Photo via renner.org

Vietnamese Good News Church celebrated Lunar New Year

For both Russian and Vietnamese cultures, New Year's Day is the biggest and most important holiday of the year. In Vietnam, the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) commemoration is a time of reflection, celebration, and fellowship with family. It is a festive day, complete with traditional foods and customs like the New Year's tree. This holiday also incorporates many pagan elements into the celebration rituals, such as praying to household gods and inviting departed ancestors to join in the festivities.

In Moscow, however, the Vietnamese Good News Church uses Tet as an opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with their fellow Vietnamese brothers and sisters, reports Rick Renner Ministries. On the eve of the Lunar New Year, January 24, Pastor Quoc Hung and the Vietnamese church prepared a special holiday program of songs, dances, and testimonies, which were followed by an evangelistic message. Terry Young, the Good News Church International Ministry director, delivered this uplifting message, preaching about placing one's trust in God and the importance of faith.

Following the service, the congregation and visitors gathered together to enjoy a traditional Vietnamese meal, which offered some special dishes that are only eaten during the New Year's celebrations. For the Vietnamese in Moscow, this service was a great opportunity to enjoy a taste of home, share their culture, and fellowship with other Vietnamese expatriates. Most importantly, it gave these believers a chance to celebrate in a Christian setting — enjoying their unique culture while dedicating the coming year to serving Christ.

Many of those who attend the Lunar New Year services are newcomers to the church, and each year, many visitors respond to the evangelistic message. This year, 14 people came forward to accept Christ, and many more prayed the prayer of salvation in their seats. For these new believers, this service was much more than a holiday celebration; it was the beginning of their new life in Christ. Pastor Quoc Hung and the Vietnamese Good News Church are ready and willing to help these new Christians as they start their walk with Jesus.

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TAGS: Russia Vietnamese Good News Church Lunar New Year Rick Renner Ministries

[02/02/2009]

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