Vinh Nguyen arrived in the U.S. in 1975 as a refugee from Vietnam. A friend invited him to a Baptist church where he was surprised by the warmth and kindness of the congregation. Months later, Nguyen gave his life to Christ.

God used that experience to shape his ministry.

As Louisiana’s Asian population continued to grow, Nguyen felt called to help reach Vietnamese people living in Baton Rouge. After connecting with the pastor of Victoria Baptist Church, he began a Vietnamese Bible study that eventually evolved into the Vietnamese Hope Baptist Church.

Today, Pastor Nguyen continues reaching multiple generations of Vietnamese families while investing in relationships with other Asian Baptist leaders in Louisiana.

With support from the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering, Asian church leaders gathered in January for the Asian Leaders’ Retreat hosted by Vietnamese Hope Baptist Church. Leaders from different Asian backgrounds encouraged one another and shared ministry strategies.

“Even though we don’t speak the same language, we have the same God and same Jesus Christ,” Nguyen said, “Everybody needs to be saved. The work is not done yet.”