Church Planting among Hakka Chinese group in Taiwan
Only 0.3% of the Hakka are Christians. There are some Hakka speaking churches but most Hakka speak Mandarin and/or Taiwanese and therefore attend churches in these languages. There are still large pockets of Hakka communities who have not yet heard the Gospel or have not yet responded.
In Miaoli County near Taipei, we’ve been working for church planting among Hakka Chinese group for more than 20 years. Actually there are many Taiwan counties without a church. Those interested in church planting are welcome. We want to encourage Christians to have a passion to reach the unreached.
Who are the Hakka on Taiwan?
- Population: There are more than 3 million Hakka in Taiwan. The total population of Taiwan is approx. 22 million.
- Language: Hakka which has at least 2 different dialects depending on which area of Taiwan. However, most speak Mandarin and many speak Taiwanese.
- History and Culture: The Hakka people are a distinct ethnic Chinese people group. Descendants of the ancient Han Chinese, they are originally from the heart of old China but migrated in several phases to the south of China. There they settled as guests among those who preceded them. The word ‘Hakka’ in their own language is the word for ‘guest people’. Early in the 18th century many Hakka migrated to Taiwan looking for new opportunities. Chinese migrants from the mainland province of Fukien preceded the Hakka to Taiwan and had already gained control of the best land. Therefore, the Hakka settled mostly in the less desirable, hilly country of northern Taiwan. Nowadays, they are scattered throughout Taiwan but with still a large percentage in the northern part. There are also large numbers in the south in the Pingtung and Meinung areas. While the Hakka have slowly integrated into Taiwan society, they do still maintain their distinct language and culture. Nowadays, there is a growing people-consciousness among the Hakka themselves. Every year the Hakka culture is highlighted in a festival which lasts several days. The Hakka have demonstrated to keep their Hakka language radio stations. Rather than dying there seems to be a revival of Hakka culture. The family unit is very important and family ties close.
- Religion: The religious beliefs and customs are the same as other Chinese, i.e. Buddhism, Taoism and a group called I Kuan Dao. However, ancestor worship is very strong, with the Hakka worshipping ancestors from very far back.(Ancestor worship is also very strong among the Taiwanese and in many other Asian cultures.) This is a hindrance to people accepting the Lord.