A significant milestone has been reached with the establishment of the first-ever evangelical Vietnamese Church in the midlands.

Led by Pastor Charlie Nguyen, Good News Vietnamese Church has grown in numbers and is making an impact on the Vietnamese community in the area.

In 2019, the Columbia Metro Baptist Association first made contact with Nguyen to begin work on an evangelical Vietnamese church plant. However, COVID-19 and immigration challenges caused delays, putting the church plant on hold. The Vietnamese population in the Midlands was estimated to be around 6,000 at that time. As the Vietnamese community continues to grow, so does the need for a church that caters to their spiritual needs.

Partnering Together

Casey Williams, Senior Pastor at North Trenholm Baptist Church, met Nguyen in 2021. “It was very apparent that he was a gifted leader with a deep love for the Lord,” Williams said. Once they realized the growing Vietnamese population in their backyard, they agreed for North Trenholm to become a sending church for the church plant. “North Trenholm Church helps us with a house, and also, they are a very good friend to us,” Nguyen said. The partnership has now extended beyond North Trenholm to include First Baptist Columbia, Spring Valley Baptist, Columbia Crossroads, and Blaney Baptist.

A Flourishing Congregation

Now, in August 2023, Nguyen and his wife, Tanja, host over thirty individuals weekly in their home. The church plant has experienced remarkable growth. The number of attendees has more than doubled, prompting the need for a larger space within the North Trenholm Baptist Church’s sanctuary building. The church also recently held a baptismal service to celebrate new believers. In addition, Vietnamese families from across the state drive to Columbia to worship with them. Nguyen hopes to one day plant Vietnamese churches all across our state.

Prayers for Continued Growth

As Pastor Nguyen and the congregation work tirelessly to spread the Gospel, it is essential to uplift them in prayer. Pray for Pastor Nguyen as he leads the church. Additionally, pray for the congregation’s spiritual growth and their ability to effectively reach more Vietnamese individuals with the transformative power of the Gospel.

Recently, Nguyen was asked to lead a Vietnamese Bible study in Charleston, SC, where over 40 individuals gathered in a living room to hear the Word preached. This gathering underscored the necessity for more congregations and leaders like Nguyen who are willing to bridge the gap and ensure that the Gospel is preached across SC.