Moscow Good News Church: Ringing in the Vietnamese New Year

Moscow is home to approximately 50,000 Vietnamese immigrants who moved to Russia to work or study. The Moscow Good News Church has a Vietnamese affiliate church, led by Pastor Quoc Hung, which ministers to this community in the Vietnamese language. This congregation is unique, as it is the only Vietnamese church in the city of Moscow, reports Christian Telegraph and Rick Renner Ministries.

In Vietnamese culture, the biggest holiday of the year is Tet Nguyen Dan, or "Feast of the First Morning." This celebration marks the Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year. On Saturday, February 9, the Vietnamese Good News Church gathered to celebrate this favorite holiday. Church members passed out hundreds of flyers in the popular Vietnamese marketplace to attract visitors. They also prepared a full program and delicious traditional meal for the guests.

The program included folk and modern dances, Vietnamese music, worship, a video presentation, and guest performances by the MGNC youth ministry and dance team. Pastor Quoc Hung and International Fellowship Director Terry Young preached about the importance of putting Christ first in our lives and how we can rely on Him in the year to come. One man, a very prominent fish vendor at the local market, testified about how God has changed his life in the past year. Sharing Christ with everyone he meets, this man has been boldly witnessing to his customers and coworkers. Afterward when the altar call was given, eight people came forward to accept Christ as their Savior!

Following the program and message, the 150 people in attendance feasted on popular Vietnamese holiday dishes. Spring rolls, sticky rice cake, traditional salads, and other Vietnamese dishes were all shared and enjoyed. Along with the traditional wishes for prosperity and happiness, the believers enjoyed the closeness that comes from fellowship with other Christians. Culture and language draw people together, but in Christ believers have something that draws them closer still - their shared faith.

The Vietnamese Good News Church looks forward to future ministry within their Vietnamese community, for many people are still in dire need of Christ. As Luke 4:19 says, Jesus came "to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." This is the objective of the Vietnamese Good News Church for this coming year!

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[02/21/2008]

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