“Eight years ago,” said Vinh Khac Nguyen, pastor of the El Monte Vietnamese church, "I had a vision to build a mission center in which we could hold evangelistic meetings and have Bible studies. We also want to conduct health fairs and have a training school for Vietnamese pastors. A couple of years back we started fundraising. Now we have $620,000 of the $1 million needed for the center. Praise God!” The center will be built on the church’s current parking lot. The church’s publishing ministry will support the mission of the center, providing literature, Bible lessons and Sabbath School Study Guides in Vietnamese.

Nguyen spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Vietnamese Mission Center on June 9. An enthusiastic audience had gathered, including many who helped make it possible for the El Monte Vietnamese congregation to start and to grow.

Larry L. Caviness, Southern California Conference president, noted some in the audience who had pioneered Vietnamese work in California. “I see Elder Ralph Watts,” he said. “He is the ‘godfather’ of the Vietnamese work in California. Many here this afternoon, Elder Watts, can trace their beginnings to your work. Not only for your help with this church, but also for people’s lives, individuals whom you helped evacuate from Vietnam in 1975.

“Vinh had a dream about this mission center; that this church can do missionary work, so the work can be finished and Jesus will come. My challenge to you today is that you move ahead with the mission of the church. ‘Go therefore, and make disciples, and baptize.’ We have the promise of Jesus: ‘I will be with you until the very end.’ He is the power for what we do.”

Throughout the meeting, church treasurer Minh Merideth updated the audience about the day’s gifts. “I follow a fearless leader, besides God,” she said, referring to Nguyen. “As a treasurer, I’m shaking, because I don’t know where the money is coming from, but God will provide.”

Grateful members and friends gave many gifts, including one donation that was a poignant reminder of what the church has meant and still means to its members and leaders. “Pastor Le Huu, the church’s first pastor, wanted to be here and to give,” said Merideth, “but he passed away. He wanted the money received from his funeral to be a gift for this building.” Family members came forward to present $25,500. By the end of the day, the fund totaled $720,000, with more pledged to arrive later.

The Brown Brothers, a well-known Filipino men’s chorus, provided special music for the occasion.

“This day marks the beginning of the fulfillment of a dream,” said Watts, a former administrator of Southern California Conference and ADRA. “As you build, remember David’s important statement: ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, those that labor, labor in vain.’”