Hundreds Reported Killed During Easter Demonstrations

14 April 2004

^{Montagnard Village}

Along with Easter celebrations this year, many of the persecuted Christians in the highlands of Vietnam gathered for peaceful demonstrations, protesting the government's suppression of Christianity and calling for international UN monitors.

According to a press release from the Montagnard Foundation, the authorities responded with force to the thousands who were demonstrating, beating them with electric batons, throwing rocks, and shooting them. A number were reportedly killed. There were also reports of decapitations. There are concerns that thousands may try to flee to Cambodia.

Responding to prior government claims that the people were seeking independence, Kok Ksor, President of the Montagnard Foundation, said, "All we want is to live as indigenous peoples on our ancestral lands without fear of persecution without the Vietnamese authorities interfering in our religious affairs nor forcing us to renounce Christ and without the fear our ancestral lands will be confiscated where we are driven to a life of poverty."

Pray for the families of those killed as well as for many in fear for their lives. Pray for the continued ministry of the Christians throughout Vietnam. Pray also that the Vietnamese government will come to see and know that Jesus is Lord.

For more information on persecution in Vietnam, as well as the plight of the people from the central highlands, click here.

Vietnam

Current Ministry Project
By helping to provide solid Biblical teaching and training uniquely suited to the needs of a specific tribal group, VOMC is able to equip members of Vietnam’s persecuted church to stand firm in their faith and reach out to others in their communities with the powerful message of the Gospel.

Project Fund: Underground Church
Country Information
Population
104,799,174 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Kinh [Viet] (85.3), Tay (1.9), Thai (1.9), Muong (1.5), Khmer (1.5), Mong (1.4), Nung (1.1), Hoa (1), others (5.5)

Religion (%)
Catholic (6.1), Buddhist (7.9), Protestant (1), Other (0.8) none (86.3%)

Leader
President To Lam (May 2024)

Government type
Communist state

Legal system
Civil law system

Source: CIA World Factbook

Pray for Vietnam

We can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.
Pray for Vietnam
We can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.

Vietnam News

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A village in northeastern Vietnam.
Photo: Pexels / Quang Nguyen Vinh

While a Catholic priest was meeting with approximately 20 worshippers in a private residence on August 11th, local police abruptly cut off the power supply of the building and proceeded to raid the gathering, demanding an immediate cessation of the service. This incident occurred in Binh Khang – a village located in Vietnam's northeastern province of Thái Nguyên – at approximately 8:30 p.m.

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Pastor Arrested for Alleged Anti-State Propaganda

Police in Ho Chi Minh City

Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested a 71-year-old pastor named Nguyen Manh Hung on January 16th after he was accused of spreading anti-state propaganda through social media. If convicted, the Christian leader could face up to 20 years in prison.

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Christians Face Opposition and Violence

A village in Vietnam.

Christian workers in Vietnam are requesting urgent prayer on behalf of believers who have recently experienced situations of severe persecution. In response to the ongoing concern, VOMC's partnering ministry office in Australia has been providing the affected Christians with greatly needed financial assistance.

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New Believer Slain by Unknown Assailants

A village in Vietnam.
Photo: Flickr / Michael Mooney (cc)

In August of this year, a widower and father of two referred to as "Brother Man" came to faith in Christ. When news of the believer's conversion became known, he began to encounter intense pressure from local authorities.

In the first incident, Brother Man was ordered to leave his home. When he refused to do so, the local authorities then confiscated his land and forbade him from contacting any other Christians. Despite the opposition, the follower of Jesus remained firm in his newfound faith.

Read more...