Playing Soccer at Tao Fong Shan?

Playing Soccer at Tao Fong Shan? It may sound like crazy! A Christian retreat center nestled among mountains, steeped in serene and sacred atmosphere — isn’t it a place meant only for birdsong, quiet contemplation, prayer, and spiritual reflection?
But in fact, Tao Fong Shan once had — a football field!

According to Tao Fong Magazine(Vol. 4, No. 2, p.26), as early as the early 20th century, students of the seminary class at Tao Fong Shan would gather every afternoon at 4pm for outdoor labor. Not only did they dig and build paths, but they also carved out a football field and a nearby swimming pool with their own hands. This field was located in an eastern valley of the mountain, surrounded by lush greenery, with mountain spring water gently flowing into the pool — a refreshingly tranquil environment, a “spiritual version of a sports ground.” On summer afternoons, students played Soccer and swam, strengthening their bodies while nourishing their souls.

And it wasn’t just the students. The teachers also led by example. Tao Fong Magazine (Vol. 1, No. 1) records that Pastor Wang Ching Ch’ing , in addition to teaching Chinese, arithmetic, and hygiene, would join the students at 5 p.m. daily to work in the gardens. He also actively participated in sports like table tennis and Soccer . He often told the students: “A sound body is the foundation of academic pursuit.” His emphasis on health and physical well-being still offers us food for thought today.

Though the football field no longer exists at Tao Fong Shan, that chapter of history — where faith permeated daily life, and where spiritual formation and physical training were equally valued — still echoes gently in the mountain breeze.