|
SANTA ANA, CA (March 11, 2003) - In June 2002, a house church leader
was asked by Open Doors about the need for Bibles in China. This is what he said:
"In the past, we had very few Bibles, and the people insulted our faith. When we
walked past, some people would insult and mock us. For the past many years, you (Open
Doors) provided Bibles to us. More turned to the Lord. We have eight percent of the
population as Christian now.
"Eight percent! Now more people turn to the Lord. We have some changes. The people -
it's not like the past - no longer look down on us, and even they desire and want to
become part of us. To believe in Christ in China now is a reality; to be honoured is to be
a Christian. Because of that, China will open up further. Our country does not look down
on us any more because the church is a powerful group. They cannot overlook us because we
are eight percent. So I believe the opening up will be very fast.
"This changed situation is a result of the many years you provided Bibles to us. I
want to speak on behalf of the church of China to thank you and your headquarters and your
people for the years of helping us. We want you to continue to provide Bibles to us. Even
though now many have a Bible, every year we have so many new believers that come to the
church and don't have Bibles. Many times the Public Security Bureau will come and
confiscate and take away all our Bibles. Plus, many evangelists are on the road, and their
Bibles get ruined from rain and wear and tear. We still need a lot of Bibles!"
This year Open Doors is committed to supplying our persecuted brothers and sisters in
China with over 2 million Bibles, Bible reference books, training manuals for church
leaders, Sunday School curricula, hymnals and Children's Bibles. Last year Open Doors
distributed 2.7 million Bibles and other materials worldwide, with many of those books
going to China.
"While there are enough Bibles available to Three-Self Patriotic Church (official)
members due to the printing efforts of Amity Press inside China, most Christians in China
- estimated at 60 to 80 million - gather in small unofficial house churches scattered all
across the country" says Open Doors USA President/CEO Terry Madison. "I have met
many Chinese house church believers who are hungry for a Bible.
"Many of them - especially those living in remote countryside areas - simply do not
have access to Bibles or can not afford to purchase Scriptures. Christian ministries like
Open Doors are helping to supply the requests for Bibles, Children's Bibles, Study Bibles,
hymnbooks and other materials."
Madison adds that an estimated 10,000 to 25,000 people are coming to the Lord each day in
China. "Obviously there is a tremendous need for the Word of God and other Scriptural
helps which is not being met due to the explosive growth of the Christian faith in
China."
An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer persecution for their faith in
Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination for being Christian. Open
Doors, founded in 1955 by Brother Andrew, author of the best-selling book, "God's
Smuggler," seeks to serve and strengthen the Persecuted Church in the world's most
difficult areas through training, literature distribution, community development and
personal encouragement. To partner with Open Doors call 949-752-6600, go to its USA web
site at www.opendoorsusa.org or write Open Doors with Brother Andrew, PO Box 27001, Santa
Ana, CA 92799.
|
