5 Questions With...Samuel Tsai

1. How did you first get involved with Friendship Presbyterian? My first time visiting the FPC English service was back in November of 2013. I was invited by my good friend Yolanda Chang. Although this sounds like I have been attending for six years, in reality, I was traveling in and out of the country during my earlier years at FPC. I had not really committed yet, and I even spent sixteen months living in Vietnam before moving back in January of 2019. Not until a few months ago have I felt that God called me to FPC as my church in Taipei, and I have now become a member. I truly feel our church's doctrine and teachings resonate with my own beliefs about Christianity.

2. What do you do Monday through Saturday?  I am a project manager in charge of sales and project development for Formosa Ha Tinh Steel in Vietnam, which is one of the primary limestone contractor/suppliers. Their parent company in Taiwan is Formosa Plastics Group, which accounts for 70% of investment. They are building the biggest steel plant in South East Asia.

I don't work on Saturday, only Monday through Friday (9am-6pm) and no overtime. 

3. What is something people might be surprised to know about you?  I still keep a 1996-97 Upper Deck Kobe Bryant rookie card. Yes, I am an avid sports fan and a die-hard supporter of the Lakers, Dodgers, Rams, and UCLA. I was raised in Torrance, CA, which is located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles. I have an Evangelical background. My mother church in Torrance is called EFC of South Bay, which stands for Evangelical Formosan Church (it belongs to a Taiwanese Evangelical denomination in America). Three of my mom’s older brothers are pastors. 

4. What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today?  As a Christian conservative, I am in line with traditional morality and gospel-centered values. This brings me up against distinct social pressures in the Taiwan of 2019, where liberal and progressive politics seem to be ascendant. I strive to reach out to my LGBT neighbors with the love of Christ, so Taiwan’s recent decision to become the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage is very distressing. It reminds me that Christ’s kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36).

5. What is one of your favorite books of the Bible?  The Book of Psalms and the Book of Proverbs. I enjoy the Psalms, because it is a collection of prayers, hymns, and praises of our Lord. Much credit to King David as a brilliant poet! Also, Proverbs has been known as one of the Books of Wisdom. I find it fascinating. I believe David’s son, King Solomon, wrote most of it. My favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5-6.

Pictures from May (and a bit of June) - "Graduation" and Guest Speakers

Tera van Twillert of Pearl Family Garden addresses Finding Grace community group.

Youth Ministry “Graduation” (End-of-School-Year) Banquet

Dr. Diane Poythress addresses Finding Grace community group.

Dr. Vern Poythress addresses a general audience on the Book of Revelation.

Noteworthy Events

“Ascension” by J. Kirk Richards

• New Community Group: We are excited to announce the arrival of a new FPC community group! Fabulous Females of Friendship 2.0 is a gathering of middle-aged ladies who seek eternal fulfillment in Christ via Bible study, intercessions, laughs, tears, and spiritual support from one another. The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, 7:00-9:00pm, in room 001 of the church building. Click here for more information.

• Youth Group Weekly Gatherings - Fridays, 6:30-9:30pm: Our youth ministry provides a time of worship, Bible study, fellowship, and fun. We meet every Friday, 6:30-9:30pm, at 261 Roosevelt Road, 6th floor.

• New FPC Line News Group: We have a new FPC LINE news group where you can get all the latest information about FPC. You will not receive a bunch of messages from other people, only from FPC. You can also send prayer requests which will be received by the church leaders. To join, search for "@osv3181q" or scan this QR code.

• Monthly Prayer Group – Tuesday, May 14th, 7:30pm: FPC’s monthly prayer group, “The Engine Room,” meets regularly on the second Tuesday of each month. Accordingly, the May meeting will be held Tuesday, May 14th. Come join us for an evening of Kingdom-centered prayer. We gather at 7:30pm on the 4th floor of the church building and go into prayer from 7:45 to 9:00. All are welcome.

• Newcomers Welcome Lunch, May 19th, 1:15 – 2:45pm: If you or someone you know is new to FPC in the last two months, come join us for food and fellowship. It is a time to meet others who are new to the church and helps us get you connected to the life of the church. Pastor Kim himself will be there, and lunch is on us. You can register at the Newcomer Welcome table in the fellowship hall, or simply meet up with us on the 19th in Room 402 of the church building at 1:15pm.

• Finding Grace Group – Guest Speaker, May 26th, 2:00 – 4:00pm: Finding Grace will be hosting a guest-speaker, Dutch missionary Tera van Twillert. Tera works with OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship) and came to Taiwan in 1988. She served in a homeless ministry church-plant for 14 years and then, in 2006, started the Pearl Family Garden, a ministry to women in the sex industry in Taipei. All are welcome to attend. (Note--for this meeting only, the group will meet in room 802 in the 261 Roosevelt Road building).

• Spotlight on Service: Did you know that each Sunday Church Service at FPC takes an average of 28 individual acts of service? We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the 69 individuals who served FPC in April. If you would like to join our team of volunteers, please email deacons@friendshiptaipei.com.

• Vern Poythress Visit – June 2 – 9: Renowned evangelical scholar Dr. Vern Poythress and his wife, Dr. Diane Poythress, will return to Taiwan in early June. Vern will deliver the Sunday message on June 2nd and 9th and will host a lunchtime “table talk” on the 9th at 1:30pm on the subject of theophany (the visible appearance of God to people). Vern will also speak on the Book of Revelation at a special combined meeting of the Friday night T.G.I.F. community group and the weekly youth ministry group on the evening of Friday, June 7th, at 7:30pm, on the 6th floor of 261 Roosevelt Road. All are welcome.