The El Monte Vietnamese church is intent on reaching the local Vietnamese community through every means possible, including a Vietnamese language school.

"God put it into my heart to care for these children so they can learn and remember their language and culture," said Thanh Luu, the school's volunteer director. "The roster of Vietnamese language schools in this country listed no Adventist schools; ours is the first in the U.S."

Eight volunteers, some from the community, team teach weekly classes. Cynthia Nguyen, wife of Pastor Vinh Nguyen, teaches pre-school. "We had four levels and 45 students this past semester," she explained.

"The school is accredited by an official organization of Vietnamese language schools in the U.S.," added Luu. "Our teachers take their training and students receive certificates at each level."

"One student's family comes consistently to church," said Pastor Nguyen. "Another student comes and plays the piano."

The church also reaches the Vietnamese public on the Vietnamese Voice of Hope website, tiengnoihyvong.org, which has a Vietnamese Bible and monthly "Bible Questions and Answers" produced by Pastor Vinh and a team of youth. "We post church members' questions with my answers," he noted. "Eventually, we will tape Vietnamese residents' questions."

Volunteer web and video staff range from elementary school students to young adults. The Nguyens' sons Timothy, 10, and Samuel, 8, edit audio for the feature. Sarah and Deborah Nguyen (unrelated to the pastor; 14 and 12 respectively), upload video clips on youtube.com.

"I work on the Voice of Hope newsletter and give ideas to the pastor about improving the video," said San Gabriel Academy senior Dao Pham. Pham said she volunteers, "because I can help the church, and the church helps you to have faith."

Tommy Tang does computer and video graphics. Khoi Dam, fresh from the Amazing Facts College of Evangelism, is training as a camera operator and serving as a Bible worker.

"‘Questions and Answers' is evangelism," said Pastor Nguyen. "The language school gives the church a niche in the community. My prayer is that our new video ministry will grow and that members will share the DVDs."

For details, contact Pastor Nguyen at 626-422-6841 or vk.nguyen@sbcglobal.net.