Extreme Devotion – Day 258: "Extreme TV Preacher"

Podcast: Extreme Devotion by The Voice of the Martyrs
Episode Date: September 15, 2025
Theme: Endurance, witness, and the unstoppable nature of the Gospel under persecution, as exemplified by Brother Kabay in Vietnam.

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights Brother Kabay, a Vietnamese Christian leader facing harassment and public shaming at the hands of local authorities. Despite government efforts to vilify him on national television and radio for his "crimes"—specifically, preaching the Gospel in unregistered house churches—Kabay’s witness only grows stronger. His story illustrates how attempts to suppress Christianity can, paradoxically, serve to expand its reach and inspire others.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Brother Kabay’s Public Shaming

• [00:00] The episode opens with a quote from 2 Timothy 2:8-9, underscoring the episode’s foundational belief: "The word of God cannot be chained."
• Brother Kabay’s children were initially thrilled to see their father on Vietnamese TV, their pride swiftly turning to distress when authorities labeled him a ‘criminal’ guilty of supposedly serious offenses against the state.

2. "Crimes" and Persecution

• Kabay’s only crime was sharing the Gospel at unregistered house churches—an act interpreted by the Vietnamese government as a threat.
• The authorities’ television broadcast was meant both as a warning and public shaming, with police interviews further cementing the message.

3. Unintended Consequences: Paradoxical Evangelism

• Rather than silencing Kabay, state media unintentionally magnified his platform.
• Quote:
  • "They put my face on TV so people can identify me. My neighbors say, 'Why leave your family?' I tell them that God will take care of that. I must go. The harvest is ready and there are few workers." — Brother Kabay [01:15]
• Publicity led to curious viewers seeking Kabay out to learn more about his faith.

4. Threats and Family Response

• Undeterred by public shaming, Brother Kabay faced escalating threats of arrest if he continued ministry.
• His wife’s faith sustained the family:
  • Quote:
    "My wife rejoices that our names are in the book of life and that my face is a witness on television. The police are helping to spread the gospel. They can close the church, but not our witness." — Brother Kabay [02:10]

5. Resilience of the Gospel Message

• The podcast transitions to a broader reflection: Physical suppression—imprisonment, even death—cannot stifle the Gospel’s advance.
• Quote:
  "Believers may be nailed to a stake, chained in a prison cell or locked in stockades. Believers may even die. Yet the Gospel lives on." [02:31]

6. The Essence of Faith—the True Church

• Kabay’s story is used to challenge listeners:
  • Is Christianity for you about a building, a pastor, or outward meetings?
  • Would your faith survive if all these were stripped away?
• The episode ends with a call for listeners to consider how their faith might look under similar restrictions, using Kabay as a modern-day example of living faith.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. The word of God cannot be chained."
  — (2 Timothy 2:8-9, episode reference) [00:05]
• "They put my face on TV so people can identify me... I must go. The harvest is ready and there are few workers."
  — Brother Kabay [01:15]
• "My wife rejoices that our names are in the book of life and that my face is a witness on television. The police are helping to spread the gospel."
  — Brother Kabay [02:10]
• "Believers may be nailed to a stake, chained in a prison cell or locked in stockades. Believers may even die. Yet the Gospel lives on."
  — Host/Narrator [02:31]
• Reflective questions posed to listeners:
  • "Is your understanding of Christianity tied to a certain pastor or church building or activity? Would your faith still thrive as it does in restricted nations?" [03:05]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:00] – Biblical foundation and introduction to Brother Kabay’s story
• [00:35] – The government's attempt at public shaming via TV
• [01:15] – Kabay’s testimony and response to persecution
• [02:00] – Neighbor and family reactions; ongoing threats from authorities
• [02:31] – Broader reflection on indomitable Gospel witness
• [03:05] – Reflection questions and summary challenge to listeners

Summary

Brother Kabay’s persecution in Vietnam demonstrates the paradox of Christian witness under repression: Every attempt to silence the Gospel often increases its audience and impact. His story challenges listeners everywhere to consider the foundations of their faith—would it stand if everything external were taken away? The episode encourages believers to see persecution not merely as suffering, but as opportunity for deeper testimony, urging each person to answer: “Would you still find a way, like Kabay did, to live out your faith?”