What follows below is an interview with a Vietnamese church leader. His name has not been included for security reasons, and some information has been added or deleted for clarity and security purposes.
Q: How did you become a Christian?
When I was young, I listened to radio broadcasts of Christian messages. I told my parents to go to church, but they wouldn’t. When I was older [at age 15], I went [to church] by myself and believed there.
Q: How did you know God wanted you to be a church leader?
I went to another village to join a church. God moved in my heart to start one in my own village.
Q: How did you share [the gospel] with people?
I didn’t know much [at first], but I would lead them to sing and then pray for them.
Q: How do you lead as a Vietnamese church leader?
It is pretty good for my church now. [I received some training from other leaders.] We have many members. We sing and pray together and then practice sharing the gospel with each other so that we can share with the rest of the village.
Q: What persecution do you face?
Now we want to put up a church building. The authorities are trying to prevent us from doing that and have made trouble for us. They told us we do not have permission.
Q: What helps you stay faithful as a Vietnamese church leader?
I confess that there was a time I just wanted to quit. It was really difficult. But I prayed and other church leaders came and encouraged me.
Q: What do you pray for your people?
I pray that God will give me the wisdom to lead them. I also pray for the authorities because they do things contrary to God’s word. We [our church] pray for them to have the chance to repent [and believe in Jesus].
Q: How can we pray for you?
Please pray for our church to be able to build a meeting place soon. Please pray for church plantings in surrounding villages. Pray also for us to train church members to grow in faith.
Remember to join us in praying for the peoples of Vietnam and this Vietnamese church leader throughout the month of May. Click here for more information.
