Conversion, acculturation, revitalization: The history of Fataan Presbyterian Church in Kwangfu, Taiwan, 1934-1994

Fataan, also called Kwangfu, is an Amis community of approximately 3,200 people on the East Coast of Taiwan. The Amis tribe is descended from immigrants from China and/or Southeast Asia, dating as far back as 1,500 B.C. Conversion to Christ among members of this community began in 1934 and mushroomed after the end of World War II. In 1982 Fataan Presbyterian Church experienced revitalization through the influence of the Central Full Gospel Church in Seoul, Korea, and the Miaoli Prayer Mountain in Taiwan.; This study seeks to trace the historical, sociological, and theological forces which prepared the Amis at Fataan for conversion. Persons who became leaders of the Fataan Church are introduced, together with their successes and failures and the impact they had upon their community and others.; Through interviews and library sources this paper traces the events of the sixty year history of this congregation: (1) Persecution during the Japanese period; (2) Conflict with indigenous cultural practices and "power encounters" which demonstrated Christianity's superiority; (3) Conflict with the Roman Catholic Church; (4) Spread ofthe Gospel among all ages; (5) Industrialization, acculturation, and out-migration of youth; (6) Disillusionment and searching for renewal; (7) Revitalization through the Charismatic Movement; (8) Changes in beliefs, styles of worship, and witness; (9) Reaction by others to the movement; (10) Integration of Pentecostal themes into Presbyterian faith and life.; Conclusions of this study are: (1) Fataan's Revitalization Movement is both a cultural and a spiritual phenomenon, showing a desire to strengthen Amis cultural and social ties, and to experience fullness in the Christian life; (2) The movement is being integrated into Fataan's Presbyterian heritage with a measure of success; (3) Although the dangers of a return to shamanism and pre-Christian "spirit-movements" are present in indigenous societies, Fataan Church is showing spiritual perceptiveness and vigor to resist errors, and to fulfill its Reformed Heritage--"always reforming."...