DALLAS – The Vietnamese Baptist Union of North America celebrated America’s 250th birthday during the Union’s annual meeting, which took place over the July Fourth weekend.
Two prayer events organized by the Vietnamese Union preceded the 41st annual meeting of the Southern Baptist fellowship. The evening of July 1, “Prayer for Godly Generations” took place at Redeemer Baptist Church in Plano. Pastor Nguyễn Ngọc Khánh from Vietnamese Ministry of Pensacola (Fla.) First Baptist Church, preached, while Pastor Đặng Quy Thế from Fort Worth (Texas) Vietnamese Baptist Church, led the congregation in a time of prayer, “preparing hearts for the annual meeting,” leaders said.
“America 250: Prayer for a Godly America” the next morning involved 70 people undertaking a prayer walk from First Baptist Church of Dallas to Dealey Plaza, a distance of 1.2 miles. The temperature rose to a humid mid-90s during the prayer walk.
“This event called believers to pray for the United States as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary,” Executive Director Christian Phan told Baptist Press. “We asked God to bring spiritual revival and lead many people to faith in Christ.
“There has never been a greater opportunity to reach Vietnamese communities across North America,” Phan continued. “Thousands of new immigrants, international students, young professionals and second-generation Vietnamese are searching for community and purpose, creating tremendous opportunities for churches to share the hope of Jesus Christ through evangelism, church planting and compassionate ministry.”
The four-day annual meeting – with a theme of “Fixing our eyes upon Jesus” and Hebrews 12:2 as its scripture – that followed the prayer events involved 1,382 attendees, the largest of any Southern Baptist ethnic fellowship annual meeting in several years. The total included 205 children and 443 youth who had separate age-appropriate activities.
“The theme called God’s people, in an age of uncertainty and rapid change, to keep their eyes focused on Jesus Christ, the source of our hope, strength, and purpose in ministry,” Phan said. “The strong attendance reflects both the continued growth of the Union and the unity shared among its member churches.
“The gathering was marked by God’s abundant blessings, unity and joyful fellowship,” the executive director continued. “Pastors, church leaders, messengers and believers from across the United States and Canada came together to worship, study God’s Word, pray, plan for the work of the Lord and strengthen the bonds of fellowship within the Vietnamese Union.”
The opening session took place on the evening of July 2, led by Union President Cao Bảo Tài, pastor of Highpoint (N.C.) Vietnamese Baptist Church. The opening message was delivered by Tony Nguyễn, English Ministry pastor of Thanh Lễ Church in Orange County, Calif. The annual meeting also welcomed representatives from GuideStone Financial Resources, the International Mission Board, and the Vietnam Baptist Convention from Vietnam, with President Thành Công Nguyễn and Vice President Phạm Xuân Hiển present.
Phan introduced seven newly-ordained pastors, one newly-appointed church planter, and two churches newly-affiliated with the Union, bringing the total of Vietnamese Southern Baptist churches in the United States to 159. The first was started in 1975 in El Cajon, Calif.
The greatest need among Vietnamese churches in the United States and Canada: “Developing the next generation of spiritual leaders while effectively discipling young people who are growing up in a bilingual and multicultural environment,” the executive director continued. “Churches must continue strengthening biblical teaching, leadership training, and healthy family ministry so every generation remains firmly rooted in God’s Word.”
The Executive Board and Administrative Leadership team presented the Union’s vision for the coming years, focusing on fulfilling the Great Commission more effectively through several strategic goals:
- Strengthening church visitation, support, and cooperation among member churches.
- Raising up 100 new pastors by the year 2033.
- Acquiring a permanent headquarters for the Union.
- Launching the America 250 Giving Initiative, encouraging 1,000 individuals to give $250 annually to expand the work of the Lord.
Business
Messengers on July 4 approved the next year’s budget, new and continuing officers, and the first reading of constitution and bylaw changes.
The budget includes a $150,000 for operations, $183,000 for Vietnamese Theological Seminary, $100,000 for Vietnamese Baptist Mission and $50,000 for other ministries. In extra giving by churches, the Vietnamese Union’s Disaster Relief Fund received $29,413 during the year and distributed $30,000 in assistance at Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Huế, Đà Nẵng, Qui Nhơn, Lào Cai, and Cao Bằng in Vietnam for Typhoons Yagi and Wutip. The annual meeting also encouraged churches and believers to continue giving faithfully to support the Union’s ministries in the years ahead.
President Cao Bảo Tài, pastor of Highpoint (N.C.) Vietnamese Baptist Church, continues in that role. First Vice President Nguyễn Văn Việt, pastor of Aurora (CO) Vietnamese Community Baptist Church was approved with 94.7 percent of the vote. The President and Second Vice President Vo Van Giap, pastor of Eastview (Texas) Vietnamese Baptist Church have not yet completed their terms of office and will remain in their positions until next year’s annual meeting.
Board Member Nguyễn Bá Trọng, pastor of First Vietnamese Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, was approved with 92 percent of the vote. English Ministry Director Hồ Thế Vũ, pastor of Thiên Ân Church in Seattle, Wash., was approved with 97 percent.
Annual meeting messengers also approved, on first reading, several amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws to strengthen the organizational structure of the Vietnamese Baptist Union of North America. In accordance with the Constitution, these amendments will be presented for a second and final vote at the 2027 annual meeting.
Wrap-up
The closing worship service that took place Sunday morning, July 5, featured the children’s ministry presentation, a closing message by President Tài, and the observance of the Lord’s Supper.
“The annual meeting provides pastors with biblical encouragement, practical ministry training, and meaningful fellowship with fellow servants who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of Vietnamese ministry,” Phan said. “It is also a valuable time to build partnerships, exchange ministry ideas, pray together, and renew a shared commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission.”
The Vietnamese Baptist Union of North America’s next annual meeting is to take place at the Sheraton Greensboro/Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C., tentatively set for July 8-12, 2027.
