This spring, a group of Swedish business leaders traveled to Vietnam to visit the growing work of Word of Life in the country. During several intensive days, they met pastors, church members, and local entrepreneurs, while witnessing firsthand how the Gospel continues to transform lives. Several of the participants have supported the mission work for many years through Företagspartner (Business Partners) and were now able to see the ministry on the ground for the first time.
The Word of Life churches in Vietnam have a unique history. It all began with a group of Vietnamese students studying in Russia during the 1990s. There, they came into contact with the Word of Life church in Moscow, gave their lives to Jesus, and became passionate about their faith. One of those students was Pastor Pham, who today serves as the lead pastor of the Word of Life churches in Vietnam. His journey began when he witnessed the transformation of a man struggling with addiction after encountering Jesus. Pastor Pham later gave his own life to Christ and began interpreting Bible school teaching for other Vietnamese students, which meant that he heard the teaching many times over. Today, the work has grown to around 250 churches across Vietnam.
One of the participants on the trip was Anders Westerberg, who first heard about the Vietnamese students back in the 1990s.
“I traveled extensively in Russia during the 1990s and heard about this small group of Vietnamese students. I have known about the work for more than twenty years and have heard how it has grown. That is why I was very interested in coming here and seeing it with my own eyes,” he says.
For many of the participants, meeting the Vietnamese churches was something truly special.
“It is an amazing feeling to meet family on the other side of the world. Attending a Sunday service and immediately feeling at home, even though some of the Vietnamese songs were a little difficult to sing along to,” one of the business leaders shared.
Anders agrees.
“What really stood out was the atmosphere in the churches and the worship. It was like a copy of what we have at home, just in another language. The same spirit, the same feeling. It was wonderful to see.”
He was also impressed by what has been built over the years.
“It was inspiring to see the buildings they have constructed, including the Bible school. The fact that they have been able to acquire land and build something so solid shows that they have laid a foundation for something that will last.”
One of the strongest impressions for Anders was seeing how many lives are being impacted through the ministry.
“It is encouraging to see that something is actually happening with what we are helping to support. It becomes very real when you meet the people behind the numbers. I believe in this kind of mission work. You get to see the results and see that what is given is truly making a difference for people and for the nation.”
Immediately after Vietnam, Anders continued on to the Philippines together with Ville Männistö, where they took part in the launch of a new Bible school.
“It is inspiring to see new ministries taking shape and to meet people who are so hungry for God. Encounters like that leave a lasting impression.”
Looking back on the trip, it is the people he remembers most.
“Dedicated and hungry people are always inspiring to meet. Considering what has happened in Vietnam over the last thirty years, it will be very exciting to see what happens over the next thirty years, both in Vietnam and in the Philippines.”
