On Saturday 17 March, while car enthusiasts gathered for the Australian Grand Prix, Christians in Melbourne launched Bible League’s WALK4BIBLES annual, Australia wide, walkathon. This year’s focus is providing Bibles for Christians in China. It was a walk of significance.

"I walked because as I thought about it, everyday we walk from place to place but not everywhere we go has significance," says Frank from Caroline Springs, who brought a group of 15 friends. "In the 7 kilometres that we walked, every step was significant in somebody’s life," he says.

“It’s an opportunity that I don’t think I could forgive myself for not taking part in,” says Frank, “because it’s so easy. I don’t have to get on a plane; I don’t have to learn another language; I don’t have to walk the streets of China but by doing something like this, I can support a person who can do that, who had the time, who has the calling of God. I can partner with them in bringing the Bibles into somebody else’s hands. It’s beautiful.”

It’s estimated that over 50 million Christians in China don’t have their own Bible. Few Christians who attend house churches in rural areas have Bibles; fewer can afford one.

“China’s Christians need Bibles to strengthen them as they live their daily walk of faith and to reach out to people seeking purpose,” says Grahame Smith, National Director for Bible League.

“Bible League works with a network of churches in these isolated communities providing Bibles on an ongoing basis. Bible League can place a Bible in the hands of a Christian in China—with supporting evangelism and discipleship Bible studies. To date we will be able to provide 2,468 Bibles for China through WALK4BIBLES,” he added.

The next WALK4BIBLES event will be in Sydney and Launceston on Saturday 31 March. It will roll out over the next few months in Hobart, Perth, Brisbane and Toowoomba.