IBL in Vietnam

In 1998 the Institute of Biblical Leadership entered into a strategic alliance with a network of churches in the nation of Vietnam. Twice each year, our staff has been traveling to this Communist country to present systematic theological training. The mission of IBL is to “strengthen leaders who plant and grow churches around the world.” To this end, we have been privileged to invest in the lives of hundreds of Vietnamese leaders who are being used of God to reach thousands with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The church throughout Asia is vibrant, dynamic and growing by leaps and bounds. This growth is often in spite of official and unofficial persecution by those who feel threatened by people with a living faith. In spite of the persecution – indeed, because of it – God's Word is having a powerful impact and the leaders with whom we minister are strengthening their effectiveness to rightly divide the Word of God.

Many are coming to know Christ. These new believers need shepherds to watch over them and to teach them God's Word in a powerfully practical way leading to enduring, transformational change. To the Glory of God, many of these men and women leaders with whom we have labored are hearing and responding to God's call to lead His sheep.

Our original plan was to indigenize this ministry in ten years but, gently and steadily, God surprised us and walked us through a process in 2005 to re-evaluate our strategy.  In fact, He led us to increase our ministry!  So many effectual doors had been opened, so many precious relationships had been built, and, importantly, the enormous need to stem the tide of false doctrine had been implanted deep within our hearts.  The challenge was clear, but how could we have an effective full-time presence in a nation a world away, and in a culture and language so very different from our own.  As we wrestled with this challenge, it became clear we needed a Vietnamese man who shared our burden for strengthening the Vietnamese church, who shared our vision for investing in ministry leadership, and who was equipped to oversee the execution of IBL’s ministry in Vietnam.  God affirmed in our hearts just who that man was!

Training classes run for approximately ten hours per day, five days a week. We praise God for giving us a gifted translator, as all teaching is done in English and simultaneously translated into the students' language.

Doan Nhat Tan is an ordained pastor with whom we had worked for several years and was intimately involved in the leadership training we had been conducting. Over several years, we had talked together many times about our love for the Vietnamese people, our burden to strengthen the church in Vietnam, and the vision of IBL. A kindred spirit had been sharpened.

During the war in Vietnam, Pastor Tan trusted Christ for his eternal salvation through the ministry of an American missionary, and has been a faithful servant for the Lord for many years. He is a trained church planter and has been involved in doing so for five years. He also has twenty years experience in small group ministries. Pastor Tan has an earned B.A. degree from Qui Nhon National College in Education, has taught in public schools in Vietnam for ten years, and served as an administrator (principal) in a secondary school for five years. He has excellent English language skills and has spent ten years as an ESL teacher. He has applied these skills translating numerous theological works from English to Vietnamese.

Our three-fold ministry in Vietnam is a reflection of our ministry in the United States and throughout the world. In our emphasis on Leadership Development, Pastor Tan plans and delivers pastoral training seminars for leaders throughout Vietnam. The IBL staff joins him periodically. In addition, through our focus of Ministry Revitalization Pastor Tan is available to work with individual churches over an extended period of time to strengthen their effectiveness for Christ. As well, Pastor Tan provides Bible-based Counsel to individual church leaders who are struggling with personal spiritual battles.

The open effectual door in Vietnam is both a privilege and a responsibility. The Board of Directors of IBL, and the IBL staff, desire to follow God’s leading as we invest in the lives of beloved Vietnamese people. You prayers are deeply coveted. Ask God to give us His wisdom and discernment as we oversee this international ministry. And too, please pray with us that God’s grace will be abundantly upon Pastor Tan to enable him with both physical and spiritual might.