From 27 to 31 March 2025, an 11-member delegation from United Bible Societies (UBS) visited Jiangsu province in China. The delegation comprised representatives from: Danish Bible Society (Nanna Endahl Jorgensen, Communications Manager, and Katrine Lund Soerensen, Fundraiser); German Bible Society (Silke Gabrisch, International Program Manager); Norwegian Bible Society (Kari Fure, Director of Bible Mission, Ann-Catherine Olsaker Kvistad, Head of Fundraising, and Dan Aksel Jacobsen, Bible Engagement Specialist); UBS Global Mission Team (Oana Romocea, Head of Communications); UBS Global Patrons Fellowship (Harriet Compston, Editorial Director); and UBS China Partnership (Bernard Low, Co-Director, May Ang, Communications Manager, and Liberty Chen, Project Manager).
Besides meeting with our Chinese church partners and attending a church service at Huai’an, the delegation also visited Jiangsu Theological Seminary, Amity Printing Company and the Hudson Taylor Memorial in Zhenjiang.
It was an eye-opening and inspiring trip for the delegates as they witnessed God’s work among the churches in China. We give thanks to God for the warm hospitality of our hosts and praise God for moving the hearts of the delegates to persevere in supporting China’s churches in their Bible ministries.
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The UBS delegation at Jiangsu Theological Seminary (JSTS) where they were warmly received by Rev Shi Li, Vice President of Jiangsu Christian Council & JSTS (front row, 3rd from left), and Rev Zhang Kequan, Vice President of JSTS (front row, 2nd from right).
The UBS delegation had a fruitful exchange with church and ministry partners from Jiangsu Christian Council & Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) and JSTS.
The UBS delegation listening intently as a staff member of JSTS shares about the resources in the library of the Seminary.
The UBS delegation was warmly welcomed at Amity Printing Company (APC) in Nanjing. Receiving them were Mr Liu Lei, CEO of APC (centre), and fellow staff members of APC.
(Photo credit: APC)
It was eye-opening for the UBS delegates to get a tour of APC, the world’s largest Bible printing press.
(Photo credit: APC)
Silke Gabrisch, International Program Manager of German Bible Society (left), holding a printed sheet of pages of the Bible.
(Photo credit: Dan Aksel Jacobsen, Norwegian Bible Society)
Kari Fure, Director of Bible Mission (right), and Ann-Catherine Olsaker Kvistad, Head of Fundraising, of Norwegian Bible Society, wrapping their arms around two rolls of Bible paper that are used for printing Bibles at APC.
(Photo credit: APC)
The UBS delegates learning about the Bible printing process from Mr Carter Chen, Assistant to the CEO of APC (far left).
(Photo credit: APC)
It was such a privilege for the UBS delegates to visit APC and get an insight of the Bible production process. The live update of the number of Bibles being printed is shown on the screen behind them – more than 276 million Bibles as of 28 March 2025 (38 years after APC was first established in 1987.)
(Photo credit: APC)
The UBS delegates visited Xuande Church at Zhenjiang where they were warmly welcomed by Wu Mingcheng, Deputy Director of Zhenjiang Ethnic & Religious Affairs Bureau (front row, centre), Zhang Sen, Director of the Religious Affairs Division of Zhenjiang Ethnic & Religious Affairs Bureau (front row, 2nd from left), Rev Qi Xiujuan, Chairman of Zhenjiang TSPM (front row, 3rd from left), and Rev Ding Jianjun, Secretary General of Zhenjiang TSPM (front row, far left).
The Hudson Taylor Memorial, located in Xuande Church, was opened in 2018 to remember missionary Rev James Hudson Taylor who came to China in 1853. Zhenjiang was one of Rev Taylor’s early missionary outposts and it became the head office of the China Inland Mission in 1868.
Imprinted on the wall is a quote from the late Hudson Taylor: “If I had a thousand pounds, China should have it. If I had a thousand lives, China should have them. No! Not China, but Christ. Can we do too much for Him? Can we do enough for such a precious Saviour?”
The UBS delegates at Huai’an Christian Church on a Sunday morning
The UBS delegates worshipping with Chinese believers at Huai’an Christian Church
(Photo credit: Jiangsu CC&TSPM)
Joyful members of the traditional Chinese instrument ensemble at Huai’an Christian Church
(Photo credit: Dan Aksel Jacobsen, Norwegian Bible Society)
Believers communing with the Lord during the Sunday worship service at Huai’an Christian Church
(Photo credit: Dan Aksel Jacobsen, Norwegian Bible Society)
After the church service, the UBS delegation posed for a group photo with the leaders of Huai’an Christian Church, holding a banner showing a timeline of key events of the Bible - a resource developed by the Norwegian Bible Society.
Visiting the bookstore at Huai’an Christian Church where churchgoers can purchase Bibles and other resources to support them in their spiritual growth
A churchgoer (left) enquiring about a Life Application Bible at the bookstore
(Photo credit: Dan Aksel Jacobsen, Norwegian Bible Society)
The UBS delegates at Zhangma Christian Church in Huai’an Industrial Park
The unwavering faith of the Chinese Christians and their deep hunger for God’s Word greatly encouraged the UBS delegates on this trip, and it is our prayer that we will continue to support China’s churches in their mission to avail the Bible to everyone who needs it.
(Photo credit: Dan Aksel Jacobsen, Norwegian Bible Society)
