It’s good news in any language!

The mission to share the good news of the gospel with everyone – regardless of what language they speak – is an ongoing worldwide challenge. That mission, including making sound Lutheran teaching accessible to different cultural groups in Australia and New Zealand, is gaining momentum through a dedicated Chinese-language translation and media project supported by the LCA Local Mission Seed Fund.

This ‘gospel without borders’ initiative provides outreach resources designed specifically to serve the diverse needs of our multicultural church, including at St Stephen’s in Adelaide. By breaking down linguistic barriers, the project ensures that the richness of our shared faith can be communicated with clarity to those whose first language is Chinese.

As part of this effort, the final stages of dubbing into Chinese and adding subtitles to the LCA’s nine-part Presence video series are almost complete. This project includes a translated study guide for each episode to facilitate deeper engagement by participants. Once complete, the materials will be hosted on the LCA website, making them freely available to every LCANZ congregation for use in their local contexts.

Complementing these digital resources, a partnership with Lutheran Tract Mission has resulted in the translation of selected gospel tracts into Chinese. These print materials are designed for multicultural congregations to use when welcoming faith-seekers or introducing newcomers to the Christian faith. They serve as a tangible touchpoint for ministry, bridging the gap between initial greeting and long-term fellowship.

The scope of this initiative extends further with ongoing work on foundational resources such as the LCA-developed Bible study series Talking Points and STAND. These projects aim to equip both established Chinese-speaking fellowships and English-speaking congregations who are interested in hosting bilingual or language-specific small groups. By providing these tools, the project’s aim is to foster a more inclusive environment where God’s word can be studied and discussed collectively.

Whether you are part of a Chinese-speaking ministry or an English-speaking congregation looking to better support local Chinese families, these resources are for you. By providing sound Lutheran teaching in a ‘heart language’, we can proclaim God’s gospel and grow in truth together with consistency.

We invite you to look out for updates about the project through LCA eNews and on the LCA website, as we work together to share the gospel without language barriers.

You can watch an introductory video about our translation work at https://youtu.be/n1fHwtUaiRk

Douglas Sia is Chairperson of the Chinese Ministry of St Stephen’s Lutheran Church Adelaide.