Vietnamese Quick Facts:
-Population of 80 Million People
-Major Cities: Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
-Buddhism 52%, Catholicism 9%, Cao Dai  18%, Protestant 0.8%, Other 20.8%
-Complete Bible Translation in 1926
-93.7% Literacy Rate

One Church, Two Presidents
It might sound like a bad idea for a church to have two presidents, but in the case of the open church in Vietnam, it is probably a good step forward.  But to explain this comment, it is necessary to give a bit of background history.

 

In 1954, when Vietnam divided into two countries (until Reunification in 1975), it was necessary for the Evangelical Church of Vietnam to become two distinct bodies - North and South.  Today there still remain two bodies of the Open Church in Vietnam (in addition to the other house church groups), but until recently there hasn't been much interaction between the two.

 

Now, however, there is a new climate for the Evangelical Churches of Vietnam. In December 2004, the northern branch held its first General Church Conference in 20 years, and appointed a new president, Pastor H and executive board.  A few weeks' ago, the southern branch (whose last conference was 5 years ago) did the same.  The new president of the churches in the south is Pastor T.

 

With two new presidents and two new executive boards, perhaps now is a great opportunity to see the church move forward in its mission to bring the gospel to the people of Vietnam throughout the land.  Now, also, there is the possibility of good cooperation between north and south.  Will you join with the church in Vietnam in praying for steps forward towards a united and faithful church in Vietnam?

 

Praise God for:

• the election of godly men to leadership positions in the church, both north and south
• for the first steps towards more effective working together

Pray that:

• the church in Vietnam will stand united, and seek to do things according to God's agenda not their own
• there may be many opportunities over the coming months for more churches to be opened, and the gospel to reach to those places, especially in the north, where the number of Vietnamese Christians is few
• Pastor L, the board member in the north who is responsibility for the minority people groups, would be able to create good conditions for the growth and establishment of the churches among the various people groups (other than the Kinh/Vietnamese) found in the north