What is a cow bank?

Local Open Doors partners in rural Vietnam are helping to support persecuted Christians through a cow bank project – which has been made possible thanks to you!

A cow bank project is helping Christians in rural Vietnam to flourish – and share the gospel – all made possible by your prayers and support. 

The creative initiative sees families receive a breeding cow as a loan; they pay the loan back by returning the cow’s first offspring to the cow bank. Any other cows produced can then be kept by the family to help them create their own income. 

Project plays to communities’ strengths

“Local church members see this as a way to reach out to their communities, share the gospel and lead others to Christ,” says Xiong*. The 34-year-old father of three has greatly benefited from the cow bank project. He currently serves God in a church of 600 members in a remote area in the north. Although the region is full of beautiful landscapes and rich natural resources, its rugged terrain, flooding and landslides make the region almost inaccessible – the area is considered one of Vietnam’s poorest.   

This is why the cow bank is so helpful – especially as it plays to the community’s strengths: Xiong’s ethnic group are traditionally cattle raisers.  

A local pastor who manages the project in his church notes that it’s very meaningful. “When they receive the cows, they take good care of them,” he says. “I have seen many lives improved because of this project.” Believers in his church have bred one cow to produce seven in just a short time. In one instance, four were sold to buy materials for a new house while the other two were kept for raising. 

Cow bank helps ease religious tensions 

To date, more than 2,200 individuals from different tribal villages have benefited from the cow bank. Open Doors partners initially loaned out 261 mother cows in 2016, which has now multiplied to 550 cows in the bank. Recipients share that by raising a small herd, they’re able to send their children to school with the income they raise. Others say they’re able to invest in a farm, put food on their tables and tithe to the church. 

The cow bank has also eased the pressure that Christian families face when they leave their tribal beliefs to follow Jesus. Vietnam is currently number 44 on the World Watch List. Christian converts from rural tribes may have their homes destroyed or be expelled from their communities. Local authorities break up church services and detain, threaten, fine and sometimes imprison church leaders, ordering them not to speak about Jesus anymore. 

Because the project helps both Christian and non-Christian families in need, the community that used to oppress believers is now more accepting towards them and their faith. 

“I am deeply thankful” 

And like any income-generating project that allows participants to run their own business, villagers like Xiong no longer feel helpless. They can dream bigger.   

“Our church has greatly benefited from this initiative,” Xiong says. “I am deeply thankful to the Lord, to the cow bank project, to our pastors, and to our sponsors who support us through this initiative. Praise God!” 

Vang*, another participant who also serves in his local church, says, “It was a miracle and a blessing from God. My family’s economic situation has improved a lot. Now, my dream of serving my people has been fulfilled. I can now serve God through this project.” 

With your ongoing prayers and support, Open Doors local partners plan to expand the cow bank project to remote churches in Central Vietnam as well. Thank you! 

*Names changed for security reasons