Who We Are
The First Vietnamese Protestant Church in New Mexico
The Vietnamese Baptist Church of Albuquerque (VBC) traces its roots to 1994, when a small group of Vietnamese Christian refugees began gathering for home Bible studies. Burdened for their fellow Vietnamese neighbors — many living in a rough part of town close to the only Asian market in the city — these early believers made a deliberate choice to go where the people were.
Week after week, after Bible study, they visited Vietnamese families — bringing practical help like clothes and rice, and above all, the gospel of Jesus Christ. On April 13, 1996, the congregation was formally constituted. On December 5, 1999, founding member Thai Nguyen answered God's call and became the church's first pastor.
For many years, VBC was the first and only Vietnamese Protestant church in Albuquerque — and in the entire state of New Mexico. Today, around 60 members and friends gather each week to worship, grow in God's Word, and carry that same outward mission forward.
Thank God for His faithfulness.
Our History
Milestones of Grace
1994
A Seed Is Planted
A small group of Vietnamese Christian refugees began gathering for home Bible studies. Among them was a young family — Pastor Tan Thai, his wife expecting their third child, and a handful of others with nothing but faith and a deep love for their people. That third child, carried to those first meetings, would one day become a doctor. God was already at work.
Mid-1990s
Moving to Crestview
The group moved to a small room at Crestview Baptist Church — in a neighborhood known locally as the "war zone," marked by drugs and crime, yet home to many Vietnamese refugee families drawn by low rent and the city's only Asian market. The believers chose Crestview deliberately, to be near the people they loved. After every Bible study, they visited families — bringing clothes, rice, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
April 13, 1996
The Church Is Constituted
The congregation was formally constituted as the Vietnamese Baptist Church of Albuquerque. Even without a pastor, the believers pressed on — worshiping, praying, and trusting God to provide.
December 5, 1999
A Pastor Answers the Call
Pastor Tan Thai — one of the church's original members — answered God's call and was ordained as the first and founding pastor of the Vietnamese Baptist Church. His faithful shepherding has shaped the church's character and mission ever since.
December 21, 2007
Our Home
After years of meeting in borrowed spaces, God provided. The congregation purchased its own church building — a milestone of grace that gave the church a permanent place to gather, worship, and serve the Albuquerque community.
2000s – Present
Growth and Continued Faithfulness
As more Vietnamese families made Albuquerque their home, the church grew in number and depth. For many years VBC was the first and only Vietnamese Protestant church in Albuquerque — and in the entire state of New Mexico. Around 60 members and friends now gather each week to worship, grow, and carry that same mission forward.
Our Mission
Making Disciples
Making disciples who love God, love one another, and love our city — equipped to live for Christ in every area of life.
Our Vision
Living Hope
A church where Vietnamese and English-speaking families worship together, every generation is grounded in Scripture, and Albuquerque encounters the living hope of Jesus Christ.
Our Values
Word · Prayer · Community
We value the authority of God's Word, fervent prayer, genuine fellowship, gospel-centered worship, and faithful service — to both the Vietnamese community and our broader city.
Doctrine
What We Believe
We are a confessional Baptist church. Our beliefs are grounded in the whole counsel of God's Word. Tap any statement to read more.
Leadership
Meet Our Pastor
coming soon
Pastor Tan Thai
Founding & Senior Pastor
Pastor Tan Thai was among the very first members of the Vietnamese Baptist Church — present from its earliest days as a home Bible study. He witnessed firsthand how a small group of faithful believers, armed with nothing but rice, secondhand clothes, and the gospel, began changing lives in Albuquerque's Vietnamese community.
On December 5, 1999, Pastor Tan Thai answered God's call and was ordained as the church's founding pastor — a role he has faithfully held for over 25 years. His ministry is marked by a deep love for Scripture, a shepherd's heart for each person, and an unwavering commitment to the Great Commission.
Under his leadership, VBC grew from a borrowed room to the first and only Vietnamese Protestant church in New Mexico — a testimony to what God does through one faithful "yes."
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."— 1 Peter 1:3
Join Us
You Are Welcome Here
9:30 AM
Sunday
Sunday School
All Ages
10:30 AM
Sunday
Worship Service
Livestream available
All Week
Bible Study & Prayer
Contact us for schedule
📍 3311 Tower Rd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121
📞 505-440-5416 | ✉ msthai@gmail.com
For a full weekly schedule, please contact us — we'd love to hear from you.
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