The Vietnam Annual Conference Invests in Leaders and Growing Congregations

The Vietnam Annual Conference held its convening Annual Conference in mid-September and has quickly moved into its work. With a focus on leadership training, congregational support and church planting, the conference is advancing its mission through outreach that spans local communities and international partnerships. “We believe our mission is to make disciples of Christ in our communities and throughout the world,” said Rev. Ma Linh, Conference Superintendent.

Leadership programs include coaching cohorts, pastoral training workshops and peer-learning groups, where clergy and ministry leaders exchange experiences and build connections. Church health assessments, consulting and revitalization help congregations examine their ministries, clarify their mission and identify community needs.

The establishment of regional mission hubs have brought their congregations together to collaborate on outreach projects. International partnerships with sister churches have strengthened local evangelism, leadership training and humanitarian work. At the community level, churches are mobilizing members to serve through tutoring, refugee support, prison ministry, neighborhood evangelism, while also participating in short-term mission projects and abroad. Discipleship programs integrate mentoring, spiritual formation, and teaching on scriptural holiness to help believers grow in faith and prepare for leadership. As Rev. Linh shared, “Our churches are embracing a global mindset and seeing missions as both local and global.”

Church planting efforts include new congregations, fresh expressions of church and micro-churches, particularly in underserved communities. Assessment, training, financial assistance and coaching are intended to help church planters establish sustainable ministries.

Across the conference, congregations share resources, collaborate on mission projects and provide practical support forpastors and churches. Joint initiatives and conference-wide prayer opportunities offer additional ways to connect.

Currently, there are 18 churches in the conference supported by 20 clergy. 

Conference priorities for 2027 include strengthening pastoral health through retreats, access to counseling, and peer support, as well as expanding missional collaboration across districts. The conference also plans to expand their digital ministry resources to support hybrid worship and online discipleship, while advancing church planting efforts. Prayer initiatives and teaching on scriptural holiness will remain central to its efforts to deepen spiritual renewal among Global Methodists throughout the conference. Together, these priorities aim to build a healthier and missionally aligned conference.

One pastor’s experience illustrates the impact of the conference’s investment in pastoral health and church revitalization. During a difficult season, the pastor joined a conference-led coaching cohort that provided mentoring, peer support, and practical revitalization tools. Through this process, the pastor regained clarity and confidence in ministry. Within a year, the church experienced renewed attendance, launched new ministries, and rediscovered a strong sense of mission. What began as an investment in one pastor ultimately helped renew an entire congregation.

The Vietnam Annual Conference is laying a foundation for sustainable growth by investing in leaders, strengthening congregations, and equipping churches to serve their communities and reach beyond them. As they move into 2027, their focus on discipleship, scriptural holiness, and shared mission reflects a commitment to making disciples of Christ and spreading scriptural holiness.