On the occasion of 2023 Bible Day, a new Bible launch ceremony was held for the Gan Yi Language-Chinese Parallel Bible (Old and New Testaments), a translation that took 15 years to complete for Gan Yi ethnic groups in Yunnan.
On December 9, CCC&TSPM hosted the opening ceremony of the 2023 Bible Day events in the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Shanghai, said CCC&TSPM.
In 2016, Yunnan Provincial CC&TSPM completed the translation and distribution of the "Gan Yi Language Old Testament."
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Henry Huang, a global translation consultant for the United Bible Society, delivered a lecture titled "The Past and Present of the Chinese Bible." He reviewed the history of the Chinese Bible translation, introduced the current situation of existing Chinese Bible versions, and discussed the processes of digitizing the Chinese Bible and other versions of the Bible in Chinese dialects and minority languages.
This event also featured a Bible exhibition in the square of the cathedral, mainly showcasing a series of Bible versions, Bible reference books, Bible-themed creative works, and a few precious early Chinese Bible translations published by CCC&TSPM over the past few years.
Rev. Zhang Peifu, vice chairman of the Wuxi Christian Council and senior pastor of Rongxiang Church in Jiangsu, brought many precious versions of Chinese Bibles he had collected over the years to this Bible Day exhibition, including some rare ancient editions.
As this year's theme of "Bringing the Bible Alive" aims to narrate the testimonies of Christians practicing the teachings of the Bible in their workplaces and daily lives, attendees reviewed the journey of the past four years of "Bible Day" activities in the form of a video and watched clips of eight testimony videos.
On the Bible Day which falls on December 9–10 this year, Urumqi CC&TSPM in Xinjiang motivated local churches to carry out activities on December 10.
In some churches, such as Yangmaogong (Wool Palace) Church, Tianyuan (Countryside) Church, and Sandaoba Church, each pastor read verses on the theme of the special day and introduced the origin and significance of the Bible Day. Believers watched short videos and reviewed this church's participation in Chinese Church Bible Day activities in recent years.
Xiangcheng Church in Suzhou, Jiangsu, held a themed worship service on December 10, said Suzhou CC&TSPM. Rev. Qian Bin preached a sermon titled "The Influence of the Bible," introducing how the Bible has influenced society in diverse aspects since its creation and continues to resonate today. He also encouraged believers not only to love reading the Bible but also to follow God's word.
During the worship service, six believers from different regions, dressed in traditional Tang-style clothing or Qipao, respectively, recited Psalm 19:7–14 in Ningbo dialect, Changzhou dialect, Suzhou dialect, Chongqing dialect, Mindong dialect, and Henan dialect.
At Apostle Church in Suzhou, believers recited Deuteronomy 6:4–9 in regional dialects on Sunday. Rev. Huang Fuping encouraged churchgoers to listen to God's word and live out His truth in her sermon titled "Israel, Listen!" She also introduced the origin and purpose of Chinese Bible Day and the history of the Chinese Bible.
Additionally, according to Sicheng Church, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on December 9, Rev. Zhang Yaofa delivered the sermon titled "The Word of God Must Be Acted Out" at the church.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
