Being Agents Of Love
In Da Nang, Vietnam, a small group of believers and friends are ministering to those in their city with acts of love and kindness. After returning from the 2019 Asia Intensive, Quang Vo began considering planting a church among young professionals in Da Nang city. God has since nourished his core team’s vision of sowing seeds of the gospel in these lives. This team continues to grow toward launching a church, and are jumping into action during this season, taking every opportunity to reach out to their target community.
Quang Vo believes that the pandemic is a time to show people that the church doesn’t just talk about love and care but actually embodies and lives out the gospel.
His core team has been distributing bags of rice and other groceries to people in need, such as students who have been unable to return to their families because of the quarantine, workers who have lost their jobs, and families that are struggling. To organize the distribution, they have partnered with Campus Crusade for Christ - an organisation they frequently collaborate with. A few local soccer teams that the church planting team has relationships with have also agreed to participate in this food distribution initiative.
“Quang Vo says this outreach is not just about “doing the religious”. It’s really about authentic connections and relationships, and meeting people’s basic needs at this critical time. He said, “Our conviction is that the church has been called to become an agent of love for people to know about Christ. And we love people because of who we are in Christ, and not for the sake of another church activity.”
The food distribution team met one student who is currently living with her grandmother and who recently lost her part-time job due to the pandemic. The situation is difficult, as she must work extremely hard to continue her studies. When the team delivered a week’s worth of food supplies to this student and her grandmother, the unexpected gift encouraged them greatly and brought much joy - it was real love in action. Quang Vo’s team prays that their relationship with these two ladies will continue to grow.
When asked about what God has been teaching his church through the pandemic, Quang Vo responded, “We trust in God’s love and sovereignty. We believe that He is using this pandemic to reveal Himself and bring people back to Him in His own way. And we are happy for the privilege to see and participate in His plan.”
Hebrews 10:24 calls us to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
We would love to hear your stories. Stories where church planters are on the offensive (whether through evangelism, justice and mercy, projects to get supplies to healthcare workers, or any work that is being driven by your love for others in these times of COVID -19) and not just the defensive, to highlight what we are doing and can do creatively to spread the gospel and the love of Jesus in these times.
Do you have a story to share? Get in touch with us at ben.thomas@citytocityasiapacific.com
We want to pray with you and stand by you through this. So we invite you to also share stories of any struggles you’re facing in dealing with the situation surrounding your family or your church in these times.