“The Lord has done a new thing, a wonderful thing, a great thing!” 

Rev Dr Cao Shengjie, Thanksgiving Service for the completion of the 80 millionth Bible in Nanjing, 2010

The story of the Bible in China is a remarkable one. During the 20th century Bibles were confiscated, burnt and hidden, but now the Bible has become, unofficially, the bestselling book in China. There is a great desire from the ever-growing Christian population within the country for God’s Word. So many have committed their lives to Christ and yet do not have any Scriptures to read and reflect on for themselves.

“God's message continued to spread and reach people.” Acts 12:24 (NCV)

The Bible Society here joins with the Amity Printing Press to spread God’s Word and reach the people of China. The Amity Press in Nanjing, set up in 1987, has printed over 80 million Bibles in just under 24 years – it now has the capacity to produce 10million copies of the Bible in less than a year! Most of these stay within China to be distributed around the people and churches, while a small proportion is transported to other countries.

Bible printing paper comes in huge bales. Each bale costs around £494 and can print 630 Bibles. Bible Societies around the world cover the cost of this paper, ensuring that Bibles are affordable for even the poorest families in China. Just 78p will provide enough paper to print a complete Bible in Chinese.

It is through the generosity of donors that this price of paper is covered and so people all across China are able to afford to pay for their very own Bible. Yet, even with this generosity, and the capacity for printing, not enough Bibles are available for the increasing number of Christians in China. The cost of printing paper has increased significantly worldwide in recent years, so we need to do more.

If you would like to help us to increase Bible production in China, please forward your gift to "The Bible Society in Northern Ireland, 27 Howard Street, Belfast, BT1 6NB." A gift as little as 78p will ensure that someone in China will receive God’s Word.  Every gift of £494 will finance the printing of 630 Bibles.  This is a great target for a group or individual to fundraise for!

 It is through your prayerful and financial support that Christians in China are being given the opportunity to come close to God.

Photo above left: Chen Guo Zi, 80, holding her new Bible. She cried as she said, "I have been a Christian for 14 years but I have never had a Bible before. Today, I have received my very first Bible”

Discover Amity Press in Pictures here...

Watch Amity Press Video here...

Watch a moving video clip of an excited scramble to purchase Bibles in Hefei City Church, Anhui Province, China.

Download a PowerPoint Presentation here...