Hoang and Thanh’s relationship with the Lake Avenue Church Media Resource Center traces back to 1991 when they responded to an ad in the Worship Folder to help Lil Walker run “The Cassette Window” as it used to be called.
Hoang grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ at the age of 14. “Seeing the many challenges my pastor father faced, I found it difficult to listen to God and kept denying my calling of becoming His servant until both my parents passed. But if He keeps knocking, we have to answer,” said Hoang.
Hoang and Thanh joined LAC in 1982 when he assisted Dr. Vu Duc Chang in pastoring a newly arrived group of Vietnamese at Villa 500. It has now grown into a larger community that meets in their own church building. “LAC has played a big role in our faith and who we have become today. We have seen the blessings of being part of LAC’s community in full circle. Both of our daughters grew up here. Our older daughter was married at Lake as well. Her children are now enjoying Sunday School as much as mom did.”
“LAC is our home church. It’s where we have grown and nurtured our souls. We are so grateful that God has allowed us to serve in this ministry for all these years.”
I spoke with them on a Sunday morning in their small section of the Worship Center Lobby. With welcoming smiles on their faces they were ready to help with whatever people needed. “God has blessed us through this ministry,” they said. “We meet a lot of people here and we share our story with them. Coming to the U.S. as refugees not knowing what to expect, God has been good to us. In return people share their experiences. We have built many relationships this way, by just being available to listen. We take the opportunity to point them to various sermons and topics based on their need and they keep coming back.”
Besides serving at Lake, Hoang’s current main ministry is online called VietsForChrist (https://vanhoaniemtin.com). Its purpose is to bring the gospel to Vietnamese scattered all over the world through sermons and worship music. He also speaks at churches throughout the states and Europe.
Thanh shared a few last thoughts. “LAC is our home church. It’s where we have grown and nurtured our souls. We are so grateful that God has allowed us to serve in this ministry for all these years.”
Visit Hoang and Thanh at LAC’s Media Resource Center in the Worship Center Lobby on Sunday mornings. You can also read sermon manuscripts, study guides, and listen to streaming sermons or watch videos at https://www.lakeave.org/sermons or on Facebook.