Month: April 2014

Most missionaries are expected to return to their home base from time to time for rest, renewal, replenishing, and to do “deputation.” This means speaking in various churches or missions emphasis settings about missions in general and more specifically the kind of work we do “on the field.” In addition, the goal is to challenge the churches to join in the mission effort by engaging in prayer and financial support. Another goal is to “call out the called” by presenting the needs overseas and inviting prospective candidates to respond to the call as God leads them.  Here we are doing “deputation” with children at a church.

Some whose sending agencies do not pay them a salary must raise their own support, thus making the “furlough” that much more important. For those appointed by the International Mission Board (formerly Foreign Mission Board) not only did we receive a salary while on the field, we were also supported while we were stateside, preparing to return to the field. By requesting permission from our Board, missionaries could spend part of their furlough doing further study at an approved theological institution  It had been my dream to pursue a doctorate at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, and so I requested a “study furlough” for our first stateside assignment. Since I had done post-graduate work at New Orleans Baptist Seminary prior to appointment, I assumed that some of the courses would transfer to Southwestern. 

Dr and Mrs. James C McKinney

Upon arriving in the US following our first four years on the field, we were privileged to live on the campus of Southwestern while doing graduate study there. Fortunately, during our first term we hosted Dr. James C. McKinney and family as they stopped over in Taiwan en route to Hong Kong where he taught at the Baptist College there.


Dean McKinney with Music Campers

While visiting in Taiwan, Dean McKinney participated in our Summer Music Camp.


Since I had received my Masters in Church Music from Southwestern, and had done graduate work at New Orleans Seminary, I was exempted from taking entrance exams, and began taking classes immediately. Being back in an academic setting was very stimulating to me.

One of the many advantages for me to study at Southwestern was the opportunity to meet and learn from Dr. T.W. Hunt, professor of music missions.


Dr T.W. Hunt

His passion for using music in the missions enterprise was not only inspiring for me, but informational as well. He knew so many music missionaries and shared so much information with me that I was able to “hit the ground running” in making preparations for doing research for my dissertation.

So, in the fall of 1974, I began a journey toward my DMA, a journey that would take more than fourteen years to complete.

While Milton was busily engaged in the music culture of Taiwan, Nannette pondered what her ministry would be when our children became more independent, and eventually leave the island for college in the US. She did not have to ponder long, for God began opening doors for her. As our two MK’s studied at the Taipei American School, Nannette often visited the campus, befriending some of the teachers and becoming acquainted with the school and its objectives. On one of our stateside assignments, she enrolled in the Social Work program of study at Southwestern Baptist Seminary.
She focused on Family Counseling, later graduating from the Seminary and completing the requirements for certification as a social worker in Texas
This training opened up many opportunities to minister to the expat and Chinese communities.
She was encouraged to run for the TAS school board, and was elected, much to the consternation of some missionaries associated with Morrison School system. When TAS was seeking a new high school principal, she was involved in the selection process. Later, Taipei International Church set up a ministry to the expat community called “Gateway.” Later, a counseling center was established in connection with Gateway, a non-profit ministry for the expatriate community. It was named appropriately “Community Services Center” and Nannette was approved as one of the first counselors.
In addition to her ministry in the expat community, doors opened up for her within the missionary community as well. Because of her training and skills in counseling, she was often asked to travel to other Asian countries to assist with the needs of missionaries there. She was also called upon as a Bible teacher and speaker in Taiwan and in other Asian settings.

Although she was told she was not the first choice by our Administrator, she was asked to assume the position of Coordinator of the Language Orientation Center for our Baptist Mission. To her credit, she worked under some unique pressures from within our own mission. The Center actually had three locations, one each in Taipei, Taichung and in Kaohsiung, and was charged with the responsibility for preparing new missionaries to minister in Mandarin, Taiwanese and Hakka languages.
The main center was in Taipei, where we were living at the time, but the branches in the other cities demanded attention also, so Nannette frequently traveled down-island to deal with some of the unique challenges each center faced. Though separated by distance, she still had the full responsibility for teachers and curriculum for each location, a fact that some of the missionaries tended to forget or ignore. She also was responsible to the Mission Administrator, who in turn was subject to the Area Director and ultimately the International Mission Board. When guidelines were handed down from the Board through the Area Director and the Administrator, it was Nannette’s responsibility to see that they were adhered to, much to the dismay and disagreement by some of our missionaries, old and new alike.
It did not help that the Assistant Director (who was Chinese) understood that she had earlier been promised the position of Director. However, our Administrator preferred to work with missionary personnel, thus creating friction between the Director and Assistant from the beginning. Also, another missionary had aspirations to assume the position but was not chosen adding to the intrigue associated with LOC It was to Nannette’s credit that she was able to handle the pressures from the IMB as well as from within our Taiwan Baptist Missionary community, while assisting her husband with a new church start and assisting with counseling at the Community Services Center. She would credit her faith in God and the strength and wisdom that the Holy Spirit supplied that sustained her during her three year tenure at LOC.

Finally, the pressures began to take their toll, and she decided that it was time to relinquish her role as Director. She will never get the credit she deserves for guiding LOC through some very productive but challenging times, but her husband and others know the outstanding leadership she provided during those times, and many new missionaries received excellent training in language and culture due to her perseverance and skills as a leader.
When we were asked to assume responsibility for a new work in the gated community known as Long Shan Lin, located on the outskirts of Taipei, we moved there to begin the last phase of our ministry in Taiwan. But that story is reserved for the next post. Stay tuned!!!

Upon our arrival in Taiwan, it became evident that some of our missionaries and co-workers were  unclear as to what my role was to be. Before we left the US, our area director Dr Belote, had indicated that some of my responsibilities could include assisting churches with their music needs, teaching some classes at the Baptist Seminary, and working at times at Baptist Radio-TV Studio. So, Seminary staff expected me to spend my time there, the Radio TV ministry director wanted me to be there full-time, and of course those working with the churches were preparing for me to use my gifts and talents in that area of ministry. As it turned out, during our years in Taiwan, I did indeed work in all three areas, often during the same time period.
Pictures of Nannette and I in a village near Chaiyi. We used an autoharp to sing with the children. Missionary Bob Greene had invited us to accompany him to the village where he ministered.

To be truthful, I felt called to work directly with the churches, and focused my attention on their needs. Of course, I began working with the Studio while I was studying language, but at the same time, I responded to requests to assist with training for those directing the church’s choirs. While I had expected to be able to share my vocal talent in the worship of various churches, I was surprised that I was never invited to do so. When I asked why, a pastor informed me that they preferred the music of the choir, since no one person’s voice would stand out, tempting one to be prideful. I innocently asked “Then why do you only have one person to preach?” No answer was given in response. But when I was asked to preach in some of the churches, I did take advantage of the opportunity to establish good relationships with the pastors. And, at times Nannette and I were asked to sing for weddings.

After several  years on the field, I was formally invited by the Chairman of the Music Department at the Seminary to come direct the Seminary Choir. It proved to be a real challenge, since rehearsal time was after the last class period and prior to the evening meal, and every student was required to participate.. We had 45 minutes twice each week to prepare music for a Christmas program. Some of my most memorable experiences came from directing this group. From the first rehearsal to the final performance, it seemed each of the students was intent on giving their best effort for the Lord and for their school.
Due to their diligence, the group was able to achieve a high level of success, singing some of the choral classics as well as indigenous Chinese hymns, and a few compositions by Dr Chang, Music School Chairman. Below are some photos of the Seminary Music Building, and the Seminary Choir in rehearsal and singing for the Baptist Convention.

Later, I was asked by Dr Chang to teach a few courses in Church Music, taxing my language ability. The time came for Dr Chang to go to the US to pursue his doctorate. Imagine my surprise when I was invited to serve as Chairman of the Music School during his absence. What a responsibility! But Father demonstrated His love and mercy so that the school survived the intervening months until Dr. Chang returned with his diploma in hand. We all rejoiced, and I continued teaching part-time at the Seminary and directing the Seminary Choir.