Imprisoned Pastor Faces Health Issues

Nguyen Trung Ton
Pastor Nguyen Trung Ton[br]Photo: Viet Tan Facebook page

Vietnamese pastor Nguyen Trung Ton was imprisoned in 2011 on charges of "anti-state propaganda." He was rearrested in 2017 and convicted in April 2018 for "carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the government." The Christian leader was sentenced to 12 years in prison. (To review previously published information on the pastor's sentencing, go to this page.)

According to a report from Radio Free Asia, Pastor Nguyen has been suffering from a persistent cough following COVID-19 but was denied any medical treatment. He also has an eye condition resulting in almost total loss of his vision. The pastor's wife, Nguyen Thi Lanh, has expressed concern for her husband's life due to the poor prison conditions.

The inhumane treatment and lack of medical care in prisons throughout Vietnam are believed to have contributed to the deaths of several political prisoners in recent years, including Lutheran pastor Dinh Diem in January 2023.

Please pray for great improvement to take place regarding Pastor Nguyen's overall well-being, asking the Lord to grant him physical healing, as well as needed spiritual strength and encouragement. May the authorities be moved to release this long-suffering church leader, along with other believers who have been imprisoned in Vietnam because of their Christian faith and defence of human rights. Also ask the Lord to minister to Pastor Nguyen's wife as she deals with this difficult time of separation, and the resulting inability to care for her husband during his time of need.

  • Current Ministry Project

    By helping to provide solid Biblical teaching and training uniquely suited to the needs of a specific tribal group, VOMC is able to equip members of Vietnam’s persecuted church to stand firm in their faith and reach out to others in their communities with the powerful message of the Gospel.

    Project Fund: Underground Church

  • Country Information

    Population
    104,799,174 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Kinh [Viet] (85.3), Tay (1.9), Thai (1.9), Muong (1.5), Khmer (1.5), Mong (1.4), Nung (1.1), Hoa (1), others (5.5)

    Religion (%)
    Catholic (6.1), Buddhist (7.9), Protestant (1), Other (0.8) none (86.3%)

    Leader
    President To Lam (May 2024)

    Government type
    Communist state

    Legal system
    Civil law system

    Source: CIA World Factbook

    Pray for Vietnam

    We can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.

  • Pray for Vietnam
    We can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.

Vietnam News