Faith that perseveres in the face of challenges

Christians in Vietnam have shown remarkable persistence in practicing their faith says the General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) at the conclusion of a three-day tour of the country.

“I came away inspired by what I have seen in the Presbyterian Church of Vietnam,” Setri Nyomi says.

“It has faced major challenges and yet both persevered and set an example of a church that lives out its faith successfully in a time of great difficulties.”

This was the General Secretary’s first trip to the country since 2009 when the Presbyterian Church of Vietnam became the first Vietnamese member church of WCRC’s worldwide network of Presbyterian, Waldensian, Congregational and United churches. The Asian region includes 64 of WCRC’s 229 member churches.

Elder Cheh Liang Mok, a member of WCRC’s Executive Committee, accompanied the General Secretary on the tour from 6-8 April.

The WCRC guests were welcomed by Nguyen Mba Nha, the current Moderator (head) of the church. The attic of Nha’s home served as a place of worship in the 1980’s when many church buildings were closed by the former government of Vietnam.

Nyomi says, “This was the most inspiring encounter of my experience in Vietnam – to see how Rev. Nha stuck to his calling to create space for worship even when chapels were being closed down. One hundred people gathering in the small attic Sunday by Sunday to worship can only be an expression of faith that perseveres.”

Nyomi was told that from that small attic, many congregations were born when Vietnam opened up and became more tolerant for worship.

“We give thanks to God for Pastor Nha and all his colleagues who kept hope alive and risked their lives to minister to the faithful in those days,” Nyomi says.

Nyomi and Mok’s itinerary included worship with a local congregation and tours of several Christian sanctuaries in which tribal (indigenous) people worship.

Close to three quarters of church membership can be found among Vietnam’s tribal people. Although they are mostly impoverished and marginalized, the Presbyterian Church of Vietnam has chosen to focus on ministry with them.

“I was deeply encouraged by the faithfulness of the tribal pastors whose congregations are in villages where living conditions are poor,” says Mok.

“Most of the pastors are ‘tent-makers’ (pastors with a second job to earn income) as the congregations are financially insecure. It is indeed inspiring to learn that under very challenging conditions and persecutions these pastors persevere from one generation to the next.”

Pastors and their parishioners told Nyomi and Mok that their greatest concern today is overcoming painful divisions within the church that are sometimes based in attempts to exert influence through financial resources. Despite this worry, church members say their focus remains on serving the poor in the community.

Though church leaders expressed great support for the country’s government, they also noted their concern that even now the church cannot freely invite international visitors. They were disappointed, for example, that they could not welcome their WCRC friends without being subjected to questioning.

In spite of these challenges, Nyomi reports: “Old and young energetic ministers work side by side beating all odds to be the community God has called them to be.”