When speaking to church leaders in China, the refrain we hear is always “we need more Bibles.”
It is a good problem to have. People are hungry for the word of God. Current Bible production cannot keep up with the growth of the church. And so, when we ask them what they need, Bibles are always on the list. But how can it be that after all these years, there is still a need for Bibles in China?
The more remote the area, the harder it is to get Bibles there. In the cities you can often buy Bibles from the state churches, but you must register all your personal details with the government, and you cannot get as many copies as you want. It is simply not enough to meet the need of the house churches and the missionaries who plant churches in unreached areas. It also poses a huge security risk to those who are part of the underground house churches.
In recent years, the shortage has also been caused by the destruction of Bibles during raids on churches—a common practice of the Chinese government. Not only do new Christians need Bibles, but also those who have had their Bibles confiscated need a replacement copy.
Helping the Chinese church get the Bibles they need has been part of BTJ’s ministry from the start. In closed countries, doors for engagement open and close, as we have seen in China several times. But when people have access to the word of God, the church can continue to thrive even when they are isolated from the wider family of God.
The Chinese church knows this and Christians cherish their Bibles, often memorizing long passages or even whole books of the Bible. They want the word of God to be in their heads and hearts, as well as in their hands.
We still have an open door to sponsor the underground printing of Bibles in China. It is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the church and spread the Word of God far and wide. If you feel you want to help with this, please donate to ‘Bible production’ on our website!
Bibles in China: A Good Problem is Still a Proble
