DAN SCHUMACHER -- The Flat Hat Rev. Paul Ai, Converted Christian pastor

Pastor speaks to students

By Stephen Carley
Flat Hat Asst. News Editor

The Reverend Paul Ai, a Christian pastor who came to the United States in 2000 with the help of the U.S. State Department, spoke Thursday night at a joint meeting of Amnesty International and Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. Ai, who had been imprisoned in Vietnam for over ten years, told his story of his religious conversion and early years as an evangelical Christian pastor.

Pastor Ai spoke of his appreciation for U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and how much it meant to the cause of peace.

"Many men and women decided to leave the wonderful United States and come and serve the people of Vietnam, and we were very thankful," he said.

Ai began his speech with the story of his early life and work as a Buddhist monk. Sent by his father to a Buddhist temple at a very young age, Ai discovered Buddhism was not the path for him and instead became a black-magic witch doctor.

According to Ai, when he heard of Christian missionaries in his town, he became afraid of losing his business as a witch doctor. In response, Ai attended a local prayer meeting, an event he saw as very different from traditional Vietnamese religious services.

"In Vietnam, you must be very quiet so you can meditate on all your gods, but this place was very loud and full of singing and shouting," he said.

Ai became intrigued by message of the missionaries; they told their audience about the gospel of Christ and how their burdens would be relieved. In an attempt to drive off the new Christian fellowship, Ai said he prayed and fasted for days, asking his gods to deliver his town from the foreigners.

"It was no use," Ai said. "By the end of the services, none of my gods showed up."

After trying to stump the missionaries with tough Buddhist questions, Ai said he became convinced of the truth of their teachings and went home to tell his parents and family. Ai's father and grandfather were distressed at the news, and they implored him to reconsider.

"How could I go on believing in Buddha?" Ai asked the audience rhetorically. "Buddha was a wise man, a great man, but he died. Jesus is alive."

Ai then spoke to the group about his experiences trying to convert his family, friends and other witch doctors to Christianity. He recalled how he felt very distressed, but a few inspiring songs helped him to keep his faith.

Though Ai was successful in preaching to some of his friends, he also spoke to the audience about the actions of those who felt threatened by his presence.

"All the witch doctors in my town got together," he said. "They cursed me and said I would never have a son. That was a great shame for Vietnamese men."

Ai's troubles continued as he continued to preach throughout Vietnam. According to Ai, he was warned many times by his friends and Vietnamese officials that if he continued, he would be thrown in prison for his actions. Ai chose not to quit and remained a pastor.

Ai then recounted that after the 1975 U.S. evacuation of Saigon he was arrested and spent more than ten years in jail. While in prison, Ai said he was used as a propaganda tool against capitalism, but he never stopped preaching to his fellow inmates.

Once he was released from jail, Ai began traveling around Vietnam and continuing his evangelical message. According to Ai, he met many troubled people, among whom was a young Christian teacher who later became his wife.

In the late 1990's the U.S. government worked hard to get Ai out of Vietnam, and he came to the United States for the first time in 2000. When Ai decided he needed a non-Vietnamese name, he chose Paul. According to the Bible, the Apostle Paul also changed his name to reflect his new identity. Ai said he believed the change was therefore well suited for him.

Ai concluded his speech with a message about his belief in the gospel of Christ to help all people, including the students in the audience, bear their burden and to trust in hope for the future.

Next Wednesday at 8:30 in Chesapeake A in the University Center, the Alpha Chi Christian Fellowship will present the Reverend Cannon. The following Wednesday they will hold another guest speaker presentation on the North American Free Trade Agreement at 5 p.m. in Small Hall.

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