China (MNN) — Relations between the United States and China have taken a hit this year, often fueled by rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has blamed China for the COVID-19 pandemic, often calling it the “China virus.” In addition, a trade war has been ongoing between the two countries since 2018.
This view of China has bled into American thought, says Roger Weaver, CFO of Bibles for China. He tells of a conversation he recently had with a friend. “He said he has no trouble with making contributions for the Scripture. But he said, ‘I don’t think I can give to the Chinese.’ And it really struck me hard as we’re coming out of all of this turmoil around the virus and everything going on politically, that there is this perception that the Chinese are grouped in one bucket of what you see in the press.”
(Photo courtesy of Bibles for China)
Weaver says this idea of what all Chinese are like couldn’t be farther from the truth. “If you get to be really close and friendly with the Chinese Christian brothers and sisters, [you find out they] are just like us. They work hard, they love the Lord, and they love their families. They go day to day, and want to live life just like we do.”
Bibles For China’s work
Bibles for China works to increase access to the Bible, especially for Christians in rural areas who have a hard time getting their hands on a copy.
Not being allowed into certain areas of China, Bibles for China relies on local Christian leaders and pastors to help.
Christians in China face a lot of pressure from the Chinese government. But Weaver says, “Just to give a perspective on the population in China, out of 1.4 billion people, they estimate around 100 million are followers of the Chinese Communist Party. It’s a minority group that is basically pushing their agenda on the rest of the population.”
Pray that through the efforts of Bibles for China and local partners, these Christians will have access to God’s Word. Weaver says, “Just yesterday, we received from our Chinese contacts photos of our latest Bible distribution. It’s just amazing to see the faces of these brothers and sisters receiving, many times, their first own copy of God’s Word.”
You can pitch in and support Bibles for China’s work by donating here.
The header image shows Chinese Christians gathered together to receive Bibles. (Photo courtesy of Bibles for China)
