ZHEJIANG, China – 39-year-old Chen Yi* has served as a preacher in a local church in Taizhou for 11 years. His wife, also a full-time preacher, serves in a different local church in the same city. Currently enrolled in Zhejiang Theological Seminary’s two-year Pastoral Training Programme, Chen has completed programmes at East China Theological Seminary and Malaysia Bible Seminary.
Importance of Theological Training
Chen values all the training he has received. “Theological education is very important. The teachers have excellent biblical resources and specialise in different theological research areas, opening our minds through exposure to relevant materials.”
One would think, looking at the list of institutions he has trained at, that he would be well prepared for ministry. But Chen does not think so. “Personally, I feel that I am still not adequately equipped. Although I learnt a lot in seminary, when I returned to the local church, I felt a disconnect.”
Chen elaborates, “The local church needs simple and easy-to-understand teaching because many believers are not highly educated. Knowledge that is too profound is often not well-received. At the moment, many teaching materials are too difficult for them.” Nonetheless, preachers have to build up these believers’ Scriptural awareness for daily living through comprehensive sermons and Bible study. The ability to explain theological concepts in clear, simple terms is a skill that needs both training and experience to hone.
Continuing Professional Development
To meet such challenges, preachers like Chen need to continually enrich their biblical knowledge by sharing best practices in ministry with their peers. For this purpose, a two-day intensive course on Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible by Dr Yu Suee Yan was held at Zhejiang Theological Seminary on 30-31 October 2025.
Along with about 60 other participants, Chen was glad he attended the course. “It was very enlightening for me when Dr Yu discussed variations of certain biblical passages in different translations. For instance, he mentioned Psalm 23:5, ‘You prepare a table before me; You anoint my head with oil,’ could also be translated as “You treat me as an honoured guest.’ This made me realise how using different translations helps me gain more insight and understanding to the text during Bible study or personal devotion.
When I study the Bible more carefully and in greater depth, I realise what God is saying through the text is often different from what I assume. God has also used many of His servants to translate various Chinese versions of the Bible, including editions by United Bible Societies, which provide valuable references and help me know God better.”
Inspiring Change
Chen shares some post-training reflections and resolutions, “As a preacher in grassroot churches, once we get busy, we may become less thorough in our preparation for teaching. Having attended this course, I am reminded to place greater emphasis on God’s Word, especially in my preparation for sermons. This learning experience will definitely improve my preaching. It has already transformed some of my previous perspectives. In addition, when training volunteers, I will apply some of the methods taught by Dr Yu to challenge my co-workers’ original assumptions and biblical understanding, passing on what I have learned.”
Thanksgiving
Chen expresses his heartfelt thanks to God for bringing Dr Yu to Zhejiang and for the breakthrough in perspective he has brought to the participants. “I hope that in the future, more teachers can come to help us grow. Thanks to the United Bible Societies. We hope you can continue to support our school in the future!”
With greater support, more training conferences can be organised to equip and enable Christian workers to be better prepared and strengthened for the realities they face in the Church in China today.
*Name changed
Story: Angela Teo
Edited: UBSCP Communications Team
Photo: UBSCP
2026 © United Bible Societies China Partnership
