Partially Destroyed Church Centre in Vietnam Raided

Vietnamese authorities continue to pressure the Mennonite believers after the partial destruction of their centre on July 19 (click here for details).  According to a press release from the Vietnam Mennonite Church Central Church Office, fifteen believers had gathered for prayer in what remains of the Mennonite worship centre on July 24.  Just before 7:30 PM, thirty officials surrounded the building and broke up the meeting.  The area policeman, Nguyen Quang Trung, ordered the believers to stop praying and demanded that Le Thi Phu Dung (the wife of imprisoned Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang) dismiss the meeting.  Mrs. Dung was cited for "gathering a crowd and disturbing public order" and for "conducting illegal religious activities."  Two of those gathered for prayer were also taken to the police station but they released them later that evening.

Le Thi Phu Dung

Approximately an hour after the first raid, officials returned again, claiming that someone had reported a meeting going on.  When the police found no meeting, they began examining the registration papers for the motorcycles in the building.  Mrs. Dung objected to their investigation since they did not have a search warrant. The officials left after the workers signed declarations that they were operating their vehicles legally.

Pray for endurance and strength for these believers facing this persecution from authorities.  Pray for wisdom for church leaders, as they determine the proper response to this harassment. 

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam, click here.  Earlier this year, VOMC released a video report on the persecution being suffered by members of Vietnam's Mennonite Church.  You can view this video (which includes an interview with Mrs. Dung) on www.vomcanada.com.