Spotlight on Vietnam

We continue to turn our thoughts and prayers in these newsletters to parts of the world where our church community has direct links. This week, our spotlight falls on Vietnam – where we support the families of men imprisoned for their faith in Christ.

That last line might catch us off guard. Most Australians connection with Vietnam is either: the family member who served (or managed to avoid conscription) in the unpopular campaign; the friend whose family fled here across the seas to find refuge; or as the increasingly popular holiday destination. Like all places we need to recognise the ‘physical’ realities, but also engage in the ‘spiritual’.

There are more than 84 million Vietnamese, living under one of the few remaining Communist regimes.  Economically, they are the second largest exporter of rice, though there are high levels of rural poverty.  Religiously, despite its official position guaranteeing religious freedom, the reality is that the government heavily controls any religious movement. ‘Unregistered’ movements & religious dissenters receive harsh treatment. We need to be praying for them.

Praise God:

• There is a growing, witnessing Church despite persecution, in both the registered and unregistered church (especially in the mountain tribal peoples of central & southern Vietnam). Praise God for preserving and building His church.

Make requests:

• Vietnam’s motto is ‘Independence, freedom, happiness’. Pray they might find these things in the Lord Jesus.
• As well as an oppressive political culture, Vietnam is facing a rise in social problems (drug addiction, AIDS, prostitution and child labour; they also have 2 abortions for every live birth – the world’s highest rate). Pray the gospel would bring light and change to morally dark situations
• Open missionary work is banned since 1975. Pray for Christian ex-pats & aid workers to keep sharing Christ with locals.
• Pray for the spiritual strength of the Christians. In the context, registering implies compromise, but failure to register is illegal.  Pray for believers to be wise and faithful.  Pray that that registered church would have integrity – those in the North are under particularly strong restrictions. Pray for the unregistered churches – for courageous leaders despite harassment (where buildings can be razed, congregations scattered and sometimes Christians killed). Pray for those imprisoned for the name of Jesus (especially those we support through Voice of the Martyrs).  Many others in prison have come to faith through their witness.
• Leadership of the church is key to their spiritual health. Like the Australian Church, the possibilities of false teaching are endless. Pray that leaders who keep in step with the Spirit and hold to the truth of the gospel would be raised up and sustained.
• The Vietnamese Diaspora numbers around 2 million – most in countries where Christian ministry is more accessible (like here). Prayer for their salvation and that they might have opportunity to share a knowledge of Christ with those of their traditional homeland.

In Him,

Mark Smith
Assistant Pastor