January 20, 2026
On Saturday, January 10, the Bible Society in Taiwan (BST) marked a significant milestone with a joyful 70th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service held at Shilin Presbyterian Church in Taipei.
On a bright and cool winter morning, the thanksgiving service launched a year of celebration under the theme “United in the Word of God, Light and Salt in the World.”
Throughout 2026, four thanksgiving services will be held across the country to commemorate the 70th anniversary, including:
- Northern Taiwan (Taipei): January 10
- Eastern Taiwan (Hualien): April 25
- Central Taiwan (Taichung): August 1
- Southern Taiwan (Kaohsiung): October 3
On January 10, staff, Board members, partner churches, and believers gathered for the first of the four services to give thanks for seven decades of Bible ministry in Taiwan through BST.
A time of worship was led with hymns and music by the Taipei Oratorio Choir, the Hakka Team, and the Sign Language Team, reflecting BST’s commitment to making Scripture accessible across languages, cultures, and communities.
Reflecting on the anniversary’s significance, Rev. Shou-Hui Chung (pictured), BST General Secretary, emphasised that the celebration is “…not merely about commemorating the history of an organization, but about offering thanksgiving to God and responding anew to His calling for the future.”
Watch the service livestream:
Note: Service held in Traditional Chinese.
Rev. Chung described the anniversary as “a testimony to God’s faithfulness,” noting that BST has journeyed through post-war rebuilding, social change, and rapid technological development. Not by human strength alone, but by God’s grace.
The anniversary also reaffirmed BST’s core priorities of Bible translation and distribution, according to Rev. Chung:
“From the Chinese Union Version to the Revised Chinese Union Version and the Today’s Chinese Version, from Amoy Romanized Bible to the Today Taiwanese Bible, and the Scriptures in Indigenous languages, the Bible Society in Taiwan has continually responded to the needs of the times—bringing God’s Word to people in languages they can truly understand.”
With celebrations spanning organisation life of 70 years, it is an opportunity to honour those whose dedication built the foundation upon which BST’s success now rests.
“From translation consultants and biblical scholars to editors, staff members, and the churches and believers who have faithfully supported the work, the fruit of these seventy years is the result of generations of quiet dedication. This anniversary is an opportunity to honour those who have served without seeking the spotlight.”
Rev. Chung also shares that this milestone leads BST to turn its attention to the future:
“We look back on seventy years so that we may ask an even more important question: In a new generation, with new media and new cultural contexts, how will we continue to ensure that everyone can encounter the Word of God?”
Life and Faith in Taiwan
Cultural life in Taiwan is a rich blend of historically Chinese heritage, indigenous traditions, and modern democratic values.
The majority of the population (approximately 90%) practices a form of religion which blends Buddhism, Taoism and folk religion. Many subtleties exist between varying groups. Practices are often centred on temple worship, reverence of ancestors, and festivals that honour local deities.
Despite its status as a minority religion, Christianity has played a significant role in Taiwan’s social development, particularly through education, healthcare, and advocacy for human dignity.
Both Protestant and Catholic communities are active across the island, including among Indigenous communities where Christianity has taken deep root. Taiwan’s strong legal protections for religious freedom allow faith communities to worship openly and contribute positively to society, making the island a place where multiple religious traditions coexist socially.
Information supplied by the Bible Society in Taiwan team.
