China (MNN) — Over the past six years, ministry in China has changed and become more difficult. However, Kurt Rovenstine with Bibles for China says that despite this, seekers are still receiving Scripture.

The only thing changing is who does the boots-on-the-ground Bible distribution. 

“It’s more difficult than it used to be in terms of the details and getting that all set up, the funds in, and the Bibles purchased and delivered, but it’s still effective, and the product and resources are still there, and the opportunity still exists,” he said.  

 Not only are people getting scripture, but lives are being changed. 

For example, Rovenstine recently attended a Bible forum where different organizations shared stories about the efficacy of spreading the Word. 

One of these organizations shared the story about one of their current gospel workers in the Muslim world.

About 40 years ago, this man’s father had been a seafarer and received a Bible at a port in New Orleans. 

This Muslim seafarer was grateful for the gift, but tucked it away and took it home and neglected it, Rovenstine said.

(Image courtesy of Bibles for China)

Years later, his son found the Bible, and it became the pathway to faith in Jesus for him. 

Over time, this man came to faith and was able to connect with Christians, creating content online. 

“It was an encouragement to know that the Word of God, at the right place, at the right time, can make a difference,” Rovenstine said. 

One of Bibles for China’s ministries is to provide Bibles to chaplains who reach out to the Seafarer community. 

And they have a New Testament that is specifically designed in English and Mandarin to give to Chinese seafarers that chaplains distribute at ports all over the world. 

 Rovenstine says, “We are approaching another printing of that particular piece, and we’d love to have help in that process.” 

“The process is still moving forward.”  Rovenstine says, “We’re placing Bibles through networks that we’ve created and partnerships that we’ve created in China. Bibles are printed in China under the press. The oversight there is impeccable, and the scriptures have integrity. They’re not altered. They’re not changed. We help to purchase those Bibles and get them to locations where people may not have the opportunity to have a Bible (otherwise).”

The work of chaplains at these seaports is difficult, Rovenstine says. Often, it feels like the work does not make a difference, but now and then a conversation or a Bible placed in someone’s hands really does. 

Please pray that Bible distributors will be encouraged and that chaplains reaching out to seafarers will have appropriate responses for those with difficult lives. 

Pray for those who receive the Word that they’re drawn to it, that they read it and respond to the truth, that they find God and engage with Him. 

 

Header image courtesy of Bibles for China