Modesty and perseverance transform our homeland
515 International Family Day Happy Charity Walk Exclusive Interview with General Pastor Yang Ningya
Interview/Han Jiahua
Photo courtesy/Aimeng Family Cultural and Educational Foundation
▲Pastor Yang Ningya delivered a speech at the Taiwan press conference on April 19, 2011. For the live broadcast, please click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NAWUehfqx8&feature=related1.
Next to the beautiful Sun Moon Lake, a group of church pastors are discussing national issues enthusiastically. Their denominations, parties, and church sizes vary, but what they have in common is mutual acceptance and unity, concern for the growth of their homeland, and the ability to offer their best. Sincerity in sharing blessings with society.
When they saw the current chaos and hidden worries in family marriages, they decided to organizeVibrant Taiwan, happy families, happy charity walk on 515 International Family Day(referred to as "515 Happy Charity Walk") is a large-scale event held in seven counties and cities simultaneously to speak out to the society and convey values that are in line with God's heart.
Now that the 2011 "515 Happy Charity Walk" has come to an end, this magazine traveled across North America and interviewed the key figure of the charity walk - Senior Pastor Yang Ningya of the Taipei Lutheran Church of Truth. Pastor Yang's words are simple and calm, his attitude is humble and sincere, and he reveals his thoughts and experiences along the way to the readers of this magazine.
I heard that you have been suffering from heart problems recently. What made you take the risk to participate in the "515 Happy Charity Walk" regardless of your health?
Starting from the end of last year, my old habit of having a fast and erratic heartbeat recurred. From January to March this year, I had faint attacks from time to time while leading morning prayers or Sunday sermons. It seemed to be related to charity walks every time. , I reminded myself: Don’t be so excited!
The reason why I participated in the charity walk was because I participated in the "Taiwan Pastors' National Forum" in Sun Moon Lake at the beginning of the year, which attracted much attention from church leaders. During the meeting, family issues were widely concerned by nearly a hundred pastors, which was a rare phenomenon thirty years ago. Just the day before the meeting, news reported that Taiwan's birth rate had hit a new low. President Ma Ying-jeou said worriedly: "To solve the problem of low birthrate, we must raise it to the level of national security." As soon as these words came out, the whole Taiwan was filled with a feeling of attaching importance to family. atmosphere of.
Therefore, the pastors present unanimously decided to promote the charity walking movement of all churches in Taiwan to speak out to society on May 15, the International Day of Families, and promote the family values of one man and one woman, one husband and one wife, and one life. The churches plan to take more positive and concrete actions to influence the country and society. They not only ignite the fire of revival in the church, but also prepare the way for the Lord and transform the country and society with God's power and words.
Since 1986, maintaining a healthy family and marriage has been the joint efforts and burdens of Yingfu and I. Therefore, when everyone recommended me as the general convener of the charity walk, I was duty-bound and readily agreed.
As the general convener, you have to make a public appeal in front of many media. What do you think about this?
I don't like to be a public figure, and I don't feel comfortable in front of tape recorders or video recorders. However, if I have words from God to speak, I can overcome these feelings. This is very similar to when I was a primary school student. When I heard from my parents, if I heard a topic that interested me, I would wait until speaking class to volunteer and go on stage to share it with my classmates.
The same goes for holding a Taiwan-wide press conference for the "515 Happy Charity Walk". I know that the matter is very important, and I have something to say to the public. These are the values that I have always upheld and maintained, and it is also the truth that God wants me to advocate. Naturally, I have the enthusiasm to appeal publicly!
▲On May 15, 2011, Taipei church troops divided into five groups and set out enthusiastically in the slanting wind and drizzle.
Whose idea was it to shout a clear and powerful slogan of "Four Guards" when walking away?
During the preparatory meeting, I saw that everyone longs for a happy family and is aware of the serious family problems in Taiwanese society. However, true happiness must be based on biblical truth, and righteous walking cannot be just a walk.
I have a deep burden - teach myself to first understand and keep this element of happiness. So, my co-workers and I immediately compiled a message from a lecture I gave in 2006Restore the core values of "Four Guards" and rebuild a happy family in societyOne article (see below). This article uses the "four observances" - keeping promises, keeping chastity, keeping duties and keeping promises as our appeal, asking all churches to hold up propaganda signs when walking out, and shout out clear, easy-to-remember and easy-to-understand messages to the public. slogan.
For the church, I propose four more actions to achieve the "Four Guards" - the "Four Lines": family altar, family conversion to the Lord, family equipment, and family service. Churches are encouraged to teach and promote simultaneously, so that the "Four Observations" and "Four Actions" can go hand in hand.
▲Brothers and sisters have faith in the storm. No matter how heavy the rain is, it cannot stop their enthusiasm for worshiping God.
▲When Paul Bendemire and his wife Zaihong left with their two-year-old daughter Xin Kaiyi, they said: "I am really touched to see many people coming forward and facing up to social problems!" (Photo provided by Yang Zaihong)
I heard that a special gay team appeared during the Kaohsiung charity walk. Among them was a gay who claimed that he was also a Christian and had been the chairman of the fellowship. He burst into tears thinking about the injustice he had suffered in the church. If you are here, What will you say to him?
It was originally a simple charity walk, but it happened to coincide with the sensitive moment when the Ministry of Education will implement "gender equality education textbooks" when the school starts in September, and opponents have signed their signatures. Some people came out to protest against the "gay movement". We specially set up love pickets to prevent disputes and fights, and we strictly prohibited any words that irritated gays and caused conflicts.
You are talking about a brother who has been hurt by the church. Frankly speaking, in that situation, you may not be able to help him or say anything to him. It is best to have a group of people who have stepped out of homosexuality, who have been touched by the love of Jesus and the love of the church, and let them care for him. It is difficult for other people's help to be effective.
The church has hurt gay people and they need to reflect and repent. Our position is clear in rejecting sin but accepting sinners, who must be treated with love and loving actions over time. One day, Pastor Jenny Li from the "Exodus Counseling Association" (a gospel organization that specializes in helping homosexuals and their families) came to the Truth Church to worship. She was surprised to see that there were many gay members in the Truth Church. In fact, they were initially encouraged to come to church one by one because someone among them identified themselves and joined the group. If homosexuals are willing to seek help, they can be healed and released. Our team has prayed and served many people.
▲Taipei charity walkers gathered at the City Hall Square to watch one of the highlights: the Shilin Lingliang Hall Taiko Drum Performance. (Photo by Guo Qingfeng, picture source: http://www.injesus.org.tw/event/activities/find.do?id=12ff834d17500000761e)
The charity walk has now come to an end and we are reviewing the expected benefits previously set. Have we achieved the goals?
The general environment longs for a happy family, and it is by no means easy to achieve. Therefore, we formulated the expected benefits of "arousing Chinese people to pay attention to family issues, enhancing Chinese people's family concepts; advocating correct family values, and rebuilding harmonious Taiwanese families" as a long-term general outline. The churches decided to go on a five-year voluntary journey. Since 2012, in accordance with the The themes of covenant, chastity, duty and commitment are followed in sequence.
This year, the primary goal of the charity walk was to unite churches. The churches jointly mobilized 35,000 to 40,000 people to happily take to the streets. The second was to attract national attention. Many media reported on correct family values and aroused Chinese people to pay attention to family issues. At present, it seems that the expected short-range goal has been achieved.
What advice and suggestions do you have for charity in the next four years?
I hope that in the future Yi Zhong can implement it from these four aspects:
1. Starting from podium information: Each church sets up a season every year (Truth Church is Family Season from May to August), or January (Family Month), at least one day (the first Sunday in May, or Mother’s Day is Family Day) to preach Fundamental core values of family. "Aimeng Family Cultural and Educational Foundation" has prepared forty articles on "True Love Covenant", "Happy Family Reconstruction" and related information, including family overview, husband and wife, parents and children, in-laws, siblings, family altar, family conversion to the Lord, family service, etc. Eight categories for reference by various churches.
2. Promote and keep promises in advance: Starting from the family, the character of faithfulness and covenant-keeping should be established between man and God, husband and wife, parents and children. This core value can be extended to bosses and employees in the workplace, and will transform the country and society.
3. Transfer the burden early: Invite more cities, churches, institutions, and especially professionals from all walks of life to join us. We still have a lot of room for growth.
4. Create a happy atmosphere: To create a happy family atmosphere like a carnival, cities use unique gatherings to spread correct family values.
Finally, please share your heartfelt feelings.
Taiwan's family divorce rate is rising rapidly, and even the church's divorce rate is no exception. What touched me deeply was that I heard that some churches have serious problems because after couples listened to many teachings on Christian families, instead of self-reflection, they criticized each other and demanded each other, falling into the trap of legalism. Similarly, using the law to condemn gay people also violates the principles of the gospel. It will not allow you to be free, and it will also prevent others from being free.
Taiwanese churches have established a very good network of trust and connection, but it is not easy to connect churches and institutions. This event has made great breakthroughs in facing many social issues, which moved me! In Taiwan, the church usually has relatively abundant manpower, material resources, and resources. If it can generously support and cover the organization, it can allow the organization to give full play to its professional characteristics. I call on the same in North America - the church supports the organization, and the organization assists the church. Walk in different ways and sing in different tunes. Churches and churches, institutions and institutions, churches and institutions, must be connected with each other in order to exert their combat power to transform and revitalize society!
【515 International Family Day Happy Charity Walk】Small file
● Origin of International Day of Families
The United Nations has established May 15 every year as the "International Day of Families" since 1994 to enhance understanding of global family issues and encourage each country to take appropriate actions.
● Current situation of Taiwanese families
According to statistics from the Ministry of the Interior, the average total fertility rate for women of childbearing age in 2009 was 1.03, the lowest in the world; cross-country comparisons in 2008 showed that Taiwan’s divorce rate was the highest in Asia, along with South Korea, and Taiwan’s divorce/marriage ratio in the past decade was 40%, the number of divorced people jumped from 330,000 in 1990 to 1.39 million in 2010, an increase of 4.2 times in two decades. Many phenomena show that Taiwan’s families are rapidly disintegrating.
● 515 Happy Charity Walk
1. To promote the core value of a happy family
*Keep the promise: one husband, one wife, for life. *Chastity: Keep chastity before marriage and keep your promise after marriage.
＊Keeping one's share: Everyone keeps one's share and the family is happy. *Shou Cheng: The blessing of fertility is passed down from generation to generation.
2. Raise funds for World Vision’s “Invest in Abundant Life Project”
* Starting from educational care, community care, family services, child protection and other aspects, we help children from disadvantaged families go to school, and provide parents with marriage, parenting education and work skills training to strengthen the ability to run a family, thereby improving family functions and providing all-round assistance Families are lifted out of poverty and enjoy a prosperous future.
Charity walk organizer/co-organizer Taiwan Happy Family Promotion Alliance, Taiwan World Vision, Aimeng Cultural and Educational Foundation, GOODTV
▲Happiness Spokespersons - Eight well-known Christian artists such as Wu Jianhao, Zheng Yuanchang, Pan Weibo, FIR, Fan Weiqi and Chen Jianzhou (left to right) sincerely ask you: "How much time do you spend with your family in a day? Do you really understand the needs of your family? Love is A wonderful seed, let us plant love at home together, and let the whole family hold hands and come to Yiyi happily." (Photo source: http://www.injesus.org.tw/upload/video/1300689fb86000000ca1.jpg)
Interviewee profile:
Senior Pastor Yang Ningya has been pastoring Taipei Truth Church of Taiwan Lutheran Church since 1978. He has opened ten branches in Taiwan, North America, and China, and planted three more branches among them. Pastor Yang is currently the chairman of the Taiwan Pastoral Training Association, the Christian Love Alliance Family Cultural and Educational Foundation, and the chairman of the Christian Love Network Holistic Care Social Welfare and Charity Foundation. He pays special attention to the ministry of youth, small groups and Christian families, and Work hard to promote connections between Chinese churches. Adhering to the concept of "prevention is better than cure", Mrs. Guo Yingfu worked together to promote family ministry in order to build a healthy family with faith, hope, love and God's will. They have one son, two daughters and one granddaughter. Their children and son-in-law serve wholeheartedly, and they enjoy the joy of having grandchildren the most.
Journalist profile
Han Jiahua is committed to literary work and is willing to speak out for the youngest brothers. In his service, he meets many noble souls and becomes his blessing.