Coming Soon.

 

Mr. Nguyen Nam Trung, FL:

I'm now finishing up my doctoral dissertation in philosophy at Drew University, Madison, New Jersey.  I taught philosophy for two years at Seton Hall University, New Jersey.  Next fall semester I will be teaching humanities and philosophy at two colleges in Orlando.  I have a Master of Philosophy at Drew and a Master of Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary (Presbyterian seminary).  I am married with three boys : Jonathan (9), Jeremy (5), and Justin (4) (we call them "Three stooges").  My denomination is the Episcopal Church.  I'm in the process of getting ordained to become a priest.

Hobbies: reading, playing guitar, listening to jazz, writing, and horsing around with my boys.  If I were younger, I would be aspired to become either a professional singer/songwriter or a novelist. 

My Vietnamese favorite dish:  pho'` and bo` nhu'ng da^'m.

As to your question "What gives you pride and joy?" I would say that my wife is the one who instills pride in me and gives me joy. Next is my kids.

Regarding my becoming a priest in the Episcopal Church, I should make clear that, for those who are not yet aware of, the Episcopalian priests are allowed to get married (unlike Roman Catholic priests or nuns). In America, it's called "Episcopal Church," but in England, it's called the "Church of Anglican."

 

Mr. Pham Ngoc Dong, FL:

I was introduced to Christianity at a Judo class in Vietnam when I was about 15. A friend, whose name I do not remember, but will always be indebted to, introduced me to a correspondence study course by the Mennonites in Saigon.

At the end of the course, there was the big question: “Do you accept Christ as your Savior?”  I responded “YES” mainly because I figured that was the proper response to get a certificate of completion.  I got the certificate along with a list of churches of various denominations. I read and placed both in my paper box of interesting but rarely seen items.

A year later, I saw a Tin La`nh TV program.  At the end, there was an ad on a booklet with the title “Ddu+’ng hay Ngo^`i” which was supposedly available in all Tin La`nh churches.  I went to the HTTLVN at Tru+o+ng Minh Gia?ng, Saigon and asked for the booklet.  Instead of giving me the book, the librarian asked me to receive Christ. 

So I did, figuring he might let me see the booklet afterward.  The librarian, whose name I do not even know, never gave me the booklet I asked for.  Instead, he loaded me up with other materials, some were quite colorful, and invited me to come back for the youth group meeting.  I did.  I enjoyed the friendship of Ban Thanh Nie^n and attended the church regularly.

If someone asks me when I did receive Christ as my Savior, my best answer is, "I do not recall a single moment in my life that I made an U turn. Thanks to other Christians, I have turned toward Christ slowly and I am indebted to many wonderful people in my walk with Christ."

Rev. Le^ Vi~nh Tha.ch, however, did make one statement, significant for my Christian education.  At the time I over-heard it, he was addressing someone else and it's something like this, "If a person can spend 4 years in college to learn and get a professional job, the person should also spend 4 years to study the Bible.  Knowing the ways of the world may feed your body but knowing the Word of God will feed your soul." 

I made an attempt to feed my soul.  I studied at the Bethany Theological Seminary in Oak Brook, Illinois and received an MA in Theology in 1983.  

On food and fruits:
I find rau muo^'ng and gia' so^'ng symbolically relevant.

I inherit my parent's northern Vietnamese accent but I grew up in and is more at home with the southern Vietnamese sub-culture.

 

Katie Lebhar:

Katie Lebhar is a graduate of Messiah College with a degree in Theatre. She has participated in and taught drama at schools, missions, and camps for the past 8 years. She currently teaches middle school and high school theatre and speech at The First Academy in Orlando, FL. Her desire is to see the art of drama used effectively in worship, as she believes that it is a unique tool for the advancement of the Kingdom.