Our Founders’ Legacy
Prof. Timothy Yu & Mrs. Helen Wang Yu
Vision, scholarship, and faithful stewardship behind The Rock House Publishers/海天書樓
The story of The Rock House Publishers / 海天書樓 is inseparable from the lives and service of its founders: Prof. Timothy Yu and Mrs. Helen Wang Yu. One brought the vision of Gospel-centred communication, Christian publishing, and editorial leadership. The other gave faithful support through accounting, administration, stewardship, family care, and quiet service behind the scenes. Together, they helped establish a publishing ministry that has served Chinese readers, families, churches, students, pastors, and ministries for more than six decades.
P:rof. Timothy Yu and Mrs. Helen Wang Yu
Prof. Timothy Yu: A Life Given to Communication and the Gospel
Prof. Timothy Yu was a pioneer in communication education and Christian publishing. Born in Jiangxi, China, in 1920, he studied journalism at National Chengchi University and later pursued communication studies at Stanford University under Dr. Wilbur L. Schramm, one of the leading figures in modern communication studies. After returning to Hong Kong, Prof. Yu devoted himself to communication education, training generations of students and communication workers. He was invited to establish the Department of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist College, now Hong Kong Baptist University, and later served at The Chinese University of Hong Kong as Professor, Department Chair, and Director of the Communication Research Centre. Yet his calling extended beyond the classroom. Prof. Yu believed that words, books, and modern communication tools could be used to serve the church and proclaim the Gospel. In 1960, he founded The Rock House Publishers / 海天書樓, beginning a Christian publishing ministry that would grow from humble beginnings into a lasting witness among Chinese readers worldwide.
The Meaning of 海天
The Chinese name 海天書樓 carries the founding vision of the ministry. “海天” comes from the phrase: “With the sea as ink and the sky as parchment, we lift our brush to paint the grace of God.” This image expresses a broad and beautiful calling: to use God-given gifts, written words, publishing skills, and communication tools to make His grace known. The term 書樓, meaning “book house,” reflects a place where faith, learning, and Christian teaching are shared. The English name, The Rock House Publishers, points to Christ as the Rock. From the beginning, Rock House has sought to build its publishing ministry on Christ, with Scripture as its foundation and the Gospel at the heart of its message.
From Prayer to Publishing
Rock House began not merely as a business idea, but as a prayer-born vision. In the early days, Prof. Yu gathered believers for a regular prayer meeting at the family’s Diamond Hill home. They prayed for vision, strength, and guidance for Christian publishing and Gospel communication. Out of that prayerful beginning, Rock House published its first 海天日曆 and 海天月曆 in 1960. These calendars combined practical daily use with Scripture, spiritual reflection, and Gospel witness, making Christian content present in homes, churches, and daily life throughout the year. From those first calendars, the ministry continued to grow into books, Bible resources, translated works, children’s and youth publications, devotional materials, bulletin covers, and other Christian resources.
The Chinese Study Bible
One of Prof. Yu’s most significant publishing contributions was the Chinese Study Bible / 中文聖經啟導本. Recognizing the need for a Chinese Bible with clear and helpful study notes, Prof. Yu worked with scholars, pastors, and ministry coworkers to develop a major Bible resource for Chinese readers. In 1982, he retired early from The Chinese University of Hong Kong to devote himself more fully to this work. After nearly ten years of preparation, the Chinese Study Bible was published in 1989. For many readers around the world, the Chinese Study Bible became their first introduction to Rock House Publishers. More importantly, it helped countless believers read, understand, and apply Scripture with greater clarity.
Mrs. Helen Wang Yu: Faithful Stewardship Behind the Ministry
Beside Prof. Yu stood Mrs. Helen Wang Yu, whose faithful service helped sustain the work of Rock House in practical and essential ways. With her background in accounting and administration, Mrs. Yu contributed to the financial stewardship, record keeping, office work, and daily responsibilities that every publishing ministry requires. Her service was often quiet, but it was foundational. She helped provide the structure, discipline, and care that allowed the ministry to continue and grow. Mrs. Yu also brought creativity and practical wisdom to the work. In earlier years, she helped develop the Christian gift shop connected with Rock House, extending the ministry’s witness through meaningful gifts, handcrafts, and faith-based items. Her careful eye, entrepreneurial spirit, and faithful support became part of the Rock House story. Her contribution reminds us that Christian ministry is not carried by public leadership alone. It is also built through hidden faithfulness, careful stewardship, and daily obedience.
A Partnership of Vision and Stewardship
Beside Prof. Yu stood Mrs. Helen Wang Yu, whose faithful service helped sustain the work of Rock House in practical and essential ways. With her background in accounting and administration, Mrs. Yu contributed to the financial stewardship, record keeping, office work, and daily responsibilities that every publishing ministry requires. Her service was often quiet, but it was foundational. She helped provide the structure, discipline, and care that allowed the ministry to continue and grow. Mrs. Yu also brought creativity and practical wisdom to the work. In earlier years, she helped develop the Christian gift shop connected with Rock House, extending the ministry’s witness through meaningful gifts, handcrafts, and faith-based items. Her careful eye, entrepreneurial spirit, and faithful support became part of the Rock House story. Her contribution reminds us that Christian ministry is not carried by public leadership alone. It is also built through hidden faithfulness, careful stewardship, and daily obedience.
A Legacy Continued
Today, The Rock House Publishers / 海天書樓 continues with gratitude for the foundation laid by Prof. Timothy Yu and Mrs. Helen Wang Yu. Their legacy is preserved not only in past publications, but also in the continuing work of Christian books, calendars, Bible resources, digital publishing, bilingual projects, audio and video experiences, and new tools for a new generation. The tools have changed, from typewriters and printing presses to digital platforms, cloud systems, and multimedia publishing. But the calling remains the same: to make God’s grace known through faithful words, trustworthy resources, and Christ-centred communication.
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” -- 1 Corinthians 4:2
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