Vietnam (MNN) ― Vietnam remains in the top ten of the Open Doors' World Watch list of countries known for persecution of Christians.
One of the last communist-ruled countries in the world, it boasts a constitution that provides for religious freedom, though the atheist regime tries to keep religion under strict control with a system of obligatory registrations. House churches are suspect, but believers continue to meet through an underground network.
Partners International's Jon Lewis says there are some very creative ways that the church is finding to minister to the Vietnamese. For example, "One network is involved in youth ministry, and the sports camps are a very successful way of doing that. The other creative thing that I heard about was a pastors' wife who is using Vietnamese folk music to create worship songs."
Both avenues prove the indigenous church is taking ownership of ministry. In addition, through each of the preaching points, people are turning to Christ. Partner sponsors can help one church planter attend a Bible training course and become better equipped to lead their congregation.
By the time the government gave permission for the house churches to meet in 2006, they were ready. Lewis says, "We look specifically for national ministries that are the vision of a local leader ,and we want to come alongside to partner with them to enable their God-given vision to be fulfilled."
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