China to get 2.5m Bibles this year

Adapted from a report by Kua Wee-Seng, Asia Opportunity Coordinator

NANJING, China — The China Christian Council (CCC) hopes to distribute 2.5 million Bibles to Christians across the country this year through an expanded distribution network funded through the UBS global expansion effort, Opportunity 21 (O-21).

Although there are now 70 Bible distribution centres across the country, these are mostly located in urban areas, and O-21 is providing vehicles to transport Scripture materials to churches and Christians in remote rural areas. (Please see World Report 357 for more information.)

Last year, two million Bibles and New Testaments were printed by the Amity Printing Company for distribution by the CCC. The CCC also distributed 743,000 Scripture Selections and 633,000 Scripture calendars. Scripture calendars are particularly popular among Chinese Christians who display them in their homes as a witness to non-Christian family and friends.

The Amity Printing Company (APC) also provided 123,000 Bibles and New Testaments for the China Catholic Church and 796,000 Scriptures for overseas orders.

Daily reading

Other developments in Bible work in China include the publication by the CCC of Meditation by a Stream – a compilation of daily Scripture passages.

Using text from the Today’s Chinese Version (TCV) Bible, which is simpler than the more popular Chinese Union Version, it is hoped that the new publication will promote the daily reading of God’s Word as well as encourage more use of the TCV.