There was something about the song that struck a deep chord. "Not with gold and silver, You redeemed me with Your love and sacrifice." It was a worship song, "As You Want."
"We need to pray that Xong Ba Thong, his family, his relatives, and other Christians in Nghe An province will stand strong in faith, bold in their testimony, and become salt and light in their community despite challenges."
The bishop who oversaw a major government review into Christian persecution and global violations of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) says the momentum gained around the issue in recent years must not be lost.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has spoken of her desire to see a global 'Network of Liberty' take a united stand in opposition against oppressive regimes that persecute religious minorities.
Progress has been made on implementing the recommendations of the 2019 Truro Review into Christian persecution, but more can be done, a review has concluded.
Brendan O'Hara, Open Doors supporter and Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), speaks to Christian Today about the government's two-day FoRB ministerial in London this week and how the UK can take meaningful action to stamp out human rights abuses and FoRB violations.
The UK government ministerial is being held in London on Tuesday and Wednesday with the aim of "driving forward international efforts to defend FoRB for all".