Faith
Faith and Hope Endure in Vietnam Today
Faith Facts
- Saigon’s fall in 1975 marked deep tragedy, but also new opportunities for the Gospel.
- Missionaries like Myles Thomas Tune and local believers pioneered ministries, forming new Churches of Christ.
- Christian faith continues to flourish in Vietnam despite cultural and governmental obstacles.
During the final hours before Saigon’s fall, Americans and Vietnamese alike sought rescue as the North Vietnamese army advanced. The tremendous loss and chaos at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in April 1975 symbolized a nation in turmoil, yet also marked a turning point for those who remained.
Years later, Saigon—now Ho Chi Minh City—draws visitors from around the world, with reminders of war amid vibrant urban life. For many Vietnamese families, memories linger of loved ones lost, including Christians like Hai Huynh’s grandfather and uncle, whose stories are now part of a broader testimony of faith and endurance.
Hai Huynh encountered faith not through grand gestures but the daily sacrificial love and outreach of “brother Tom” Tune, a former Navy man and missionary. Tune’s medical mission, The Ship of Life, along the Mekong River, not only brought healing but spread the Gospel’s message among Vietnam’s most vulnerable.
“He really loved us, though we were strangers,” shares Huynh, recalling how Tune’s dedication pointed to Christ as the ultimate reason for serving others.
Supported by fellow Christian leaders like Stephane Phomasone, Tom’s Kids and their families studied Scripture and many embraced baptism, helping establish Churches of Christ in both Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. Though Tune has since passed, his legacy endures through the faithful leadership of those he discipled, including Huynh and his brother.
Now, Christian congregations trust God’s guidance under leaders who once came from humble beginnings. Their ministry endures and grows, sowing seeds of hope despite Vietnam’s challenging environment for believers.
“I have a commitment just to God, and I believe that Tom wants me to continue to take care of the work here,” declares Huynh, living out the Gospel in a place where faith, family, and freedom are often tested but never extinguished.
Let us be inspired by God’s ongoing story in Vietnam, remembering to uplift courageous believers who choose faith over fear and continue sharing hope in every generation.
Faith Facts
- Three-quarters of girls and young women aged 7 to 21 have experienced online harm, with cases of sextortion rising by 2,600% in 2024.
- The UK’s Online Safety Act recognizes online threats to young people as ‘Primary Priority,’ but enforcement remains challenging.
- Christian communities are called to provide safe, supportive spaces and cultivate biblical truth and discernment in young lives.
The internet shapes the lives of nearly all young people, providing opportunities but also exposing them to unique dangers. Girls and young women face particular risks, from online abuse to harmful role models that can erode self-worth.
As Christian leaders, it is vital to confront digital misogyny and reject values that contradict God’s design for human dignity. We are called to respond with moral clarity and courage, standing firm for truth.
Education anchored in biblical wisdom offers protection, teaching youth to discern what is real and valuable in God’s sight. Programmes like ‘Staying Safe in the Digital World’ equip girls with practical tools and spiritual strength.
Effective legislation is needed to hold tech companies accountable and protect the most vulnerable. Discussion about these challenges within faith communities ensures young people know they are not alone and have trustworthy adults to turn to.
Trusted adults—whether parents, teachers, or Christian volunteers—must be visible advocates, offering both guidance and protection. Children and teens need opportunities to discuss online challenges openly and access support when needed.
While practical steps like limiting screen time are important, true safety stems from a blend of spiritual discipleship and digital awareness. Our actions should point to a lifestyle of wholesome relationships and faith-filled living, not just restriction.
We must model healthy habits, prioritizing time with family, faith, and activities that nourish the soul. The digital age demands active stewardship, rooted in our biblical calling to protect, love, and guide every child.
Now is the time for Christians to lead, championing online safety and Kingdom values for girls and young women—and shining as a light in the darkness of the digital world.
Faith Facts
- More than 200 celebrities, including Mark Ruffalo and Benedict Cumberbatch, signed a petition urging the release of convicted terrorist Marwan Barghouti.
- Barghouti, linked to the Fatah terrorist group, was convicted of orchestrating attacks resulting in the deaths of Israeli civilians.
- Christian leaders criticized the celebrities for supporting Barghouti, calling attention to the moral implications of their actions.
Christian values call us to remember the sanctity of life and the importance of standing with victims of violence rather than those who promote terror. These public figures’ actions raise important questions about our nation’s moral compass and the need to uphold biblical justice.
“Barghouti was convicted of five murders. That’s bad enough, but he also led one terrorist organization and co-founded a second, responsible for incalculable human suffering,” said Liora Rez, StopAntisemitism founder and executive director.
We must remain steadfast in upholding truth and defending innocent lives, rejecting the glorification of those who inflict suffering. Let us pray for discernment and courage to stand for righteousness, no matter how popular the opposition may be.
Faith Facts
- The House of Bishops paused standalone same-sex blessing services, citing constitutional and theological concerns.
- Current guidelines still allow ‘Prayers of Love and Faith’ in existing church services.
- The decision follows legal advice warning changes must follow proper Church governance.
The Bishop of Winchester, Philip Mounstephen, emphasized the importance of adhering to Biblical doctrine and church law in considering changes to marriage teachings.
He addressed the Winchester Diocesan Synod, affirming that upholding God’s design for marriage preserves unity and integrity within the Church of England.
“The sheer constitutional difficulty of making such changes brought us face to face with the importance of due process,” Bishop Mounstephen stated.
The bishops’ consensus to pause reflects a commitment to protect the Church’s foundation and honor scriptural values before adjusting any practices.
He warned against circumventing established governance, highlighting that such shortcuts undermine trust and stability in the church community.
Rev Canon John Dunnett, representing evangelical Anglicans, also expressed ongoing concern about the direction of these issues, underlining the need for vigilance in preserving Christian doctrine.
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