Vietnam: Marking Gospel’s 100 Years | 302 | Report 15

In what is a clear sign of the easing of restrictions on churches by the authorities, Luis Palau will lead a major new mission in Vietnam next year, as part of the churches’ celebrations marking 100 years of evangelical Christianity in that nation. The outreach – the first foreign mission to the country since the fall of Saigon in 1975 – will take place in April and June 2011. It will begin with large outdoor events in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on the weekends of April 8 to 9 and 15 to 16 respectively, led by Vietnam’s rapidly growing churches.

The official 100th anniversary celebration will be held on June 14 to 16 at Da Nang, probably in an indoor arena since June is the rainy season in Vietnam. Earlier this year Palau was in Vietnam, addressing more than 500 church leaders, as well as U.S. diplomats and the government officials whose permission will be required before the Festival can go ahead.
After years of hostility to the church, the Government has just started to allow Christian events to take place – some of which are proving very popular. For example, last December they gave permission for an outreach in a large field outside Ho Chi Minh City just 48 hours before it was set to begin. Despite the short notice, 50,000 people attended and around 8,000 of them received Christ as Saviour.

Source: Christian Today

PRAISE: God that so many formerly closed nations are opening to the Gospel with abundant fruit.

Vietnam Allows Christmas Rallies | 2nd Mar 2010

On Sunday 20th December 12,000 people gathered in Hanoi for a Christmas rally. A programme of outstanding music and dance was followed by a Gospel message and an invitation to which, organisers said, 2000 people responded. This followed an even larger rally in Ho Chi Minh city on December 11th when up to 40,000 people gathered to hear the Gospel, and some 8,000 people came forward to “accept Christ”. This was held, “after a long period of intense prayer” and despite opposition from local authorities, said the Vietnamese Global Christian Network. “None of these groups is registered or recognized by the government,” a source said of the crowd at the event. “What you see is Christians standing up!” Recent freedom for Christians tolerated in large cities has not reached remote parts of this Communist-led country, where ethnic minority Christians live.

Source: Worthy News; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Exodus 3:1-10

PRAISE: God that a nation once torn apart by war is now seeing steady openings for the Gospel. Pray that Christians will proclaim Christ boldly.

Vietnam Allows Christmas Rallies | 2nd Feb 2010

On Sunday 20th December 12,000 people gathered in Hanoi for a Christmas rally. A programme of outstanding music and dance was followed by a Gospel message and an invitation to which, organisers said, 2000 people responded. This followed an even larger rally in Ho Chi Minh city on December 11th when up to 40,000 people gathered to hear the Gospel, and some 8,000 people came forward to “accept Christ”. This was held, “after a long period of intense prayer” and despite opposition from local authorities, said the Vietnamese Global Christian Network. “None of these groups is registered or recognized by the government,” a source said of the crowd at the event. “What you see is Christians standing up!” Recent freedom for Christians tolerated in large cities has not reached remote parts of this Communist-led country, where ethnic minority Christians live.

Source: Worthy News; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Exodus 3:1-10

PRAISE: God that a nation once torn apart by war is now seeing steady openings for the Gospel. Pray that Christians will proclaim Christ boldly.