GLOBAL PRAYER NETWORK: Cham, Eastern of Vietnam

Jumat, 08 November 2013

Cham, Eastern of Vietnam

The Eastern Cham is one of the most ancient ethnic groups in Southeast Asia. They live in the provinces along the coastline of southern Vietnam, and their villages are spread out in the coastal and Mekong Delta provinces. As a small minority group now overrun with poverty and persecution, one must remember that the Eastern Cham kingdom once reigned in Southeast Asia. The Cham are descendants from what was known as the Champa kingdom, which was located in Vietnam, areas of Cambodia, and southern Laos. The Eastern Cham are a mixture of Hindus and Muslims, but they are also highly influenced by traditional ancestor worship and animism.

Ministry Obstacles
Their religious beliefs contribute to their history and identity as a people group. This makes it difficult for Cham individuals to embrace Christianity, as doing so would result in expulsion from the community.
Outreach Ideas
Perhaps Christians in other Vietnamese tribes will be led by the Lord's Spirit to the Eastern Cham, to tell them about Christ. Pray they will be able to overcome any tribal hostilities, and be able to travel to the areas where the Cham live.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There are a number of individuals in this tribe who identify themselves as Christians. Pray they will grow in knowledge of what it means to live as a follower of Christ. Pray also they will be able to live as faithful followers of Christ, yet be able to stay in their culture.

Pray for the entire people group
The Cham are still considered to be a minority in Vietnam and are looked down upon. Because of this discrimination, the Eastern Cham people have very low self-esteem and self-worth as individuals and as a people group. Yet, they have pride in their heritage, as they vehemently point out to people who visit their villages that they are Eastern Cham, not Vietnamese.

Scripture Focus
"Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see." Matthew 22:9