The Way of God Came to Vietnam
Only hold fast to what you have until I come
Revelation 2:25
Dear ones in the name of Jesus Christ,
By chance, I get to know Cherie Kropp, a lady who owns the website “Telling The Truth” (TTT). She also asks me some questions concerning the way of God in Vietnam. Truely to say, if these questions came to me 50 years ago, I would have been so happy to write, not now! After praying, thinking some months, I felt that I need to write, because this is the time, there are many people in Vietnam and in other countries misunderstand in many ways about God’s way in Vietnam.
Signed: Nguyen Huu Bau
Click Here to read full Account of the Vietnam Division compiled by Cherie Kropp from statements made during the years 2013 and 2014 by Nguyễn Huu Bau and his wife who were the first couple to profess in VN, his daughter Nguyễn Thị Minh Thanh and her husband Nguyễn Xuân Hoàn, who all reside in Saigon/HCMC; and Nguyễn Thanh Hoa, first person to profess and first native Brother Worker, who is no relation to the others.
Click Here to View Vietnam Photos
When did the workers first arrive?
In 1957
In 1957, Fred Allen from Queensland, Australia and Maurice Archer from New Zealand came to Saigon.
In 1959, Maurice Archer returned to New Zealand due to his health and George Pillay from Singapore arrived.
In 1961 Edwin Allen came to be with Fred Allen and George Pillay returned to Sinagpore.
Phyllis Munn (Idaho) and Bonnie Dahlin (Washington) from USA in late 1959.
First native brother workers: Nguyen Thanh Hoa and Vu Ngoc Chau in 1967.
First native sister worker: Ho Thu Anh in 1973-1982
Nguyen Thanh Hoa and Vu Ngoc Chau in June 1961 in Saigon; both 21 years old.
Mr. & Mrs. Nguyen Huu Bau in late 1961.
When & where was the first Gospel meeting held?
At 123 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Str., District 3, Saigon in 1958.
At the brothers’ batch at 378D Đien Bien Phu Str, District 3, Saigon in 1961 from June to November because there were a few friends with 4 workers.
In Saigon/HCMC, there are 6 meetings total, but the meetings are divided into 2 groups. Five meetings who accept all workers--except brother worker Hoa; and one meeting which only accepts Hoa, which is held in Mr. & Mrs. Nguyen Huu Bau's home. There are other meetings in Vietnam such as Hanoi, Huế, Di Linh, Da Lat and Baria.
How many workers are there now (2013)?
There were and still are 22 workers in the field
Natives: (11 total) 1 brother, 9 sisters. (Hoa and Chau not included)
Foreigners (9 total): 5 from Canada; 2 from Philippines; 1 from Singapore and 1 from Korea
When & Where was the first baptism held?
In early 1962 at a pool in Saigon, about ten people were baptized.
The first was held in 1962 at the brothers’ bach in Saigon. Four visiting workers were present. It continued there until 1982. Convention was held at Youth Hostel in Dalat from 1963-1966.
-1957 to 1975 Fred Allen ( he had to leave Vietnam due to the communist occupied the South of Vietnam and handed the responsibility to Vu Ngoc Chau and Nguyen Thanh Hoa until 1992 when Cliff came…(a)
-1992 Cliff Toane from Canada came to visit, but couldn’t stay in Vietnam. When Fred Allen could not stay in VN, Cliff assumed the overseership in VN and Châu and Hoa cooperated with him.
-1997 (?) Cliff couldn’t continue due to his health and Jim Chafee became responsible for VN (from South Dakota, overseer of China/Hong Kong). When Jim left China/VN Morris Grovum (from Canada) took the oversight; which later passed to Darrel Turner (from Canada). (b)
-2011 Darrel handed the responsibility to Lyle Shultz from Canada until
November 10, 2013
Dear ones,
My name is Bau, 84 years old, my wife 81. Both of us used to belong The Protestant way. By chance I met the Way of God, so both of us professed the same night in 1961. We were the first couple in The Way in Vietnam. Our home also was the first place for the fellowship meeting with bread and cup.
We had 7 children, 11 grand children and 6 great grand children. Four of my children opened their houses for fellowship meetings with bread and cup, too.
I had had great privileges to meet thousands of friends and hundreds of workers in 9 countries such as London, Paris, Australia and USA...I used to send letters, email to 50 ones within 18 countries each time. Especially we had a very good opportunity to welcome many workers and friends from abroad, particularly the American soldiers by the time the war in Vietnam. We did enjoy so much in God’s Way. How wonderful it is!
But--how sad to say!
These golden chapters couldn’t continue as it should! Since 2000, the Canadian workers came and overseer appeared as you see in the map, many things were changed...we pray for any miracles to happen to change the situation but hopeless. So last three years until now we have our own meetings, we keep on much better. Our fellowship meetings now are so good, so sweet.
We learn that the solution for any cases and anywhere that keep the truth and go on.
Reading the church in Revelation we see clearly a lot of trouble but one verse was a comfort to us: “only hold fast to what you have till I come” Rev 2:25.
Best wishes
Nguyen Huu Bau
Click Here to read full Account of the Vietnam Division
Additional Information, photos and documents are welcome concerning the work in Vietnam.
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