Cuong had a drug addiction for 40 years before he met Earthen Vessels Church Senior Pastor Khoi Doan in a laneway behind his house. A simple question led to a journey of discipleship and eventually to Cuong finding belonging within the welcoming church family of Earthen Vessels.
On the day they met, Khoi said he asked Cuong whether he wanted to get better. “He said yes, and then I promised to journey with him all the way,” Khoi said. One of Cuong’s church friends told him that Jesus was the only one who could get him through the hard battle he was facing. The members of Earthen Vessels Church (EVC) supported Cuong’s decision to go to the Aquila Centre in Vietnam, a Christian ministry dedicated to assisting people who have a drug addiction. One of the Aquila pastors said that when Cuong arrived, he “had no faith, no hope and no life left in him,” but he did have “a repentance and a desire to start his life over”. Through prayer and a long journey surrounded by the love of the EVC congregation and the Aquila community, Cuong saw victory over his addiction.
“Without God I wouldn’t be who I am today,” Cuong said. “My life wasn’t very good; I was going downhill. I’d been trying to quit my addictions for decades. This time I managed to quit and I’m so happy. I believe God would transform a lot of people’s lives if I could be transformed.”
EVC aims to serve its local community as “the hands of the Potter” – to bring hope, love and restoration to people. Khoi said, “Our church may be small in number, but it is made up of people whom God has called to meet the needs He has placed around us.”
Another way that EVC practices this is by distributing food to students at Deakin University every fortnight. A volunteer team collects groceries, frozen meals and household items from various organisations and makes up 100-150 parcels to distribute. “It’s a chance for us to engage with the students as we serve and care for their needs. We are considering engaging someone local to start an Alpha or similar course with the students, which will give them insight into Christianity and why we are giving groceries away. A number of people have started attending the church through our community engagement ministries and our aim is to teach them about following Christ until they understand what it means before they make a commitment. EVC greatly appreciates the volunteers, donors, and especially those from beyond EVC, particularly the BUV’s support.”
Later this year, the church hopes to start a food-distribution ministry in South Yarra, and to open a student rooming house in the current church manse building. “Please pray for us as we sense where God is leading us to love and care for those within our new neighbourhood.”
EVC marked its 45th anniversary, and the first anniversary of its new South Yarra home, with a service on June 6 to praise God for the wonderful things He has done through the church. God has been working through each member as a character in His story, moulding each one according to His will, to bring glory to His name. Through every season, God has been faithful.