China – The Church in China is blessed with passionate church leaders and Bible teachers eager to deepen their biblical knowledge and understanding for the building up of the Body of Christ. However, access to comprehensive Bible study resources is a significant challenge. Limited availability, costs, and logistical barriers often prevent preachers, especially those in rural churches, from deepening their biblical insight.
Thankfully, when God calls, He also equips.
In 2025, students and teachers of a Bible Training Centre (BTC) in southwest China joyfully received a stack of much-needed Bible resources provided by the local Christian Council & Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Church with support from the United Bible Societies (UBS).
Zhao Yuntian, a 40-year-old BTC teacher, recounted the moment these treasured tools arrived. "Receiving these resources filled me with immense gratitude," he shared, adding that the lack of Bible study tools had been a challenge for him both as a student in the past and now as a teacher.
"These books are not just tools; they are invaluable for personal and communal spiritual well-being," he reflected, appreciating how the Chinese Study Bible (CSB), which contains study notes translated and adapted from Crossway’s English Standard Version (ESV) Study Bible, and various other exegetical books have profoundly strengthened his teaching and personal faith journey.
For Zhu Xiaoxiao, a 36-year-old student and third-generation Christian, these books offer hope and inspiration. "We were overjoyed to have such resources freely given to us, which was beyond our expectations," she said, noting that the books are hard to obtain and costly for most of them. In addition to personal growth, these tools boost her ability to lead worship and preach clearly and effectively.
Chen Yicheng, 29, saw a deeper significance in the gift. "It is like being embraced by a wider community of believers," he explained. What’s more, the Bible study tools, especially the CSB with detailed maps, brought Scripture to life, making it more relatable and enriching for study and ministry.
25-year-old Zhan Weihao added that access to invigorating Bible study tools is crucial for engaging young Christians and equipping them for future ministry.
"It's about empowering future church leaders, providing them with the tools to navigate and impart the complexities of faith"
The BTC community is deeply grateful for the gift. "These books have not just met our immediate needs; they have knitted us closer as a body of Christ, sharing and learning together," Zhao shared.
The impact of this support extends beyond the confines of the BTC. "It's about empowering future church leaders, providing them with the tools to navigate and impart the complexities of faith," Chen observed.
Zhan, echoing the broader implications, added, "This support isn't just for us; it's an investment in the kingdom of God for the spread of the gospel far and wide."
This generous act of giving and its resulting impact are a powerful demonstration of how the bonds within the church, and the nurturing of its future leaders, can be strengthened.
In the words of Zhao, who has witnessed the blessing brought by such book gifts since 2022, "We are deeply thankful for our brothers and sisters' dedication. May God bless them abundantly, just as they have blessed us."
Your sponsorship fuels our mission to spread God's Word and empower believers across generations. Recognising the ongoing need for biblical resources to support local churches in China, we invite you to join us in prayer and contribute to making a lasting impact. Together, through prayer and action, we can address this vital need and create meaningful change.
Story: Marcus Xiao
Edited by Angela Teo
Photo: UBSCP
2025 © United Bible Societies China Partnership
