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Last Assembly of God church in Vietnam destroyed
The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc.
http://www.persecution.com
The last Assembly of God church building in the nation of Vietnam was destroyed last week. Before 1975, the Assemblies of God church had ten church buildings in Vietnam. Nine were destroyed or confiscated by the government prior to the year 2000. The final church, in the coastal city of Vung Tau, was demolished last week.
Voice of the Martyrs contacts interviewed Samuel Lam, the Assemblies of God president in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Pastor Lam asked that American churches pray for Christians in Vietnam, and especially members of the recently-destroyed church.
This photo above shows the government-sponsored Tin Lanh church next door to the where the AOG church had stood. People from this church tore down the Assembly of God building so that they could expand onto the property next door. To the left hand side of this picture you can see the rubble of the AOG church. Photo credit: "Courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs; http://www.persecution.com
The site of the demolished church has been occupied by the government-sanctioned Tinh Lanh Church. Individual denominations are not allowed in Vietnam as such, but all churches must conform to government controls or go underground. The Assembly of God church has gone underground in the city of Vung Tau since the demolition of their church building.
A former pastor of this very church was put in prison in 1975 by Communist authorities. He was later released.
The Voice of the Martyrs
More than 30 Years of Serving the Persecuted Church
Used with permission.