UNPRECEDENTED CHRISTMAS GATHERING HELD IN VIETNAM

December 2009

APN Newsletter

Christian sources report that some 40,000 people have gathered in a hastily constructed venue in Ho Chi Minh City to worship God, celebrate Christmas, and hear a gospel message – an event of unprecedented magnitude in Vietnam. Reports indicated up to 8,000 people responded to the gospel message indicating a desire to follow Christ. For the past two years, authorities have granted permission to house churches in Ho Chi Minh City to hold public Christmas rallies. Last year more than 10,000 people participated in one in Tao Dan Stadium.  

This year house church leaders again approached the government asking for a 30,000 seat stadium, but were refused. Authorities offered a venue holding 3,000. This was unacceptable to organizers. They pressed for another 15,000 seat stadium, and officials gave them a verbal promise that they could have it. The verbal promise however did not translate into the written permission that was required. Invitations were sent out only to have authorities deny the stadium they had promised. Organizers were forced to look for alternatives. They found a large open field.  

Several church leaders camped for three days outside city hall, pressing for an answer. Authorities tried to find ways to talk the leaders out of going ahead, promising future concessions if they would cancel the event. Ultimately they told the deputy mayor that refusal to grant permission would have far-ranging, ramifications in Vietnam as well as internationally. Finally, just 48 hours before the scheduled event, officials granted permission that required clearance from Hanoi. But the permission was only for 3,000 people, and many more had been invited.  

Organizers had less than two days to turn a vacant field into something that would accommodate a stadium-size crowd. They had to bring in ample electricity, construct a giant stage, rent 20,000 chairs, and set up the sound and lighting. The extremely short time frame caused contractors to double the prices they would have charged with ample time. Organizers rented hundreds of buses to bring Christians from provinces near the city. Thousands of students sacrificed classes to help with last-minute preparations and to join the celebration.  

Organizers, fearing all buses would be stopped, put out an emergency worldwide prayer request. Christian sources said that authorities either did not or could not stop buses from arriving, and by 6 p.m. the venue was full to capacity, and at least 2,000 had to be turned away. Christians described the event in superlative terms. For house churches, large gatherings are both very rare and very special, and for many this was their first glimpse of the strength of Vietnam’s growing Christian movement.   

People responded to the gospel invitation pouring to the front of the stage “like a waterfall.” With space in front of the stage insufficient, many others in their seats also indicated their desire to receive Christ.  Organizers along with many participants were overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude as the event closed. The event raised more than US$3280 for a charity helping needy children. People were quite surprised to read a positive article on the event in the state-controlled press, which often vilifies Christians.  

Source: Compass Direct News