The pastors were taken to a secluded
wooded area where they were beaten.
Two Christian pastors claim they were kidnapped, stripped of their clothes, robbed and subjected to violence after arriving at a local airport in late February. In a recent interview, Rev. Nguyen Trung Ton told sources that he and his colleague, Rev. Nguyen Viet Tu, were abducted by unknown men whom they believe were plain-clothes security officers.
Rev. Nguyen Trung Ton, a pro-democracy activist in the Asian communist country, explained that they were on their way to meet with other activists in the Quang Binh province when they encountered a group of men who punched them and forced them into a van. Then the abductors covered the pastors' heads so they couldn't see where they were being taken. After arriving at a secluded wooded area on the Huong Khe mountain, the pastors were beaten with a metal bar, stripped and robbed.
After the beatings, the abductors left the scene, leaving the wounded pastors to suffer without any help. Fortunately, the wounded men were discovered by local residents who came to their aid. As a result of the help they received, the victims were able to make it safely home.
Being a pro-democracy advocate, Rev. Nguyen Trung Ton was previously arrested in 2011 and sentenced to years in prison after being charged with undermining the state and promoting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Sources report that after his release from prison, he has faced numerous instances of harassment from security officials. Rev. Nguyen Trung Ton and his family have also received death threats. Other reports on persecution in Vietnam may be reviewed at this page.
Please uphold these two pastors who have undergone such unjust and violent treatment for their faith in God and for their peaceful advocacy of national democracy and religious freedom. Ask Him to heal them of their physical wounds, as well as the emotional trauma they experienced during the brutal attack. May conviction come upon the kidnappers and those who instigated the attack, helping them to realize that our Almighty Creator disapproves of their mistreatment of His people. Pray that the Lord's work in Vietnam will continue to touch many lives -- including those in need of salvation -- so that hearts may be changed and His name duly glorified.
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