The Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) looks to become unified with the General Confederation of Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South) at its 34th General Assembly, which was opened in Hanoi on October 2.

In his opening remarks, Pastor Nguyen Huu Mac, head of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North), said participants will vote on the unification of the two, which have been operating independently for nearly 60 years.

Participants will discuss tasks for the 2013-2017 term, revise the regulations and study a new charter for the unified church, Pastor Mac said.

Over the previous term, the operation and personnel of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) have gradually been strengthened. A number of new church offices and chapels have been built.

In early September 2013, the Hanoi Divinity and Bible school, established following the Prime Minister’s approval, opened its first training course.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Nguyen Lam, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, praised the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) for soundly performing its role as a member of the front.

Pastors, missionaries and followers have enthusiastically participated in patriotic movements and charitable activities, joined hands in developing their church robustly, he said.

Bui Thanh Ha, Deputy Head of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, reported that the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) with 15 chapters is the largest Protestant organisation in the north. It has 150 pastors and missionaries and more than 100,000 followers practicing their faith at nearly 400 registered places.

The 34th General Assembly will wrap up on October 3.-VNA