Bibles for China

What joy to distribute hundreds of Bibles to visiting tourists from mainland China! Most Chinese Christians have never had the privilege of owning a Bible. It is estimated that every Bible in China is read by 10 people. Despite years of persecution, between 6% – 8% of China is Christian. And the number continues to grow rapidly. The legalilzation of the Bible in China is a relatively new development. Chinese tourists are now allowed to bring a single copy of the Bible back into mainland China. Bibles can also be bought at Christian bookstores on the mainland. But the demand greatly exceeds the supply.

Despite legalization of the Bible, it is still difficult to be a Christian in China. All religions are strictly controlled by the government, and breaches of these restrictions have serious consequences. If you would like to know more, read the US State Department Report on Religious Freedom in China. Better yet, PRAY for Chinese Christians!

Westerners are at a loss to explain why the Gospel grows in countries like China where there is persecution but languishes in countries like Taiwan where there is complete r eligious freedom. But my Chinese missionary friend says that the explanation is simple. Most Chinese who decide to become Christians do so because they or one of their family or close friends, have experienced a miracle.