China (MNN) – Although persecution limits Christian activity in China, Bibles for China anticipates many years of Scripture distribution.
(Image courtesy of Bibles for China)
China’s suppression of religious freedom is not new. However, several recent arrests have thrown the issue back into the spotlight. These include the arrests of three individuals for distributing religious materials and six people involved with children’s Sunday school classes. Kurt Rovenstine with Bibles for China says that unfortunately, these results don’t come as a surprise. Unlike in the U.S., religious activities are tightly controlled, including Bible distribution and any religious activity involving minors.
“We can do that all day long, and it’s not a problem whatsoever, but these things are a problem in China. It does highlight the challenges of being a Christian in China. Whether it’s house church or registered church, or no church, just someone doing evangelism – trying to spread the Gospel, trying to be obedient to the Great Commission, and go into all the world and share the Gospel.”
Creativity and Boldness
Rovenstine says that often following Christ’s command to share the Gospel in challenging places involves creativity and boldness.
“When you look at the New Testament, and when the disciples began to preach, and the authorities started to push back, they said, ‘You can tell us what you want us to do and what the rules and regulations are, but we’re going to be obedient to Jesus and to the Holy Spirit. We’re going to obey God.’ I think that’s what some of these arrests are.
“People that are going, ‘We’re going to do our best to avoid arrest and trouble, but we’re going to do the work. We’ll try to be creative in the process, but our obedience is to a higher authority than the Chinese authority, to any worldly authority.’”
(Image courtesy of Bibles for China)
For Bibles for China, some of this creativity involves printing approved Bibles through Amity Press to be distributed in China, as well as printing Scripture and other materials in the U.S. These items can be given to Chinese people visiting the U.S. and Canada.
Rovenstine prays these materials might make their way back to help parents disciple and teach their children. So far, at border crossings, they haven’t seen patrols asking for single Bibles. So, the children’s Bibles especially might be able to go into the country to be shared. While children are not able to be discipled freely in group settings, so far parents have a bit more leeway.
“It’s the classes that are problematic, and the intentional discipleship. But for a parent to share their beliefs with their kids, that has not been challenged to my knowledge. It’s the organized programs that are problematic. So take giving that resource, book-by-book for those who are returning to visit families, is another way that we’re hoping that that is used.”
Continued Bible Distribution
While Bible distributions are controlled within China, Rovenstine thinks Bibles for China will be able to continue their work for the foreseeable future.
“I’m confident that there’s still many years of Bible distribution legally and openly through the registered church. It’s not adequate; there needs to be other avenues to meet the need, but we’ll continue to do that work with a Bible that we believe has integrity. We have the ability to legally distribute it through the registered church in rural areas for many years to come.”
(Image courtesy of Bibles for China)
There are a few reasons they believe they will be able to continue work. First, printing Bibles through Amity Press provides some economic benefit to the Chinese government. Second, Rovenstine notes that the tightening of the reins on religion is mostly about control.
“China is trying to control its population, not completely suppress every other thought other than communism. They want to be in control, but they’re okay if you think and believe things differently – as long as [they’re] in control.”
Pray for the Church
The challenges seem to be growing all the time. Rovenstine asks for prayer for believers. Some of those they know within the registered church have been arrested. They believe they are doing what is right eternally, but the everyday reality is difficult for families. Please pray for their comfort and peace. Please also pray for those who decide to push the envelope and openly challenge what is accepted. Pray that their choices are led by the Holy Spirit and are fruitful for God’s Kingdom. Pray also that the Bibles distributed through Bibles for China would reach many with the truth of the Gospel.
If you want to learn more or join the work of Bibles for China, click here.
Header photo courtesy of Bibles for China.
