Christian man beaten by his own son

A father experienced the brutality of his son after he, his wife, and his other children decided to commit their lives to Jesus and turn their backs on ancestor worship.

Huu Dat*, in his 60s, a husband, and a father to six children is a tribal believer from northwest Vietnam who became a follower of Jesus in July this year. When a friend introduced him to the gospel, Huu Dat, together with his wife and four children, chose to follow Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. 

Huu Dat’s eldest son (in his 30s) who only found out about his family’s conversion later, became mad. He demanded them to denounce their faith and return to ancestor worship, yet no one budged—they continued to worship the Lord. He continued to persuade his father to return to their old belief, yet Huu Dat was also firm. In their tribe, the prevailing belief is that converting to any religion is an act of betrayal and brings dishonour to their family and their tribe.

Come late October, frustrated and angry with his family’s conviction not to deny Jesus, the eldest son attacked Huu Dat, his father, and repeatedly hit him with a thick wooden rod. The beating left a long deep wound across his face and broken ribs.

Huu Dat’s pastor, an OD local contact who is taking care now of Huu Dat and his family, says, “Despite what his son did to him, he continues to keep their faith in the Lord. His family continues to believe in the Lord. No one can change his faith now, not even the pain.”

Isaac*, another local partner who monitors the situation recently shared, “This week, Huu Dat was brought to the hospital due to intense and persistent pain in his upper body. He was checked and found that he had a few bone fractures. We are now preparing the help that we can give for his medication and for his family. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

“This incident has also been reported to the local authorities; yet since it is a family matter, they said they won’t get involved. Huu Dat’s local church has also informed the registered evangelical church about this incident, and they ask for everyone’s prayer for the family.”

Will you pray with us?

• For God’s continuous healing and protection for Huu Dat, as his injuries are quite serious.
• For God’s love to continue to reign over Huu Dat and his family which will be seen by the eldest son. May the Lord use their lives to draw the eldest son’s life closer to Him.
• For understanding and remorse for the son who beat his father. Pray that the Lord works through his life and he too will willingly welcome Him in his life.

*Names changed for security reasons.