Secular Vietnam growing hungry for God

I am homeward bound via Bangkok. An intense week in Hanoi is completed and I am very happy and satisfied. It was really great to see our Vietnamese friends again! They must be among the friendliest peoples on earth. One should not confuse that with weakness, though. Behind the kind surface is a strength that surprises. The French and the Americans learnt that lesson 40-50 years ago.

Vietnam is still ruled by the Communist party. The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, of course inspired by Lenin’s at the Red Square in Moscow, is still one of the main attractions in Hanoi. Behind that official allegiance to socialist ideals, capitalism is moving in like a freight train. On that train are all the modern commodities you can imagine. Even if the hordes of scooters still dominate the streets, this is quickly changing and the number of cars is growing. Brand fashion, high end electronics and luxury cars, even though they are not as prevalent as for example in China, they all tell the story of a definite departure from a Soviet style commando economy.

This leap can only take place with a greater openness to the world. Pressed by China, Vietnam looks for alliances with APEC nations as USA, Japan Australia. There are signs that the governments earlier harsh attitude toward churches is changing. Unlike Europe that becomes more and more secularised, Vietnam goes the opposite direction. Even if there is a majority of nominal Buddhist and a Christian minority of about 10 %, Vietnam is largely secular. Maybe up to 70-80 % are considered nonreligious, an effect of long atheist communist rule. From being a very secular nation, it now turns more and more to religion. There is a growing spiritual hunger. This means that there is a window of opportunity here, as a nation of 90 million opens up for the gospel.

Having witnessed a tremendous multiplication effect already and where Word of Life is now present in over 40 provinces with pioneer churches, which are led by our former bible school students, I am convinced that we have great days ahead. I know that the already more than 1000 students, who are strategically placed across the country, will make a huge difference. The seeds sown across the land will grow and multiply. Word of Life is ready to engage in the harvest.

It was great to place the board meeting of Word of Life International in Hanoi this time. We represent many hundreds of churches that are united in vision. Part of that vision is to expand into the missions’ fields. These will be ready to support the work of our Vietnamese friends and together we can establish, multiply and expand the work in Vietnam and beyond. Our best days are ahead!