“These evangelists in rural Vietnam are experiencing exactly the kinds of things Jesus prophesied in Mark 10:29-30,” says Representative Foley, whose organization partners with its sister mission, Voice of the Martyrs Australia, to provide emergency physical, spiritual, and financial support to persecuted Christians in Vietnam. “They’re having to give up their houses, lands, families, and even their health in order to hold on to Jesus.” 

According to Representative Foley, the persecution of Christians remains common in rural regions of Vietnam.  

“Believers regularly face threats like expulsion from their villages, confiscation or destruction of property, and physical violence,” says Representative Foley. “They’re prevented from supporting themselves, and they’re excluded from social benefits and government aid programs. Then they’re told by authorities, ‘All these problems will go away if you just renounce your faith’.”  

Representative Foley says that last month a team of six local evangelists were traveling to a nearby province to share the gospel. While on the road they were stopped by police and detained for questioning. “They were interrogated and beaten, and one of the evangelists suffered a broken finger as a result,” she says. Five of the evangelists have now returned home to their families, while one remains in custody. “His family has attempted to visit him, but their requests were denied,” says Representative Foley. 

Another local evangelist, Brother A (named withheld for security reasons) has been banned by local authorities from transporting or selling his crops on public roads, as a punishment for holding church gatherings at his home. “As a result, his crops all rotted,” says Representative Foley. “He lost his entire investment in his farming business, which left his family without money for food.” She says authorities also damaged his motorbike, but they promised his troubles would cease if he renounced his faith. “He refuses to deny Christ or give up his ministry,” says Representative Foley.  

Land confiscation or destruction is a common tactic used by authorities to intimidate the evangelists, according to Representative Foley. She says Brother H (name withheld for security reasons), a church planter, was beaten by local authorities, who also seized four hectares of his land as a direct consequence of his church-planting efforts. Brother L (name withheld for security reasons), who leads a church which meets in his home, was the target of eviction efforts by authorities. “When Brother L refused to leave, they spread broken glass around the outside of his home,” says Representative Foley. She says they also confiscated his motorbike and prohibited his family from using the community water well, forcing them to travel to another village to collect water. “The authorities told him that his difficulties would end if he renounced their faith, but like the other brothers, he remains a steadfast servant of the Lord.” 

Individuals interested in learning about Christian persecution in rural Vietnam can visit www.vomkorea.com/en/vietnam.