The origin of the Christian Communication Inc. (CCI)

In April 1971, “Christian Witness Press” and the “China Sunday School Association Hong Kong District” merged to establish the “Christian Communication Inc.”

Christian Witness Press

Christian Witness Press (CWP) originated from the China Inland Mission (CIM) publishing department, founded by Pastor Hudson Taylor. The office was initially located at the headquarters of CIM in Shanghai, where it mainly published evangelistic tracts, booklets, and spiritual books. In 1951, due to political instability in China, CIM withdrew from Shanghai and relocated to Hong Kong, bringing the publishing department with it. It was in Hong Kong that Christian Witness Press began its publishing work. Later, the CIM headquarters moved to Singapore, but CWP remained in Hong Kong, and its output gradually increased. Various types of books were published, including hymnals, reference books, commentaries, devotional books, biographies, and more, to meet the diverse needs of believers. In 1956, CWP launched a missionary publication, The Lighthouse, aimed at spreading the gospel and edifying believers, marking an important chapter in the history of Chinese Christian publishing.

China Sunday School Association

In 1907, during the centenary celebration of Robert Morrison’s missionary work in China in Shanghai, the attendees suggested establishing a Sunday School ministry organization. This led to the birth of the “China Sunday School Union,” which began compiling Sunday School curricula and teacher training materials and exploring teaching methods. In 1949, the Union’s committee approved the establishment of branches in Taiwan and Hong Kong. In 1951, due to political factors, the Taiwan branch became independent from the Shanghai headquarters and was renamed the “China Sunday School Association.”

Later, the Hong Kong branch was entrusted to Miss Grace S. Jephson, a China Inland Mission (CIM) missionary who focused on compiling the Gospel Light (USA) Sunday School curricula. In 1967, after Miss Jephson retired, Mr. Hsueh Kong-chi took over the work of the Association. Shortly thereafter, the Hong Kong branch became independent, and in 1971, the Hong Kong “China Sunday School Association” merged with the “Christian Witness Press” to form the “Christian Communication Inc.”

The Birth of Christian Communication Inc.

After the merger, Christian Communications Inc. (CCI) carried forward the mission of the “Christian Witness Press” and the “China Sunday School Association” by focusing on publishing books and providing educational training to serve Chinese churches and build up believers. The Association established regional branches in Taiwan, the United States, Canada, Singapore, and Malaysia to serve local Chinese believers. In 1990, the “International Evangelistic Witness Association” was established in Hong Kong to coordinate and manage the communication and resource utilization among various regional branches.

Introduction to the Christian Communication Inc. of USA

The Evangelistic Witness Association (USA) was established in 1982 in San Francisco. Initially, it operated from a co-worker’s garage, providing spiritual books imported from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. In the early days, both manpower and funding were limited. The organization relocated several times, moving to San Jose, Chicago, and Houston. In its ministry, the CCIUSA adapted to China’s move toward economic reforms and the initial relaxation of restrictions on Christianity. The Association began sharing the vision and needs of the Chinese church with Chinese communities and American churches. It gathered resources from overseas and focused on literature ministry, China’s gospel work, and educational training to serve both the Chinese church and believers, as well as church leaders, in China and abroad, bearing witness to Christ and expanding God’s kingdom.

Through publishing, media ministries, believer training, China’s gospel work, and other services, the CCIUSA supports the growth of the global Chinese church in Christ, bearing witness to the Savior and expanding God’s kingdom worldwide. The primary focus of the ministry is to serve Chinese churches both in China and abroad. All funds are raised through donations from churches and brothers and sisters. Special offerings are fully allocated for ministry use.