Eastern Cham in Vietnam

Eastern Cham in 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 would be able to overcome any tribal hostilities, and be able to travel to the areas where the Cham live.

Scripture Focus

"He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."  Hebrews 9:12

Scripture Prayer

Pray for this people group to come to comprehend that the blood of animals will never get them right with the one, true God. Pray that they realize that only the blood of Christ can forgive their sins and gain for them eternal life.

Prayer Focus

There are a number of individuals in this tribe who identify themselves as Christians. Pray they would grow in knowledge of what it means to live as a follower of Christ. Pray also they would be able to live as faithful followers of Christ yet be able to stay in their culture. 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.