AG of Vietnam Holds First General Council

Prayer time during the Vietnam General Council

Last fall, the Assemblies of God of Vietnam received a permit from the Vietnam government to operate, granting it an official operating license. Just more than a year later, on October 20, 2010, the Assemblies of God of Vietnam held its first general council in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to “Vietnam News,” the event drew 700 dignitaries and followers from 39 cities and provinces nationwide. It was also attended by representatives from the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, the municipal Fatherland Front Committee, the local Committee for Religious and Ethnic Affairs, and a number of Protestant organizations from Vietnam and overseas.

During this initial general council, executive leadership was elected. Samuel Duong Thanh Lam was elected as general superintendent of the AG of Vietnam with Paul Ngo Truong Tien Linh elected as assistant general superintendent. Elisha Dang Hong An was elected general secretary and Esther Pham Ngoc Thu was elected as general treasurer.

“The first official General Council of the Vietnam AG was full of life, singing, dancing, joyous music and passionate preaching,” states Jeff Dove, a representative of the U.S. AG. “The emphasis of it all was turned from the past and present, to the future and what all hoped they could now do for God in openness.”

Since being granted a certificate of operation in September 2009, the AG of Vietnam has already extended ministry to 43 cities and provinces across the country.

“Somewhat like the formation of the Assemblies of God in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1914, this is an historic day for the Assemblies of God of Vietnam,” states Russ Turney, AG World Missions regional director for Asia Pacific. “I believe God is going to do incredible things in Vietnam through this Fellowship.”

AG News