Founder of Church of God in Taiwan Passes Away
Bishop Chen Yung-Chia (Mark Chen), who served as Church of God representative to Taiwan from 1984 to 2008, passed away Wednesday, September 6, 2017, at the age of 88. He was the founder of the Church of God in Taiwan, having continued to build 11 church buildings in mainland China (his homeland) from the church base in Taichung.
Pastor Chen also had a vibrant ministry among the underground Chinese house churches, which grew to over 3,000 weekly. He and many of his church members helped smuggle Bibles into China to thousands who had never owned a Bible in their lives. His local church gave liberally to World Missions so the Gospel could be propagated regularly in a country with millions of souls.
Regional superintendent of Southern Pacific, Tommy Smith said, “As a missionary, the Lord allowed me to meet many ‘generals’ of the faith that serve on the frontlines of God’s harvest field. Pastor Mark Chen was certainly one of those. He will be missed!”
Former missionary to Taiwan (1982-1992), Crystal Walker remembers Pastor Chen as an amazing man of many talents and gifts. She says: “Bless you, Pastor Chen, and may you now live in the presence of Jesus, who once brought you back from the dead only to give you life eternal later.”
Each year, Pastor Chen prepared a beautiful church calendar featuring his lovely Chinese calligraphy artwork (which ranks among the finest in the world) for Chinese Christians worldwide.
Mark Chen is survived by his wife, Ruth, three adult children (one of whom, David and his wife Cynthia, serves as the pastoral team and current Church of God representative), and six grandchildren.
Condolences to the Chen family may be posted to the family via David’s email, [email protected].
(Source: Church of God World Missions)
