A pastor and his associate are reported to have been brutally beaten by five men in broad daylight on January 18 near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
According to Voice of the Martyrs, Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang and his associate were hit in the head with bricks and stones. When they fell to the ground, the assailants proceeded to kick their bodies relentlessly.
The men suffered serious injuries and were rushed to the nearest hospital where they are being treated. Pastor Quang, who is also a lawyer and an active advocate of religious freedom in Vietnam, sustained greater injuries in the attack.
According to CBN News, throughout Quang's 25 years in ministry, the pastor has had numerous threats and attacks due to his activities in spreading the gospel, and government officials have demolished his church and Bible college buildings.
Quang is an advocate for religious freedom in Vietnam. During a hunger strike, he told Radio Free Asia, "We love this country, and we respect the law, but we are being persecuted for our beliefs."
VOM reports that the pastor sustained a broken nose, broken ribs, facial injuries, including injuries to his teeth and jaw. Presently he is in severe pain and has reportedly been vomiting during his time at the hospital.
The police have not made any arrests over the attack.
Voice of the Martyrs Australia has sent medical funds to cover the pastor's treatment costs.
The group has asked Christians to pray for complete healing for the pastors, for strength and boldness upon them as they continue God's work, for justice to be done, and for mercy on the perpetrators that they might realise what they have done and repent.
