In China, there is not only a great need for Bibles and theological resources but as church growth continues, local pastors and lay trainers also need background knowledge in areas such as church leadership, practical theology, spiritual healing, prayer, family and marriage counseling and worship.

We’ve found over the years that a Chinese Christian may have the Bible memorized from Genesis to Revelation (like many of them do) but that does not imply he or she knows how God’s Word applies to their 21st-century life and everyday challenges.

For example, in one situation we were asked to provide training to a group of Chinese Christians that ranged in age from their early 20s to mid-50s.  They had been in this training center for 9-months learning everything from church management, administration, the four Gospels, the Letters of Paul, Old and New Testament theology and more.  After being there only for one-week, we discovered that many of them were in deep need of healing.  One young lady had been raped twice when she was in her mid-teens.  Another young man had practiced prostitution.  Another young student wanted to get married but desired prayer for impotency and the list goes on.  So on the outside, their desks were piled high with Bibles, theological reference books and Christian materials but inside they were broken, insecure, fearful, emotionally unstable and in many cases, angry.