Rev. Szuhsing Mao’s Brief Autobiography
I was born in the warm and passionate southern part of Taiwan—Kaohsiung. In my family, I am the fourth child. During my upbringing, my parents always reminded me: “Be down-to-earth and work hard on your own, so that others will respect you.” This phrase became my life motto.
Fortunately, I grew up in a God-loving family. My mother led our family worship every week, where we sang hymns, prayed, and memorized Bible verses. She strictly required every child in the family to attend Sunday School and Sunday worship services.
As I grew older, I served as a deacon in the church. At that time, my greatest aspiration was to become an elder because I thought elders had authority over pastors, which I mistakenly believed was an honorable position. However, I never became a ruling elder; instead, I entered seminary. After graduating, I was ordained as a pastor and later became a teaching elder. All of this was by the grace of the Lord—thanks be to God for His indescribable gifts.
During my university years, I developed a love for Western literature and philosophy, which led to my growing interest in theology. Later, I attended Tainan Theological Seminary, where I studied religious philosophy and then pursued a Master of Divinity degree at the seminary’s graduate school.
During my time at Tainan Theological Seminary, I served as the Student Association President, a role that was highly challenging. It required me to learn communication and leadership skills, acting as a bridge between students and the administration. Essentially, it was a role of “building bridges.”
I have a particular interest in Old Testament Wisdom Literature and the Prophetic Movements of Israel. My thesis was titled “Exploring the Role and Spirit of Prophets through Israel’s Prophetic Movements.” That year, I received the First-Class Thesis Award for my paper. Throughout my pastoral ministry, my sermons have often drawn from wisdom literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job) and the prophetic books.
One significant experience in my ministry was serving in my first pastoral church in Taiwan, which was in a rural area. I ministered there for over five years and was ordained as a pastor during that time. The church had already been established for 60 years, but I was its first resident pastor. I remained there until I left for further studies at San Francisco Theological Seminary in the United States.
While studying for my Doctor of Ministry degree at San Francisco Theological Seminary under the Presbyterian Church (USA), my dissertation focused on “How to Share God’s Wisdom from the Pulpit in Immigrant Churches.” This study examined the challenges and hopes of immigrants. Later, while serving in Chinese churches, I applied what I had learned to nurture and equip believers in various ways.
While pastoring in the U.S., I also taught part-time at seminary and later returned to Taiwan to teach in theological institutions, where I had meaningful interactions with students.
Now, having been in pastoral ministry for over 30 years, I am stepping into a new chapter of life, filled with gratitude as I witness the birth of “House of Light”! This church was established through God’s calling, carrying the mission to create a spiritual home filled with love and truth, helping more people come to know Christ and receive the light and hope of life. “House of Light” is a church full of contemporary appeal and vitality, engaging with current events and responding to the needs of the times. Through innovative, interesting, and inspiring activities, we aim to connect faith with everyday life, offering people a place of spiritual belonging and opportunities for growth.
I am blessed with a gentle and kind wife, a daughter who is married with children, and a son who is also a pastor, serving in a church in New York. I am also grateful for my three wonderful grandchildren.
Thank you for taking the time to read my autobiography.
Email : szuhsingm222@gmail.com
卯思興牧師自傳
我出生於台灣南部溫暖熱情的城市——高雄。我在家中排行第四。從小，父母經常提醒我：「腳踏實地，努力耕耘，別人才會尊重你。」這句話成為我一生的座右銘。
很幸運地，我在一個敬畏上帝的家庭中成長。母親每週帶領我們家庭禮拜，唱詩、禱告、背誦聖經經文。她對我們要求極為嚴格，所有孩子都必須參加主日學和主日崇拜。
隨著年齡的增長，我在教會擔任執事。當時，我最大的心願是成為長老，因為我誤以為長老的權柄比牧師還大，這是一個極其尊貴的職分。然而，我從未成為治會長老，反而蒙神帶領進入神學院。畢業後，我被按立為牧師，後來成為教導長老。這一切都是神的恩典——感謝神所賜無法言喻的恩賜！
在大學時期，我對西方文學與哲學產生濃厚興趣，這也引領我對神學的探索。之後，我進入台南神學院，主修宗教哲學，並在研究所攻讀道學碩士學位。
在台南神學院就讀期間，我擔任學生會會長。這是一個極具挑戰性的職分，需要學習溝通與領導技巧，成為學生與校方之間的橋樑。本質上，這是一項「搭橋」的角色。
我對舊約的智慧文學與以色列先知運動特別感興趣。我的碩士論文題目為《從以色列先知運動探討先知的角色與精神》。該論文獲得當年度的第一名優秀論文獎。在牧會過程中，我的講道經常引用智慧文學（箴言、傳道書、約伯記）及先知書。
我牧會生涯中一個重要的經歷，是在台灣鄉村的一間教會服事超過五年，並在此期間被按立為牧師。這間教會已建立60年，而我是第一任駐堂牧師。我一直服事至赴美進修，進入美國舊金山神學院（San Francisco Theological Seminary）攻讀教牧學博士學位。
在舊金山神學院攻讀博士期間，我的論文主題是《如何在移民教會的講壇上分享上帝的智慧》。這項研究探討移民信徒的挑戰與盼望。在北美華人教會牧會時，我應用所學來的神學知識培育和裝備信徒。
在美國牧會期間，我也兼職教授神學課程，後來返回台灣，進入神學院任教，與學生有許多寶貴的交流與互動。
如今，牧會已逾30年，我即將迎接人生新的篇章，滿懷感恩地見證「光之家」的誕生！這間教會因神的呼召而設立，承載著建立一個充滿愛與真理的屬靈家園的使命，幫助更多人認識基督，領受生命的光與盼望。「光之家」是一間充滿時代感與活力的教會，關心社會時事，回應時代需求，並透過創新、有趣且具啟發性的活動，讓信仰與生活緊密結合，使更多人能在這裡找到屬靈的歸屬與成長的契機。
我蒙神賜予一位溫柔善良的妻子，一個已婚的女兒並育有子女，以及一個兒子，他目前在美國紐約的教會擔任牧師。我也十分感恩能擁有三個可愛的孫子孫女。
感謝您花時間閱讀我的自傳！
卯思興牧師
Email: szuhsingm222@gmail.com
Rev. Szuhsing Mao 卯思興牧師 