Why does AM-CCSM provide Christian literature to China?

These words, shared with AM-CCSM's director Ross Paterson, are just a small part of what a trusted colleague in Hong Kong experienced during a visit to China. This man, a pastor of a leading church in Hong Kong, went on to describe how he would "empty the bank accounts'' so that more books could be prepared for China.

There is a pressing need for Bibles and Bible teaching materials in China today. There have been many changes in China since the end of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76). The Government has permitted Christianity to function again. The Bible is no longer a forbidden book. Several million Bibles have been printed in the past 10 years. However, these are only available through official church sources and most Christians worship in unregistered house churches. It remains a fact that in parts of China there is only one Bible available for about 1,000 Christians. There are also 1,000 million Chinese who do not believe in Jesus and do not have access to the Word.

 

Many heresies have arisen in the Chinese Church because of the lack of spiritual teaching. A report from News Network International tells of a man who convinced people that Jesus would appear to them at a nearby river. After waiting all day, some of the people waded into the water. Unable to swim, they were swept away and drowned. We have also heard of women attempting to sacrifice their sons in an imitation of the Old Testament account of Abraham and Isaac. Some leaders teach that people must hear the voice of God audibly in order to receive salvation. This has led to a number of suicides by followers who have not heard "the voice". One house church leader explained:

"People are so hungry for spiritual food that they can easily be drawn into false groups, without having the skills to discern the truth."

AM-CCSM is heavily committed to the production of Christian literature for China and for other Chinese communities. We work together with various groups in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore to provide:

  • Materials for leaders - to build them up and teach them, so that they can teach others

  • Nurture and building materials suitable for all Christians

  • Evangelistic and apologetic material for a nation brought up on a diet of atheistic Marxism

  • Material to educate Christians concerning various cults that have arisen in China