Vietnam police interfere in worship celebration

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — On the afternoon of March 4, public security police surrounded the Quoc Thanh Theater in central Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and ordered the electricity cut to the building in an attempt to stop a joint worship celebration organized by evangelical Christian house churches. About 1,000 worshipers had taken their places inside the building — another 500 were prevented by police from entering. Participants were plunged into total darkness and then oppressive heat when the air conditioning system shut down. Nevertheless, the Christians began their worship, using the glow of mobile phones and camera flashes to provide some light.