The dangers facing an undercover believer in Vietnam were such that his baptism took place not in a church building, or even a quiet spot at the sea or river, but in a bathroom with believers keeping guard.
Danh* lives in a remote village in upper coastal Vietnam, near the border with Laos. He comes from the Hmong ethnic group and gave his life to Jesus after meeting Pastor Luca*, a missionary and Open Doors local partner who, with his wife, travels to far-flung villages in Vietnam’s coastal and central regions to preach the gospel and disciple believers.
“Danh was resolute. There was no turning back”
Pastor Luca
Like many of the believers in his region, and there are only a few, Danh must practise his faith in secret. In fact, his nearest Christian community is some 200km away. Churches are unable to register, and believers even find it hard to gather in house churches. Those who convert to Christianity risk isolation and expulsion from their community, attack, and imprisonment.
“There’s tight government monitoring and control in this area,” says Doan*, a local expert. “Authorities want to keep it ‘zero-Christian’, meaning they don’t want anyone to follow Jesus here, nor do they want Christianity to grow.”
Standing guard
This explains why Danh’s baptism had to be done secretly. “We had to be discreet, careful and watchful,” says Pastor Luca. “It’s too dangerous for Danh once the local authorities and the community find out about it.”
During the baptism, other believers stood guard. “If strangers came, we’d stop,” continues the pastor. “But regardless, Danh was resolute. There was no turning back. We must also make do with what we have. It wasn’t the place that mattered, but Danh’s decision to follow Jesus no matter the cost.”
Crucial to Pastor Luca and his wife’s ministry are your faithful prayers and gifts, which equip him to stand strong amidst persecution and reach people like Danh. It’s just one of the many ways you’re coming alongside undercover believers, not only in Vietnam but worldwide, and showing them that they are not alone. Thank you!
*Names changed for security reasons
please pray
- Give thanks for Danh’s brave faith, and pray for strength, encouragement and protection as he begins his walk with Jesus
- That God will continue to mightily use Pastor Luca and his wife to draw people to Jesus, and pray for safety as they travel to remote places on their motorbike
- That undercover believers worldwide will be equipped with all they need to grow in their faith and witness.
please give
- Every HK$250 could disciple a secret believer by enabling them to meet, pray and study the Bible with other Christians.
- Every $300 could provide two secret believers with a Bible in a country where God's Word is not easy to access.
- Every $530 could help a vulnerable Christian establish a livelihood, giving them long-term financial security.
*Any excess funds from this appeal will be used to strengthen other persecuted Christians where urgent help is needed.
give today: secret believers
