Reverend Chang spoke about the root of the problem saying: "When your parent or your grandparent dies you have to worship them, like a god. Most people in Taiwan think if you become a Christian you will not be allowed to worship your ancestor, so they are frightened about this. They think: If my kids want to be a Christian then if I die nobody will worship me, will remember me. So they try to persuade their kids not to become Christians."
Reverend Chang is a Council for World Mission missionary, and has been giving Bible studies to groups of students. The Bible studies are used to explain that Christianity is not fundamentally against the remembrance of ancestors.
The groups are attended by up to thirty people, some even coming from mainland China. Amongst the students, one has been baptised, whilst another wished to be but was stopped by family opposition.A hospitality scheme has also been set up by Chang; in an attempt to link students with British host families. The students meet the families through a welcome party and then invite each other to meals. Through this the students can learn about British culture, and make friendships which will last long after they return home.
Chang has worked at the combined Methodist, Baptist, Anglican and United Reformed church in Manchester since 2003, although he himself comes from the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.
