May 29, 2000
University Ringers a resounding success
in Taiwan mission venture
___DALLAS--A recent tour of Dallas Baptist University's 15-member handbell choir to Taiwan has been hailed as a ringing success--and not just because of the quality of the musical performances.
___In addition to performing eight concerts at universities and high schools, the DBU students had many opportunities to share their Christian faith one-on-one with individuals they met, said Ed Spann, dean of the College of Fine Arts and director of the University Ringers.
A DBU STUDENT explains the plan of salvation during the school's bell choir's recent trip to China.
___The trip also had a life-changing effect on one of the handbell choir's members who is from Taiwan.
___Annie Tai professed faith in Jesus Christ during the trip, as she helped translate for the group. "Since she was the only student who spoke Chinese, she immediately began to witness to her own people," Spann said. "Her testimony was very effective."
___Several of the other DBU students engaged Tai in a discussion about her beliefs when the group visited a Buddhist temple.
___She later began reading a Gideon Bible the group was handing out. The Bible was pre-marked to present an orderly presentation of Scriptures about salvation.
___Another student had a unique opportunity for witness on the plane flight to Taiwain. Paul Thorogood of Garland, who is studying Chinese at DBU, was scheduled to preach at True Light Baptist Church in Taipei during the trip. During the flight over, he involved a non-Christian seatmate from Taiwan in helping correct the language of his manuscript.
THE UNIVERSITY RINGERS of Dallas Baptist University pose in front of the Taiwanese tomb of the unknown soldier in Taipei. Their recent concert tour in Taiwan combined ministry and music, resulting in at least 32 professions of faith in Christ.
___By the end of the trip, the DBU students had registered 32 first-time professions of faith in Christ.
___Spann said the choir's musical performances were well-received also. "Because of the uniqueness of English handbells, the technical mastery of the playing of 61 bells and the variety of the repertoire, the group was very well-received."
___The ringers prepared a compact disc of their music which they distributed at all the schools they visited. At one school, the CD has been played over the public address system, Spann said.
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