Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – Before the Lunar New Year of the Ox 2021, the Community Development Ministry carried out two activities: visiting and giving Tết gifts 2021 in Long Biên, and caring for believers in special circumstances in the church. This is how the church prepared for Tết together by remembering those in hardship.
See photos: photos of visits and gifts for believers on the Community Development Ministry fanpage
Gifts for 36 Struggling Households in Long Biên Ward
On the morning of February 2, 2021, the Community Development Ministry, the leadership team of the Long Biên Covenant group and representatives of the Long Biên Ward People’s Committee visited and gave gifts to 36 households in especially difficult circumstances living in the ward.
Working with local authorities helps the gifts reach the right people, and reflects the bond between the Long Biên group and the community where the church meets.
For the Long Biên Covenant group, the neighbors around its meeting place are not strangers. At every holiday, the church wants to share with them not only material gifts but also care and wishes of peace.
Visiting Believers in Special Circumstances
Alongside the local activity, the Community Development Ministry also visited, prayed with and gave small gifts to believers in special circumstances in Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church.
The ministry hopes that through these visits, believers feel God’s love and the care of their church family as everyone prepares for the traditional Tết. Along with the gifts, team members took time to listen and pray with each family.
“For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11)
Becoming Good Samaritans
Sharing the meaning of these pre-Tết activities, the Community Development Ministry recalled a thought: hard times are an opportunity for Christians to show their faith and the gospel message through concrete actions. We pray for those in trouble, but we also need practical action, like the Good Samaritan in the story Jesus told.
That sometimes means being willing to give time, effort and money. But those who give also receive: the joy of seeing a family comforted, and experiencing the faithfulness of God, who never lets generous hearts go without.
A Warm and Well-Provided Tết
The church asks God to richly provide for all His children, especially grandparents, brothers and sisters still in hardship, so everyone can celebrate a warm and well-provided Tết according to His good will.
Visiting believers in special circumstances later became a regular activity of the Community Development Ministry, especially during the months of Hà Nội’s Covid-19 lockdown.
Walk With the Ministry
- Pray for struggling households in Long Biên ward.
- Pray for believers who are ill, elderly or facing financial hardship.
- Pray for the Long Biên Covenant group to keep being a blessing to the surrounding community.
If you know of believers who need a visit, please let us know. Read more in Community Development and Church News. Contact the church office: 0942 248 688 (Zalo available).
