.
It’s entirely transactional for many: I do this thing for you, and you do this thing for me.
Our God is entirely different. When we could do nothing for him, he did everything for us. He invites us into a relationship in which we can do nothing to get him to love us more or less than he already does. We get the opportunity to trust that he knows what we need and will provide it in due time.
Trying to prove that my God is better than the others will mean very little to anyone truly committed to their gods. But a God who just loves people because he made them? That’s an entirely new story altogether.
What John 15 Is Teaching Me About Missions
I realized very quickly that Taiwanese people don’t need another religious person; there are plenty of those here already. What they need is Jesus, and a revelation of him through people who are deeply connected to him. They need people in whom the Spirit of God abides.
They don’t need another place of worship; they need to know there is a God who made them and loves them, a God who works all things together for the good of those who love him.
Anyone can come to Taiwan (or any country) and do all sorts of good things for the people, but what good is it to do anything without connection to Jesus?
As Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Jesus’ words in John 15 should slow us down as ministers. It can be so easy to be focused on what I am doing for God rather than who I am becoming in him.
I’m learning that ministry without connection to Jesus can become little different from humanitarian work. It is interesting that Paul says that this work of love, joy, peace, etc., would be a fruit of the Spirit in my life, not a fruit of the Christian.
I used to think that I would develop these fruits if I just tried hard enough to produce them, but that would be the fruit of a Christian. Abiding in Jesus puts me in the perfect position to have the Spirit develop these fruits in me.
I don’t want to be another religious voice in a sea of idols; I want to be a light pointing to Jesus and exhibit the value of being in relationship with him.
Learning to Abide in Christ While Serving Others
Yes, I am doing ministry work each week, but I am also slowing down to enjoy God.
What good work for God can be done apart from deep, intentional, relational intimacy with him? Nothing.
Spending significant time reading, praying, worshiping, and in solitude is all a part of this experience of being a missionary in Taiwan, Pennsylvania, or the rest of the world.
That’s just a little bit of what God has been teaching me. I pray it encourages you to check who it is that you’re becoming beyond what you are doing.
How are the people, habits, service, and ministry events forming you? And are you letting Jesus form you most of all?
Do you serve or learn the Bible just because you want to be known as a person who does those things?
Who are you when you have time to spare: a scroller, a judger, a talker, a believer? Who are you without your friends, routines, or family? Why is following him worth your whole life?
I’ve been listening to a song called Minister by Harvest. One of its lines has challenged me to consider how well I know the beauty of the God I serve.
Do you know God’s beauty today?
Just some questions I’ve been thinking through. Let’s do our best to glorify God together!
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
John 15:4–8
In Christ,
Emma