Get to Know Elijah Chen

Ministry Description

This summer in Taichung Taiwan, I will be a missionary through the avenue of teaching English classes to college students who come through the SYME summer intensive English program. On that front, I will teach advanced English courses to the students that come through as well as also teaching bible classes to them on top of that. Through this opportunity, I hope to make it fun and develop close relationships with the students. The courses themselves will be very intentionally geared towards Christ while also maintaining a high quality level of professional development when it comes to improving their vernacular and overall English competency. It is just as much my mission to equip them for the cutthroat job market that awaits as it is to share the gospel. On my off days, I may go to see family that lives in the area. A good number of them are not believers, so pray that God will give me opportunities to not just share my faith with these students, but also with my own relatives.

Learn more about the ministry in Taiwan.

About Elijah

Launch Date: June 19th, 2025
Return Date: September 1st, 2025

One year after becoming a Christian in November of 2020, I finished reading the Bible cover to cover for the first time--and I did it in 4 months! For context, that summer of 2021 was filled with grief for me--I had just got out of a deeply painful and unhealthy relationship, broken by both how I had been used and how I had not stood up for myself. I needed answers.

And boy did I get answers, but a call to missions was not what I was expecting as I closed Revelation to say the least! I wrestled with God over it for months, afraid of giving up control. But eventually the Spirit led me to Thailand in 2022. Looking back, that was one of the most heartbreaking experiences for me as I saw the brokenness of a world up close and personal, but it was also one of the most beautiful seasons too because I saw so clearly how the Gospel can change lives and build resilience in the most shattered people. So coming back home, I prayed and concluded that perhaps I should give missions another go around starting with another summer abroad, and finally a semester/full academic year abroad--both with much more intentionality to discern if this is where God is calling me. After all, what have I to lose?

That brings us to today. This summer in Taiwan is a major part of that discernment process as God reveals more and more the unique gifts he has given me and whether this is the type of work he has prepared for me in the future. I know I want to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven expanding to the far reaches of the world, and it seems that in this season, overseas missions is the race I am to run.

So I humbly ask, will you join me in spreading this message of healing and hope across to the other side of the world?

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:23-25

Contact Information

elijahmchen@gmail.com

Address:
Elijah Chen
Word of Life Taiwan
PO Box 600
Schroon Lake, NY 12870