Qaisul Takihunang (he/him/his) is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at the Pacific School of Religion (PSR). As a Taiwanese indigenous person of both Bunun and Paiwan heritage, Qaisul brings a rich cultural perspective to his studies and leadership roles. Growing up in an urban environment, he has firsthand experience with the challenges of navigating different cultural landscapes.
Raised in a family of Presbyterian pastors, Qaisul is familiar with church dynamics and the interpretation of Christianity across different cultural contexts. He holds a Master of Arts in Religion from Chung Yuan Christian University. His thesis, titled “The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and the Self-Identity of the Second-Generation Bunun Urban Indigenous by Autoethnography,” explored the self-identification processes of urban indigenous descendants. His research delved into the historical religious changes within the Bunun tribe, the establishment of urban indigenous churches, and their role in preserving cultural identity and fostering indigenous theology. He also holds a Master of Arts in Theology from Yu-Shan Theological College and Seminary and a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages in English from the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology.
Qaisul’s academic journey at PSR is inspired by Dr. Choan-Seng Song (C.S. Song), Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Theology and Asian Cultures, whose work in contextualizing Christian theology within Asian contexts has profoundly influenced Qaisul’s approach.
Growing up in Taiwan during a time of democratic progress and autonomy, Qaisul is no stranger to social movements for justice. Taiwan’s commitment to indigenous rights, welfare for the marginalized, and being the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage has deeply influenced his advocacy for inclusive and diverse theological education at PSR.
Currently, Qaisul is a representative for the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, California, United Church of Christ, an Open and Affirming church in the Northern California Nevada Region’s Pacific Islander & Asian American Ministries, broadening cultural awareness within the congregation.
As a student trustee representative, Qaisul communicates student experiences and collaborates with board members to support PSR’s mission. He values PSR’s commitment to radical inclusion, social justice, and leadership from marginalized communities, and fervently supports its stance against discrimination. By integrating his diverse experiences and cultural heritage, Qaisul aims to foster a theological education that equips future leaders to create a world where all can thrive.
“I began my Master of Divinity program at Pacific School of Religion in the Fall of 2023. What I enjoy most about my theological journey at PSR is moving beyond traditional metaphysical biblical studies to embrace a theology focused on human care and understanding. This approach is more grounded and opens my heart to embrace diverse perspectives from different cultural backgrounds while striving to create a world where all can thrive. Pacific School of Religion is a hybrid, multicultural, and inclusive community. Participating in the Community Life Council helps me focus on enhancing our collective learning experience and offering companionship to my fellow students.”