"I will be a committed Christian as long as you won't make me a missionary." That was Debbie Dodd's prayer in junior high as she recommitted her life to God. It wasn't until she had graduated from college, that she unwillingly began to sense God's call toward missions. It took a 2 1/2 year short-term mission in Palau, Micronesia, for her to recognize the wisdom of God's will.

Peter Dodd grew up in a Christian home and always thought missionaries were the super-Christians. He didn't even consider going into ministry until after he graduated from college. While studying at seminary, he was challenged by his Hebrew professor to consider being a missionary. After talking with his pastor and other good friends, he decided super-Christians were rare even among missionaries. Though still not counting himself among the super-Christians, he could consider being a missionary. So he married his professor and they were appointed to Taiwan in 1993.

During the last 50 years, God has caused the Chinese church to explode, multiplying at least 50 times. Yet there have been minimal opportunities for leadership to be trained. It is that lack of trained leadership that burdens the Dodds. And they have been excited in even the few years they have been in Taiwan to see the church in Taiwan begin to get a burden for Chinese around the world.

Peter and Debbie arrived in Taiwan in 1995. After language training, they ministered with Taichung Baptist Church, an urban church. Besides learning the culture and church situation, they were also able to help mentor several church leaders. During that time they also led an evangelistic English Bible study with university students who were so eager to speak English that they were even willing to study the Bible. Debbie had the opportunity to train leaders at Central Taiwan CB Seminary in Hsilo.

During the Dodds' second term, they have been ministering at Tzetong Baptist Church, a newly planted church in a rural area. Their primary ministry has been nurturing the leadership of that church to enable it to be a thriving church. Peter has also been mentoring leaders in nearby churches. Debbie continues to disciple future church leaders at Central Taiwan CB Seminary in Hsilo, teaching Bible, Hebrew, Greek and English.

Both Peter and Debbie have also been involved in a variety of outreach ministries in the area, largely using English as the means to encourage interest in the gospel. Peter also coordinates short- term ministry for the field.