HeartCry is genuinely thankful for the seven pastors that we assist in Vietnam. Recently, HeartCry visited the men and their wives and used the opportunity for teaching the word of God to them and discussing the challenges they face. We are thankful for the integrity and faithfulness that the men display in their lives and ministries. The pastors are caring for their churches, seeking to evangelize the lost, and enduring suffering for the gospel. We wanted to share a portion of the reports from the pastors to encourage you to pray for them.
Shepherd the Flock
Peter wrote:
“shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock”
1 Peter 5:2-3
Each month we are encouraged by the emphasis on the primacy of God’s word in the pastor’s lives and as they shepherd the flock of God.
Pastor Giang expressed: “I am thankful to the Lord, in the past month God has taught me in Romans 8:4-8 that I and my family live according to the guide of the Holy Spirit, who is the Lord in our family life.” Also, Pastor Linh wrote, “Reading the Bible and praying still the most important task in the Church, the life of a believer, following the Lord in the church.”
Do The Work of An Evangelist
Too often endeavors to evangelize are little more to reach our culture with practices that are not authorized in scripture and with faulty presentations that are bereft of gospel witness. Nonetheless, God has faithful ministries sprinkled throughout the world proclaiming the message of salvation unashamedly and boldly. Recently, three HeartCry pastors were given the opportunity to share God’s word at a funeral. Pastor Danh communicated:
“I am so thankful that in all three days of the funeral, we had our family, brothers and sisters in the church, pastors and deacons from friend churches come together to preach God’s Word to the family and relatives. It was also a time to stand firm in our faith, and to share the Good News of Christ Jesus and His Gospel. I am thankful to the Lord because many had the opportunity to listen to the Word of God in the sermons from the pastors in three days of the funeral.”
In addition, Chi L. reported:
“Also in the past month, what I was aiming for was missionary work to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I got to know and pray for a new family from A. G. Province. This is an opportunity for me to proclaim the gospel to them… Recently we had the opportunity to revisit those who have heard the gospel before but have not really given their lives to God. We shared the gospel with them and tried to convince them to come back to the true God… Pray for us, so that we can faithfully proclaim the Gospel, anywhere.”
Sufficiency of God’s Word
Faithful men of God consistently express their conviction in the sufficiency of God’s word. It is sad to witness many professing Christians who deny the sufficiency of God’s word, even from those who proclaim the inspiration of the Bible. However, Pastor Binh communicated:
“We are grateful to God for His actions in the weekly Bible study activities. I am convinced that the word of God will not lose effect in the lives of those who trust in Him. Thank God, the Word brought us to faith, and we also believe that God will also use our ministry in the word of God to bring faith to others.”
Difficulties as a Christian
In the midst of sharing the gospel in Vietnam, there are many difficulties from unbelievers. The church needs us to intercede that God would give them strength when opposed and enable them to lead a life
“tranquil and quiet life”
so the church may have greater freedom to communicate the word of God. Pastor Giang is proof as expressed in his latest report:
“For 18 years I live in much difficulties yet I served the Lord in the rural areas to spread the Gospel to many people to accept Lord Jesus to their lives, to let Him transform their lives from inside out, giving up the old sinful ways of living to a new, purposeful way of loving and living under the fear of the Lord. It is the life of love, peace, joy, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. May God strengthen me and my family to live and glorify His Name.”
And Pastor Chi shared:
“Please remember our country and pray for our country about leaders in the government apparatus. Please pray for our Church, we were persecuted and forbidden to worship the Lord. The members of the faithful were also persecuted but they are very strong and keep worshiping the Lord.”
As a reminder to persevere in difficulties one of the pastors closed with:
“But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul”
Heb. 10:39
We are reminded of 1 Corinthians 15:58,
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
Timothy began working for HeartCry in 2015 and assists with the work in Asia. He is married, has eight children, two sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
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