Overview of the opening of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North)'s 35th General Assembly (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) openedits 35th General Assembly on October 17 with the participation of representativesfrom the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Government Committee for ReligiousAffairs and about 1,500 delegates.
Head of the Church Pastor Nguyen Huu Mac said that participants at thethree-day event will review the Church’s operation in the 2013-2017 period, adjustits Charter, build plans for the next period, and elect an executive board forthe 2017-2021 tenure.
He noted that in the 2013-2017 period, the Evangelical Church of Vietnam(North) added 12,000 new followers, more than 140 registered places, whilerecognizing six local Churches and ordaining 54 pastors. It also appointed dignitaries-managersfor 14 local churches.
The Church actively joined social activities and poverty reductionprogrammes. Along with launching campaigns to donate blood to the needy, theChurch also presented gifts to poor children in mountainous areas. Followers ofthe Church donated land, money and 1,300 working days to construct 16 concreteroads in Thai Nguyen, he said.
Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the Government Committee forReligious Affairs Bui Thanh Ha hailed charitable activities of the Church,expressing hope that in the future, the Church will continue that activities,contributing to the country’s prosperity.
Ha affirmed the Party and State’s policy of respecting and ensuringpeople’s freedom to religion and belief, saying the State encouragesprogressive religious activities in service of the nation and people.
Vietnam always pays attention to religious harmony and works tostrengthen the harmony, he said, adding that all religious organisations areequal before law, which is clarified in the Law on Belief and Religion thatwill take effect from January 1, 2018.-VNA
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