A Virginia couple planning to serve at a Mennonite hospital in Taiwan will renew a connection between Taiwanese and North American Christians.

Caleb and Stephanie Schrock-Hurst shared about their upcoming ministry with Mennonite Christian Hospital in Hualien, Taiwan, on Nov. 9 at Weavers Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Va.

Their roles, to begin in the spring, are coordinated through Mennonite Mission Network and Virginia Mennonite Missions.

Founded in 1948, Mennonite Christian Hospital grew from a mobile clinic into a facility with 500 beds, 1,000 staff members and a commitment to holistic care and serving the underprivileged.

The hospital and the Taiwanese Mennonite Church have had connections with MMN and its workers for a long time, but no MMN workers have served in Taiwan in the 21st century.

Mennonite Christian Hospital reached out to MMN with renewed interest in two-way mission.

The Taiwanese Mennonite Church, established in 1954, consists of 22 congregations.

The Schrock-Hursts’ assignment includes involvement in a congregation where they may serve in youth ministry and work throughout the week at the hospital.

Caleb Schrock-Hurst is a ­pastor, and Stephanie Schrock-Hurst is a nurse. She has worked as an adjunct professor at Eastern Mennonite University. He has worked for Virginia Mennonite Conference in church relations, racial justice and equality.

The Nov. 9 fundraising dinner was a time for people to learn about the Schrock-Hursts’ upcoming work. They have reached 30% of their $167,000 fundraising goal for a two-year term in Taiwan.

Virginia Mennonite Missions ­contributed to this report.­