Christian faith expressed in Mandarin

by Laura Withers
Staff Writer

Ohio University graduate student Yingguang Liu said he identified himself as an atheist until he started attending Ohio University's Chinese Bible study group with a friend.

Liu came to the United States from mainland China to finish his studies in biological sciences. He said he attended the Bible study sessions and immediately felt welcome in the Christian community. The following year he made the decision to convert to Christianity.

Liu said when he first arrived in the US he was afraid, but accepting the Christian faith helped him gain an understanding of western culture and made him feel more at home.

Every Friday night, 20 to 30 students from China, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea and Japan meet in one of their living rooms to socialize and study the teachings of the Bible.

From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. they sing hymns and share testimonial stories about the presence of the Christian faith in their lives. An hour-long Bible study and time for further sharing and fellowship follow.

Many students come each week to learn and speak with other students in their native language, said William Hixson, pastor of the Athens Bible Church.

The singing, testimonial and sharing are done in Mandarin and the hour of Bible preaching is done in English. Translation is offered for students who need it.

The Chinese Bible study group has existed at Ohio University for over 30 years, Hixson said.

Hixson facilitates the bible study for the Chinese Bible study group. He has been with the group for eight years.

The group started when some Taiwanese students began reading the Bible and teaching one another in the early 1970s. Soon the group was connected with the Athens Bible Church and started studying the teachings of the Bible with a pastor from the church.

"Chinese students make up for about half of the group's membership," said Dr. Yining Chen, advisor of the Chinese Bible study group.

"Most (students) from China came without a religion," she said. "Because of their educational background they were taught that there is no God."

"Many other students that come from other countries have backgrounds in other faiths. Our objective is to get to know people and let them know there is a group like this."

The group offers a comfortable atmosphere where students are accustomed to speaking with each other in their native languages and eating traditional Chinese food. The social aspect of the group adds to the welcoming atmosphere.

"They love the atmosphere of being at home," Chen said.

Hixson said he has enjoyed teaching Chinese students and learning about their culture.

"My joy has been to get to know folds from another culture, another way of looking at things," he said.

As students have come into understanding the Christian faith, Hixson said he has enjoyed watching their reactions.

"It has been a joy to see young people at the beginning of their life setting good goals for themselves, and being very productive," he said. "We've seen the power of the Christian method change lives."

Chen said she has seen the power that is involved when students decide to accept the Christian faith into their lives.

"They must be intellectually convinced, emotionally touched," Chen said. "We will then lead them in a prayer to accept the Lord."