At the Annual Meeting of SPCKA, a Christian literature mission, held in Melbourne this week I was greatly encouraged to see and touch – there is something for us bibliophiles in the magic of holding a book in our hands, a moment of near ecstacy when the book being held is the Bible in two of the world’s great languages, Mandarin and English, and the book is a well bound hard cover of high quality gloss paper with fine graphics in 2 volumes. And The Big Picture Story Bible is the Book for the children that they might respond to the One who said, “Let the children come to me”.  

 The Big Picture Story Bible published in China

A bilingual edition of The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm has been published in China by SPCK Australia partner, ZDL Books, Beijing. A first edition of 10,000 copies was printed with the help of a  $20,000 SPCKA grant. Several thousand have already been distributed throughout China.

The government censor issued ISBNs which menas that the book can be distributed to children and their parents throughout the government commercial and church bookstores throughout China.

The Big Picture Story Bible presents the story of God’s love for the world. Simple words and striking illustrations unfold the biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation. Despite its simplicity, this well-conceived children’s book preserves overarching biblical themes. The book accurately interrelates the Old and New Testaments by explaining, for instance how God’s saving of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt foreshadows our own salvation by Jesus from slavery to sin and his leading us to the promised land, heaven.

The Big Picture Story Bible helps meet a desperate need for Christian literature for children and families in China.

Our friends at ZDL Books write: ‘We are most grateful for your generous contribution toward this monumental book. It has been an amazing journey of faith  to see how God has provided for this project, and we are glad you can be part of it.’ 

From SPCKA Winter News 2009.  SPCKA, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Australia, supports Christain literature projects throughout the world. It supported CERTEZA the Spanish language publisher and bookshop ministry with whom my family worked in Argentina. Upon returning to Australia we joined SPCKA and I currently serve as its President: a privilege and a pleasure. 🙂   and it is always great to catch up with old mates – thanks SPCKA Team and Praise the Lord!  🙂