Help Hanoi International Fellowship build a Christian community center in the new embassy quarter GRoW Freedom to
ENDORSEMENTS In the center of Hanoi! Your investment in creating public space for witness and worship is both historic and remarkable. Situating HIF here gives it capacity, visibility, and facilities to serve their nation and city in multiple ways. I join this initiative with enthusiasm and gratitude. I’m confident that the Christian community center in Hanoi’s new embassy quarter will be built on biblical vision, leadership excellence, and relational commitment. I encourage you to carefully consider partnering with this Hanoi International Fellowship project. I am delighted to stand behind and endorse Jacob Bloemberg and Hanoi International Fellowship (HIF) and the amazing, lovemotivated work they are doing in Viet Nam. Having personally worked with scores of transformational city leaders from around the world, I can honestly say that HIF is in a unique position to spread their love and transformational model around our world. I am delighted to stand behind and endorse Jacob Bloemberg and Hanoi International Fellowship (HIF) and the amazing, lovemotivated work they are doing in Viet Nam. Having personally worked with scores of transformational city leaders from around the world, I can honestly say that HIF is in a unique position to spread their love and transformational model around our world. I’m so excited to see how God is working through Jacob Bloemberg and his church in Hanoi, Vietnam. Only God could open such doors and show favor to their church in this way. This is an amazing, heavenly story that is unfolding right before our eyes! Pastor Jacob’s faithfulness, creativity, and leadership have been so evident to me at Hanoi International Fellowship and beyond. It’s been an honor serving alongside him for Christmas festivals in the heart of the city. I praise the Lord for more ministry impact through this new facility! It’s is my joy to know and work with Pastor Jacob Bloemberg of the HIF Church in Hanoi. His vision is unstoppable and his mutual trust to work with the government of Vietnam in building the largest Protestant church sanctuary in the capital city is beyond amazing. It’s is my joy to know and work with Pastor Jacob Bloemberg of the HIF Church in Hanoi. His vision is unstoppable and his mutual trust to work with the government of Vietnam in building the largest Protestant church sanctuary in the capital city is beyond amazing. Dr. Brian C Stiller Global Ambassador World Evangelical Alliance Author, From Jerusalem to Timbuktu Rev. Chris Ball President Elim Fellowship, NY Dr. Eric Swanson Senior Fellow Leadership Network Co-author, To Transform a City Dr. Eric Swanson Senior Fellow Leadership Network Co-author, To Transform a City Dr. Richard Blackaby President Blackaby Ministries International Author, Experiencing God Dr. Reid Saunders President Reid Saunders Association Dr. Dave Roever President REAP International Author, Forged in Fire Dr. Dave Roever President REAP International Author, Forged in Fire
HIF ELDERS TEAM LEADERS Kester Scandrett, Australia JV Sundersingh, India Peter de Fretes, Netherlands Jimmy Lee, USA Michael Walls, Australia Jody Goodwin, Canada Chairman Chief Representative for DSI, LLC Treasurer Independent Banking Expert Former VP with Vietnamese bank HIF Ecopark HIF Youth & Alpha Director Secretary Executive Director of IT company Outreach Project Manager Lifeskills, CapacityVietnam HIF Ecopark Rehab & Recovery Specialist Dr. Rev. Jacob Bloemberg, Lead Pastor Pastor Jacob moved with his family to Hanoi, Vietnam in 1997. He became Lead Pastor of Hanoi International Fellowship in 2005. In 2012, HIF launched the Love Hanoi campaign, which became a citywide movement. This has inspired Christian leaders across the world to start and support their Love [Your City] campaign. Based on this experience and his doctoral research, Jacob published his book, Love [Your City]: 5 steps to citywide movements. He also founded Love Your City Vietnam, a social enterprise to help start and support city movements. Jacob holds a Doctorate in Transformational Leadership: City Transformation from Bakke Graduate University, and an MA in Organizational Leadership from Regent University. He is ordained with Elim Fellowship, NY, USA. Originally from the Netherlands, Jacob met and married Linda (from the USA) while working with Youth With A Mission in Amsterdam. Linda is Middle School Counselor for Concordia International School Hanoi. Their three children currently live on the East Coast of the USA.
02 01 03 04 05 06 07 Gia Lam Dong Anh Me Linh Dan Phuong Phuc Tho Thach That Hoai Duc Quoc Oai Chuong My Thanh Oai Thanh Tri Thuong Tin Phu Xuyen Ung Hoa My Duc Son Tay Ba Vi 08 09 10 11 12 HOA BINH HA NAM HUNG YEN BAC NINH BAC GIANG VINH PHUC PHU THO The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a diverse nation with a rich history and a rapidly developing economy. Its historical timeline is marked by periods of Chinese rule, French colonialism, and the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975 with the country’s reunification under the Communist Party’s leadership. The country’s population is close to 100 million people, with Vietnamese as the official language. The dominant religion is a blend of ancestor veneration, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Around 12-16% of the population identify as Buddhist, 7% as Catholic, and over 1% as Protestant Christians. Cao Dai and Hoa Hao are indigenous religions followed by a small percentage of the population. Protestantism was introduced by missionaries from the Christian & Missionary Alliance (CMA), who, along with their converts, registered the Evangelical Church of Vietnam in 1911. Post-war, this denomination was divided between the North and South. Several other denominations have since been established, both formally and informally. Hanoi, the 1000 year-old capital of Vietnam, holds significant political, cultural, and economic influence in the region. Despite bombings during the “Vietnam War”, it demonstrated resilience and determination. Following Vietnam’s reunification in 1975, Hanoi became the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, opening a new era in its history. Home to nearly 10 million people, Hanoi is a dynamic metropolis that seamlessly merges its historic charm with rapid urban development. It’s a cultural hub that houses landmarks like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Old Quarter, attracting worldwide visitors eager to experience its rich history and vibrant modernity. The city’s first evangelical church was founded by CMA missionaries in 1916. Nowadays, over 200 primarily home-based congregations exist throughout the city, making up about 0.1% of the population. 250.000 Catholics 800.000 Buddhists 10.000 Protestant Christians City districts Provincial districts, towns & villages 7 denominations formally registered 26 denominations not yet formally registered VIETNAM HANOI 10,000 Protestant Christians Area: 3.359 km² 167 congregations legally registered Population: 8.330.830
Hanoi International Fellowship (HIF) has an unprecedented opportunity to build out a brand-new Christian community center in the new diplomatic quarter of Hanoi. The future National Government Center will be built across the street. The HIF Center will house the largest Protestant worship auditorium in Hanoi. People from Hanoi, across Vietnam, and around the world come to HIF weekly to learn more about Jesus. This move is an amazing opportunity to make Jesus known and disciple nations in the new international center of Vietnam’s capital city. HIF launched the Love Hanoi campaign in 2012, serving our city together with the Christian community. Our current facility functions as a Christian community center, hosting citywide gatherings and local church events of all denominations. HIF also provides coworking space for ministries that serve churches nationwide. HIF’s new center will increase our service to both the Christian and the local community. Because we love and serve the community, the city government is helping to facilitate our move to this new development. Today, HIF has outgrown our current 250 seat facility on the 17th floor of an office tower. At 500 seats, we not only double our capacity, but can also host larger citywide gatherings. Our second floor fellowship hall, multi-purpose function rooms, and café will serve local churches and the local community. HIF’s future facility will multiply our impact in Hanoi, Vietnam, and around the world. The centralized and accessible Christian community center will help HIF to have the freedom to grow, worship, and serve. Join us in partnership to make this vision a reality! OPPORTUNITY WORSHIP Freedom to SERVE Freedom to GROW Freedom to since 1995 90+ nations street access 500 seats OPP
Hanoi International Fellowship (HIF) was started in the small cozy living room of a Christian expatriate’s home in Hanoi, Vietnam in August 1995. Despite only having a dozen members in attendance then, we met on a regular basis to study the Bible together, worship the Lord and encourage each other. Slowly but surely God grew our church and provided for us to move from that small living room to different hotel ball rooms to having our own rented floor in an office building since April 2013. A journey of small beginnings ... Hanoi International Fellowship WHO WE ARE BAO SON HOTEL, 2003-2009 CROWNE PLAZA, 2011-2013 DAEWOO HOTEL, 1998-2003 INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, 2009-2012
HIF today consists of three congregations in two locations with over 600 people and 50+ nationalities in regular attendance. HIF has come a long way since our humble beginnings and is now a center of worship for international and local Christians. All praises are due to Jesus, hallelujah! ... and growth! HANOI CLUB, 2012-2021 DETECH TOWER, 2013-2023
WHAT WE DO
Missional HIF is a missional international church. We are not here to serve ourselves, but to serve the expatriate and local communities. Our mission is to make Jesus known among the nations. Everyone is helping someone to love God and others.
Love Hanoi Inspired by city movements across the world, HIF launched the Love Hanoi campaign in 2012. Together with local churches, charities, organizations, and government institutions, we build community for the common good.
Center for Christian Community HIF has become a hub for the Christian community in Hanoi and North Vietnam. People from all nationalities utilize our facilities and services to grow spiritually and find unity. From youth rallies to Korean Club to ultimate frisbee, everyone is welcome!
“After my baptism, I joined the media team through training and by God’s grace I am now serving, reaching out to people online globally. Serving the Lord opened doors and opportunities for me to witness his presence in the lives of people I serve with. Serving has allowed me to discover and develop my spiritual gifts. Before I struggled with learning something new and only staying in my comfort zone. By serving in the media team, God opened my eyes to work with others as one body in Christ.” “I was baptized in May 2020. During Covid, however, I quit my job and was out of work. Being bored, I created a Tiktok channel and started to share the gospel to bless Vietnamese people. The first person connected through the channel was a buddist and after 2 months she left the pagoda and became a Christian! More and more Vietnamese people started following my channel to hear the gospel. After Covid, 10 of my online friends were ready for baptism.” “I didn’t want to sound like a fool: did this God even really exist? I asked him to guide me, it somewhat is a blur, but minutes later I had wholeheartedly and completely surrendered all that I was, all that I am, and all that I will be to the Lord Jesus Christ! Shaking and tearfully, I loudly accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Almost instantly, his love reigned in my heart. He turned my absolutely dominance, anger, bitterness, irritations with everything into patience, peace, love, and compassion.” “HIF is always seeking the peace and prosperity for the city and has shown love through specific actions for Hanoi. Your good deeds have brought a positive understanding of Christianity to our municipal government. We thank you for generously sharing your facility, particularly the sanctuary, for other Vietnamese churches to use, especially for our Word of Life Church. All that God had blessed our church with and the expansion of our work, HIF has played a big part in it. HIF have a neutral position to help Vietnamese churches to be closer together and become united for the joint purpose of God’s kingdom.” Mimi Liboon, Philippines Tien Farris, Vietnam Daniella Buckerfield, S. Africa Pastor Pham Tuan Nhuong Serving helped me grow Tiktok saved my friends Jesus transformed me Word of Life Church, Vietnam Baptism testimonies OUR TESTIMONY
TESTIMONY On behalf of Hanoi Mission Church, I would like to express our gratefulness to HIF for letting our churches use your church facility in many events during past years. I am so glad to know that your church is building a Christian community center in Hanoi’s new embassy quarter. Praise the Lord for what He has been doing through HIF. We are blessed to partnership with HIF. “When I first came to Vietnam, I remembered my mum telling me to find a church to attend. I talked to some friends and they suggested me to try out HIF. I’m telling you now, I will never regret making that choice. They welcomed me like one of them, treated me like a brother, even helped me improve my English, but most importantly they helped pointing me to Christ.” Jean Samuel Pierre, Haiti Pastor Pham Xuan Hien Matt Erickson, USA Huong Tacey, Vietnam International Students Hanoi Mission Baptist Church Spotlight English Clubs CityPartners Ministry “The Spotlight English Clubs are growing. It has been a blessing to see young people coming to HIF each Wednesday to learn English and to build relationship, to have a chance to pour into the people of Vietnam.” “CityPartners introduced me to a national hospital in Vietnam. There I used my nursing degree and American Red Cross CPR training to love Hanoi by bringing physical and spiritual health to people who need it the most. HIF is connecting medical professionals with opportunities to serve. Together we are sharing God’s love and saving lives.” Testimonies from members serving in our ministries Testimonies from Local Pastor
With our current 250 seat limitation and a low ceiling, we are looking to double our capacity with double ceiling height. KidzQuest has run out of space. Larger multi-purpose classrooms will allow local and international children experience the love of Jesus and expand our ministry. A larger lobby space with additional fellowship hall will allow us to welcome our weekly guests from Vietnam and around the world to come to know Jesus. With over 500 attending on Sundays, in case of an emergency our 17th floor location is not secure or safe, neither easily accessable. Ground floor access provides safety and security, while making our space accessable for the less able. Alpha, Aftershock Youth, Spotlight English Clubs, Ethnic Fellowships, smaller local churches, and community outreach services all will enjoy utilizing our new multi-purpose café, meeting rooms, and fellowship hall. Instead of being hidden on the 17th floor, we will have visible main street access right across the new Starlake development, which will include the new national government center, Korea town, and international corporations. Double capacity with larger auditorium Building Christian community center Main street access & visibility Making room for children Welcoming guests to know Jesus Security, safety, accessability WHY WE MOVE Our new centralized location will attract not only more Christians, but also serve the local middleand upperclass community in the new embassy quarters. Location, location, location
HIF is thrilled to unveil our brand-new, centrally located facility, purpose-built to enhance worship experiences and create a welcoming space for everyone seeking to know Jesus in Hanoi. Our current location, nestled within a commercial area, has served us faithfully. However, it no longer meets the demands of our thriving community. The lack of space hinders our ability to warmly welcome and connect with new guests. We stand on the threshold of an unprecedented opportunity for Hanoi International Fellowship (HIF) to create a lasting impact in Vietnam. We are excited to share with you the vision of our future facility—incidentally the largest Protestant worship auditorium in Hanoi at 500 seats. Our new home will serve as a hub for worship, teaching, fellowship, and outreach, fostering deeper connections and relationships, building and growing our Christian and local community. But this is not just about having a larger space; it’s about what the future facility represents. It signifies our commitment to the vision of transformation, reaching more people with the love of Christ, and building up the next generation. This monumental project will revolutionize our ministry and discipleship efforts, allowing us to multiply our impact in Hanoi and beyond. With ground-floor street access, we are breaking down barriers and opening our doors wide to welcome both local residents and international visitors from all walks of life. Together, let us embark on this remarkable journey, as we establish a transformative Christian community center in the new heart of Hanoi. Join us in discipling nations, providing a centralized hub of faith and fellowship, and shaping the future of Hanoi and beyond. Nestled in the heart of the new embassy quarters, adjacent to the future national government center, our future facility will serve as a centralized Christian community center, accessible to all seeking to know Jesus. Introducing the new HIF Christian community center! HIF Center
HIF is embarking on an ambitious project to build a new future facility that will serve as a vibrant Christian community center. We anticipate reaching a significant attendance milestone of 800 by year three, which will enable HIF to carry the expenses independently. One strategy to make the new facility financially sustainable is through third-party usage, by subletting various rooms to churches, organizations, charities, Christian weddings, and community activities. A second strategy is to setup a subsidy fund for the first two years. In 2024, during the first year, a 50% rent subsidy will be needed, and in 2025 a 25% rent subsidy is anticipated. MAY Lease Negotiations & Deposit JUNE Concept Design JULY Technical Design AUG Bids & Fire Fighting Design AUG-NOV Construction Phase NOV Troubleshoot & Fire Permit NOV 26 Move-in, 1st Advent Sunday Building for the Future: timeline and budget To fund the project, HIF has established a goal of raising one-third of the required funds from HIF and its alumni, taking responsibility for rental costs and subsidy. The remaining two-thirds of the funds will be solicited from partners, such as individuals, churches, organizations, and corporations. These contributions will cover design, construction, equipment, furniture, permits, and fees. Total budget goal: $1.3 million BUDGET USD x 1000 Lease deposit (3 months) $64 Concept & technical design $22 Design & construction supervision $7 Construction (estimate) $400 Fire fighting design, built, permit $42 Rent for construction period $106 Audio & video equipment $132 Furnishings & equipment $181 Subsidy sustainability year 1-2 $192 Fees (consultants, gov’t, etc.) $25 Contingency fund 10% $108 TOTAL BUDGET $1.279 For US tax-deductable and international giving visit: www.hif.vn/give
To turn this vision into reality, we humbly invite you to join us on this extraordinary journey. As generous donors, devoted Christian churches, organizations, and charity funders, your support is crucial in making our future facility a sanctuary of hope and growth. By donating to this project, you are involving in lives changed, souls saved, and the advancement of God’s kingdom. Now, as we stand on the precipice of a new era, Hanoi International Fellowship (HIF) presents a unique opportunity for the Christian community to experience the freedom to grow, worship, and serve. Our aim is clear—to build a Christian community that not only serves as a place of worship but also as a beacon of hope, love, and support for the local church and community. Freedom to grow, worship & serve at the new HIF Center HIF provides a nurturing environment for spiritual growth, offering a wide range of ministries and programs that cater to all ages and walks of life.
Spacious Worship Auditorium As the largest Protestant worship auditorium in Hanoi, accommodating 500 seats, we are able to create a transformative space for authentic worship, powerful teachings, and life-changing encounters. Centralized Location Situated in the new embassy quarters nearby the future national government center, our facility will serve as a hub for the Christian community, conveniently accessible to believers and seekers from all corners of Hanoi. Increased Ministry Impact With double the space for ministries, we will expand our outreach, discipleship, and community development programs, making a tangible impact on the lives of individuals, families, and the local community. Support for the Local Church Our future facility aims to collaborate with local churches, providing a neutral space to strengthen their ministries, ultimately fostering unity and synergy within the body of Christ. Highlighted Features of HIF’s Future Facility
www.hif.vn | [email protected] | +84.24.3200.6666 17th Floor, Detech Tower, 8c Ton That Thuyet My Dinh 2, Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi, Vietnam Facebook: hifvietnam | YouTube: hifvietnam 15 MAY start design phase 15 JUL start construction phase 15 OCT second payment due 15 DEC final payment due Give one-time Give monthly Give online Give in kind Together, let us seize this moment to write a new chapter in the Christian scene of Hanoi. Your donation to this project will not only shape the future of HIF but will also leave an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals seeking freedom to grow, worship & serve. www.hif.vn/freedomtogrow Hanoi International Fellowship When to give Ways to give