VIETNAM — Vietnamese Pastor Zoong Tee Tie — also known as Mrs. Ly — helped start Vietnam’s house church movement. Lucille Talusan of CBN News, brings us the story from Hanoi.

Although Christians still face persecution in communist Vietnam, churches thrive because leaders endured suffering to spread the gospel.

That includes 95-yr-old, pastor Zoong Tee Tie — also known as Mrs. Ly — who helped start Vietnam’s house church movement.

Lucille Talusan of CBN News, brings us the story from Hanoi.

On better days, Mrs. Ly is able to write a favorite verse and read it. Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” The 95 year old pastor reminisces about hardships she and other Christians endured, such as being imprisoned five times.

Duong Thi Tai “Mrs. Ly” – Pioneer Pentecostal Pastor:

“i was not afraid because God was with me.”

Lucille Talusan – Hanoi, Vietnam:

Mrs. Ly was also jailed in this prison, the Hoa Lo prison. Bibles were not allowed but she had access to some of its pages which her members used to wrap the sticky rice they sent her. Even inside the prison, Mrs. Ly boldly shared the gospel.

Her father served as a pastor of the Christian Missionary Alliance, the only traditional Christian church in Vietnam AT THE time. Mrs. Ly followed in his footsteps becoming a pastor of that church. In 1982, however, she became the first member to step out of the traditional church after she experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Vú Toan Trung – Mrs. Ly’s son:

“my mother went around the different provinces in Vietnam to share about the Holy Spirit baptism. She set up the first charismatic house church.”

Mrs. Ly mentored many of Vietnam’s current Christian leaders, including Pastor Pham Duc Trung, who went from being dependent on drugs to running several rehabilitation centers.

Pastor Pham Duc Trung – The Blessing Rehabilitation Center:

“when i became a Christian it was her church that I first attended and where I really felt loved. She recommended the rehabilitation center where I was delivered from drugs. And now I also help others be delivered from drug addiction.”

Mrs. Ly’s legacy lives on in her children and grandchildren.

Pastor Pham:

“Our mother’s legacy is her big heart for God. She was willing to sacrifice everything. She always reminds me of the verse in Luke1 ‘that we being delivered out of the hand of the enemies might serve him without fear…all the days of our life’ ”

Before retiring to her room, Mrs. Ly offered a prayer for all the pastors.

Duong Thi Tai:

“Heavenly father God, you are the God who reigns over the universe. Lord, we worship you. I pray for all the pastors give them strength and courage to share Jesus around them.”

About Release International

Release International is a Christian ministry working through local church partners in around 30 countries across the world, helping persecuted Christians prayerfully, pastorally and practically. The ministry was founded in 1968, inspired by the testimony and ministry of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand. Following the demise of Communism in Eastern Europe and the increase in the persecution of Christians elsewhere in the world, the Ministry broadened its activities and changed its name to Release International.

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