My wife and I would like to thank you for your continued prayers and support of what the Lord has called us to do. We believe whole heartedly that we are entering a time of revival and renewal in Vietnam.

Now is the time to work for the Lord in Vietnam for history is being made. God has His hands upon this place in a special way and it seems like daily the blinders are being peeled back from the lost and they are coming unto this marvelous light of the Gospel. We will be in Vietnam from the beginning of May until the end of June. During this time, we will visit several Churches, pastors, associations, and Bible Colleges as we prepare to move back to Vietnam full time in November 2013.

As my wife and I prepared to leave for Vietnam, we had so many uncertainties about what we were going to face and how we would overcome the obstacles set before us. However, we knew that the Lord was moving in this country like never before and we knew the Lord had already opened up a door for us to be a part of it – so the work as well as the way to overcome any obstacles – had already been laid out for us by the Lord. Our hearts are filled with anticipation of what is to come and how the Lord will use us in His work.

Our Journey to Vietnam

Visiting a third-world county for an American is not an easy thing. We have become accustomed to a certain level of comfort and having essential items readily available. Vietnam is no different and it is one of the hardest places to live for a foreigner because it does not have available most of the essentials Americans rely upon. I am fully aware of this and it causes so much difficulty within me. In addition to missing certain “luxuries” that are lacking in Vietnam, it often seems things are handled in this country in a way completely opposite of the way they would be handled in the US. It is hard not to try to impose the way we are used to getting things done when in a foreign country but as visitors, we have to respect they ways things work in the country we are in. At times I have caught myself mumbling and complaining about how different and even how difficult it was instead of being thankful.

While we were on the plane on our way to Vietnam, the Lord spoke to me through His word: “Have this attitude in you that which was in Christ Jesus our LORD.” (Philippians 2:6) and especial this verse from later in that same chapter “Don’t think highly of yourself but serve, walk in obedience, don’t grumble or complain, and hold out to the Word of Life.” (Vrs. 6-13) That one really penetrated my heart like a razor. Think for a moment about the life and work of Jesus. He left Heaven where He was worshiped and adored, to come to earth where He was rejected and was murdered and yet He uttered not one complaint nor one moment of grumbling.

This was surely a prophetic word from God concerning what I would need for this trip. I began to see how important it was going to be for me to have God’s attitude within me in every situation if I was to be truly successful in carrying out God’s work in Vietnam. I would face some serious tough situations concerning travel, food, sickness, heat, living conditions, and not understanding the language. However every time grumbling or a complaint would emerge from my heart toward my mouth I would remember what the Lord had told me. “Have this attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus.”

Condition of the Church

5 A.M. Prayer Meeting

Once arrived at our final destination, we got into the full routine of worship. The first time we attended the 5 AM prayer meeting, held daily at the Vietnamese Baptist Church, we assumed that it would be just a couple of folks kneeling down silently praying. What we found was a church full of people – sometimes out the door – worshiping, studying the Bible and then pouring their hearts out in prayer to the Lord for a full hour of worship. We looked forward to this daily time of prayer and praise and saw what power there was in spending that time with the Lord – certainly a contributing factor to the revival that is happening in this area.

Bible Studies Nightly

There have been so many people being saved over the past several months that they had to start offering New Believer’s classes four nights a week. After the new believers finish their classes, they are baptized at the beach as a witness to their faith. For the first time I was able to baptize three new believers and what a joy it was to have this opportunity. The day we were baptizing, the beach was especially crowded, and people everywhere were wondering what we were doing, baptizing these young people in the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Afterward we prayed and worshiped the Lord while they just watched.

In addition to the New Believer’s classes and other weekly Bible study classes, there are Wednesday night House Church worship services. This is a joyful time of worship when most of the church members not in other classes, cram into one family’s small home to praise God and ask the blessings of the Lord upon that home. What a powerful time.

The Youth Groups meet on Saturday nights to worship and have Bible study and fellowship. The youth have grown in number and in their spiritual maturity as well and it is so obvious that the Lord is rising and stirring the young generation to serve the Lord in a powerful way, bringing revival to this nation. So many young people in this group are interested in going to Bible College, not only to learn more about God’s Word, but also about ways to serve Him through ministry. It is exciting to witness this move of God within the younger generation.

Entire Families Being Saved

We have seen how God has really blessed individual lives and families as a whole in miraculous ways. More often than not, we have seen that when one person comes to Christ, their entire family follows. Read the words of one of these families that were miraculously saved by the Lord Jesus Christ and how they are now on fire for their Savior.

“It was like what befell Job who lost everything! Our family lost almost everything. Father was found to suffer from diabetes, my brother from Leukemia. What terrible blows! Then all our pigs in our farm died – simply perished! We lost everything! We had about 1,000 pigs. Suddenly they were gone! All of them, like in the story of Job. Then God took Cong Tuan. It was ‘blow upon blow.’ But no – it was God’s hand of mercy! He was leading us to salvation. For during this time of treatment in Singapore we had the opportunity to be witnessed to and loved on by the Church in Singapore. God really used them to lead my brother to the Lord and then opened the door for me to make Jesus Lord of my life.”

Tram

First Cong Tuan (The brother with leukemia) and his Sister believed! Then their Mother followed (and gave up suicidal ideas). Later, the Father also believed, followed by many relatives and friends. The sowing of the Gospel continued day after day, week after week. Relatives and friends received the Gospel – and believed! Idols and ancestral spirits were given up. Presently, the number of conversions is up to 50 and counting – praise the Lord!

Three years ago, Liên and I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with Tram (the writer of the above) but she was closed to the truth that Jesus was the only God and that He alone offered life, true life. We had not heard from her in almost two years before we read her report of how she and her entire family have been radically saved from Buddhism and Ancestry worship.

Travel To Central Vietnam

We were given to opportunity to meet with a church in central Vietnam and I really had to recall the Word the Lord had given me on the airplane about not grumbling and complaining. We traveled by bus – not a recommended source of travel in Vietnam – and endured 20 hours of incredibly cramped and uncomfortable travel conditions. However the Lord really used it to encourage me to be thankful. During this trip, we were able to scout out some land and pastors who we would be more than likely partnering with us in the future to build the extension campuses of the Bible College.

We had a chance to preach in one of the churches and it was a great experience. The church in this region has not yet been touched by the Lord in the way the church in the south has, but it is surely blessed and powerfully moving toward great things with God and for God. We had a chance to share from John 1 and the eternal nature of Jesus the Christ. It blessed our heart to be able to try to wrap our minds around this eternal God who created everything, and then came and “Dwelt amongst us” (John 1:14).

Purchase of Bible College Property

Through God’s great mercy we were able to purchase land that surrounds the current church property in order to build the first Bible College nearby. Construction has begun on a central meeting area and an area for bathrooms and showers. Funds are still needed to purchase an additional strip of land in order to build the dorms room necessary for the Bible College students. A grand estimate needed for land and construction and furnishing of all the buildings is roughly around $115,000 (USD). To the Vietnamese, this amount seems inconceivable, but we know that we serve an awesome God and He will provide in His time.

Because of my background in construction, I wanted to help with the building of the initial walls and foundation, thinking it would be a walk in the park and fun to be able to just labor. My job was to take the rocks and bring them throughout the property line. No problem right? Wrong, it was so hot that it tired me out after just one trip. Wheel barrel after wheel barrel I became more exhausted and started to wonder why in the world was I doing this. Listen to some of these real thoughts: “Why do I have to do this? I mean the Lord used me to help purchase this and supply the funds for this to be done, I mean come on I am an American Missionary with a Master Degree and working on another one, why am I carrying these rocks? I am going to be one of the Professors. No Professor is suppose to work like this.”

All of these thoughts passed through my mind as I loaded and unloaded these heavy rocks in the scorching heat of this tropical nation. Then I realized I was grumbling, and complaining and realized that there was not a servant’s heart and attitude within me. Then I caught myself meditating on what the Lord had showed me weeks earlier on the plane, “Have God’s attitude within you”. I stopped thinking “WHY ME?” and started saying, “WHY NOT ME?” I started to be filled with great joy as my body tired out under the strenuous work and the scorching heat.

Classes Begin January 2014

With the land purchased and work started on the Bible College construction, we sat down with the Pastors of the Vietnamese Baptist Church and really laid out what our vision was and how it could assist in their work. As we talked, it became clear that what the Lord had laid on our hearts – open a Bible College so pastors can be trained in His Word – was the same vision the Lord had place upon their hearts. We all realized that Liên and I are the Lord’s answer to their prayers. This left me with a sense of AWE as we realized that if we are God’s answer to their prayers, He will provide for all that is yet to be accomplished.

We decided during this meeting that since the property was purchased and construction already begun, we would actually open to students beginning in January 2014. What a great sense of joy – but also a great deal of stress involved in meeting this timeline. We still need to find a curriculum of study and a partnership with a Bible College or Seminary, among other things. As I sat back and thought about the work in preparing all the material and the foundational course guide, I was getting overwhelmed for it is a lot of preparation. Then I realized again that since Liên and I are God’s answer to their prayer that these doors would be opened and all we will need will be provided.

Thank you for your support and God Bless!

A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, is God in His holy habitation. God makes a home for the lonely. Psalm 68:5–6a

Born in Faith: A Home Made New

In 2013, 23 Hmong children wept “like rain” at the thought of being sent away. Today, more than 130 children call the Canaan Land Care Center home, and through your generosity it has been renewed from the ground up and dedicated to the Lord.

Crying Like Rain: How It Began

For five years, a devoted woman of God and her husband prayed for the Lord to open the way for them to raise orphans. In 2013, the answer came. Hmong pastors in Dak Nong province brought them 23 children who had been surviving on their own, catching crabs, snails and fish and gathering wild vegetables, with no parents, no shelter and no schooling. Just two months later, the funding they had counted on ended, and they were told to send the children home. The children wept so hard it was “crying like rain,” and they said they would rather die than go back. So together they fasted and prayed, and the bus fare meant to send them home was used to buy food instead. God moved several pastors to bring rice and supplies, and the Canaan Land Care Center was founded. Room by room, as churches and benefactors stepped in, the family grew to more than 130 children from 13 provinces, most of them Hmong. Today they attend school through twelfth grade, and older ones learn trades like sewing and car repair.

Caring for Every Child

Every month, through our partnership with Pastor John Bailey and World Challenge, we support nearly 300 orphans across three areas of care in Vietnam: two Care Centers where children live full time and a day school where orphans living with relatives are fed, clothed and educated each day. In August, the more than 130 children at Canaan Land all needed new school uniforms, gym clothes, shoes, supplies and backpacks, and we were able to provide it all. In addition, a new water filtration system now gives them clean, pure water for drinking, cooking and bathing.

A Home Made New

Thanks to the generosity of World Challenge, a complete renovation of this Care Center is now finished: a new kitchen, dining room, washroom and drainage system, renovated bedrooms, a new play area, and a sanctuary where the children worship every morning and evening. Every child also received a new bed and mattress. What a mighty God we serve!

Dedicated to the Lord

Pastor Gary Wilkerson and Pastor John Bailey from World Challenge joined the Miles family on the mission field this past September in order to tour and dedicate this new facility. Each day there begins at 5:30 a.m. with worship, prayer and God’s Word, and the children’s happy faces showed how well they are loved. Pastor Gary shared how the Lord used his father, Pastor David Wilkerson, to reach people who started off badly but finished well once they met Christ. He told the children they had no say in how their lives began, but if they give their lives to the Lord, He can make something beautiful of them. For children who once cried like rain at the thought of being sent away, this is truly home.

Canaan Land is just one part of the story. Your faithful support makes every step possible, reaching children in a second Care Center and a day school, the national pastors and church leaders who serve on the front lines, and the local communities they love. Thank you for standing with us. Together we are doing it!

That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations. Psalm 67:2

From crowded city churches to remote mountain villages, the Gospel is going out across Vietnam. This summer, thousands of children heard about Jesus, and faithful pastors saw God provide in practical, life-giving ways.

Vacation Bible School 2026: 2,100 Children, 190 Received Christ

VBS is one of the greatest tools the Lord uses to reach young generations with the Gospel, and every summer it sweeps across Vietnam. This year, VBS ministered to 2,100 children across 30 churches, and 190 received Christ. Here are just a few of the highlights.

In a very poor region, Pastor Lua’s church welcomed over 45 children, and 28 gave their hearts to Jesus, along with 2 adults. Pastor Hieu’s church in Tay Ninh had over 60 children, 30 of whom received Christ, and the church is already visiting their families. Four children each came to faith at Pastor Phi’s and Pastor Nhet’s churches, and Pastor Quang’s new church plant saw 3 children and 1 adult receive Christ.

In the highlands, Pastor Bay’s church welcomed about 50, with 8 making Jesus Lord, and Pastor Mai’s tribal church hosted about 80, with 5 receiving Christ. Pastor A Suc and Pastor Dinh Poa, who lead two of our largest congregations, welcomed over 120 and about 70 children and followed up with each one personally. Over 100 attended in the Mekong Delta, and in the northern mountains, Pastor My’s daughter and son-in-law reached over 160 children in remote tribal villages, with 9 praying to receive Jesus.

New Wet Rooms for Pastor Nhet

Pastor Nhet planted his church in an area of great need, but its building lacked some essentials. After reading our May update, two donors were moved at the same time: his sponsoring church provided a water storage tank, and a dear woman of God provided men’s and women’s bathrooms with showers, plus a kitchen and dining area.

A New Well for Pastor Quang

Last year’s devastating floods forced Pastor Quang and his family to swim from their home to higher ground. They lost their livestock and crops, and their shallow well was contaminated. We promised to help dig a new one, and that promise has been kept. The family now has fresh, clean water from a deep well.

2026 Year to Date

• 3,929 heard the Gospel
• 406 gave their lives to Christ
• 58 partner churches
• Nearly 300 orphans cared for monthly

Establish

• 20 new believers baptized
• Nearly 300 pastors and leaders in monthly training
• 8 week-long online training sessions

Encourage

• 24 national pastors supported monthly
• Care Center rebuilt for 130+ orphans
• Wet rooms for a tribal church & a deep well for a pastor’s family
• Foundation secured for a highlands church

Extend

• 2,100 children at VBS; 190 received Christ
• 1,829 reached personally by our pastors; 216 came to faith
• Send-off outreach for 50 college-bound young adults

From a child’s first prayer at VBS to a pastor’s family drawing clean water, your generosity is behind every story in this update. Would you prayerfully consider a gift today to help carry the Gospel even further? Together we are doing it!

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Isaiah 61:1

Faithful Workers, Fruitful Ministry

Across Vietnam, the pastors and workers that your generosity supports are pressing forward with remarkable faithfulness — through floods, hardship, and opposition — and the fruit of their labor is evident everywhere you look.

In one of the most remote and challenging regions of the country, Pastor Nhet of Gideon Baptist Church travels up to 20 km over flood-prone roads just to reach his congregation. During the rainy season, those roads become impassable, and there have been Sundays when floodwaters rose so high that Pastor Nhet could not cross — leaving him no choice but to call his believers and ask them to open the church and gather without him. Despite crop losses, storm damage to his home, and conditions that would discourage most, he remains steadfast. He recently sat for his pastoral ordination exam and continues visiting, praying for, and caring for believers facing hardship.

Not far away in Quang Ngai, Pastor Vo Thanh Viet of Gia Du Baptist Church is also seeing the Lord move. During the Christmas season, 20 people attended the church celebration and 2 prayed to receive Christ. On December 28, the church organized a Gospel film event for friends and teenagers — and while standing outside the theater, Pastor Viet led a staff member to faith on the spot, following up with a Gospel tract and connecting her with a local church for continued discipleship. A new cell group has since launched in Bình An village, with 2 families and 5 believers now meeting weekly for Bible study.

Your support is also fueling extraordinary fruit through Pastor Nhinh, who has had a remarkable year — sharing the Gospel with 30 people who prayed to receive Christ, adding 7 new members to his church, and actively preparing to plant churches among two unreached peoples, the Tai and Chau Ma communities. His commitment to discipleship runs deep as well, having taught 30 students through a leadership curriculum, trained over 100 leaders in church-planting methods, and now launching a new course for 35 additional students. One story from his ministry captures it all: a terminally ill woman received Christ on her deathbed and passed away within a week. Though her own children chose a Buddhist funeral, the Gospel did not stop there. Her son-in-law Tung, his wife, and their children came to faith, removed every idol from their home, and are now actively serving in a local church. God redeemed even the grief.

Pastor Lam is seeing equally remarkable results. In 2025 alone, 100 people came to faith through his ministry. He leads two weekly Bible study groups and is prayerfully pursuing two communities for future church plants. The story that best captures his ministry began at a coffee shop, where he met a man crushed by gambling debt — having sold two houses chasing lottery winnings and lost everything. Pastor Lam shared his own story of redemption, and after several conversations, the man surrendered his life to Christ. He then brought his nephew and wife to faith as well. Within three months, the entire family was in church, their idols removed, and their walls decorated with Scripture and a cross.

Meanwhile, Pastor Jonah To is covering ground across the entire country. After relocating to Da Nang in response to God's calling, he launched outreach across four universities, building relationships with students and opening doors for future discipleship. He is also mentoring young believers online in Ho Chi Minh City, where small groups are already bearing spiritual fruit. In Da Nang, meaningful one-on-one ministry is flourishing — Jonah began an online Bible study with Huy Tu, a young man sincerely seeking transformation through Jesus, and walked alongside Van Ly, a young mother who had drifted from faith for three years, helping her see that God's love had never left her. Beyond Da Nang, Jonah joined Pastor Hai in the mountains of North Vietnam, where together they led a three-day conference, distributed nearly 40 food bags to widows and families in need, and saw 15 people surrender their lives to Christ.

From remote villages to university campuses, from coffee shop conversations to mountaintop conferences — God is moving across Vietnam through faithful workers like these. Your support makes every step of it possible and we thank you for your faithful giving.

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

The stories below are more than a report — they are a testimony to God’s goodness to His people. From the mountains of Vietnam to the snow-covered hills of Colorado, God is moving through faithful people and your generosity is at the heart of every story.

Orphan Ministry – Vietnam: Nearly 300 — and Growing

Through our partnership with Pastor John Bailey and World Challenge, your generosity is transforming the lives of nearly 300 children across three Vietnamese orphanages. One of these facilities will soon be enjoying a new kitchen and dining area, along with major renovations to the living areas. This orphanage opened in 2013, when Mrs. Mai and her husband stepped out in faith, taking in 23 homeless Hmong children who had been foraging in the wild with no parents, no shelter, and no education. When funding collapsed, the children refused to leave — they fasted, prayed, and God provided. What began with 23 has now grown to 130 children, loved and cared for by strong believers. Their courageous obedience, combined with your faithful support, is proof that when the light of Christ shines, darkness cannot remain.

Widow Ministry – Ms. Phuong's Story — Dignity Restored

Your generosity is restoring dignity and hope to the most vulnerable. Ms. Phuong lost her husband and, in the years that followed, lost her home. Through it all she remained faithful — serving her church through cleaning and preparing for services even while facing homelessness. When the structure she sheltered in was condemned, the Lord moved — through our partnership with World Challenge, we were able to fund a safe, permanent home for her. In her own words, before Christ she was "sick, hungry, and homeless," but God answered through faithful people. Beautifully, this home will continue blessing widows in need long after Ms. Phuong is gone — a legacy of mercy that keeps giving.

Mekong Delta Bible Training: Hunger for the Word

What is happening in the Mekong Delta is nothing short of remarkable. Over 80 students from 13 different areas gathered for a full week of intensive training in Bible Interpretation and Study Methods — and the hunger in the room was undeniable. Sessions ran past 3 AM every night, yet the students kept going, completing homework and group projects after each teaching. This generation is desperate for the Word of God, and your support is meeting that hunger head-on.

World Challenge — Colorado Springs: Holy Ground Moments

This past March, the Miles family visited World Challenge Headquarters in Colorado Springs — a long-awaited gift. They toured facilities steeped in the legacy of Pastor David Wilkerson, attended a conference, and Dr. Shaun shared a devotion with the incredible behind-the-scenes staff. They fellowshipped with Pastor Gary Wilkerson and his wife and Pastor John Bailey gave the family a day in the snow — a Holy Ground moment that will be forever etched in their hearts as well as a simple, holy reminder that rest and time with one’s children is not a retreat from ministry. It is ministry.

The need is great, the workers are faithful, and God is moving. Will you stand with us? Every gift — of any size — sends the Gospel further, reaches those hurting, and restores another life. Be part of what God is doing in Vietnam because together we are doing it!

Your kingdom come Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

BUT GOD!! When you think about your life, and how you are where you are, do you just think, “BUT GOD”? I know when I think of my life and the work of the Lord through SALM67 Ministries I can only think “BUT GOD”! Our ministry’s focus is on Personally Encountering God so that it leads to a Public Display of His Love so that His Gospel can be Purposefully Preached across the nations. In 2025, we watched as the Lord supernaturally opened doors that truly reflected His heart in Heaven. First off, in February, the Global Training Center opened. Located in the greater Jacksonville area, the GTC offers a college level curriculum in Christian education. Students gain extensive Bible knowledge with practical application. Several students have already established ministries of their own or have been sent out to minister in under-staffed rural churches to preach, lead worship and assist with special events during VBS and Christmas. The Lord is truly blessing this work.

Throughout Vietnam the same things were taking place. During the summer months for the first time in the history of our ministry, we held a conference in Da Nang for 130 pastors and church leaders, representing 45 churches. We also held a similar conference for 175 pastors and leaders in the Mekong Delta, which kicked off our newly-established relationship with the 13 churches there. Truly our prayer has been for the Lord’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven, and 2025 had times where this truth was tangible.

GTC Students Feeding the By-ways and a Fall Revival on the Outskirts of Jacksonville

Each one of the students in our Global Training Center has a call of God on their life and they are being obedient to that call. What a blessing it has been to witness the tremendous growth the students have experienced, not only by expanding their knowledge of God’s Word but by their desire to live according to God’s Heart - that none should perish but come to salvation through knowledge of Him. To that end, several students have been sent out to preach at churches across North and Central Florida, with three receiving licenses into the ministry.

Visiting Churches and A Conference in Dallas

The Miles family was on the road almost every weekend last year, visiting current partner churches and establishing relationships with some new congregations, across Florida, Georgia and even into North Carolina. At the end of October, Dr. Shaun and Liên traveled to Dallas to share about this work at a conference hosted by long-time friend and Brother-in-Christ, Pastor Hung Tran. Pastor Hung played a vital role in encouraging Dr. Shaun to go to Vietnam for the first time and has been a faithful supporter and encourager of this work from the beginning. The Lord Dr. Shaun sharing about touched his heart to host the Backpack Ministry the first ever SALM 67 Banquet there, and it was very special. We are so Pastor Hung (second from left) thankful for all the delicious food, beautiful décor, the hard work and the wonderful people that joined us.

Last year we were very thankful to be able to visit so many churches in order to share what the Lord is doing through this ministry and to preach the Word of God. Our partners and partnering churches are truly the heartbeat of this ministry for you represent the love and generosity of our Lord. Thank you!

Love and blessings, Dr. Shaun and Liên Miles

On the Mission Field in November

The Miles family returned to Vietnam for three weeks in November. Our schedule was as busy as ever between hosting a Mission Team, blessing two orphanages with early Christmas celebrations, conducting training in the Mekong with our newest group of partner churches there, handing out backpacks to school children and preparing and encouraging the pastors and churches across the nation for their upcoming Christmas outreach events.

In the middle of November, we welcomed a team from North Carolina: Dr. Lon Chenowith and his wife, Kay, Pastor Matthew Mills, Pastor Steve Chastain and Pastor Scott Huffman. We connected with Dr. Lon back in 2024, at the suggestion of a mutual friend. Dr. Lon is a pastor and oversees the Sandy Run Baptist Association. In our very first conversation, it became apparent that this was a divine appointment. One of his first questions, upon hearing of the work in Vietnam, was “My mentor and hero in Bible College served in Vietnam during the war. Have you ever heard of Walter and Pauline Routh?” As the work of Walter and Pauline Routh was the inspiration for SALM67 Ministries, we were overwhelmed by seeing how God’s hand is constantly upon the work of this ministry. It was decided that Dr. Lon would bring a team to work in some of the areas where the Routh’s ministered. The team was kept very busy between special training sessions with our pastors and leaders, blessing widows with needed food bags and children with early Christmas gifts in addition to helping us pass out nearly 1800 filled backpacks to school children in the central area and Tribal Highlands.

Backpack Ministry to Schools

This year we handed out more backpacks than ever before and we are so very thankful to all of you who prayed and gave to make this happen. Every one of the nearly 1800 backpacks were hand crafted and filled with warm jackets, hygiene items, toys, snacks, and school supplies. We visited two schools in the central region and five schools in the Tribal Highlands of Kon Tum. At each school, we saw the Lord do something special. This outreach requires a lot of resources, financial as well as man power, in order to buy the items, fill the bags and send out to the areas prior to our arrival. To be able to stand before the local government officials, the school staff, the students and parents and share the message of God’s love for each and every one of them makes all this effort totally worthwhile.

Christmas at the Orphanage

We were so thankful to be able to provide Christmas for two different orphanages with nearly 300 children and workers. We currently provide monthly support to these two places through our partnership with World Challenge, but Christmas is a special opportunity to make these kids feel loved. At the Canon Land Orphanage, we had a wonderful celebration with songs, the Gospel presentation, a happy birthday Jesus cake, and gifts for each child. It’s not possible to express in words how special it was to watch these children, who have gone through so much, laugh and play like children. We were also blessed to hold another Christmas party at the school for orphans. Nearly 150 children with staff received the blessing of gifts, toys, a KFC catered lunch and the message of the Gospel. We love all these kids and the workers that keep them moving forward in life. The absolute joy it brought to them as well as to us is unspeakable. To hear them open their gifts is like an eruption of joy that no sound on earth can match. Thankful for the love of God and the hope that is found only in Jesus.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; Matthew 5:14

Training Highlights and Christmas In Vietnam 2025

Vietnam’s weather in the fall can be quite a challenge. During our October training for the pastors in central Vietnam, the rainy season had produced so much flooding that many could not travel to gather in person as they typically do, so our Zoom classroom was unusually large. In fact, several had to leave during the class to move themselves and their belongings to higher ground as water was entering their homes. But, they rejoined as soon as they could. In spite of the weather, the pastors and leaders continue to seek and sit with the Lord. It’s amazing how the Lord has used our time together to encourage and strengthen them in the midst of hardship.

While there in November, we conducted the first Bible Training class in person for our newest group of pastors and leaders in the Mekong Delta. These 50 dedicated servants of the Lord are so hungry for this knowledge because they know it will allow them to reach their communities for Christ. The Lord truly met us during these three days and we know His hand is upon them going forward.

Christmas at the Churches

While in the Mekong for training, we kicked off Christmas at the Churches with an outreach event attended by over 500 people. There is so much need in this region but we see that God is on the move because there were at least 60 professions of faith in Christ. A wonderful meal and time of fellowship followed, then we handed out one hundred food bags to widows and needy families.

This past Christmas season, 42 of our partner-churches hosted Christmas outreach events, across the nation.

In the Hanoi area, Pastor My’s son in law, who is a pastor, held a Christmas event where about 140 were in attendance and 12 prayed to receive Christ.

The Christmas outreach at our main Quảng Ngãi church had over 80 attendees with 13 praying to receive Christ as Lord.

In the Highlands of Central Vietnam, where Pastor Quang and his wife hosted their Christmas outreach with over 80 in attendance and 11 praying to receive Christ Jesus.

Pastor Hai traveled to an island in the Mekong Delta where five outreach services were held, with over 103 committing their life to the Lord.

Near the ocean at Pastor Hanh’s church, there were about 55 in attendance with 10 praying to receive Christ Jesus.

Pastor My’s son, Jonah had heard about a Christian movie being aired for the first time in Vietnam (King of Kings), and he felt led by the Lord to rent out the entire theatre in Quảng Ngãi and give a Gospel presentation afterwards. Over 125 people attended, including 50 or so non-believers. When he invited people to pray to receive Jesus, he asked them to stand where they were and pray. But several felt led to come forward near the screen so about 15 people ran down front and prayed to receive Christ while many others prayed at their seats.

In the Kon Tum highlands at Pastor Đình Poa’s church, they held their outreach and about 700 were in attendance with at least three publicly committing their life to Jesus Christ.

Pastor Ninh in the south held his Christmas outreach at the church on Christmas Day. They were blessed with over 90 in attendance and five prayed to receive Christ as Lord.

We are so thankful for all of you who have given and prayed for these Christmas events - they would not have been possible otherwise. We started them in November, and they ran all the way until the first of January. The Lord has truly done some amazing work: Since our outreaches began in November, over 10,500 people heard the gospel in churches, movie theaters, orphanages, open fields, seven public schools, government offices, houses and coffee shops and of those, 385 surrendered their lives to Jesus! It is truly incredible what God can use for His glory. Again, a heartfelt “Thank You” to you all - for your generous gifts, prayers and support that is allowing this Gospel to go forth across this nation.

SALM67 Ministries 2025 Highlights

Establish

• 58 National churches partner with us throughout the nation
• 23 National pastors supported every month
• 762 People surrendered their life to Jesus through church and outreach events.
• 48 New believers were baptized

Encourage

• Miles family In-country: January; June-July; November-December
• 4 Motorbikes provided for our pastors
• 5 In-person training sessions for over 300 pastors and leaders
• 7 Week-long online training sessions for our pastors and leaders
• 3 Mission teams joined us to bless and encourage Believers
• 250 Orphans supported monthly
• New home built for a homeless widow

Extend

• 1600 Children reached during VBS across 31 churches with 186 giving their heart to Jesus
• 300 Orphans and workers received the Gospel, gifts and food at Christmas
• 1800 Backpacks with jackets and other needed supplies handed out in 6 local schools in the Tribal Highlands
• 450 Food bags given to needy families throughout the year leading to 165 giving their heart to the Lord
• Over 10,500 people attended our partner churches Christmas events with 385 lives eternally changed as a result

The Lord used this ministry to shine His light and love to the people of Vietnam in a mighty way this past year - Join us in this work because Together We are Doing It!

Miles Family Update

Dr. Shaun directs all the training, discipleship and outreach programs of SALM67 Ministries as well as the SALM67 Ministries Global Training Center in Middleburg, Florida. He also serves as the head pastor of The Bridge Church, located in the Orange Park/Jacksonville area. This newly established church, formed around the Lord’s command to “Go and make disciples” is looking to fully launch later this year.

Liên serves as the main liaison and translator with our partner churches throughout Vietnam as well as coordinates the outreach programs to the two orphanages this ministry supports. She assists with other ministry activities as needed, while also managing the household with two active boys. Shaun Fisher is almost 10 and loving 4th grade and Daniel Hai, almost 7, is thriving in 1st grade. The boys love to serve alongside of their parents, sharing the Gospel and praying for those in need. Everyone is healthy and the boys are growing in the Lord - and we thank God for all His blessings.

Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name. Psalm 30:4

Global Training Center Launches

For the past two years, this ministry has felt a strong burden to help pastors, leaders and small rural churches here in America. We waited patiently as the Lord began to reveal exactly what that would look like and then for Him to provide all that we would need to open our doors. In-person classes began in early 2025 with nearly 30 students enrolled. The training center offers an 18-month, college-level curriculum - the same one taught in Vietnam these past 12 years - with Dr. Shaun providing the bulk of the teaching. Special sessions are planned from time to time where visiting professors are brought in to supplement course content with their particular area of expertise. The students are also given the opportunity to put their learning into practice as they are sent out to local, under-staffed churches to preach, lead worship and assist with church events such as VBS. While the family was on the mission field this past summer, we were privileged to host Dr. John Thomas, who was Dr. Shaun’s preaching professor in Bible College, and Dr. Bill Coleman from Luther Rice College and Seminary and He’s Alive Church. We are so thankful for their willingness to partner with us, along with several others who have stepped in when needed. We are also tremendously grateful for their steadfast support of all the work of this ministry over the years.

Blessing the Orphans

The heart behind this ministry is simply the presence of God. Everything we do, we seek to do with God’s presence at the center and one of the sweetest places of His presence in ministry is caring for the widow and orphan. There is an orphanage in Long Hai that we have helped for many years and they had developed some pretty big needs. Thanks to the love and generosity of World Challenge, Inc via Pastor John Bailey, we had a chance to bless them by alleviating some of those needs. We provided materials that were lacking for their trade-school curriculum; Supplied enough basic vitamins and other critical medicines for every child; Supplemented their food, as protein in the children’s diet had become scarce due to lack of funding. Another orphanage we work with in the south was planning to close for the summer, due to lack of funding. Again, through the generosity of World Challenge, we were able to provide the needed resources for the school to remain open for the entire summer so the children could be cared for daily. In fact, thanks to an on-going partnership with World Challenge, we are now providing, monthly support to two orphanages and over 300 children, assuring they receive the food and care they need to thrive.

Remembering Pauline Routh

We recently celebrated the life of one of the most amazing people we had ever been blessed to know. We first met Walter and Pauline Routh in 2009, at a conference honoring their work as missionaries in Vietnam. During the war, they, along with their four children, were stationed close to the unstable DMZ area, and yet their work there gave life to over 27 house churches with over 430 members. Liên’s uncle came to know the Lord thanks to Walter Routh and answered the call into ministry not long after that. Walter and Pauline Routh were absolute giants in the Lord. They paved the way for the very work we are doing in Vietnam, greatly encouraging us when we decided to establish this ministry. We are forever grateful for their dedication to the things of God and take comfort in knowing they are now reunited in God’s eternal home.

Easter and Baptisms

Our pastors and churches take the great commission very seriously, and they strive to walk alongside every single born-again believer on the journey of discipleship with Jesus. One of the important steps in this journey is baptism. Pastor Dinh Rap was able to baptize 16 people who have surrendered their lives to Jesus. Pastor My and Pastor Quang were blessed to be able to walk 19 new believers through the waters of baptism. During our churches’ Easter weekend ministries, we heard of dozens upon dozens giving their heart to the Lord. In the Mekong Delta alone, one of our pastor friends held an outreach with almost 3,000 people attending and about 440 gave their hearts to the Lord.

Training Expands in Vietnam

Every other month we conduct training for our pastors and leaders in Vietnam. In May, we were blessed to have over 100 join us, despite the incredible heat in several locations. The classes were live-streamed to seven different locations as we continued through the book of Acts. After our time of teaching, the students break up into teams to prepare a lesson or message on what we had just studied and then stand before the class to share it.

While on the mission field this summer, we conducted a training conference in two different locations, Da Nang and the Mekong Delta. Combined, we welcomed over 300 pastors and leaders to the training sessions, representing 58 national churches, from across Vietnam. In Da Nang, we brought together 130 of our pastors and leaders from 45 of our partner churches. This was monumental for us as it was the first time we had ever gathered all of our pastors and leaders in one spot and it was also the very first training like this in Da Nang. The Lord clearly blessed this event as we did not have any issues with travel, accommodations or push-back from local officials. After the conference in Da Nang, we headed to the airport to fly down to the Mekong Delta. We held a two-day pastor training conference for the first time there, with over 175 pastors and leaders in attendance, representing 13 churches across this area. Our time with these faithful servants of God was one of the most powerful events we have ever experienced in ministry. The deep hunger for the things of God in this region is truly remarkable.

VBS

VBS events were held in 27 of our partner churches across Vietnam, from the Tay Ninh province in the southeast to the tribal communities located in the northern mountainous region of Sapa. All combined there were over 1400 children, with parents and workers also in attendance. There were over 150 professions of faith and church attendance following these events has surged across all areas.

Da Nang Church Growing

Pastor Hai and his wife, Tien moved to the house in Da Nang earlier this year and are working hard to grow the church there, disciple new believers and reach the lost through evangelism.

Worship Night and Visiting Churches Stateside

It was a great blessing to have been able to visit and update so many of the local churches that have supported this ministry throughout the years. The first half of the year was quite busy with almost every Sunday spent on the road, traveling across Florida, into Georgia, North Carolina and up into the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. In May, prior to our departure for Vietnam, we hosted a Worship Night at the house, allowing many of our local supporters to gather for a time of prayer, worship and fellowship.

Looking Ahead

The family will be returning to Vietnam this November to conduct in-person training as well as do some early Christmas outreach in schools and orphanages. Please read the attached Christmas letter to learn how the Lord might lead you to join us in this effort. Thank you for your steadfast support - together we are doing it!

But from this day I will bless you. Haggai 2:19

What an awesome God we serve! Our ministry’s focus is on Personally Encountering God so that it leads to a Public Display of His Love so that His Gospel can be Purposefully Preached across the nations. In July of 2024, we answered the call from our Lord to solely focus our time and attention on His work through SALM 67 Ministries. Truly from that day on, the Lord has blessed the work of this ministry more than we ever could have asked or imagined. You will see from this update that our guiding mission statement is more than just words; it is how we walk out the work the Lord has set before us every day. As we reflect on all that He has accomplished in 2024, we are truly humbled at how the Lord has used us all to shine His light and love to the people of Vietnam in a mighty way, touching lives and securing eternal futures for so many.

Miles Family in Vietnam

Our family was blessed with the opportunity to return to Vietnam three different times throughout last year. We started the year with a quick trip to Vietnam in January and accomplished much during our brief two-week stay. One of the pastors on our team was getting married and had asked us to preach at the service. We also preached at the Sunday worship service at one of our partner churches as well as conducted a two-day training for our pastors and leaders there. In addition, we were able to bless four of our pastors with new motor bikes, thanks to Missionary Ventures International.

We returned to the mission field in late May and stayed until early July. As we reported in our Fall 2024 Update, the Lord opened doors for some amazing opportunities for ministry; We held 5 in-person training sessions throughout our partner churches; We welcomed The Springs Church mission team who helped us to bless over 350 needy families with food bags. As always, we shared the Gospel message and over 60 people surrendered their life to the Lord during that time.

Our third trip back was incredibly special as it was the first time since Covid that our family was on the mission field for Christmas. Our dear friends, the Duncans, joined us and together we were able to touch so many lives with the Love of Jesus. Thanks to all of our generous supporters and to the Lord for opening doors we never thought possible, this Christmas season was one of the biggest in the history of this ministry and we know you will be blessed by reading more about it on page three of this report.

Water of Life

We work in some pretty rural areas in Vietnam and especially in the Tribal Highlands of Central Vietnam. Over the years we have experienced first-hand the difficult living conditions in which some of our pastors and leaders live. Life is difficult for them in terms of basic essentials – things like readily available, clean water. Last year we saw how people living in these remote villages would go to the nearby creek to bathe and do laundry and then carry water from that same source back to their houses for use. During this Christmas season we provided three deep drilled wells to three different tribal communities thanks to the generosity of World Challenge, Inc. and The Wells at Chrystal Springs, Jacksonville. Not only are these tribal pastors providing their communities with Living Water but have now provided a source for clean water so vital to the health of all the people living here.

Last year we were very thankful to be able to visit so many churches in order to share what the Lord is doing through this ministry and to preach the Word of God. Our partner churches are truly the heartbeat of this ministry for they represent the love and generosity of our Lord. If your church, small group, or Sunday School class would like us to come and visit, please contact us. We are now scheduling for Spring 2025 and still have some dates available. We love encouraging you with all that the Lord is doing through this ministry and sharing ways you can become a part of this work because truly, together we are doing it!

Love and blessings, Dr. Shaun and Liên Miles

Sharing in Churches

Last year we visited over 26 of our partnering churches to preach God’s Word and share about all the He has accomplished through this ministry. The Lord abundantly honored the time we spent on the road, encouraging these faithful congregations as many new partners in prayer and financial support have been added to our ranks. Here are just some of the churches we were blessed to visit in the fall.

• We visited Pastor Jason Selman with AIM Church in Wetumpka, AL. We met Pastor Jason about 4 years ago and ever since, he has been a constant source of encouragement to this ministry.
• We enjoyed wonderful worship and fellowship with Dr. John Thomas, Ebenezer Baptist Church - my preaching professor at the Baptist College of Florida and treasured mentor for over 20 years.
• We shared with Mrs. Wilma’s Adult Sunday School Class at Stetson Baptist Church and they became a major partner in helping us to reach our goals for Christmas events.
• First Baptist Church in Debary, FL is a long standing partner in our work and we are always blessed with a sweet time of fellowship.
• Connecting with Dr. Lon Chenowith was truly a Divine Appointment as he was an admirer of Walter Routh. We shared with two churches in his Sandy Run Baptist Association in Bostic, NC.
• Westview Baptist Church in Sanford, Fl and Pastor Charlie Higgins welcomed us in October and generously supported our Christmas Outreach.
• New Hope Free Will Baptist Church, Two Egg, FL has supported us since we started and are like family to us. We preached as well as led the worship service and it was a powerful time in the Lord.
• It was an honor to have been with the Spanish Church in Deland in September. This church is so full of joy for the Lord and pursues His work with great vigor. We were greatly blessed.
• We were encouraged to see how the Lord has grown City Church Space Coast in Palm Bay, FL. under Pastor David Fitzgerald and are thankful for their monthly support of one of our pastors.

SALM67 Ministries Banquet

In early November we had a wonderful opportunity to host our very first SALM67 Ministries banquet at Good Samaritan Anglican Church in Middleburg. Father Brian Garrison is a great supporter of this ministry and his congregation was interested in learning about the work in Vietnam. An authentic Vietnamese three course meal, prepared by Liên, was served to the 60+ guests who had joined us for a ministry overview and update as well as heard about our plans for Christmas and the future. We made some wonderful new friends as well as connected with some of our current supporters while raising a good portion of funds needed for our Christmas outreach events.

Vietnam Ministry Vehicle

The need for a ministry vehicle in Vietnam has been great for many years and this last year the Lord touched the heart of several churches to meet that need. We initially thought we wanted a truck but after researching it, decided we needed a vehicle capable of transporting people as well as material. We settled on a Toyota Innova Cross with a stronger suspension in the rear, and fold down seats. It fits eight passengers total it was used quite a bit by the family when in Vietnam at Christmas. It will greatly benefit our pastors’ work around Da Nang. A special thank you to those led by the Lord to meet this need:

• Pastor Eoin O’Sullivan and The Springs Church
• Pastor Joe Putting, Mrs Connie Davis and Tomoka Christian Church
• Pastor Josh Robinson and The Bridge Church

Christmas 2024

The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered Proverbs 11:25

Christmas at the Churches

Every year we have the opportunity to partner with our churches throughout Vietnam to help them organize community outreach events. The Christmas events, along with our Vacation Bible School, have proven to be the most effective way to reach their surrounding communities with the message of the Gospel. This year was no different and we were blessed that 41 of our partner churches were able to hold Christmas events thanks to your generosity. The top picture on the right is from the outreach at Rac Village Church with Pastor A Suc in the Tribal Highlands who had more than 500 at their event with several making a decision for Jesus.

Celebrating Christmas at the Bible Training Centers

This year we held our end of year training and Christmas celebration in three different locations with about 100 pastors and leaders in attendance. We had a time of worship and then we had a celebration meal. The men each received a dress shirt for preaching along with two pairs of dress pants for preaching and the ladies got fabric to make a traditional Vietnamese dress. Thankful for each of our students and thankful for how the Lord is using each of them.

Loving on the Needy

When we spent time with Pastor Hieu and his church in Tay Ninh, we were able to help some of those most in need in his community with food bags. 50 hurting families heard testimony of God’s transformative powers and then each received a 25lb bag of rice, along with other cooking essentials.

Blessing Children with Bicycles

We love being able to bless children in need with bikes at Christmas! This year, thanks to your overwhelming generosity, we were able to hand out 12 bicycles to children – much needed transportation to and from school as well as a means to help their families with their work.

Christmas with the Orphans

The Bible is very clear about what true and pure religion looks like. Ministry to the orphan is a true representation of the Lord. Some of our greatest memories of our work in Vietnam over the last 12 years have been of the orphanage in Long Hai during Christmas. We were able to offer each child several toys and their very own Christmas Shoe Box filled with school supplies, personal hygiene items, and snacks. Bo Duncan presented the Gospel in a powerful way and after praying, handed out the gifts. Their excitement was at a roar and watching their reactions to these gifts is a memory none of us will ever forget.

Ministry to Six Schools in the Highlands

Several years ago we were in the Tribal Highlands for the first time, blessing the community school with filled backpacks. Years later, the leader of the area asked for us to come back and distribute to other schools. Thanks to the tremendous support we received for Christmas, we were able to go back to six different schools. We were able to share the love of our Lord through His Gospel before handing out 800 backpacks, filled with school supplies, personal hygiene items, snacks, toys, and a much needed warm jacket.

SALM67 Ministries Christmas Shoe Boxes

When Liên was just a little girl she received a Christmas Shoe Box from Operation Christmas Child. She said she would never forget it because she had not done anything to receive such a gift. Receiving an undeserved gift is truly a reflection of the Gospel and we felt led to provide over 350 Christmas shoe boxes as a demonstration of God’s love. These shoeboxes were made specifically for our ministry and lovingly put together with generous funding from the States and very wise shopping on the part of Liên”s sister in Vietnam. Along with a box filled with toys and necessities, each child received a very nice jacket that turned out to be quite the show stopper for many children in need.

The Duncans in Vietnam

Bo and Amy Duncan, who over the years have been strong supporters of Operation Christmas Child, were instrumental in helping us raise to funds in order to create our own Christmas Shoeboxes for children this year. Then they, along with their two children, joined us on the mission field at Christmas to hand these out. As we visited 14 of our tribal churches in Vietnam, along with the 2 orphanages, 600 shoe boxes had been readied for distribution Bo and Amy were the ones standing before the children and sharing the Gospel message of our Lord. There were at least 16 that gave their heart to the Lord during these ministries. The joy of being a part of this experience was felt by the entire Duncan family and we were so blessed to have them with us.

SALM67 Ministries 2024 Highlights

Establish

• 44 National churches partner with us throughout the nation
• 22 National pastors supported every month
• 638 People surrendered their life to Jesus through church and outreach events.
• 81 New believers were baptized

Encourage

• Miles family In-country: January; May-July; December
• 4 Motorbikes provided for our pastors
• 8 In-person training sessions for our 100+ pastors and leaders
• 7 Week-long online training sessions for our pastors and leaders
• 2 Mission teams joined us to bless and encourage Believers
• Established connections and visited a new church and potential long term training partner in the Mekong

Extend

• 1300 Children reached during VBS across 22 churches with 287 giving their heart to Jesus
• 250 Orphans and workers received the Gospel, gifts and food at Christmas
• 800 Backpacks with jackets handed out in 6 local schools; 400 Christmas shoeboxes distributed, leading 16 to surrender their lives to the Lord
• 400 Food bags given to needy families; 22 Widows generously blessed
• Over 5,000 people attended Christmas events in 41 churches with 54 decisions made for Christ

The Lord used this ministry to shine His light and love to the people of Vietnam in a mighty way this past year - Join us in this work because Together We are Doing It!

Miles Family Update

Dr. Shaun directs all the training, discipleship and outreach programs of SALM67 Ministries and recently established the Global Training Center, located in Middleburg, FLorida. The Global Training Center provides the opportunity to apply the ministry’s principles of “Establish, Encourage, Extend” to the pastors and leaders of the local church here in America. In-person classes, using the same curriculum taught these past 12 years throughout Vietnam, are slated to begin mid-February 2025. Dr. Shaun, often with the entire family in tow, spends several weekends a month, visiting churches throughout the southeast, preaching and sharing about the work of this ministry.

Liên serves as the main liaison and translator with our partner churches throughout Vietnam. She assists with other ministry activities as needed, while also managing the household with two active boys. Shaun Fisher is almost 9 and loving 3rd grade - Daniel Hai, almost 6, is thriving in kindergarten. Everyone is healthy and the boys are learning to serve the Lord - and we thank God for all His blessings.

One thing I ask from the Lord,this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4

Pastor Hai Stateside

Pastor Hai is an incredible man of God and has served as our Team Lead in Vietnam since the beginning. He oversees all of the pastors in our ministry and has seen the Lord move in many ways and in many places. In late 2023 Pastor Hai began to experience some serious health concerns and we wanted Pastor Hai and his wife to spend some time with us in the states so they could be encouraged and refreshed in the Lord. We had been in Vietnam in January so they returned with us and adapted to life here very well. They were even offered part-time work at The Springs Church as part of the cleaning crew and were greatly blessed by this opportunity to serve and interact with the Body of Christ. They returned to Vietnam in May and have settled in Da Nang to begin the work of opening The Springs Church/Da Nang. Pray for their strength and perseverance as they remain obedient to God’s call on their life.

Training and Evangelizing

We have been going through the book of Acts in our Pastor Training this year and these faithful servants of the Lord have really walked out these teachings. A team of pastors in central Vietnam have been conducting mission trips to rural areas to minister and to preach the Gospel. Pastor Lam, Pastor My, and Miss Son have been used by God in so many ways over the years. They have watched as the Lord has poured out His heart toward the Vietnamese people, especially in these tribal communities. Over a period of several weeks, this team visited all the tribal communities where we have established churches, coming alongside to encourage the pastors and leaders there as well as assist them in witnessing to their community. While they are serving the Lord, they are also showing their fellow servants of the Lord how to grow God’s Kingdom, plant seeds and celebrate the harvest. They have been able to reap much fruit along the way as many in these communities have given their heart to the Lord.

Easter and Baptisms

The Easter season in Vietnam this year proved to be a special time of reaping a bountiful spiritual harvest. Several of our pastors had been witnessing a true move of God since the beginning of the year but during the weeks leading up to and following Easter, they experienced a definite outpouring of God’s Spirit. Especially for Pastor Ninh, who, with his team, shared the Gospel with many during Easter resulting in eight people giving their life to Christ. Of those, three have already been baptized. Pastor A Suc and the churches in the Kon Tum area of the Central Highlands are continuing to flourish and have seen a great revival over these past four years. These tribal churches had the opportunity to baptize 18 new Believers in July. The Lord has truly blessed their ministry to these communities that are often lacking in basic needs such as clean water and adequate food.

Summer Ministry in Vietnam

We returned to the mission field as a family in late May and spent seven weeks there visiting churches and encouraging the pastors and leaders we work with through conferences, fellowship events and in-person trainings in two locations. We also participated in several community outreach events which were among the highlights of the summer.

Ministry to Widows and Orphans

Thanks to a generous grant from World Challenge Inc., we were able to conduct special outreach events to widows and orphans in the central and southern areas of this nation. In the central region, we blessed 26 widows from communities near our church and training center there. Each person received a large fan, a 25 lb bag of rice, food bag, mosquito netting and an envelope with cash for them to be able to purchase meat. This was a very special time of ministry as we prayed for them and shared with them the goodness of the Lord and His love and commitment to each one of them. The next day we invited 11 widows from the community to the worship services. After preaching a message from Psalm 27, the Lord touched four of the widows to come down and surrender their life to Him. After the worship service, we traveled to some of the poorest areas in our tribal communities and blessed four widows at their homes. The poverty we encountered was heart wrenching, however, it did not stop the joy and smiles we received.

In the south, we had the opportunity to go to two different orphanages with over 220 children and staff. The Lord blessed our time there in a tremendous way. We played games and provided a huge pizza party for lunch. At each orphanage, we left six 120 lb bags of rice and Blessing widows in tribal areas other food as well as hygiene and cleaning products. Every child received personal items, snack bags, toys and a gift. We shared the Gospel in both places and, during the time of invitation, over 14 teens and children responded to give their heart to the Lord. We are so thankful for our partnership with World Challenge that has a heart for blessing those so often overlooked, yet so precious in the eyes of our Lord.

The Springs Church Missions Team

The Springs Church Jacksonville has been our home church for over 11 years and has been a huge partner in this work. They sent a very special team to work with us for a week and despite several delayed flights, lost luggage and a 48-hour journey, they all arrived safe and sound. They had about three hours to rest before heading out to the highlands of Central Vietnam to begin their jam-packed week of ministry. Here is a quick snap shot of how God used them during their seven days of being in country with us. They visited 15 of our 44 churches; They prepared and presented Vacation Bible School in 2 different churches in the south for about 140 children; They assisted with the Orphan Outreach; They witnessed 48 people giving their heart to the Lord. God used them to be able to encourage so many including pastors, leaders and servants of the Lord.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School is such an important ministry in the life of the church and the best way to reach the younger generation. In the central region, Pastor My and his wife prepared a very special team of leaders and servants to visit and minister to our churches in this area. The Lord blessed this team tremendously as they conducted full days of VBS at each of our 22 churches in that area. Over 1000 children attended with 245 children giving their life to the Lord along with three parents. The Springs Church team helped us with VBS at two of our churches in the south. The Lord totally blessed our time as our team ministered to the children through games, songs, and Bible stories. About 200 attended these events and after the Gospel presentation and invitation, there were over 30 professions of faith in Jesus Christ. In all, there were over 275 professions of faith in Jesus Christ across 24 national churches - Praise the Lord!

Looking Ahead - We will be busy this fall visiting churches and sharing about the Lord’s work in Vietnam. If your church, small group or Sunday School class would like to learn more about the activities of this ministry, please reach out to us - we would love to come see you! Also, the Miles family will go back to Vietnam for three weeks in December - for the first time since 2018! We are so excited, we can’t wait to share our plans for a big move of God this Christmas!

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit Titus 3:5

What an awesome God we serve. Our ministry’s focus is on Personally Encountering God so that it leads to a Public Display of His Love so that His Gospel can be Purposefully Preached to whomever we encounter. You will see from this update that it is not just a mission statement but truly how we walk out the work the Lord has set before us every day at SALM67 Ministries.

Sometimes we forget that life is not just made up of days, or hours, but of people and experiences. Last year was filled with much joy and victory. In 2023, SALM67 Ministries welcomed one of our lead pastors on our Vietnam team to the states – a first for this ministry. Pastor Luc was able to join us for several weeks and during his stay, we visited many of our partnering churches to share first-hand the work God is doing in that nation. While we were on the mission field last summer, we hosted 5 different teams and witnessed a countless number of lives transformed from the Gospel. What a special year 2023 was for us and yet also a challenging year of loss. We had several of our very dear friends and faithful partners of this ministry step into their eternal home and we would like to remember two of them here: First, Mrs. Susan Carr who was so precious to me and my family. I first met her and her family in Two Egg, Florida in 2004 when I was attending my first semester in Bible College. I was called to be the pastor of their church yet they ended up helping me. You have heard me say, “I was born in Deland but raised in Two Egg”. This refers to how they helped me mature, and grow in the Lord and His call for my life. They have walked with my family ever since. Mrs. Susan was always a rock and great source of wisdom and encouragement and we are forever thankful for her.

The second precious partner of this ministry that went to her eternal home was Mrs. Joyce Chaffin. I met Mrs. Joyce about 6 years ago at FBC Deleon Springs in Florida. She was leading worship at the time and doing an amazing job to say the least. I was invited to help out during a season when they were looking for a new pastor and I was home for a couple of months from this ministry work in Vietnam. God truly honored our time together and a real friendship began. Mrs. Joyce and her very special husband, brother Joe Chaffin, became so near and dear to me and my family as well as faithful supporters of this work. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Joyce was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer. The Lord kept her safe through all of the Covid years and watched over her until He called her home in mid-December. Please pray for brother Richard Carr and brother Joe Chaffin as they navigate through this difficult season.

We wanted to honor Susan Carr and Joyce Chaffin here to illustrate how this ministry is championed and pushed along by so many Godly men and women like yourself. We do not take your love and commitment to this work lightly. In the pages that follow you will read how God is working through this ministry and allowing miracles to occur where we never thought possible. The truth is that God has used so many Believers, like Mrs. Joyce and Mrs. Susan, to grow this ministry over the past ten years and we so appreciate your partnership in prayer and financial support. A heart-felt Thank You to you all because together we are doing it.

Bible College Training

We are thankful for the Word of the Lord! This year we were able to hold 13 week-long trainings for our pastors and leaders - 8 of them were online sessions and 5 in-person trainings. We felt led of the Lord at the start of the year to begin a study through the entire book of Acts. Each training produced a contextual synopsis and outline; list of applicable lessons; verse-by-verse commentary and a minimum of three sermons from each section studied during the training. When we are finished with the book, each student will have a wealth of information that will enable them to accurately and powerfully preach and teach from the book of Acts.

When we got to chapters 3-5, the Lord reminded me of how powerful the early church was and how, when we first began in Vietnam in 2012, we experienced such a move of God. The pure excitement and faith that we had in those early days was like no other time or thing we have ever experienced. It was a very special season in our life and the life of the church in Vietnam. However, we also know this present time is special and God is in our midst. We know the Lord used all of our 13 weeks of class together to refresh, encourage and edify His servants, and we are thankful.

Pastor Support

SALM67 Ministries exists to partner with national pastors and leaders throughout the nation of Vietnam to reach their country for Christ. We equip them to do this by training them, encouraging them through fellowship and giving ongoing financial support. Over the last couple of years, we have a felt a burden in this ministry because many of our pastors are experiencing financial difficulties. Because of Covid, many have had to take on unwanted debt in order to provide for their families. Now that Covid is over, they are having to pay back that debt and while they feel the call on their life to serve the Lord, they have a real responsibility to care for their families by paying off these debts. This has been an ongoing struggle for so many of our pastors and we would really like to ease their burden. Currently 25 pastors receive support from his ministry at a level that provides for some needs ($50/month) but does not really allow them to get out from under debt. Our goal this year is to not only expand the number of pastors we support but increase the amount of that support ($150/month) as a way to bring them some measure of financial peace and allow them to continue serving the Lord. Please reach out to us if you would like to partner with us in this specific way.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17 (NASB95)

Extending the Love of Christ to Thousands

Our pastors were blessed this past year with opportunities to minister to their communities in a number of ways. Thanks to your support, food bags went to the needy; filled backpacks and jackets when to school children; VBS blessed orphans and touched thousands of lives; Christmas events brought New Believers into God's family. The five different teams that joined us on the mission field last summer helped with a number of these outreach events as well as encouraged our pastors and leaders through trainings and testimonies. Everyone returned home feeling more blessed than those they had come to bless. There is nothing we cannot accomplish when working for the Lord!

Food Bags to the Needy

Last year at this time, we were able to put some resources in the hands of our pastors to bless their community at the Lunar New Year (TET). They distributed 450 food bags while delivering the message of the Gospel in churches throughout the nation. The Lord really used this tangible reminder of God's love for His children as three were led to surrender thier life to the Lord after hearing of God's saving grace.

VBS in the Central Regions & Tribal Highlands

VBS was a great success this summer and particularly in the Central region, that Pastor My and his wife oversee. These two dedicated servants of God work tirelessly to spread God's message of hope and love as well as disciple and encourage fellow Believers. They planned their VBS activities with a team from the highlands of Kon Tum and prepared for over a week, scheduling ministry activities in over 19 of our churches throughout this region as well as Tibal areas of Kon Tum. Traveling during August proved challenging and they had to navigate through storms, rough terrain and mountainous roadways - taking buses, motorbikes, bicycles, boats and cars in order for them to reach all the churches they had on their schedule. However, the Lord used this team in a mighty way - over 1100 children showed up with 325 of them giving their life to Jesus. What a work of GOD! When you look at their effort and ask how they could have endured such a month, you realize it was the Lord that gave them the strength as well as the fruit. He is so good!

Summer Mission Teams

We hosted five different mission teams while we were in Vietnam last summer which made for a very busy time. At times hectic and difficult as we had to quickly adapt to some unexpected situations, we knew the Lord was with us every step of the way. When one door or opportunity for ministry seemed shut, He always provided a way for His work to continue. We welcomed teams from The Springs Church, He's Alive Church, Richard Grangard from World Challenge; fellow co-laborers in this ministry and Board Member Judson Hatfield and his wife Jane and The Springs Church Executive Pastor, Eoin O'Sullivan and Jonathan Lowe.

Christmas 2023

This Christmas season saw the Lord move in such a powerful way. Out of our 45 churches, 41 held Christmas events to celebrate the birth of our Lord and evangelize about His great love. A total of 4,750 attended with 82 people praying to make Jesus Lord of their heart and life. Thank you to everyone who prayed and gave to make these events possible.

The churches invited their communities to join them at Christmas, sharing the hope found in Christ and then offering a meal and often a small gift. Some of the children most in need received a new bicycle that will serve as transportation for the whole family.

2023 Highlights

Establish

• 45 National churches partner with us throughout the nation
• 25 National pastors supported every month
• 558 People surrendered their life to Jesus
• 74 New believers were baptized

Encourage

• Miles family In-country June and July
• 5 In-person training sessions for our 77 pastors and leaders
• 8 Week-long online training sessions for our pastors and leaders
• 5 Mission teams joined us to bless and encourage Believers

Extend

• VBS reached over 1100 children across 19 churches with 325 giving their heart to Jesus
• 110 Orphans and workers heard the Gospel at a VBS party with gifts & food
• 400 Backpacks with jackets handed out in 2 local schools
• 700 Food bags given to needy families
• Over 4,700 people attended Christmas events in 42 churches with 82 decisions made for Christ

The Lord used this ministry to shine His light and love to the people of Vietnam in a mighty way this past year - Join us in this work because Together We are Doing It!

Miles Family Update

The Miles family are remaining stateside for the foreseeable future and currently reside in Orange Park, Florida. Dr. Shaun is on staff at The Springs Church, overseeing the activities at their Westside campus while also directing all the training, discipleship and outreach programs of SALM67 Ministries through our Vietnam-based team of national pastors.

Liên assists Dr. Shaun with ministry as needed, both at The Springs Church and with SALM67 Ministries while managing the household with two active boys. Shaun Fisher is almost 8 and loving 2nd grade - Daniel Hai, almost 5, is thriving in Pre-K. Everyone is healthy and the boys are learning to serve the Lord - and we thank God for all His blessings.

Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10

The Miles Family Heads to Vietnam

What a wonderful summer my family enjoyed as we returned to ministry activities in Vietnam. During our 7-week stay in June and July, we had five different mission teams join us to assist with very specific areas of ministry throughout the nation. As you will read, we encountered much trouble, and difficulties but the Lord blessed us in truly miraculous ways as we were able to carry out most of our planned activities in one way or another. We saw people give their life to the Lord, He met their needs, He encouraged pastors, and He allowed the ministries of our national church partners to flourish. Together we are doing it and to God be the glory!

The Springs Church Team

The Springs Church team from Jacksonville arrived shortly after we did and came ready to dive right in to ministry. We had prepared for week-long men’s and women’s events along with visiting several churches, to hand out food bags while sharing the Gospel.

Because of an unfortunate national situation, we were not able to visit all the churches we had originally planned. Despite this major change in schedule, the ministry activities continued. We were able to bless 40 families with food bags in two different tribal churches in the central region and then another 25 families at one of our churches in the south.

We had planned a men’s and women’s event for about 60 pastors and leaders in Central Vietnam. While we were not allowed to conduct the event in person, the Lord directed us to have Ryan Hare and Gabriel Kyser teach online from the hotel room and to bring Pastor My’s wife to our hotel so the women (Dawn Gauhan, Anna Adcock, Teressa Yancey, Jess Beman) could teach her their lessons --which they did until 11:30pm. Pastor My’s wife shared these lessons with the women at the conference the following day. Even though we could not meet in person for the conference, our team was permitted to join the church for one hour to have lunch. I asked them what could we do to make the best use of our limited time with these pastors and leaders and everyone responded with the same answer. It was the exact same thing Jesus did with His last hour with all of His disciples before He was crucified. After sharing a word of encouragement, we washed the feet of everyone present. It was truly a special and memorable moment for us all.

Even though we endured some serious issues, we remained unified and joyful. This team encountered all that Vietnam had to offer for a Christian and left filled with a passion for the work being done here. Thank the Lord for The Springs Church, the team that came, and everyone who prayed and gave financial support. Lives were touched by the power of God and His Word during their time here in a way that will continue long after they have returned home.

Pastor Eoin O’Sullivan, Senior Pastor, The Springs Church

We were thankful to welcome Pastor Eoin and Jonathan Lowe to Da Nang. Pastor Eoin has been our pastor for almost 2 years now and is such a joy to know and work with. He is gifted in so many areas, and it was a honor to have him train our pastors in the south and in Central Vietnam on the topic of Biblical Leadership. The Lord totally met us in every one of those meetings and it turned into a special time of revival for us all. We also had an opportunity to visit 17 of our 43 churches, where we shared the Gospel, handed out over 400 food bags and blessed the pastors. His time in Vietnam was a special for this work and for me personally and the Lord used our time together to bless Vietnam for generations to come.

Judson Hatfield and Family

I am so thankful that 19 years ago I met a friend that would stick with me closer than a brother. Judson Hatfield has been on the board of this ministry from the beginning and has provided so much wisdom and discernment on how we do ministry. Yet above all, he has proven to be a true man of God and a dear friend to me and my family. To have him join us in Da Nang for three days and to see firsthand what God is doing was special. Sunday morning, we held worship services at our new ministry facility in Da Nang, and God touched all of our hearts. After the message the Lord led us to a time of prayer and we ended up praying over one another and for one another as we were in the presence of the Lord. Thankful for my brother and greatly blessed by this special friendship.

Dr. Bill Coleman and He’s Alive Church Team

I met Dr. Bill Coleman about 14 years ago in Vietnam and I have been honored to be his friend since that time. He has been back to serve with us several other times, and each time it has been special. This time Dr. Bill brought a team of four - Pastor Jeremy, Britany, Bill, and Ms. Carrol. After 40 plus hours of travel, Dr. Bill Coleman and his team from He’s Alive Church arrived. They were beat as you could imagine. Because Dr. Bill and He’s Alive Church have journeyed with us for so many years, it was very important for them to visit the ministry house in Da Nang. We spent time going over the years leading up to that point as well as the call and vision from the Lord for the church plant and Bible Training center in Da Nang. We spent time praying there at the ministry house in Da Nang and the Lord truly blessed our time together

Ministry at the Orphanage

Dr. Coleman and his team not only joined us for ministry at the orphanage but provided tall he funds needed for snacks and small gifts for all the children. We are so very thankful to the Lord for opening the door for us to do ministry at the orphanage in Vung Tau. The team and my family loved being with the children here and we were able to bless those running the orphanage with some needed supplies as well as bless each child with food, games in addition to the Gospel message. It was a very special moment not only to share this message of hope and love but then to pray over each and every one present.

O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:4

In 2022, the Lord has once again blessed this ministry in ways too numerous to count. From our ability to return to Vietnam after a nearly three-year absence to the purchase of a building to plant a church and Bible Training Center in Da Nang, this past year has truly been an exceptional display of God’s power and glory. We thank all of our faithful prayer and financial partners for their obedience to the Lord’s call to walk with us in this work.

Returning to Vietnam - As we traveled back to Vietnam last June, the joy we felt reminded us of how the Children of Israel must have felt returning to Jerusalem for the first time after their exile. Looking back over these years being “strategically stranded” in the States, we realize how divinely orchestrated this time has been and sit in awe at all the Lord has accomplished for us and through us. However, nothing can quite express the incredible joy we all felt being reunited with family, friends and all our pastors and church leaders after such a long absence. Our schedule was filled with opportunities to visit our churches, preach, teach, minister and just enjoy our time with family – what an amazing gift from God!

No sooner had we settled back into our routine state-side, that an opportunity to return to Vietnam in November was made possible by World Challenge, Inc. This was thanks to John Bailey, founding pastor of our home church, The Springs Church Jacksonville and who, after ten years at The Springs, transitioned to the World Challenge team. Pastor John has been a champion of SALM67 Ministries from the very start and we were thrilled at the prospect of doing ministry with him in Vietnam.

Our 12-day trip in November was jammed-packed with ministry activities. Our team took a total of 8 flights; spent 48 hours on the road in the van; visited 9 of our 41 churches; preached 2 revival services; handed out 100 food bags; distributed over 700 filled backpacks to school children; conducted 3 full days of training for 73 of our pastors and leaders in 2 different locations; slept in 9 different hotel rooms and loved on the nation of Vietnam. Fortunately for all of us, our strength comes from the Lord!

Update on Da Nang - The Vision for Da Nang truly flourished and was ultimately accomplished during a time of economic hardship thanks to the financial seeds sown in faith by The Springs Church, Tomoka Christian Church, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, The Church of Eleven22, World Challenge, Inc. and many, many other churches and individuals. Only God could orchestrate such a generous outpouring of resources during a time when, for the most part, we were not able to visit and share this vision with the churches that support us due to lock-down restrictions.

By the end of 2021, we had raised $130K and by April 2022 had selected a potential site, ideally located in Da Nang and with enough space for all our needs. We finalized the purchase in May, saw it for the first time in June and then dedicated the space during our trip in November. It was only through a move of God that this ministry was able to secure $260K in cash to complete this purchase. At the dedication, Pastor John charged us all by the grace of God and through the power of His holy Spirit to stay the course in using that facility for the glory of God and the souls of men. We are now in a season of intensive prayer, careful planning and diligent preparation in order to establish this building as a House of Worship.

In-Person Training Returns

One of the most joyous occasions for our pastors and church leaders was the return of in-person training. We were able to conduct trainings at two of our Bible Training Centers while we were there in June and then again when we returned in November. On the first full day of us being together in June – after our 2 ½ year absence – a lot of joyful tears were shed.

In June, the training sessions consisted of 5 full days of lecture and group study geared to bless and encourage these servants of the Lord on the attributes of God as seen in Exodus 34. One day, we spent over 13 hours on one verse alone and we still had not exhausted its full meaning – just reinforces how the deep the Word of the Lord truly is. We were also able to bless each one of them with a financial gift as they have gone through so much over these last couple of years.

When we returned in November, we were all greatly blessed by Pastor John’s teaching – with Liên translating – on what it looks like to live and minister with great faith. We have felt a special move of God in all of our training sessions but one occasion especially stands out during training in our center in central Vietnam.

Liên had been translating and when we came to the time of prayer and worship the Lord touched her to pray with authority over all of the pastors and leaders. It was so powerful that it caused us to just weep from the presence of the Lord - a presence so strong that we all felt His kindness for His people at work, blessing and encouraging His servants. We opened up the invitation for the pastors and leaders to respond if they wanted individual prayer and one pastor’s wife immediately jumped up to join us. She is such a special servant of the Lord and we know that God has His hands all over the ministry she and her husband oversee. She was seeking encouragement for the work set before them both and as we began praying for her, we could feel the Lord touching her and strengthening her in a very real way. Nothing like the Lord and His people!

Earlier in the year, we were able to hold one full week of training via internet. When we conduct online training, we still gather all of the pastors and leaders together in our training facility. The morning session is lecture-style, with Dr. Shaun teaching and Liên translating from their home in Florida and then breaking for group work in the afternoon. It is always such a refreshing and encouraging time for these dedicated men and women of God.

VBS Returns

After two years of being unable to hold VBS, we saw a tremendous outpouring of the Lord’s goodness on this outreach program. Our Vacation Bible School programs ran from the middle of July until the middle of August in 13 different locations throughout Vietnam. We had planned for 490 children in those locations and we had a total of 426 children show up. Out of those 426 children, nearly half were not members of a church. This VBS season was absolutely incredible as we saw 143 participants surrender their heart to the Lord for salvation. Truly He will pour out His Grace!

Baptisms Across the South and Central Churches

In 2022, our churches across Vietnam baptized 94 new Believers. SALM67 Ministries partners with 41 national churches who are doing great work for the Lord, impacting lives for all eternity by faithfully spreading the hope found only in Jesus Christ.

The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. Psalm 24:1 (NASB95)

Food Relief

The country is now “open for business” but the effects of the government’s strict lockdown policies are still felt in a very real way in many areas. The severe, but necessary, regulations led to much financial hardship. Families were unable to work and often unable to meet basic food needs. The Lord provided our pastors and churches with a prime opportunity to meet the need to help the hurting. We thank all of you who donated specifically to providing these food bags, as you blessed 930 families across the nation.

This ministry has been successful in its food relief efforts because we send the resources to the churches who then work with the local government to identify those families most in need. These families receive a 25lb bag of rice and other basic food items. The pastors present the Gospel message and pray over each family. Enabling the pastors to work within their community gives them the opportunity to be recognized as community leaders with a heart to help those hurting the most and strengthens ties with the local officials.

Backpacks in the Central Highlands

When we were in Vietnam in November, we were able to hand out 730 filled, handmade backpacks to children at 4 different schools in the Central Highlands area. Each backpack contained a winter jacket, school supplies, a snack and a toy. The joy on the children’s faces when they received this gift was something truly special but couldn’t compare to the joy we felt as we were able to tell them about the hope found only in Jesus. We are so grateful for the good relations our pastors have established with the local officials. These local leaders and officials warmly welcomed us and listened intently as we presented the Gospel of Christ – some even asking questions afterwards. The door is open for us to return for similar outreach opportunities in the future – a door only Our Great God could have opened for us.

Christmas 2022

Christmas 2022 was a great success as the Gospel message was preached at outreach events in 37 of our 41 churches. We also saw the return of “Christmas at the Orphanage” where we were able to present the Gospel message and then bless the children and their workers with gifts and food – something not possible since 2019. All told, over 4000 people attended these events from the Mekong in the south to the Highlands of central Vietnam and 132 souls gave their life to the Lord.

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to provide bicycles to 20 families in our churches in the Central Highlands area. These are very poor, tribal communities and a bike for them is more than a means to go to school, it is often the only means of transportation for the entire family.

2022 Highlights

Establish

• 563 People surrendered their life to Jesus
• 94 New believers were baptized
• 41 National churches partner with us throughout the nation
• 21 National pastors supported every month

Encourage

• Returned to Vietnam in June and October
• 4 In-person training sessions for our 77 pastors and leaders
• 2 Week-long online training sessions for our pastors and leaders
• 4 Revival services in 2 locations to bless and encourage Believers

Extend

• VBS reached 426 children across 13 churches
• Over 4,000 people attended Christmas events in 37 churches
• 148 Orphans and workers enjoyed a Christmas party with gifts and food
• 730 Backpacks with jackets handed out in 4 local schools
• 930 food bags given to poor and needy families

The Lord used this ministry to shine His light and love to the people of Vietnam in a mighty way this past year - Join us in this work because Together We are Doing It!

Miles Family Update

The Miles family are remaining stateside for the foreseeable future and currently reside in Orange Park, Florida. Dr. Shaun is on staff at The Springs Church, overseeing the activities at their Westside campus while also directing all the training, discipleship and outreach programs of SALM67 Ministries through our Vietnam-based team of national pastors.

Liên is busy helping Dr. Shaun with ministry as needed while managing the household with two active boys. Shaun Fisher is almost 7 and loving 1st grade - Daniel Hai, almost 4, enjoys co-op activities at the Church. Everyone is healthy and the boys are thriving - and we thank God for all His blessings.

Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places. Habakkuk 3:18-19

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

We are so very thankful for you and your love, prayers, and partnership for this gospel ministry to the nation of Vietnam. For most, this pandemic has not only been different but difficult. Many families have lost loved ones, health, careers, opportunities and a normalcy of life that seemingly will never be regained. As you can imagine, these last couple of years have not been ideal for mission work. We have heard about missionaries and mission organizations who have had financial support cut way back or disappear completely over these past couple of years. This translates into having to dramatically curtail their mission activities or even cease all together during this time. This is heart wrenching for we know that mission work is the heart of the Lord.

It is especially during dark and difficult times that people need the hope found only in the gospel; it should be going out with a sense of urgency and zeal and not curtailed due to financial constraints. However, the Lord’s work, done the Lord’s way can never be stopped and the work of SALM67 Ministries has actually expanded during this time. We have been so blessed with God-appointed financial partners who understand the dire need of getting this gospel to the ends of the earth. You have been so faithful in your giving and generosity and I am telling you the Lord has honored it. The last two years during this pandemic, we have seen over 400 people come to know Jesus Christ as Lord from the work of this ministry. The Lord has used our team of pastors to plant seven new churches throughout the nation. We have seen over 200 new believers go through the waters of Baptism. For most of 2021, the churches were not able to meet in person on a regular basis due to lockdown protocols but God continued to do an amazing work through His Church and with your prayers and donations.

We can’t thank you enough for your God-appointed partnership in this work. We are moving forward as a ministry with great fervor as we see a renewed sense of urgency in our pastors and churches to bring the gospel to the lost throughout Vietnam. We are moving forward to be found faithful to all the Lord has entrusted unto us in this generation and toward the things He has called us to. Together we are truly doing it! We love you and pray God continues to move you forward toward the things of Him while blessing you real good.

Love, Dr. Shaun and Liên Miles

2021 Highlights

• Two new churches were planted in Central Vietnam
• Two pastors were added to our list receiving on-going monthly support from this ministry.
• Over 201 people surrendered their life to Christ
• Over 60 new believers were baptized.
• Over 1400 families experienced the love of Christ through much needed food relief while hearing the gospel message
• At Christmas events across our 39 churches, over 700 food bags were handed out to church members and neighbors with 56 souls won for Christ.

The extreme state of lockdown in Vietnam wreaked havoc on this nation. Families were forced to abandon good-paying jobs without other means of support. We have not been able to conduct any training this year, pass out scholarships or help the churches with VBS. Despite the lockdowns, our pastors worked extraordinarily hard to meet the people’s needs. The Lord has again shown great favor as the local government officials gave them the freedom to move around and help the hurting with the love of Christ.

Handing Out Food Bags Across the Nation

Our main campus has had a steady flow of food bags to hand out in the community every month since this has all began. In September, we were able to help another 60 families with rice and food bags. It has been such a testimony to meet the needs of the hurting with food and the hope of Heaven during these tough days.

So many in the tribal communities of the Central Highlands have endured so much hardship during this season. In September, we were able to help 135 needy families in this region. They not only received a 25lb bag of rice and other food supplies, they heard the Gospel and were prayed over by our pastors. So many have been helped but more importantly, so many heard about the saving power of Jesus Christ, and have given their life to the Lord as a result. In all, during this time of lockdown, we handed out nearly 500 food bags resulting in close to 100 professions of faith. To God be the Glory!

Finally Able to Meet in Person

October 31 was a very special Sunday in many churches across Vietnam as most were finally able to meet in person. One of our churches had been waiting to do baby dedications and over 23 babies were brought that day to be prayed over and dedicated unto the Lord. The future looks bright in Vietnam for Jesus!

Ministering While in Quarantine

Pastor Hai is one of the five pastors making up our SALM67 Ministries In-Country Team. These pastors are responsible for staying in contact with our 77 pastors and leaders throughout the nation, distributing funds, collecting monthly reports from the Ministry-supported pastors, facilitating training services and conducting SALM67 business within the country, such as purchasing motorbikes and property or overseeing the construction of church facilities. Pastor Hai is also Liên’s dad and he is a huge part of our work throughout the nation.

Despite being vaccinated, as most of our pastors and leaders are, Pastor Hai contracted COVID-19 at the end of November. He was experiencing moderate symptoms when the government sent officials to escort him away to a quarantine center for 14 days. The quarantine center is described as being a tough and uncomfortable place to be, however Pastor Hai saw it as an opportunity. He brought a bag full of Gospel tracks and handed them out to many while sharing the hope of Jesus. He was truly used by God to pray over those who were really sick while sharing the love and hope found only in the Great Physician. After his 14 days ended, many were sad to see him go and we know that the word of the Lord that he has shared will last forever.

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8

Generosity at Christmas - 700 Food Bags Across 39 Churches Lead Over 56 to the Lord!

Thanks to your generous giving at Christmas, we met our goal of giving every one of our 39 churches enough food bags for their members and the needy in their communities. An incredible 700 food bags were handed out along with prayer and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. More than 56 people gave their life to the Lord during these events. In addition, our pastors and leaders received a financial gift for Christmas. What an amazing work of God through the hearts of His faithful servants HALLELUJAH!!

Central Vietnam - We held events in 21 of our churches in the highlands of Central Vietnam distributing 250 food bags and leading 39 people to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Pastor My and Pastor Lam worked extremely hard with all the other tribal pastors in their area to ensure that this Christmas ministry would bless as many as possible.

Mekong Delta - the four churches in this area are the responsibility of Pastor Quyen and Pastor Hieu. Pastor Quyen is the young man who assumed the duties of pastor when his father passed away and Pastor Hieu is a very humble servant of the Lord who took on the role of mentor to his best friend’s son to ensure that the church here would endure. Pastor Quyen handed out over seventy food bags between his main church and the house churches that he oversees. Pastor Hieu helped with all the outreaches in the Mekong in addition to distributing fifteen food bags to the families in his church.

Churches in the South - Pastor Quan, also known as the Fisherman Pastor, has watched as the Lord has opened the door for his ministry over the years and stays meek and humble in his approach toward the things of God. He blessed ten of the families in his church with food bags and the love of Christ Jesus. Pastor An and his wife are an older couple who have served the Lord faithfully throughout the years and were able to bless 27 families from within their congregation with food bags for Christmas. Pastor Cang is one of the most devoted servants we have ever encountered. His heart is to pass along the training he received to those in his area - a dream he began to realize just when the pandemic started and is now temporarily on hold. This Christmas he blessed 25 families in his church with food bags while encouraging them that God has not forgotten about them in the midst of this season of trial. Pastor Ninh distributed 15 food bags to families in his church while praying over them and blessing them in the name of the Lord. Pastor Hieu in Tay Ninh saw a huge harvest from his Christmas events - over the two-week span of handing out the food bags, a total of 17 people came to know the Lord through the 50 food bags that he handed out. Our main campus in the south is in Ba To. In addition to the main church, they oversee a house church on the nearby coast. God has truly blessed this church with great leadership and vision. They handed out food bags to 65 families between the two churches. We’re very thankful for Pastor Couc, Pastor Hai, Pastor Luc, and Pastor Tinh for they are the in-country backbone of SALM67 Ministries. They coordinate the work and distribute what is needed to all of our churches - a huge job! Hallelujah!!

Tribal Churches in Kom Tum - Pastor A Suc and his team of pastors and leaders minister to seven different congregations in the region of Kon Tum. They have worked so hard in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and working together to be a blessing to the tribal people in this very poor area. What a blessing to be able to hand out 165 food bags to families in need across these seven churches. God has totally and abundantly blessed the work of their hand in so many ways, and we are most thankful for it.

Update on The Vision for Da Nang

Listen to what the Lord says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. Micah 6:1

The Vision for Da Nang has flourished in spite of a global pandemic. We have experienced a move of God in raising funds to establish the Da Nang church plant and Bible Training Center, having raised over $227K without having been able to visit churches or implement a capital campaign. Then a true miracle happened. Our home church, The Springs Church, leased their current property to the Church of Eleven 22, and upon signing the deal, they each made a pledge to contribute $50K toward realizing The Vision for Da Nang - adding $100k to our total funds raised!

The country is finally coming off lockdown and once the TET holiday has passed, we will send Pastor Hai up to Da Nang. When he was there in the fall of 2020, he located a few options in terms of land suitable for the construction of the facility that would accommodate the church, Bible College and living space we require. He will revisit those and if no longer available or out of range financially, he will seek out new options enabling this project to finally get off the ground.

Amazing to see how our Lord has worked -- from the time He gave us this vision in early 2019 to how this project has been funded during these trying times --we know our God is faithful to provision all of His plans and we will remain His faithful servants in carrying them out - Hallelujah!

Miles Family Update - The Miles family has been “strategically stranded” in the states since they returned for Christmas in December 2019. They anticipated returning to Vietnam in March 2020 and then the world shut down due to Covid-19 and Vietnam has been closed to foreigners every since. Dr. Shaun has been directing the activities of SALM67 Ministries and staying in touch with the National Team via the internet. Dr. Shaun has also been shepherding the congregation of the 17 Campus of The Springs Church until the two campuses are able to be housed in their new space, sometime in mid-2022. This work has provided invaluable experience that Dr. Shaun will put to good use when the The Springs Church Da Nang is established.

In May of 2021, the family moved to Jacksonville to be closer to their home church and the administrative base of this ministry. Shaun Fisher started Kindergarten in September. Liên is busy helping Dr. Shaun with ministry as needed while managing the household with two active boys - Shaun Fisher, 5 and Daniel Hai, 2. Everyone is healthy and the boys are thriving - and we thank God for all His blessings.

Please continue to pray for all the pastors and leaders in Vietnam - for their health and the health of their families; for their ministries; and for their communities. Please know that they lift you all up in their prayers as we do in ours.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We want to personally thank you for all your faithful prayers and financial support throughout the trials of 2020. We are so thankful for all the Lord has done even in the midst of a global pandemic. Last year presented all of us with many challenges never faced before … but GOD. The Lord totally showed up and displayed His glory in the midst of trying situations, causing it all to work out for our good. The pandemic shut down the world and we were unable to return to the mission field, but that delay meant we were able to spend precious time with my mom before her passing in July. Churches were shut down here and in Vietnam, and yet the Gospel continued to transform lives and add souls to His Kingdom. As you read this report and particularly as you review the recap below, celebrate the work of the Lord while imagining all the individuals represented in these numbers. Each changed and renewed life has the potential to spread God’s Word to those around them. By bringing God’s message of hope, love and redemption to their family, friends and community, they are proof positive that the work of our Lord can never be shut down.

Celebrating the Work in 2020

• 6 training classes held, in two locations, when lockdowns permitted
• Over 8,100 heard the Gospel at outreach events in 34 different locations
• Over 300 people surrendered their life to the Lord as a result of these events
• 90 people baptized
• 5 successful church plants
• Over 300 Bibles given out
• Over 500 food bags distributed to the needy
• 300 children received scholarships
• 8 portable generators purchased for post-typhoon assistance
• 150 children blessed with gifts at a special Christmas in the Tribal Highlands

The numbers do not tell the complete story because the real story is how the Church in Vietnam is stepping up and bringing Jesus to their communities in the midst of hardship. At a time when so many want to step back and protect what they have, the people of God have gone forth in boldness and love. So many of you have stepped up - in your generosity, prayers and encouragement - and we are all so thankful. Together we are witnessing a move of God sweeping across the nation of Vietnam yet we hold fast to the idea that the best is yet to come.

May God abundantly bless you and your loved ones and may God continue to bless the work of this ministry for His Glory.

Love and Blessings, Dr. Shaun and Liên Miles

In spite of all the challenges they faced this past year, our national pastors worked very hard to shine the Light of Christ in new ways and to as many people as possible, thus expanding His kingdom in truly remarkable ways. We wanted to celebrate this work by highlighting just a few testimonies of how they faithfully prayed through adversity to bring glory to God.

Pastor Cang has been serving the Lord faithfully for many years in an area about three hours north of Ho Chi Minh City. Once a month, he travels about an hour away to train a group of tribal pastors and church leaders. This door opened after years of prayer - he specifically prayed for the opportunity to take what he had learned at the Bible College and teach those pastoring in the tribal communities near him. It took over a year to obtain the required permissions to do such work in these restricted areas but he remained faithful. This past Christmas, he scheduled two days of events, in two different tribal locations, where 257 people showed up and sixteen surrendered their life to the Lord. Pastor Cang has poured into this tribal group over the years and his efforts returned a great harvest.

Pastor Hieu has endured so much persecution and hardship over the years because he ministers in an area where a particularly insidious blend of pagan traditions exerts a stranglehold on the people living there. After years of struggling to share the Gospel with seeming little progress, the Lord gave him great discernment on how to better witness to the people here. He also developed materials to train others on how to make the Gospel clear to those struggling with pagan practices. He has since seen a great harvest of people committing their lives to Christ. For the past few years, Pastor Hieu has been trying to build a new worship facility – receiving funds back in 2019 - but pressure from his neighbors and issues with the local officials blocked progress. In September 2020, he was granted the needed permissions but construction ran into further opposition. Pastor Hieu is a man of great faith and diligent prayer and in December, the Lord rewarded him by pulling down all barriers and construction of the new worship facility finally began. He diligently prayed and prepared for his Christmas event and over 100 people showed up with 33 giving their life to Jesus.

Pastor Lam serves the Lord at 130% and is devoted to always giving God all the glory. After graduating from the Bible College in the south, he obeyed a call from the Lord to move his family back to his hometown in central Vietnam and establish a church there. Last year the Lord provided the means for a new worship facility to be built to accommodate the needs of his growing congregation. However, this new church was in the direct path of the typhoon that hit that area late last October. It tore off the brand new roof and ruined the inside, leaving him devastated, but God met him in his pain. At the December training, he was prayed over and all could feel the power of God ministering to His servant. He left renewed and re-energized and at Christmas, he had over 100 people attend his outreach event with 25 surrendering their life to Jesus.

You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. Psalm 18:35 (NIV84)

Lockdowns due to the global pandemic along with the devastation resulting from the typhoons meant there were numerous opportunities for the Church to shine the Light of Christ far and wide throughout a hurting nation.

Vietnam has bolstered their economy over the years through tourism, which has fueled an economic boom since about 2012. The year 2020 was poised to be record breaking year for such commerce, but then the Pandemic hit. The nation was forced to close its borders to all foreign travelers to prevent a major outbreak of Covid-19. Their strategy proved successful, but at a huge cost to the economic welfare of the country. The complete lockdown began in the middle of March and everyone in Vietnam was under strict orders to remain home and not travel, just like most of the world. During this time, our pastors and churches were restricted in how they could meet and offer spiritual resources to their members, so they adjusted. They did what they knew they could to minister to those in need around them - meeting daily for prayer and then spreading the joy and peace of Jesus to their members and community through phone calls, visitation and small group gatherings - while always honoring the guidelines in place at the time. By mid-May the restrictions had eased and the church was able to meet and gather as before. In June and July we were able to hold training sessions again with the focus on how to adapt and adjust ministry during lockdowns. By August, there had been a resurgence of cases so lockdowns were re-imposed. The economic devastation left so many families in need and the churches responded - thanks to our generous supporters. From the south to the Tribal Highlands, the Church distributed over 500 food bags to families in need along with prayer and Christ’s message of hope and love.

While the country was still suffering due to the restrictions imposed by the lockdowns, the rainy season hit with a vengeance. This is a period from late September to mid-January when severe flooding is rampant. This year the flooding had just begun when a series of typhoons made landfall, one after the other, in the same general area in central Vietnam. The winds were not as devastating as the rainfall, but that was catastrophic. It brought the flood waters to extremely dangerous levels. In fact, one hit during our October training session and we were forced to end the classes early so pastors could return home to their families. The following afternoon the storm made landfall with the eye wall traveling directly over our training center. The devastation to property in this area was truly heart wrenching.

As soon as the storm had passed, the pastors who had stayed behind set to work moving limbs and fallen trees around the church and neighboring homes but felt an urgent need to do more. So, with generous gifts from the Hunt Brothers Inc., Tomoka Christian Center, and so many others, we were able to purchase eight generators, hundreds of food bags as well as hand out financial gifts to help with needed repairs. Our team, along with the local pastors, mounted the generators on the back of their motorbikes and then traveled around this ravaged area.

They went house to house to charge people’s phones, pump water into containers, remove limbs and debris, and cover roofs with tarps. People asked “what do I pay you” and they responded that they were there to shine the love of Christ throughout their local community. The local churches were able to strengthen their ties to those they serve by lending a hand and then passing out food bags to those most in need. At a time when the needs are the greatest, the people of God are stirred by the Spirit of God to get involved, revealing God’s Glory in ways only He can orchestrate.

Update on The Vision for Da Nang

Listen to what the Lord says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. Micah 6:1

Despite our inability to return to Vietnam in 2020, we remain as committed as ever to the Lord's plan for a church plant and Bible Training Center to be established in the third largest city in the nation. Da Nang was chosen for its strategic, central location; growing and diverse population; proximity to a large number of tribal, unreached people groups; and almost non-existent Christian presence.

In early October we were able to send Pastor Hai to Da Nang to seek out available properties suited to our needs. He visited dozens of locations during the course of the week and he was able to narrow down some excellent choices that would accommodate the Bible Training/Ministry Center/Mission Living accommodations we are envisioning. His research has allowed us to fine tune and confirm our budget for this capital campaign - $360,000 will be needed to secure the land and either build new or renovate an existing building according to our specifications.

Even though our plans to return to the mission field are still on hold due to the pandemic, the Lord has been stirring hearts to join us in realizing this Vision. To date, generous pledges from The Springs Church in Jacksonville and Tomoka Christian Center Church in Ormond Beach, as well as several individuals, have brought us to just shy of $100,000 in funds raised. We also have monthly pledges secured to help us reach the additional $4000/month needed to cover the operating expenses of this center since we don’t want to sacrifice any of the training and other activities ongoing at the centers in the south and central areas. We have a long way to go, but the Lord has already gone ahead of us and will surely show Himself strong.

In mid-December, our entire US-based ministry team got together for a special event hosted by Pastor Brian Garrison and St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Deland. The evening featured a traditional Vietnamese meal along with prayers and testimonies. Our goal was to give people a taste of Vietnam at the holidays while providing an overview and update on ministry activities as well as on the status of the Da Nang church-plant. The SALM67 Ministry team is available to hold similar events at local churches or discipleship groups for those interested in learning more about the ministry and the plans for Da Nang. Please contact us if you have a group interested in such an event.

The Miles family will remain stateside for the foreseeable future - returning to Vietnam is not possible right now due to travel restrictions. Dr. Shaun is busy teaching, preaching and serving at a few different churches; Liên is busy managing the household with two active boys - Shaun Fisher, 5 and Daniel Hai, 2. Dr. Shaun and Liên teach the students in Vietnam via internet on a monthly basis when the lockdown status permits. Everyone is healthy and the boys are thriving - and we thank God for all His blessings.

Please continue to pray for all the pastors and leaders in Vietnam - for their health and the health of their families; for their ministries; and for their communities. Please know that they lift you all up in their prayers as we do in ours.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God And a great King above all gods, In whose hand are the depths of the earth, The peaks of the mountains are His also. Psalm 95:2-4

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This year marks the seventh year of operation for SALM67 Ministries in Vietnam and as we look back on all that the Lord has accomplished, we are in awe of His abiding grace and boundless love. Taking inspiration from the Old Testament tradition of “Shabbat” or Sabbath, we felt it vitally important to the future work of this ministry to set apart some significant time during these first weeks of the year to reflect on how far the Lord has brought us, praise Him for His protection of our family and our team, thank Him for His bountiful provisioning of all our needs and seek His will as we plan the year ahead.

The following pages provide a recap of ministry activities for 2019 but first, rejoice with us as we look back on all the ways the Lord has allowed us to bless the people of Vietnam since we first set out on this mission. As our faithful partners in prayer and financial support, we know that our work could not happen without your help and encouragement and for that we are exceedingly grateful and abundantly blessed.

Bible Training Centers

• 3 centers have been established and new facilities constructed for two
• 70 classes taught in person or via internet
• 48 pastors and church leaders have graduated with a certificate from Luther Rice Seminary or West Coast Bible College & Seminary
• 75 pastors and church leaders currently enrolled in ongoing, advanced classes

Growth of the National Church - some of the biggest growth has been in the remotest areas where ties to idol worship remain strong and conversion to Christianity is often met with hostility.

• 31 national churches partner with us from the Highlands of Central Vietnam down to the Mekong Delta
• 18 national church pastors receive monthly support
• 17 new motorbikes given to pastors to facilitate their work in the community
• 16 congregations enjoy completely renovated or newly constructed worship facilities
• Numerous VBS sessions throughout the country reach thousands with the hope found in Jesus
• 400 new Believers added to God’s Kingdom and nearly 100 baptisms - in 2019 alone!

Short Term Mission Teams - 18 teams have joined us on the mission field over the years, encouraging thousands through training, special conferences, community outreach and by sharing the love of Jesus

Social Outreach Ministries - All items below were distributed while always sharing the Gospel whether in a public school, government office or outdoor community venue - even in restricted tribal areas

• 1800 scholarships to children to pay for fees, uniforms and supplies required to attend school
• 5662 hand-made backpacks, filled with school supplies and personal items, given to entire schools
• 2421 food bags, designed to feed a family of four, distributed to needy families
• 25,000 children’s vitamins and 104 hand-made dresses were given out in poor tribal communities
• 1 new home constructed and 3 others completely renovated for families in need
• Hundreds of children blessed with annual Christmas and Easter events at several local orphanages

Please join us in thanking the Lord for all that He has done and all that He will do in the months ahead. On behalf of the SALM67 team, thank you for walking faithfully with us on this path and offering so much love and encouragement along the way. As you read the recap for 2019, celebrate how the Lord has used your efforts to transform lives and spread His Glory throughout this nation.

Love and God Bless, Dr. Shaun and Liên Miles

Training Update

Training the national pastors and leaders enrolled in our Bible Training Centers and then working alongside them in their ministries are founding principles of the SALM67 mission. Our heart has always been to give them the tools they need to hear from God, digest His Word and reach their community for Christ. Our training is also designed to renew and encourage one’s passion for obedience to the call the Lord has placed on their life. We meet for one week once a month, in one or both of our training centers located in the southern and in the central regions of the country. The student’s travel expenses are covered and they are housed at the church with all meals provided. These pastors sacrifice so much to be with us – spending time away from family and jobs - and we want to honor them for their heart and choice to come and partner with us.

This year we held 20 classes, added eight new students to the rolls and graduated 25 pastors from the Bible Center in the central region. One of the highlights of the year was the opening and dedication of the long awaited, newly constructed Bible Training and Worship facility in central Vietnam. We were all incredibly blessed to have Pastor John Bailey of The Springs Church and his daughter Victoria join us in early January to help us celebrate this milestone. In addition, Pastor John led a three-day training conference attended by over 150 national church pastors and leaders, preached an encouraging message at the ceremony for 14 students eligible for graduation in January and along with his daughter, assisted us with a number of social outreach events.

In the fall, the students in both training centers were greatly blessed by a visit from Dr. Kevin Harrison, the founder and President of our partner seminary West Coast Bible College and Seminary. He met us at our training center in the south where we celebrated with a large fellowship meal followed by a great evening service where Dr. Kevin brought a word from Heaven that stirred the hearts of everyone there. We then traveled to central Vietnam to hold our second graduation ceremony of the year for our Bible College students there and Dr. Kevin was a great encouragement to these students in their desire to be faithful in their call to serve to Jesus.

A key focus on training in both centers in the last months of the year was preparing them for their planned Christmas outreach events. Our goal was to equip them to not only share God’s love with their communities but have a strategy in place to disciple new Believers after a profession of faith. Over the years, we have watched the Lord swing the door open wider and wider during Christmas and we wanted all our pastors and leaders to be ready for an even greater move of God this year.

We ended our December training with our annual Christmas party in both the central and southern locations. These pastors and leaders work so hard serving the Lord and pouring their life out for others that it is always nice to refresh them and celebrate with them. Thanks to all of your support, we were able to provide polo shirts and dress pants for all of our men and traditional style dresses and a small purse for our ladies. This was a time of great joy and celebration after a year of studying so hard and preparing for a harvest this Christmas. It was wonderful to bless these dedicated servants of God with gifts in addition to providing financial support to each of our affiliated churches to help with their Christmas outreach events.

God be gracious to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us - That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations. Psalm 67:1-2

National Church Update

This year we added five new bodies of believers to our family of national church partners bringing the total to 31. Currently, 18 of our national church pastors receive monthly from this ministry and we are hoping to expand that in 2020. Our supported pastors report quarterly on all that the Lord is doing for them and through them to reach their communities for Christ. Reading the quarterly updates from these pastors reinforces just how much love this ministry's daily work brings to a lost generation. Here is just two examples of how the training, ongoing discipleship and financial support have served to strengthen and expand the national church throughout the country.

Pastor A Suc has been involved in some miraculous ministries in the tribal areas located in the mountains of Kun Tum province and shepherds one of the largest congregations in our ministry, with nearly 300 believers. His own tribal people group has seen a miracle of revival over the last several years. Weekly, the churches send out teams looking to plant a new church, and at this time, they have four thriving congregations with three cell churches throughout the area.

We lost our beloved Pastor Tranh in August when he finally succumbed to the devastating effects suffered due to a stroke twelve months earlier. Pastor Tranh led the church in the Mekong Delta where our third Bible Training Center is located. We had just started our first week-long training session there in August 2018 when the stroke hit him and while it almost took his life, he was able to endure a very difficult road to recovery and spend another year with his family. His ministry duties were greatly reduced so we had to suspend training there and incorporate those students able to travel into our classes in the south. One such student is Pastor Tranh’s son, Quynh. Quynh took care of his father night and day for the entire year following the stroke. During this time, Pastor Tranh was able to pour into his son all the wisdom and experience he had gained over his years in ministry, hoping his son might one day might feel a similar call. This year Quynh joined the training classes after feeling led to take over the church his father had left behind. He was fearful that he would be seen as too young and inexperienced to be effective as a pastor. The training in November and December greatly encouraged him to walk boldly in God's call on his life. When he left the training and set out on the seven-hour bus ride back home, he was preparing to preach his first message at the church.

VBS is one of the greatest outreach tools the Church has ever encountered and it has been especially effective in Vietnam, particularly in regions notorious for being hostile toward Christianity. The children attending were taught about God while being embraced by the love of Jesus and well over a hundred made a decision to pray the prayer of salvation. These new believers continue to be nourished by our local churches and pastors, benefitting not only the child but their family as well.

The team working in the south held VBS in two different locations, representing four churches and ministering to over 500 children. The team working in the tribal communities of the Highlands held VBS in nine different regions, representing over 11 churches and ministered to well over a thousand children – in addition to all the adults who accompanied them.

Children’s Support Initiative (CSI) Update

Scholarships

Our CSI events officially began in the fall with our annual distribution of scholarships to needy children and backpacks filled to overflowing as a blessing to schoolchildren. Thankfully we had a team join us who helped with these events as well as with training at the Bible College. Salm67’s Field Development Coordinator, Caryn Carson, her teenage son Justin and Ellen Carnes met us in Da Nang and then we all traveled to the tribal areas in the Highlands for the first of many outreach events. They brought with them 25,000 children’s vitamins and 104 hand-made dresses that were handed out in addition to 600 filled backpacks along with scholarships and 200 food bags to needy families. Caryn and Ellen also held three Women’s Conferences attended by over 300 women.

Christmas

Christmas is also a very busy time for our CSI efforts and the national church was instrumental in make this an incredible time of blessing to so many. Over 2850 people attended the 31 Christmas services held in 9 different provinces scattered throughout the country. From those events a total of 103 people prayed to make Jesus Lord of their life. The pastors and church leaders worked so hard to bless the communities where these events were held and it required diligent preparation. In addition to hearing the story of our Lord’s birth and the preaching of the Gospel, those attending received a small gift and participated in a fellowship meal. They were also able to hand out some special gifts to children and families in need: 302 individually wrapped toys 383 food bags 18 new bikes (primarily as transport to school but often the only means of transport for the entire family)

The annual Christmas/pizza party at the local orphanage was again an extremely blessed event. In addition to giving toys and filled backpacks to 130 children, we were able to hand out 18 food bags to the workers there who are often in need. This year was unique in that there was a team from Australia doing an internship and those 50 teens and 10 teachers also heard the Gospel message, some for the very first time.

The Vision for Da Nang

Our commitment to what God has called us to in Da Nang remains strong and we know that He has been preparing the ground there for some time – what He has set apart will always be set apart for Him. Historically Da Nang had been a training ground for pastors and ministers prior to the departure of the French in 1958 and since that time, it has seen many battles, not only on the ground but in the spiritual realm as well. While we are in the very beginning stages of developing a permanent ministry base there, one of our pastors from the Bible College has been ministering weekly to a small cell group over the past two years. We wanted to involve this group in our Christmas events but wanted to start small. We asked this group of about 18 young adults to invite friends, family and co-workers to the Christmas service and 30 visitors came. The services encouraged those who were believers through the reading of the Christmas story, the special songs celebrating the season and then the Gospel message. We also handed out 20 food bags to those in need. At the time of invitation, two of the visitors responded by giving their life to Jesus. We were so encouraged by this response and truly know the Lord is already working to bless and change lives in this city that has been bathed in darkness for many years.

Looking Ahead

The Miles family has been stateside these last few months and will be returning to Vietnam mid-March. We would ask that you keep them in your prayers for travel mercies and especially for protection of their health as they return to Asia. We are anticipation of all that the Lord has in store for this ministry in the year ahead and we are exceedingly grateful to have you as a faithful partner in this work.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

The first half of 2019 has been very busy for SALM67 Ministries with a variety of ministry events and opportunities happening in Vietnam as well as stateside. Below is a recap of some of the highlights of how God has blessed us and worked through us over the past six months.

Celebrating the TET Holiday

TET celebrations (Chinese New Year) began in early February and it was a busy time for our pastors and church leaders. They brought gifts to several local government offices as a symbol of honor and as a way to bless the government officials in the year ahead. This ministry prays earnestly for all the leaders in government and we ask for the Lord’s blessing on them and their families in addition to an opportunity to share the Gospel. The pastors also visited a number of needy families in their own communities, blessing them with food bags and other items needed for this life as well as with the Gospel message, needed for the life to come.

Welcoming New Additions to the SALM67 Family

We welcomed three healthy baby boys into the SALM67 Ministries family earlier this year. Two of the pastors who work with us in Vietnam each welcomed a son in February and March and the Miles family welcomed Daniel Hai March 30th. What a tremendous blessing and great gift to be able to raise these boys up in families devoted to serving the Lord.

With the needs of this ministry expanding, we were overjoyed when long-time supporter Mrs. Caryn Carson decided to join SALM67 Ministries in a volunteer capacity. Caryn has led mission teams to join us in Vietnam for the past three years to conduct Women’s Conferences and help us with our community outreach programs. Caryn has been involved in missions and other ministries for years and has ample experience in sharing about ministry and in communicating the importance of mission work. We are greatly blessed that she was obedient when she felt the Lord calling her to work with us and we are thrilled to welcome her to the role of Field Development Coordinator.

Training in Central Vietnam

We have conducted seven training sessions so far this year in the Bible Training Centers in south and central Vietnam focusing on church history, leadership, evangelism, visitation and discipleship. Pastor Hai conducted the training for the students in central Vietnam in February and April. The Lord has really used Pastor Hai over the years to pour into the lives of the pastors and church leaders there, which requires great sacrifice on his part. Every time he conducts training, he has to leave his family for more than a week and travel 18 hours on a bus so he can train, encourage and be a blessing to the students at the training center. Following the week of training in April, he stayed on for an extra week to simply be among them. Pastor Hai has been extremely committed to ensuring that the students there grow in their knowledge of the Lord and as a result, has seen the Lord do some amazing work with their ministries.

Training In the South

In March and May, we conducted the training in the south via internet. In March, the training for the students in the south focused on developing a specific plan to establish ministries in their own churches for discipleship, evangelism and visitation. During our May training session, the students shared the results of the plans they laid out back in March and then, as a group, discussed each plan and offered suggestions for improvement. We heard some truly amazing testimonies of what the Lord is doing through that work.

Supporting the National Church

Many of the pastors and leaders enrolled in the Bible Training Center in central Vietnam live and serve in very difficult conditions. The physical environment presents challenges and many do not have the means to travel around to be effective in their work. The Lord saw this need and stirred the heart of Mission Ventures International out of Orlando to partner with us to provide eight new motorbikes for these pastors in need. This act of generosity was a great blessing to these pastors and their ministries.

Earlier this year, one of our pastors in central Vietnam saw construction begin for a new church facility. Here is his testimony Church Almost Finished of praise for the faithfulness of God. “It has been over one year since God has called me to come back to my hometown (in central Vietnam) to do ministry. Now our church has land and thank God, He sent several sponsors to help us build a church on the land. Construction is half way completed and will be finished in 2019. While the building is being built, we are using a room in my brother’s house as a place to worship God every week until the building is finished. Please remember us in your prayers so that God will help give us the resources to finish the building on time. Thank you so much for always being with us in your prayer”

Sharing The Vision for Da Nang

The vision the Lord gave this ministry earlier in the year - to plant a national church in Da Nang and establish a Bible Training Center there – is coming into focus. While stateside, we were blessed on numerous occasions to preach God’s Word, share testimonies about the work the Lord is doing in Vietnam and describe in more detail His vision for Da Nang. Warm welcomes and gracious hospitality greeted us wherever we went and blessed our family in a tremendous way. We are so grateful for our faithful church partners and committed individuals who seek to work alongside us through prayer and financial support. Spending time with folks and being able to say “thank you” in person is so precious to us and greatly appreciated. We specifically want to thank the following churches for opening their doors to us on many occasions: The Springs Church, Jacksonville; He’s Alive Church, Kannapolis; The Connection Church, Jonesboro; St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Deland; New Hope Free Will Baptist Church, Two Egg; Fairview Baptist Church, Samson; FCA, Stetson University; First Baptist Church Debary\; First Baptist Church, Deleon Springs; Autryville Baptist Church, Moultrie; Eastside Baptist Church, Deland; Deland Open Bible Church, I Was Called To This Ministry, Deland; Southside Baptist Church, Blakely; Corinth Baptist Church, Valdosta; Deland Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Blessing the Children In The Highlands

After months of planning, we were able to send a team led by Pastor Hai and his daughter to the Highlands of central Vietnam to minister to a number of tribal churches there. Traveling to two different locations, they tended to the physical and spiritual needs of over 500 children, representing four churches, while also being a blessing to the pastors and their staff. In addition to teaching the children about proper hygiene as well as treating lice and scabies, they shared the Gospel message of love and hope through a variety of Vacation Bible School activities. They also gave out bags filled with needed personal items, snacks, and toys, and above all did a great job presenting God’s message of love in so many different ways. Our team is being used by the Lord to do so much more than we ever thought possible in a very hard to reach area among a hard to reach people group under often very trying conditions. However, we know that when the Lord is doing one thing He is also doing 10,000 things. So while the Lord was using this team to be the hands and feet of Christ in these tribal communities, He was also doing a work in them. Many are now looking for ways to go back and serve these kids again.

The Miles family will be heading back to Vietnam in early August to begin the work of moving the ministry and themselves to Da Nang. We ask for prayers for safe travels and favor as they seek new accommodations in this vibrant metropolis. We thank you for faithfully supporting us with your prayers and financial partnership and pray the Lord’s blessing on you and all your loved ones.

Love, Shaun, Liên, Shaun Fisher & Daniel Hai Miles

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

A Year Blessed Beyond Measure

In 2018, the Lord blessed SALM67 Ministries in ways too numerous to count and that far exceeded any goals we could have set. From building churches in areas we never thought possible, to allowing us to minister to poor children and needy families in ways we never could have imagined, this past year the Lord demonstrated time and time again that His glory cannot be contained and His will can never be thwarted. We are so grateful for the favor the Lord has shown on this ministry as well as for your fervent prayers and sacrificial giving that directly support our work. As you read about these accomplishments, recognize that you are partners in everything we do, while giving all the praise and glory to our Lord Christ Jesus!

Building New Churches in Central Vietnam

The new church facility in a remote tribal community located in the Highlands area of central Vietnam was completed in May. The congregation had outgrown the pastor’s small house church and there was much celebration as this larger facility held their first worship services in June. Only God!

This past year we also saw the Training/Worship Center in central Vietnam finally come to fruition. The Lord graciously provided the funds to acquire the land and build the facility back in 2017 but it took almost an entire year for this project to get started, although not for lack of effort on our part. The initial piece of land we thought we could purchase became unavailable and additional red tape and governmental bureaucracy seemed to thwart any attempts to move forward. But we know the Lord’s timing is always perfect and last June, the Lord opened the door to purchase some property that included a house. Final approvals to remodel the house into a church and build the additional facilities needed for training came in July at which point construction Worship/Training Facility in Ccntral Vietnam could finally begin. The construction proceeded quickly and the new Worship/Training Center was completed in early October. However it took an additional 45 days to acquire the necessary permits to finally open the facility for public use. This has been a great lesson in patience for us all but truly a glorious day when the first worship services began this past December. It was an even more joyous time of celebration when Pastor John Bailey from The Springs Church preached at the formal dedication ceremony during his visit in January!

Children’s Support Initiative (CSI) Update

When we started our work in Vietnam, we were really not sure if this ministry could ever become directly involved in community outreach, given the nature of the government. However, the Lord opened the door and over the years, while working through the local churches, these efforts have expanded into providing scholarships for children who otherwise might not be able to attend school, visiting orphanages at Christmas and Easter, providing school children with handmade backpacks filled with supplies and helping poor and needy families with food bags. At each of these outreach events, the message of God’s love has been made clear and presented an opportunity for many – including the government officials always present – to hear the gospel. This year we grouped all of these outreach efforts under the umbrella of the Children’s Support Initiative and the outpouring of support for this program has been phenomenal! We had set some very lofty goals for our CSI activities this Christmas and the Lord blessed us in a mighty way as we were not only able to meet them but exceed them!

• Over 250 children and workers at several local orphanages were blessed with a pizza parties, games, toys and most importantly, a clear presentation of the gospel message.
• Over 1600 handmade backpacks filled with school supplies, snacks, and personal items were distributed to school children. At the same time we were able to bless 200 children with the additional gift of a scholarship and give out 14 new bikes to children to get to/from school. A great opportunity for them to hear of the love of Jesus.
• 420 needy families received food bags in the three different areas of the country These bags were handmade and included everything needed to feed a family of 6 for a week. Our prayer is that even after the food is gone, the bag will remain as a tangible reminder of God’s love for them.

In addition to the Christmas outreach programs in the community, we were able to bless the pastors, leaders and children in the churches affiliated with the Bible Training Centers. Everyone enrolled in our training programs received a special gift as a way to recognize and encourage their hard work and over 250 children within our local congregations were blessed with gifts for Christmas. Also, we partnered financially with 17 of our affiliated churches to help them with their Christmas outreach ministries. These programs not only bless the church members but reach their local communities with the gospel message of love. Thousands attended these services and over 25 prayed to make Jesus Lord of their life this year.

Mission Teams

This Christmas season we had two mission teams visit us to help with our Christmas outreach programs and ministry events. Mrs. Caryn Carson served with Christmas with the Students us at the beginning of the year with a team from Beautiful Feet International and felt led to come back by herself in December to help us with Christmas events and other ministry programs. She wondered if just one person would be able to make a difference and the answer is a resounding YES, given how the Lord was able to use her. She blessed us with her testimony during church, taught Sunday school, encouraged and blessed women in an afternoon conference as well as worked tirelessly with us in a number of outreach activities. Her attitude revealed her heart for this nation in so many ways, particularly in her ability to persevere through one of the busiest eight days of ministry we have ever experienced. Her passionate commitment to sharing Christ’s message of love and hope was an encouragement to so many and for that we are most grateful.

Pastor John Bailey from The Springs Church in Florida has blessed this ministry from the very beginning. Having served on the mission field for a number of years, he is a great source of encouragement and wise counsel and both he and his church have been very generous in their love and support of our work over the years. We have waited six years for Pastor John to join us on the mission field and finally the timing was right. He and his daughter Tori joined us just after the New Year and our time together was packed full of teaching, preaching, sharing testimony, and serving others through community outreach. At our location in the south, Pastor John encouraged our pastors and leaders with his knowledge and experience leading and growing churches that flourish. He also led a 3-day training conference, attended by over 150 pastors, where he emphasized the teachings of the New Covenant and how it can radically change nations. At our location in central Vietnam, Pastor John preached at the graduation ceremony for the students at the Bible College there, who had just completed the initial three-year training curriculum. Pastor John also preached at the formal dedication service for the new Worship/ Training Center. This was a great blessing to all involved because Pastor John and The Springs Church had been instrumental in helping to build this new facility. Pastor John and Tori also helped us with a number of community events including handing out scholarships and filled backpacks to school children as well as food bags to families in need, all while sharing the gospel message. At one event in central Vietnam, the Lord used Tori’s powerful testimony to stir the heart of one elderly man to surrender his life to Jesus!

Training Update - Training local pastors and leaders is the very foundation of our ministry in Vietnam and without your generous support we would not be able to provide this ongoing training and time of Spirit-led encouragement. This year we held 13 one week training sessions in our three locations. Over 90 pastors and leaders attend these training sessions, representing over 26 different churches. It is through these pastors and churches that we are able do the work of the Lord throughout the nation. Thank you for your prayers and financial support for the Lord has truly used you. We are also grateful that we now have on-going monthly support for 12 of these pastors, pledged by one of the churches we partner with stateside. A monthly pledge of $50 makes such a difference in these pastor’s lives and in their ability to shine brightly for the Lord. We have several other pastors who could use this kind of help, so let us know if you are led to partner with us in this way.

Miles Family Update

This has been a very exciting year for the Miles family. In May, Shaun received his Doctorate in Ministry from Luther Rice College & Seminary – no small feat given he had to finish his doctoral dissertation in only three months while on the mission field. Liên is doing well and Shaun Fisher is thriving, excited to welcome his baby brother Daniel Hai in April. The family is stateside presently, awaiting Daniel’s arrival and will be back on the road visiting and sharing in churches as soon as they are able. May the Lord openly and abundantly bless you and your family this New Year. Together we are doing it!

Love from Shaun, Liên and Shaun Fisher Miles

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

Training Update

Training national pastors is the core mission of SALM67 Ministries. The students enrolled in the Biblical Training not only get the education they need to preach and teach God’s Word, they are also equipped for the everyday tasks of ministry. It has also become an important time for these pastors and church leaders to come together for fellowship and gain wisdom from one another while being renewed and refreshed in the Spirit themselves. Since January, we have held four one-week training sessions - two at each of our campuses in the south and central regions. Currently, there are 18 churches represented in these two campuses, with over 60 pastors and leaders in attendance.

Our current plan is to offer a one week training session to these pastors and leaders every month in one of our locations. We have had some great testimony come out of these training sessions as to how it has impacted these pastors and leaders. As one pastor stated: “I have been in ministry for 8 years and really did not know how to teach or preach the Gospel. I know God called me to serve His people but I did only what I was able to do. Since this training was made available, I not only have learned how to read the Bible accurately, but now I am able to teach and preach to my people. I am so very thankful for this training.” Can you imagine having a pastor who is called to lead you, but who is basically unable to teach or preach effectively from the Word of God? This is why we do what we do. Everyday, our 60 pastors and leaders are training others what we have been able to teach them, thanks to your generous support. To God be the glory! Over the last several months, we have been praying and preparing to open our third campus and training program in the Mekong Delta. That will add another 25 pastors and leaders to the list of those being trained, representing six different churches. Please join us in praying for this very important ministry. Every month the cost of holding a training session for these pastors and leaders is close to $1000. If you would like to support a pastor or a church to be better trained and equipped to serve God more effectively, you can send a gift specifically designated for this ministry. Together we can do it!

Mission Teams Visit in February and March; Tet Outreach

Cliff and Patricia Hare from The Springs Church joined us for 10 days at the start of February to help us with training, the Tet holiday outreach and other ministry efforts in the central area of Vietnam. Together, we visited and ministered to the children in an orphanage in Hoi An as well as encourage one of our young pastors and the members of his new church plant in Da Nang. In addition, we blessed 200 children in two different elementary schools with handcrafted backpacks filled with school supplies, and personal items. Above all we were able to love on the kids and share the gospel message with them. Brother Cliff and Mrs. Patricia also led fellowships with both the men and women of the church we work with in that area, about two hours outside of Da Nang. We are so grateful for the commitment these two servants showed to our Lord and to us personally as they were a great encouragement to us all.

Our Tet Outreach (Chinese New Year) this year was incredible, thanks to your generous support. In all, we were able to bless 310 poor and needy families with food bags as well as hand out a total of 270 back packs, filled with needed school supplies and personal items to children in the central and southern regions. While handing out the food bags the Lord touched three people to make Jesus Lord over their life. Several others showed a deep desire to hear more about the new life that only Jesus could offer. What an amazing season of helping and sharing the love of our Lord! Thank you for making it possible!

We had another mission team visit us in early March for two weeks - Mrs. Julie Washer and Ms. Beth Lewis, who do a lot of praying, giving and behind the scenes work for SALM67 Ministries. They were able to teach and encourage three different women’s ministries - one in the Mekong Delta region, one in our home church in the south and one in our affiliated church in the central region. Each of the 150 women that attended received a special gift along with an encouraging message and a very special time of fellowship together in the Lord. The team also held two different Easter egg hunts where about 175 children had a chance to hear the gospel and have fun finding eggs that were filled with American chocolate.

Easter Sunday - Preaching and Baptisms

We were able to preach on Easter Sunday with a message based on Luke. After the service, we all shared in a church-wide fellowship meal and then proceed to the beach where we baptized nine new believers. This is the second time in six months we have been able to baptize new believers at our home church in the south. Other churches we work with also held baptisms on Easter and in all, 29 other new believers were baptized. There are also another 35 new believers waiting to be baptized by two of our churches. God has been stirring hearts and adding to the number of those being saved, all across Vietnam!

Building Update in the Highlands

As you may have read in our last report, back in November 2017, we were granted permission to visit seven of the tribal churches we work with in the highlands of central Vietnam. This is an area that is heavily protected from outsiders and especially foreigners, but we were given access in order to help with recovery following the devastating typhoon that hit them during the rainy season. For us to be able to even go up there was certainly a miracle, but to minister like we were able to do – bringing food bags to those in need – was truly a gift from God.

One of those tribal churches has been meeting in the pastor’s small house and is in desperate need of facility. The pastor has a portion of land next to his house that he is willing to donate to the church for a worship facility, so our ministry team prayed about helping this church build something suitable and came up with an estimated cost to construct and furnish it. That cost is capped at $5500 and SALM67 Ministries has the majority of those funds already raised. The construction of the worship facility began in April and is making great progress. We just praise God for this work. Our ministry is able to cover the construction but we are praying for the needed funds to finish and furnish the facility. If you would like to make a secure donation that would leave a lasting legacy in the Lord’s house, high up in the tribal villages of Vietnam, please visit our website, www.salm67.com.

Celebrations – Birthday, Returning Home

Hard to believe our little boy is growing up this fast. He had his 2nd birthday April 4 with our family and friends in Vietnam. It has been such a blessing to watch him grow and learn so much in the process. He has watched daddy pray for our meals for two years and about a month ago he would no longer allow me to pray because he wanted to do it. It is the most sincere and precious thing I have ever witnessed. It brings great joy to my heart to see my little boy love Jesus at such an early age. One thing Shaun Fisher has taught me is to live life. As adults we sometimes allow the smallest things to take over our minds and still the joy of our hearts. He has taught me to be grateful and excited about the little things of life. For example, Shaun Fisher loves to grab his helmet and jump on the motorbike with mom and dad. The things we mostly over look or that have become so common to us, are the very things he gets excited about. I wonder when Jesus demanded for us to come to Him like a child if He was talking about seeing the wonder all around us in everyday life?

I have learned that you can’t say hello to some, without saying goodbye to others. The Lord has been so good to us whether we travel within Vietnam, home from Vietnam, or within the USA. We have been watched over and blessed coming and going. Liên, Shaun Fisher and I returned home April 18th. We had a very long journey home, that took close to 46 hours and which has taken a great toll on our bodies, minds and sleeping patterns. However, once we landed we had to hit the road to handle much needed business for the ministry. We have been so blessed to be protected by the Lord and even used by God while we are still adjusting. We covet your prayers as we adapt to life back in the States. Please pray for our protection as we travel, purposeful meetings that would glorify God and provision for all of our ministry events in Vietnam. We love you all and pray we will see you soon!

We are so appreciative of your ongoing support through prayers and financial giving. Love and Blessings,

Love from Shaun, Liên and Shaun Fisher Miles

Doors Open in the Highlands

Last November, Central Vietnam was devastated by a typhoon that hit during the rainy season and flooding proved catastrophic for many areas. The tribal communities in the area were the hardest hit because their resources are already so limited and the horrific rain and resulting mud slides caused many to lose everything they owned. We have been praying for a way to visit the churches in the tribal regions since the beginning of last year. Because those tribal communities are very protected by the government, we could not make this journey without first going through a legal process to gain the necessary permissions. As God’s timing is perfect, the approval for us to visit this area came through just at the moment of greatest need so the door was opened for us to help. We visited the tribal churches right after the typhoon hit and were able to bless over 275 families with much needed food bags. We also handed out another 60 scholarships for poor children to help replace items needed for school destroyed by the floods. Only by a miracle of His doing could a foreigner be in these highly restricted areas, let alone a pastor being able to share his faith and speak about the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living and His love for people everywhere.

Bible College Training

Training in the south over the past year has focused on church planting; leadership in the church; and sanctity of life. In November, the Lord brought a team from the Passion Life Ministry and they taught about how to preach and teach what the Bible says about life in the womb as a way to help combat the high rate of abortion in Vietnam – among the highest in Asia. In December, the students benefitted from the teaching of several pastors in the US who presented via FaceTime a number of lessons critical to successful church planting. Thank you to Dr. Kevin Harrison, Dr. Chris Dowd and Dr. Bill Coleman for your investment in our students’ education. You are such a blessing to these pastors and leaders who shared heartfelt testimonies about how the Lord has blessed them in their ministries and how many are being saved and touched by the Lord. We just praise God.

This past year in Central Vietnam, we were able to provide six one week sessions to the pastors and leaders of the churches there. It has been extremely special watching how the Lord has blessed and honored that ministry over the years. During the last training session of the year, we heard several testimonies from pastors about how they and their ministries have grown thanks to the Bible College classes. Specifically, one of the tribal pastors shared the following: “For many years I was not able to read the Bible. I could not share the gospel and I could not preach the Bible because of my lack of ability.” He continued, “For the last two plus years, I have come and been taught here and now I can read the Bible. Now I can share the gospel and I love preaching. I have been so filled with joy to learn so much, but my greatest joy is watching my congregation grow in the Lord. We are all so very excited.”

Christmas with our Churches

This year we were able to bless more than we ever have at Christmas thanks to your generous support. All of our pastors and leaders in both the south and central locations (over 60 total) received a gift of clothing – something they can use for church and other ministry events. This was truly needed and they were all greatly encouraged by it. We were also able to help thirteen of our churches hold a Christmas event to celebrate the birth of our Lord with their church family and surrounding community. One of those churches is located in a very remote tribal community. They had been praying and preparing for their Christmas event to reach over 800 people and asked Pastor Hai to come up from the south to help. Over 500 people from that tribal community attended the event and listened to the message of Christmas. We give God the glory for this success specifically because: no one was arrested; many people showed up and showed interest in the gospel message; and the pastor, who is one of our students, has a big view of a big God and planned for a big event. In all over 2,500 people heard the gospel from our ministries this Christmas and while we may not have specific numbers yet as to how many were saved, we do know that the Lord totally blessed all these events beyond our biggest dreams.

Christmas Ministries

In addition to helping the churches, the Lord allowed us to bless over 850 children in seven different locations with Christmas events. This year was the first year that the Lord allowed us to go into three public schools in Central Vietnam to bless them with a Christmas event. This required a great deal of cooperation with the local government. The official in charge of this area had seen his community suffer terribly because of the typhoon and realized the needs were great so he gave us permission to hold this outreach. In addition to a toy, we were able to provide each child with much needed school supplies and personal items. Most of the people here had never seen Americans before and they enjoyed practicing their English with us. This event brought great joy to the community leaders, teachers, staff members as well as the students and was not only an opportunity to hand them a gift in a time of need, but also an open door to hand them the very thing that would last their entire life, which is the message of Christmas.

We also held events at two orphanages in the south. Christmas at the Vung Tau Orphanage is always a special time for the Christmas ministry because we held our first Christmas outreach event there several years ago. One boy there holds a special place in my heart because every time we arrive, he is always out front waiting for us and just runs, yelling my name and hugs me. For the next five minutes I have to walk around with him clinging to me. God has used his genuine love to bless me for sure. We were joined this year by friends Christian and Caleb Hunt along with their family and the Lord totally overwhelmed them with the love of these kids as well. It never seems to fail that while we go there to minister to the kids, they end up ministering to us by their great love.

The children at the Long Hai Orphanage are always a delight because even though they face so many challenges, they show us such joy and kindness when we arrive. This year we brought gifts for the teachers and workers as well as the kids, prayed over them and their families, and then shared the gospel message before handing out the gifts for the kids. All 150 kids waited patiently for everyone to get their gift and then they opened them all together. If you have never seen 150 grateful children open a gift at the same time on Christmas, then please watch the video on our Facebook page. It is heartwarming and totally amazing to witness such gratitude as they receive a gift with love.

BFI TEAM - For the second year in a row we welcomed a team from Beautiful Feet International for a one-week mission trip. The Lord used the team of four women in a tremendous way offering women’s conferences for our churches in the south and central areas. They also worked diligently to help us prepare all the items we needed for the Christmas outreaches at the schools, churches and orphanages. The Lord truly used them to bless this country in many ways, but I think He used them in our life the most. There was so much to be done for all the Christmas activities - countless gifts to wrap and packages to assemble - and there was no way we were going to do it on our own but these ladies came with a mind to work and they worked hard with great fervor and joy!

Recapping 2017

Last year we saw the Lord show up in some amazing ways. We saw Him open up doors that we never imagined could be opened. We saw the Lord bless my wife with her American citizenship while we were back in the States. We saw the Lord provide regular monthly support for 15 of our pastors who need this desperately. We saw the Lord provide for 13 training sessions for over 60 students in two different locations. We saw the Lord provide the funds for the land and building for the training center and church in Central Vietnam. We saw hundreds give their life to Christ and baptized 22 of them personally. God has been and continues to be so good to us. All the Lord had done in and through this ministry over the past year could not have been achieved without your prayers and generous gifts of support. We at SALM 67 Ministries appreciate your sacrificial gifts and strive to steward them in a God-glorifying way. Thank you and may God openly and abundantly bless you and your family this New Year. Together we are doing it.

Love from Shaun, Liên and Shaun Fisher Miles

Beautiful Feet International Mission Team

Our year started with a great blessing as a team from Florida-based Beautiful Feet International, an organization dedicated to bringing good works and the Good News of Christ world-wide through short-term mission teams and international pregnancy centers. Six ladies came, each with a devoted servant’s heart, ready to work with us in any way despite being a bit nervous about what to expect. Some even endured attacks from the enemy health-wise but God saw them through and used that experience in a mighty way. Our time together started with an evening worship service with the church in central Vietnam and it was packed with people who listened to a powerful testimony from one of the team members about how her grandfather served as a missionary to Vietnam during the War. The next morning was full as well as they held a woman’s conference during the morning that ended with a powerful and emotional foot washing ceremony - one of the greatest acts of love and service a Christian can provide. Then the team headed down south where they held another women’s meeting that was extraordinarily blessed by God during the closing foot washing ceremony. The team also adopted an entire public school where most children’s parents are rubber tree farmers and very poor. The team brought clothes, candy, snacks and food bags for poor families as well as Evanga-bracelets that allowed for the gospel to be clearly presented. They also blessed an entire orphanage school with bags of rice and food as well as the gospel message in love. God used this team in an amazing way and we look forward to BFI sending another team at the end of the year.

TET Outreach/Five Tons of Rice

A very good friend in Vietnam donated five tons of rice and told me all I had to do was hand it out! What an amazing opportunity to minister to families in need. We were able to put together 560 food packages consisting of 10 kg of rice, cooking oil and some other food items. We worked with the local government who identified the families in need and then we were given the opportunity to hand them out directly along with the Gospel message. That means that nearly 1500 people – between the 560 families and government officials in attendance - heard the gospel message during these events held at five different locations around the country. What an impact this gift of love in the form of much needed food had on these families as well as hearing God’s great message of love and hope.

Pastor Robert McCoy

It was a special week when my friend Pastor Robert McCoy from Moultrie, Georgia came to help us teach at the Bible College for a week. His sweet spirit and humble attitude were such a blessing for all who learned from him and especially for me (Shaun). Pastor Robert taught a session on Planting Churches and well as on Pastoral Ministry. Pastor Robert had the opportunity to preach during a memorial service that the family used as an evangelistic crusade and again during the regular Sunday worship service. The following day, at a Monday night worship service, Pastor Robert spoke on Romans 12 and our taxi driver, who was listening outside, was cut to the heart and convicted to surrender to God for salvation. God truly blessed his time here in Vietnam and we look forward to a return trip from him in the future.

Bible College Training Update

Training in the South - Even though our group of pastors and leaders have completed the Bible college curriculum and have officially graduated, we feel it is important to provide continuing education, support and encouragement as they work to stay obedient to God’s call on their life to pastor others. To help facilitate the on-going training, we purchased a TV in December that would allow distance training. Many of the pastors and professors who have helped us over the years have been able to continue training these students via the internet. God has truly blessed the last several months with Dr. Kevin Harrison, teaching about being stable in Christ; Dr. Mark Long teaching on Church leadership; Dr. Donald Gillette teaching about leadership within the Church; Pastor Lance Sumner shared about abiding in Christ; Dr. Bill Coleman taught a number of session but the one about “Leading Difficult People” was a direct word from God. Cliff and Patricia Hare lead a session about leading the family and it was greatly blessed by God. Even while we are back in the States, we will be able to offer ongoing training via internet.

Bible College Training Update - Training in the Central Region - Every other month we have been sending a team of pastors, who have already gone through the training in the south, to the church in central Vietnam to conduct training for 23 pastors and leaders there. Most of these pastors and leaders are from the tribal communities so Vietnamese is their second language. They have shown such dedicated and determination to the diligent study of God’s word and God has grown them in such an obvious way that it is truly encouraging. Back in February, when we were conducting a week of training there, I noticed that they had no tables to write on. They were using the ground or stools to write and it just broke my heart. The training at the beginning of May started with the setting up of new tables for the group and they were thrilled – we are all excited to see how God will use this to further His kingdom in the tribal communities and central region.

Baptism

Before we left, we were able to baptize nine new believers that had just completed their six weeks of Basic Bible Doctrine for New Believers. One young couple is pregnant and it reminded me of my own mother. When my mom was pregnant with me, my dad left and never came back. It was a hard time in my mom’s life, but her next door neighbor shared the gospel with her and then led my mom to saving faith in Jesus. My mom decided to get baptized while she was pregnant with me. As I was holding this young mom-to-be, I could not help but think just how much this act would impact that little baby. I began to wonder as the waves of the South China Sea were breaking on our backs if that baby would be the one God uses to usher in a great awakening throughout the nation. Time will surely tell.

Shaun Fisher’s First Birthday Celebration in Vietnam

We were so blessed to hold Shaun Fisher’s first birthday after worship services at the church in Vietnam with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Everyone made the event incredibly special as we celebrated with food and cake. Shaun has been such a blessing to us over the last 22 months (added the 9 months in the womb). Watching him grow and learn has been a sheer joy. He is full of life as he has learned to walk and clearly enjoys everyone he meets. We are truly blessed by God.

Return to the States and Goals For This Year

We returned to the States in mid-April and our trip home was especially difficult for Shaun Fisher since he was not really interested in sitting on a plane quietly for over 15 hours. We will be in the States for several months visiting churches and sharing the vision God has given us for Vietnam. The plans the Lord has set before us require much more support than we have needed in the past. While we are in the States, we are committed to keeping all the funds that come in for SALM67 Ministries earmarked for our work there and 100% of what you are giving monthly will go toward ministry in Vietnam. The list of our goals for this year is below:

• Purchase land and build a building to hold the training classes in central Vietnam ($40,000)
• 500 scholarships for poor and needy children to attend school ($20 per Child)
• Obtain ongoing monthly support for 25 pastors at $100 a month
• Provide a Christmas party for an entire school (365 Children) ($15 per Child)
• Provide Christmas parties for 2 orphanages (280 Children) ($15 Per Child)
• Work toward setting up Bible Training in five different locations throughout the entire nation by the end of the year

Goals Update - Very soon after our return, I was able to meet with Pastor John Bailey who leads our home church, The Springs Church of Orange Park, Florida. He has provided us with wise counsel ever since we began this ministry in Vietnam. As I was sharing with him all that the Lord had put on our hearts to do this year, he began to help me organize those thoughts in a way that we could clearly present them to others. As he was doing that, the Lord touched his heart and right then he made a commitment that The Springs Church would commit to providing $15,000 toward the building fund for our Bible College in Central Vietnam. Talk about a shout of joy!! Hallelujah!! God is moving with such power - Your Kingdom Come Lord!!

Please join us in praying for our health, safety and faithfulness in this season of visiting Churches and for the Lord’s provision of our needs here and for the coming needs in Vietnam. Thank you for all your love and support and God Bless you and your loved ones. Love from Shaun, Liên and Shaun Fisher Miles

The past six months have been some of the most trying for SALM67 Ministries and yet the Lord was able to turn each obstacle facing us into an opportunity for His greater glory. While we were not able to continue the BTCP classes in the south until June, the Lord provided the means for us to conduct pastor training in the central region earlier than originally anticipated. Issues obtaining Shaun Fisher’s birth certificate necessitated our staying close to Saigon for almost two months but the Lord opened doors for ministry and fellowship there that were beyond our wildest dreams. Although it felt at times as if the ministry was lacking in funds, this year we were able to hand out more than double the number of school scholarships over last and fund even more vacation Bible schools than originally planned. We have seen first hand just how faithful and unstoppable our Lord is when it comes to doing His work as well as His bountiful blessings evidenced in our son, Shaun Fisher.

When we arrived back in Vietnam in mid-February, one of the first things the Lord impressed upon me was this verse from Acts 3:19 - “Repent and believe the Gospel, so that seasons of refreshing may come upon you.” His specific direction to me was to set my alarm every afternoon to 3:19, in order to pray for Vietnam and His work as we long to see a season of refreshing in this nation and this generation so far away from God. Would you consider joining me in praying for this nation?

Pastor and Leader Training In Central Vietnam

In March, we sent Pastor Hai and Pastor Tinh to the central area to hold a two day training on what it means to serve the people like Jesus. They not only trained the pastors and leaders but they exhibited the material to the community by visiting the sick, poor, widowed and orphaned and providing food, clothes and money to help with medicine. When we saw the great results of our March training, we decided to continue the training in the central region on a bimonthly schedule and two more session have been conducted. Pastor Hai does most of the training but this also has been a great opportunity for our young pastors, who have been following the classes in the South, to use what they have learned to train others. At the close of one session, Pastor Hai took a towel and a bowl of water and, like Jesus, washed the feet of his two young co-teachers and then everyone else present at the training. The Holy Spirit moved in such a way that no heart went untouched and no eye was dry. We have 20 pastors and leaders committed to this training and it is so exciting to see the mission this organization - pastors training pastors - unfold before us.

Training and BTCP Classes In the South

We had hoped to resume the BTCP training classes in March but those needed to be postponed until June for a variety of reasons. We were blessed in March to have Cliff and Patricia Hare from The Springs Church conduct some women’s and men’s training sessions instead. Mrs. Patricia did a great job teaching the women about the power of the Holy Spirit and she also spoke to the youth about the potential we have as children of God. Brother Clifford taught the men about being Godly men. Most of the men attending had lost their fathers in the war or were brought up in a non-believing family so most had never had a father pray a blessing over them. Brother Cliff prayed a fathers blessing over each man at the close of his day of teaching and it proved to be a powerful time of healing!

The BTCP training resumed in June and that group of 20 pastors and leaders have now satisfied all the requirements for completion of the BTCP Certificate through Luther Rice University. When the Lord called us here to serve, establish a Bible College and train national pastors and leaders it seemed like an impossible mission, but 3 1/2 years later it is finished! Only the Lord and the work of His hand through His many servants have made this possible.

Easter Celebrations

We had a blessed day teaching about the true meaning of Easter and then having the very first Easter Egg hunt at the orphanage near us in the South. We hid over 300 stuffed eggs for the 120 kids to find. Afterwards, we were able to share with the kids how our God is so good and truly searches each one of us out like lost treasure. Before leaving we were able to bless the orphanage with eight bags of rice, 400 bags of instant noodles, cooking oil and other needed supplies. Thank you to everyone who gave specifically for this effort! We also held an Easter Egg hunt outreach at the church for the first time as a way for the Youth Group to minister to the younger children and share the Gospel with them. It is so exciting to see the youth excited about ministering and evangelizing to a younger generation.

The Blessings of Parenthood

On Monday April 4, 2016 our little boy Shaun Fisher Miles made his way into the world. Minutes before he showed up, I walked around the delivery room and prayed and asked the presence of the Lord to fill the room and boy did He ever. I also asked for a word for my son and the Holy Spirit reminded me of this verse from Jeremiah 33:3 - “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’” The Lord promised me He would answer Shaun Fisher’s call to Him for answers and revelation.

Liên’s first Mother’s day as a mom was very special. We had a wonderful Mother’s Day celebration where I was able to preach at a friend’s church near us and another friend, who I met at the local gym and have been praying for, joined us for services as well. We celebrated Father’s Day with Shaun Fisher’s baby dedication as there is certainly no better way to declare my intentions as a new father then promising before the Lord that I would raise my son in a way that honors Him. Even though I never had a dad growing up, the Lord has shown me that He had always been my Father. He has given me the best possible example of fatherhood and prepared me for this day. Father’s Day is not so much about me as Shaun’s dad, but about honoring my heavenly Father.

80 Scholarships in Binh Duong; 145 Scholarships in Ba To

Because of issues with our son’s birth certificate, we ended up living for over two months in the town of Binh Duong, near Saigon. Being there allowed me to reconnect with a friend who was pastoring a church not far from us, where I was able to preach on a few occasions. I also found a gym that proved to be a great place for sharing the Gospel. There I met Caleb, originally from Texas, who is married to a Vietnamese woman, lives and works here and has a child who experienced the same type of delays in getting legal status. Our friendship led to his funding 80 scholarships for local children here. Caleb is not yet a believer, but we know the Lord is doing a mighty work in Him. When we returned home to Ba To, we were able to hand out 145 scholarships to needy children thanks the donations from two churches back home and many faithful donors committed to this outreach.

Scholarships, VBS in Central Vietnam

This year we were able to sponsor seven Vacation Bible Schools in the Highlands of Central Vietnam and the team, led by the pastor’s wife did an amazing job serving these tribal communities and churches. We had only planned for 180 kids from seven different churches but that number was exceeded by a large amount. So many children were able to learn about and experience the love of Jesus and eleven of them put their trust in the Lord after hearing the good news of salvation. Also, with the cooperation of the local government, we were able to hand out 70 scholarships to children from areas that are extremely poor while declaring the hope that is found in Jesus Christ to all who were present.

Next Steps For SALM67 Ministries

We were scheduled to depart July 28th for the States but found ourselves detained by immigration because Shaun Fisher did not have a Vietnam visa to prove he was legally in the country, despite his American passport. We had to return home to Ba To and re-book all our travel reservations, which proved to be extremely expensive. We prayed and the Lord not only provided a 4 ½ year visa for him within a week but also made it clear to us that we are to keep our heads up and press on toward the call of God in Christ Jesus to make Him known in this nation from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi!

So when we look back on this season - one filled with frustration over costly bureaucratic red tape - we see God’s glory in His accomplished work: 345 children in southern and central Vietnam will go to school; seven new members were baptized at our home church and dozens committed their life to Christ as a result of preaching, teaching and outreach. We are home now for a few months and look forward to visiting many of you and sharing in person all the incredible doors God has opened for us to spread the Gospel to the people of Vietnam. We know that it is only with your help and the Lord’s blessing that this work can be accomplished so we send out a profound “Thank You” with this message. God Bless you all!

Love from Shaun, Liên and Shaun Fisher Miles

2015 Was A Great Year for SALM67 Ministries

It has been an amazing year for SALM67 Ministries, due entirely to God’s blessing on this ministry and your commitment to financially partner with us. This past year saw the scope of our mission expand dramatically into the area of social ministry. This meant almost doubling our operating budget but we have met all the ministry goals we set out to accomplish this year – a great testament to God’s faithfulness and that of His people. In addition to holding five Bible College sessions, this year brought the opportunity for Shaun to intensively study Vietnamese in Saigon, as well as share the Gospel with his fellow students; the means to help provide adequate housing and household essentials for four needy families; an open door from the government to partner in helping to send needy children to school; three mission teams from three different churches to teach classes at the Bible college; the opportunity for the entire SALM67 Ministries team to minister together, sharing the Gospel and visiting a number of churches; the ability to bless nearly 300 children at three different orphanages with Christmas food, gifts and fellowship. God has been so good to us and we look forward to seeing how the Lord will continue to bless the people of Vietnam through us in 2016.

Bible College Visiting Professors

We were very blessed to have three different teams join us to help teach classes at the Bible College. In July, we hosted Dr. Bob Halstead and Brother Eric Vevang from East Side Baptist Church in Georgia. Dr. Bill Coleman (left) and Dr. William Wilson (below left) joined us in October with the help of Bedrock Church Roanoke and Because We Care Ministires. At the beginning of November Dr. Kevin Harrison, president of West Coast Bible College was instrumental in helping our students understand Spiritual Formation. Not only did these teams bring great knowledge, perspective and love for God’s Word to the students but underwrote the operating cost of the Bible College for the sessions they taught – an incredible gift to the ministry!

School Scholarships

In August and early September, we were able to bless over 100 children with what they need to attend school for a year, both in the south of the country, where we are based, and in Central Vietnam, a region that has typically has been more closed to outside Christian ministry than the southern region. A total of 102 scholarships were handed out at four different events (three in the south and one in the central area). Since this effort was at the request of the local government officials, we know that the Lord had opened an incredible door. The first 30 scholarships were handed out during a ceremony at a local government office where Shaun was able to speak about the love our Lord has for each person in the room. (picture left). Additionally, the final 32 scholarships were handed out during a big ceremony, organized by the local government to celebrate the new school year and to recognize excellence at the school. Shaun was the only foreigner there. All the important government officials from the local and larger provincial area attended to celebrate this event. Only through God, and by all of us responding in faith, could this have been accomplished. Amazing to realize how His glory and love shine through and cannot be restrained.

SALM67 Ministries Tours Northern Vietnam

Another highlight of this year was the ability for the entire SALM67 team to meet us and tour the northern and central parts of the country. Chris and Julie Washer are behind-the-scenes team members, handling communication and financial issues stateside, and through God’s bountiful provision joined Shaun and Liên in Vietnam for a two week mission trip. The team met up in Hanoi and then explored Ha Long Bay, a unique area located in northeastern Vietnam consisting of over 1,600 limestone monolithic islands. Incredibly remote and yet the team had an opportunity to lead single mother Hanh to the Lord. She has lived her life on the water in a floating fishing village as her family has done for generations. Amazing the lengths our Lord will go to seek out those calling His name!

Ministering in Central and South Vietnam

The SALM67 Ministries team visited a church outside of Da Nang and held a Women’s Fellowship there after Sunday worship services (picture left). While in Da Nang, the team was able to provide a Thanksgiving meal, small gifts and the message of God’s love to 20 children in a local orphanage. It was the first time most of these children had ever eaten turkey! Before dinner, Shaun was able to share the idea of being thankful as well as the Gospel message. Once the team got down to the south, they were able to conduct another Women’s Fellowship at Shaun and Liên’s church and participate in a special worship service with the students at the Bible College as well as attend the 5:30 AM Saturday Prayer meeting and Sunday worship services. A great weekend of fellowship and worship of Lord!

Christmas Outreach for Orphans

The entire SALM67 Ministries team, along with Pastor Hai and some other church members were able to bless nearly 100 children at the orphanage in Vung Tau with a special event for Christmas. In addition to games, face painting, a special treat of pizza, the children were told about the amazing gift our God gives to everyone. Then each received a gift of their own. In mid-December, we were able to hand 150 care packages to children in a “Day Orphanage” near Vung Tau. These are children who have lost their parents and are being raised by grandparents or other family members. They spend the day at the orphanage but return home at night. Rather than toys or a party, we were asked to provide food and other items that could benefit the whole family. Each bag included rice, oil, milk, noodles, salt, toothpaste, toothbrush and a small toy and Shaun was able to share the Gospel with them before the bags were handed out (picture left). Thanks to everyone who helped financially to bless these children.

February Return to Vietnam and Our Plans for 2016

We will return to Vietnam mid-February to resume the Bible College classes and prepare this group to graduate the program later this year. Most importantly, Shaun and Liên have to prepare for the arrival of Shaun Fisher Miles, the newest member of the SALM67 Ministries team, due on the scene mid- April. What an incredible blessing from the Lord this will be! Stay tuned for his arrival. Please continue to pray for God’s provision, His protection of our entire family, our obedience to His will and that His glory shines through all He plans for us at SALM67 Ministries. Together we are truly doing it!

Happy New Year to all and much love! Shaun & Liên

Christmas Outreach in Central Vietnam

Every year we financially partner with two local Pastors in Central Vietnam to bring the Christmas story to their area and every year it is amazing how God blesses this effort. This year hundreds of kids received gift bags, six churches including five tribal churches had Christmas parties, and five people prayed to receive Christ Jesus as their Savior.

Helping the “Fisherman Pastor”

Many of you know the story of this “Fisherman Pastor”. He is one of our students at the Bible Institute in Vietnam and he has been struggling for some time. His grand children are now living with him and it is even more of a struggle to put food on the table. The Bible speaks about just praying for a brother when we have a chance to help. We need to pray but we also need to help. If you would like to help out, just send your support in care of SALM67 Ministries, indicate that it needs to go to The Fisherman Pastor, and 100% will go toward food for him and his family.

Preaching at Baptist College of Florida

I graduated from BCF in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry degree. Last year when I saw Dr. Thomas Kinchen, the college President, he asked me to contact him when we returned to the states in December because he wanted me to come to the school and preach. Sometime back in October, while we were still in Vietnam, the Lord had awoken me around 2 am and had given me a message to preach at BCF, so I contacted Dr. Kitchen and set up a date for January. The chapel at BCF is named for Dr. R.G Lee, who had led my pastor to the Lord and then years later, led me to the Lord as well. What an honor it was to be able to preach in the chapel named after this godly man. To God be the glory! You can hear this message from the link on our website.

TET Holiday at the Orphanage

Some of you may only know the TET Holiday as the name of a bloody offensive that took place in 1968. In fact, it is one of the most important holidays in Vietnam as it celebrates the New Year. It is a time when people make sure all outstanding debts are paid, houses are cleaned, clothes are new and gifts are given to the younger generation to promote good luck for the year to come. As you may recall from our last report, we have a relationship with an orphanage and thanks to your generous support, we were able to give them a Christmas party. We were also able to bless these orphans with food and clothes for TET. These children have nothing, no family, but through SALM 67 Ministries they have been introduced to the hope that is found in the Lord Jesus. We are anxious to return in the summer to bless them again!

Baptisms in Vietnam

Baptisms are a very special event in Vietnam because they are done in the ocean. The Saturday before Easter, Pastor Cuoc and Pastor Hai baptized 30 new believers into the Kingdom of God. Pastor Hai had the very special privilege of baptizing his youngest son that day, a boy he had led to the Lord. Praise God! Death, burial and resurrection proclaimed!

Building a House

Earlier this year we were asked by the local Government to help poor families living in the area near the Bible Insititute. About two years ago I baptized all the members of this family and now we have the chance to be the hands and feet of our Lord. Their house is not suitable, safe or fit for them to live in with their children so we decided to raise the funds needed to help them. After hearing about this opportunity, Pastor Bryan Sawyer of Fairview Baptist Church asked how they could help this family and we explained how $1250 would remodel their house and how $2000 could build a new house for other poor families in the area. Just a short time later he called and said the church had the funds to remodel the house for this family. Last month, the remodeling work began and it has been recently finished. Our heart’s desire is to be able to raise the money needed to build at least two news homes for needy families during the next six months in the field.

Building a Carport

Motorbikes are everywhere in Vietnam as they are the main mode of transportation, other than busses. During the worship services and Bible training classes, the motorbikes would become extremely hot from the sun or they would get soaked from the rain. Last month we were able to get a covered parking area built to protect the bikes and the people from the elements while in the House of the Lord. We are thankful for the love and generosity of everyone who gave specifically for this effort.

Visiting Churches

Liên and I have been so blessed since our arrival back in the States in late December. The Lord has opened so many doors for us to share and for us to learn from Him during this season of ministry, until our return to Vietnam in June. We are in need of support and we are in need of partners in the ministry, but we did not want to be on the trail simply to raise funds, we wanted to be used by God. The Lord has used us as a blessing to others in so many Churches. Here is a list of those special places that graciously opened the door for us to come and share, preach or simply worship with them. We were welcomed, fed, housed and loved by so many individuals at these churches and we just want to say THANK YOU to you all. The Springs Church of Jacksonville, First Baptist Church Debary, Five Points Baptist Church, Blackrock Baptist, Duval Station Baptist, WaterMark Church, New Hope FWB, Crossroads Baptist in Social Circle, GA., Dellwood Baptist Church, First Baptist of Fernandina Beach, The Connection Church of Jonesboro, GA., The Path Worship Center of Augusta, GA., Faith Baptist Church of Fitzgerald, GA., First Baptist Church of Marianna, Southside Baptist in Blakely, GA., Grace Falls in Opelika, AL., Bedrock Church in Roanoke, Bedrock Church in Bedford, VA., Bayleaf Baptist in Raleigh, NC., Russell Baptist in Orange Park, FL., Spark Missions Conference, and the Baptist College of Florida, Deltona Lakes Baptist, Central Baptist of Sanford.

June Return to Vietnam and Our Plans for 2015 - We are very excited to return to Vietnam to start the Bible Insititute back up as well as see how the Lord will use this ministry in local outreach to spread the hope of Jesus Christ to our friends in Vietnam. Classes will resume in June and July. Then, in August and September we will be staying in Saigon to pursue language classes (for Shaun) and outreach ministry in a number of areas. Classes will continue during October, November and December and then we will be back in the States just before Christmas. Please continue to pray for God’s provision, His protection, our obedience to His will and that His glory shines through all we set out to accomplish at SALM67 Ministries. Visit our website to learn how you can join us in God’s work to reach the people of Vietnam. Together we are truly doing it!

A Motor-Bike

I want to thank Dr. Long, Dr. Lewis, IAGM, and those who gave so we can have what we have needed for some time now - a motorbike. This is the motorbike we chose after prayerfully considering our options. Although we did not have enough money at first, the Lord provided the remaining amount for us, as He has always done. We are so grateful for God’s goodness and love shown toward us. We just give glory to God for making a way for us to be able to minister more efficiently.

Vietnamese Language Classes

Although I have spent quite a bit of time in Vietnam over the past seven years, I have struggled to pick up the language. Few people understand what I am saying because I am unable to hit the right tones required for each word. I knew I needed to formally learn the language and found a school that would accept me in Saigon. We did not have the funds to proceed, but we just prayed and put a request out on Facebook and as usual, the people of God came through. I would like to take a moment to thank you personally and publicly. God really used this time, not only to help me learn how to hear the tones, but learn how special it is to be able to speak a language other than one’s own. I was able to study for three entire weeks and I learned so much. My language study continues with the assistance of Liên and my ultimate goal is to be able to speak and preach in Vietnamese fluently.

Mission Teams at The Bible Institute

The main reason we are in Vietnam is to offer Bible training for national pastors and leaders and currently, we have 23 enrolled students. In July and August, we covered the Old Testament - something these pastors and leaders have avoided preaching and teaching for fear of not fully understanding what is being said and their inability to communicate it accurately to others. As we studied, each and every day, the Lord met with us. Several sessions closed with us simply weeping before the Lord because of His goodness. It was by far the greatest week of Bible study and teaching I have ever had the privilege of being involved in.

In September we hosted Dr. Mark Long from First Baptist Church of Marianna, FL. Dr. Mark Long had been my mentor throughout my years at The Baptist College of Florida and what he has taught me concerning how to read and discern Scripture has been invaluable. He came specifically to teach part of the New Testament and he went so deep in New Testament background material that those who were in the class declared, “We have never heard of such things, nor have we ever been taught in such a way.” We have seen the results of Dr. Long’s teaching and they have been incredible on every scale.

In November, we hosted a team for two weeks allowing us to travel and minister around Central Vietnam as well as Saigon. The team included Joel Johnson, a missionary out of Brazil, Dr. Bill Coleman from Bedrock Church in Roanoke, VA and Dr. Donald Gillette and his wife, missionaries serving in Nicaragua. Dr. Gillette was stationed in this area when he was in the Marines 45 years ago and while difficult for him to be back in this area, when he preached the Word in a local church, there was a powerful movement of God, with people flooding the altars during the invitation. When we returned to the Bible Institute for our week of classes, Dr. Bill covered the material on Biblical Preaching which instructed and blessed all in attendance.

In December, the team from The Connection Church, near Atlanta, arrived with Pastor Lance Sumner accompanied by three women from the church. God used everyone in a mighty way. While Pastor Lance was teaching about the life and integrity of the Pastor, the women shared testimonies about how their pastor has impacted their life over the years. In Vietnam it is easy for the pastor to become prideful and out of touch because of their position, so when the pastors and leaders heard these testimonies about Pastor Lance it was humbling. Pastor Lance summed it up like this, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” These pastors and leaders are going to love their flocks like Jesus loved them, and they are going to be able to lead them as Jesus has directed them, because they now know and understand God’s heart as seen in His Word.

Central Vietnam Outreach

We believe that the Lord is leading us to establish a Bible Institute in the Central Vietnam area now that the one in the South has been established. Central Vietnam is rural, very traditional, and the government is very strict in this area which has caused great concern whether we would ever be able to work here. We believe that the Lord will open the doors for us when He sees fit. Liên and I have been anxious to visit Central Vietnam in order to get better acquainted with how we might get established there, so when an opportunity came up to visit and minister to the extended family of one of our Church members, we jumped on it. On our way to visit the family, I learned some of their background. The mother has been a high official in the Communist party for a long time; the father and two brothers were killed during the war; the mother was arrested by the Americans and held prisoner for several months because of her communist ties; she has not seen an American since the war. As we approached her family home, plotted in the middle of the rice fields, I was really uneasy about how she was going to respond to me being in her house. When I sat down in front of the mother, she just stared at me. I became really uncomfortable as she asked who I was and where I was from. She just looked at me and looked back at her daughter and said, “He does not look American. He looks so gentle and sweet.” The daughter replied, “That is because he is Jesus’ friend.” The mother said, “Can you have him pray for Jesus to heal my knee? It hurts so bad that I have not been able to walk.” We were all a bit dumbfounded that she had responded this way but we prayed for her leg and then I led the family in a time of prayer and sharing of testimonies. We could truly feel the Holy Spirit blanket us as we started to share and everyone in the room listened to the testimonies and to the appeal to make Christ Jesus Lord of their lives. As we continued to share, the mother called us into the bedroom to lead her to the Lord because she wanted Jesus to save her. She said, “If He is going to forgive me and take me to Heaven when I die, I want Him to be my Lord.” With the whole family watching and listening she prayed to be saved and make Jesus Lord of her life. What a powerful move of the Lord!

VBS in Central Vietnam

We were able to send $400 to pastors in Central Vietnam to support their vacation Bible school efforts. They had VBS in 4 different locations with the funds and a total of 134 children were able to attend and hear the good news of Jesus Christ - some for the very first time. Many of the children had been ministered to by the same group of Pastors we helped with a love offering last Christmas. In all, 16 children prayed to receive Christ.

Christmas Party at a Local Orphanage

We made contact with a local orphanage and were able to partner with them to provide a Christmas party to about 75 children. Trusting the Lord to provide the means to help these kids, we made a special plea on Facebook and again, our faithful followers came through. With the $1770 we raised, we were able to provide a great party with gifts and food for this facility. We sang Christmas songs and I shared the true meaning of Christmas through my personal testimony and the love of God that was born on Christmas morning over 2,000 years ago. God really blessed our time. Thank you all for your gifts, prayers and love. We are also planning on a long term relationship with them that will enable us to be a blessing to the kids and the hurting family members that have abandoned them. We trust that God will provide all that we will need to be a reflection of Him to these hurting kids.

Hitting the Ground Running

We returned home in early February after spending three very productive months in Vietnam. We had lined up several church visits and conferences before we left so that as soon as we were state-side we could begin sharing all the great work the Lord is doing in Vietnam. Our very first Sunday back, we visited the Watermark Church in Orange Park, FL pastored by Reverend Tim Larson and his wife Elisabeth. We were so blessed to be able to fellowship with this couple and since Elisabeth is from Vietnam originally, we are hopeful they may join us on the mission field for a visit at some point.

We also traveled down to Lakeland, FL and were very blessed by our time at Northside Baptist Church and Dr. Dan Yaw. Dr. Yaw was one of the pastors who come over to help teach our inaugural session of the Bible Institute and for that we are forever grateful. We were able to attend and share at the Sunday service and God really ministered to our hearts through each of the services and the generosity of this church. Dr. Yaw’s congregation supports over 36 missionaries each month. Praise God for Northside Baptist Church and their heart for supporting missionaries.

In addition to visiting churches in Florida, we were able to spend several weeks in the Atlanta area. One of the churches we visited there was The Connection Church in Jonesboro, GA. Pastor Lance Sumner and his wife Deena opened their arms to us as if they have known us forever. It was truly a divine appointment and immediately they became dear friends. The Connection Church did not hesitate to add us as one of their missionaries that they pray for and support financially every month. We were so blessed by their generosity but in addition to their support, Pastor Lance made a commitment to come to Vietnam in December and train our pastor-students on pastoral care. What an amazing blessing and a true shot of joy so early in our home stay!

Easter in Two Egg, Florida

After we left Atlanta, we spent some time at the New Hope Free Will Baptist Church near Two Egg in Jackson County Florida. This is a parish that is very near and dear to our hearts for a number of reasons. This was the very first church I pastored when I was in Bible College. These folks love me and they have become more like family to us over the years, being faithful to pray for us and have always given whenever they felt the need.

I love them dearly and know there is great need there. For about a year now, they have gone without a Pastor and their attendance had dwindled down to around 11 faithful folks. So Liên and I vowed to take a month off from “Raising Funds” to help them during Easter. We worked with the church to help organize an outreach at one of the local parks. There we were able to share the Gospel with over 150 people, hand out 50 Bibles, and bless the families with over $400 worth of certificates for free food and rides at the park. God really used this experience to bless and encouraged us. We were also able to assist with a beautiful Easter Sunrise Service followed with a country breakfast and powerful Resurrection Sunday Service.

The faithful brothers and sisters at New Hope have truly helped me to become the man I am today, through their enduring encouragement, constant prayer, and financial support when I was truly in need. We continue to be blessed by them as they continue to invest in our life and our mission work in Vietnam with a monthly pledge toward our ministry. As one person shared with me recently, “It seems as though gifts frequently pour out from the widow and her two cents.” With brothers and sisters in Christ like this, we understand “Together we are doing it.”

Luther Rice University Mission’s Conference

One of the reasons we came home in February was so we could attend the annual Mission’s Conference at Luther Rice University in Lithonia, GA. We had been invited by Missions Director, Dr. Ron Long. He and his wife had traveled to Vietnam in January to help open the Bible Institute and during that visit they poured into us wise counsel and much advice on how we could go about raising the support we needed to continue operating the Bible Institute.

We were so blessed to be a part of this three day event where missionary organizations from all over the world were given the opportunity to display the work of the Lord through them. (Liên, with SALM67 board member Julie Washer, are pictured on the right). A few mission groups were selected to share during the Chapel services and SALM67 was one of the organizations selected. Dr. Long has been on our team since the inception of SALM67 and his experience and counsel has blessed us beyond measure. We want to openly thank God for him and his dear wife and ask the Lord to continue to richly bless them in all areas of their life.

Special Gifts and Special Thanks

While we were in Atlanta we had a chance to stay with my sister and her family in Kennesaw, GA. We love staying with them because they are so peaceful and loving and it is simply refreshing to be with them. One Sunday morning as we were preparing to go to Jonesboro to share at the Connection Church, my little nephew wanted to tag along to see what all we did. Well he did and was touched by the pictures of the pastors, and heard the stories about the Christians in Vietnam and was stirred. When we were traveling back home, he said, “Uncle Shaun, I have $20 that I have been saving and I want to give it to you for those pastors.” I was blown away by his love and concern and I have kept that same $20 in my wallet to give it to one of the pastors when I arrive back in Vietnam. Praise God for such a generous heart at such a young age. He was willing to give all he had, with no hopes of getting anything in return, in order to be a blessing to a man of God in a far away land. May the Lord teach me to give like this!

The Springs Church and Pastor John Bailey - As we were just starting to organize SALM67 Ministries, we had the opportunity to attend a service at The Springs Church in Jacksonville, FL and met Pastor John Bailey. Pastor John shared with us that he was a missionary to Ireland for almost 9 years and would love to help us in any way he could. He has since been more than generous with his time, mentoring us on what it means to be a missionary and how to raise up Godly financial partners as well as prayer warriors. He has been an invaluable resource for establishing budgets and creating solid processes to ensure accountability. Being a missionary is probably the toughest thing I have ever had to encounter and it means the world to have Godly people with wise counsel pour into Liên and me. Thank you, Pastor John and our new loving church family at the Springs Church Jacksonville.

Pastor Rick and Mrs. Kim Hagans - We were blessed with the opportunity to visit Pastor Rick and his wife Kim in May and they opened their hearts and their home to us while encouraging us in the Lord in so many ways. I first met Pastor Rick when he took me on my first mission trip to Mexico and it changed my life forever. These two have so many people that depend on them for so much, yet they are so giving to all who are around them. They are what Liên and I strive to be in the Lord and we thank God we have them as our friends, mentors and partners to Vietnam.

International Association of Grace Ministries - We would also like to take a moment to personally thank Dr. Dan Lewis with IAGM. We were partners with IAGM for about nine months and Dr. Lewis even came to Vietnam in January to help us open the Bible Institute. (Pictured on the left) However through much prayer and counsel we both agreed it was time for SALM67 Ministries to be independent of IAGM. We thank them for the opportunity to be associated with them and glean from them and their experience with missions. We pray they are blessed by God moving forward in all that they do.

Now Back on the Mission Field

We arrived in late February and we were able to share in a church service almost every Sunday except for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. The Lord truly has opened up some amazing doors. We would like to thank every Pastor, leader and church that opened up their hearts, doors, and time for us to be with them. We returned to Vietnam mid-June and will be back state-side in December. It is your love, generosity, prayers, and support that enables us to continue to operate the Bible Institute, and train national pastors to reach the Vietnamese people for His kingdom.

Preaching and Teaching the Word

We were able to preach every Sunday and Wednesday service for the entire three months we were there. God really honored the preaching of His Word through us by touching hearts and changing lives at almost every service. The Vietnamese culture is naturally shy and reserved so for them to respond openly and publicly to the leading of the Holy Spirit shows a significant sign of God’s movement. In addition to these services, the people meet every morning at 5:30 am to seek the face of God in worship, short devotion and time of prayer. When we were here at the start of the summer, only about 15 people regularly attended this service. The Church here is growing at such a rate that the attendance at the early morning services has nearly doubled. It is an amazing time of worship and study of God’s Word.

Learning the Vietnamese Language

When I was called to the mission field here in Vietnam I was told by a very dear friend that I did not need to learn the language. Well, that was probably one of the worst things that anyone could tell a missionary because being able to speak to the people one is ministering to is a crucial part of loving that people and understanding their culture. With all the time I have spent in Vietnam, I have been able to pick up some phrases, but have never really spent purposeful time learning the language. Since I have been back, I have been working with a young pastor who is teaching me. We have been friends for a long time and initially began spending time together as he wanted to learn English and also how to study the Bible. Now this relationship has shifted, where I am the one gleaning from him and he is the one depositing in me. We both have something to offer to one another and without each other it would not be possible to become all that God has called us to become. This is the picture of the body of Christ that each member is unique but without the other members, it simply does not function well at all.

New Church Building Leads Many to Christ

When the church here began construction on their new building, they hired a team of professionals, rather than relying on the skills of their members. This was truly a divine appointment because many of the workers wanted to know what this “Jesus” was all about. The pastors and other members of the church shared the gospel with these men and they were even curious enough to attend services. In all, building the church led four men to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The new church is scheduled to begin regular services in March!

Central Vietnam Outreach

In early December, we worked to raise support to send supplies to two Pastors in Central Vietnam so they could minister to those who has been the most severely impacted by the flooding that had ravaged the area since the November Typhoon. We sent food supply bags for 50 families and 100 gift bags for the children as well as 80 New Testament Bibles. The Pastors were able to minister to so many people and visit eight different House Churches in eight different locations in the region, where four prayed to receive the Lord and over 60 people attended Church for the first time in their life. The Pastors reported back with such jubilee because they had been given the resources to really help some desperately needy folks and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We just praise the Lord!

Christmas and New Year’s Day

For the second year in a row, the Vietnamese Church received permission from the local authorities to sponsor a Christmas-themed public outreach event designed to spread the Gospel message to those who had never heard it. Over 200 people showed up who had never previously been to Church and an estimated 30 people prayed to receive Christ. After the worship services, we passed out gift bags to the adults and children. Those bags consisted of food, personal items and toys that had been donated through another missionary outreach. As the guests looked through the gift bags, their faces showed utter disbelief over the generosity of people who did not even know them. It was an amazing time of Christ-centered outreach that blessed the people in every area. Even more amazing was that it was allowed to happen, with full approval of the authorities, in a communist country.

To celebrate the New Year, we organized a special time of worship with the church’s youth group. It started out as an encouragement to the youth group on how to live in harmony as the body of Christ, but it ended up being much more. Several young people who had never heard the gospel before showed up and took part in the fellowship. At the close of the message, the youth gathered in small groups to pray for each other for the New Year. These small groups gave the Christian youth an opportunity to share the Lord with the non- Christians, and as a result at least two prayed to receive Christ into their hearts. It was wonderful time in the Lord and a great way to start off the New Year.

Baptizing New Believers

Before we left, we were able to baptize nine new believers who had completed the New Believer’s Class. There are 35 people in the current class who will be ready for baptism soon. What a glorious day in the Lord that will be!

Bible Institute Opens

One of the main purposes of SALM67 Ministries is to establish a Bible College/Bible Institute that eventually will be entirely operated by Vietnamese pastors. The Lord has supernaturally provided the land and facilities as well as the curriculum through a partnership with BTCP. In addition, Luther Rice Seminary has committed its help in teaching the curriculum and will offer a certificate of graduation to all students. Our very first class was scheduled to start in mid-January, and to show their support, a team from Luther Rice came over to help us get the institute off to a great start. What an incredible blessing it was to have this team travel nearly 36 hours to be with us! This was another indication that God was moving on our behalf concerning the people of Vietnam. The team included Dr. Ron Long (Missions Director at Luther Rice), Dr. Dan Yaw (Pastor of Northside Baptist Church Lakeland), and Dr. Dan Lewis (Chairman and Advisor for IAGM). We had a total of 20 pastors registered for these classes but most days had 10 -15 non-registered people show up – just to hear the Word of God and learn more about it. Class topics included Hermeneutics, Power of God’s Word, Applying God’s Word in Life and in Ministry among others. We are incredibly thankful as well as truly blessed to have had this kind of hands-on assistance from Luther Rice Seminary.

We want to begin by telling you how important it is for us to be working together during this time. Your prayers, love and support have brought us through some tough times thus far and we are fully aware that the Lord will continue to bless as we partner together. We returned from Vietnam in late June and since our return, God has watched over us and has been so faithful as usual. As you read through this report, please be reminded that you are a strategic part of what the Lord is doing through SALM67 Ministries.

Bible Curriculum

Of paramount importance to the success of the Bible Institute in Vietnam is the curriculum the pastors will follow. We have spent much time in prayer on this and the Lord has answered our prayer beyond our expectations. Our good friend Gary Holmes introduced us to David Drake, the D.O.M of Northeast Florida Baptist Association. Once we shared our vision with brother David, he immediately recommended a B.T.C.P manual used by the Bible Training Center for Pastors, a curriculum developed to train pastors around the globe. When I contacted this organization, I was told that it would be available for us to use and was already translated into Vietnamese. We have become official partners with this organization after a 2-day training session in Atlanta and the first training classes in Vietnam have been scheduled for January 2014. What an answer to prayer! Our Lord is so faithful!

Partnership with a Southern Baptist Seminary

Brother David Drake not only connected us with B.T.C.P but he also connected us to a special friend of his, Dr. Ron Long with Luther Rice Seminary. Luther Rice Seminary is a Southern Baptist Seminary with 80% of their students enrolled in their online program. I shared with Dr. Long what the Lord has called us to do in Vietnam and was so blessed by his desire to partner with us in training pastors in Vietnam. What a man of God with a heart to equip the men of God to serve their Lord! Dr. Long was so generous to us with his time, offering counsel and encouragement to our ministry, that I was hesitant to ask for anything more from him. But I still had one more request and when I asked, “Sir, we really would like to work with you and have you offer these pastors a degree or certificate after they complete the training to let them know they accomplished something great.” He looked at me with a big smile and said, “We would love to offer them that and would be more than happy to do so. It will not have be accredited but it would be something for them to be proud of.” Our hearts rejoiced!

Progress To Date

Within less than four months of surrendering to the call of the Lord to establish a Bible College/Bible Institute in Vietnam, the Lord had already provided land, a temporary facility, the curriculum and a partnership with a Seminary. I can’t help but to recall my life Bible Verse. “In a man’s heart he plans his way but the Lord chooses his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) To Him be the Glory!

Visiting Churches and Preaching God’s Word

When I surrendered to the mission field and left the Pastorate, I was very worried about not having the opportunity to preach God’s Word, something I truly love to do. But again the Lord has provided by opening up some great doors and opportunities. Over the last several months, we have been so blessed to visit some wonderful Churches and preach to some amazing folks. We were allowed to share at Kepler Road Baptist Church, Eastside Baptist Church, Emporia Baptist Church, Oak Grove Baptist Church, New Hope FWB Church, Spring Hill Baptist Church, and Grace Falls Church. Every Church was so loving and generous. Please pray for these Churches for they have been such a blessing to us.

We were particularly blessed to spend several days at Grace Falls Church, a church in downtown Auburn, Alabama, started by Pastor Rick Hagans in 2012. Brother Rick has served the Lord over the years by loving the unlovable all over the world. He was led by the Lord to start a men’s home, a place where the homeless and those struggling with addiction would be welcomed, saved and delivered through the hearing of the Gospel. He has expanded from that over the years to open a woman’s shelter, a family shelter, a thrift store and a farm. It blessed our heart to spend time with them and to see just how amazing the Lord is. Not only does the Lord provide Pastor Rick’s ministry with an abundance of rooms and shelters, but every place has electricity, every place has air conditioning, every place has adequate facilities - truly no need goes unmet. Pastor Rick sees first-hand how Jesus provides for all the details and felt led to support our own ministry with a monthly pledge of from his young church - our very first from a congregation!

Calendar of Events

• October 3 - Northeast Florida Baptist Association (Jacksonville)
• October 6 - New Hope FWB Church (Two Egg Florida)
• October 13 - First Baptist Church Debary (Debary Florida)
• November - Return to Vietnam mid-November
• Late November - Pastor training in Northern Vietnam
• December - Christmas outreach with over 1000 expected to attend and hear the good news of Jesus’ birth
• January 2014 - Classes begin for the Bible Institute in Vietnam

Prayer Requests

• Pray for us as we travel around visiting churches
• Pray for our health, for our relationship with the Lord and with one another
• Pray for our ability to meet our monthly budgeted living expenses. ($2000 a month)
• Pray for our ability to purchase our tickets to fly back to Vietnam ($2800 for two)
• Pray for our ability to acquire a moto-bike for transportation in Vietnam ( $2000)
• Pray for Shaun’s visa to Vietnam and for Liên’s Green Card for here in the U.S
• Pray for the Lord to protect us as we begin teaching in January
• Pray for the Pastors who will be coming to the Bible College/Bible Institute. They will need financial support.
• Pray about sponsoring a Pastor ($50 a month)
• Pray about helping us meet the operating costs of the Bible Institute ($1000 a month)
• Pray for the Lord to raise up bold financial partners
• Pray for the people of Vietnam, 59% of which have never heard the Gospel
• Pray that revival will sweep through that nation and spill over to the surrounding countries.