Website Helps Chinese Women
HoiKei, who lives in the fast-changing society of mainland China, is struggling to balance the demands of modern culture with the more traditional values.
When she became overwhelmed with the relationships in her life, she turned to the Internet for help. There she found a new website called Bible and Women, and received biblical advice to help her find her way through her struggles.
“With the changing culture in China, the status of women has continued to be elevated,” says Rev. Jimmy Lin, Chinese ministry leader for Back to God Ministries International (BTGMI).
But adding confusion to the mix, he says, are traditional expectations for wives to be submissive, women to carry the main burden of raising children, and female believers to play a subordinate role.
Recognizing an opportunity to help women navigate their way through all the changes, BTGMI’s Chinese media team launched the multi-faceted ministry Bible and Women in April 2012. The social media component (blogs and Weibo—Chinese version of Twitter) were added in the summer.
“We are thankful that the Lord has provided a female producer who grew up in mainland China,” says Rev. Lin. “Jing Chen graduated from seminary in the U.S. and has a master’s degree in biblical counseling.”
Jing and the Chinese ministry team designed the program to reach young women in China, especially professionals who are struggling to balance family, career and church life.
Some of the women, like HoiKei, ask questions about developing healthy relationships in their lives. Jing gently responds to their questions, pointing them to scripture verses and helpful biblical principles.
Overall responses illustrate that the program is resonating with Chinese women—and the audience includes men as well.
One man wrote, “I am a brother in Christ. I know that this program’s target audience is women, but I found this program to be very interesting and helpful. It helps me to understand how the women in my family, and also in God’s family, operate. It has enabled me to overcome some hurdles and prevent unnecessary confrontations.”
The program has also attracted seekers who have questions, feeling they may not be good enough to be a Christian.
One woman wrote, “I have a lot of good friends who are Christians, and I have also experienced how wonderful Christians are…but as for me, I do not think I am good enough to be a Christian. I’d better clean up myself a little bit to become a Christian.”
Jing developed a new episode based on this seeker’s question. The program answered her question about not being good enough to be a Christian. It also gave an opportunity to show that believers are saved by faith and not works.
Listeners can now access the program and resources on a new website, bibleandwomen.com, launched in October 2012. The ministry team also produced and distributed a discipleship booklet called A New Heart.
BTGMI asks for prayers and support for this new outreach to help Chinese women find their identity in Christ as their roles change in family church, and society.
