WASHINGTON, DC (ANS) -- Dr. Chauncey Crandall, nationally-known cardiologist and evangelist, led the “Fresh Oil, New Wine, (Ðai Hoi Phuc Hung 2009) Revival Conference” at the Vietnamese Baptist Church in Houston, Texas from October 8-12, 2009. Featured speakers included Sharon Angel Gartman and Senior Pastor Khanh Huynh.

Dr. Crandall prays for a man’s healing

Many “signs and wonders” of God’s power were in evidence, as Dr. Crandall and the church’s ministerial staff prayed and laid hands on hundreds of people after every session. Wave after wave were slain in the Spirit. Fifteen accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior for the first time. More than twenty healings were reported, including restored sight.

This yearly conference has become a focal point for the entire Vietnamese charismatic community, not only in the United States but around the world. Its 906 registrants included 110 pastors and 68 representatives from overseas. The event was broadcast via the internet and viewed in many parts of Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). It was also seen in Norway, Denmark, Korea, Greece, Germany and other nations.

Dr. Chauncey Crandall became well-known in 2006 when a patient who had been declared dead came back to life after the cardiologist prayed for him. Dr. Crandall provides his patients with the best of conventional medicine as well as the power of faith. At the conference he spoke of the many supernatural healings he has seen, including a woman healed of pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Crandall (right) preaches as Senior Pastor Khanh Huynh closely translates.

Dr. Crandall was particularly impressed by the spirit of freedom the Vietnamese gathering displayed in their worship. The church’s worship team led the gathering in rocking versions of praise songs, and every session saw a portion of the crowd vigorously dancing before the podium.

“These people have known such oppression and suffering,” Dr. Crandall said. “They are enjoying the freedom of the Lord in their worship.”

The church’s leadership includes men and women with horrific backgrounds. Assistant Pastor Buu Tu Chung was a prisoner-of-war in North Vietnam for 14 years before immigrating to America. During the communist take-over the senior pastor’s wife, Jennifer Hanh Huynh, was separated from her five younger sisters, whom she would not see for twenty years. She became one of the “boat people,” landing in a refugee camp on Guam before coming to America.

The Vietnamese community has known not only political but spiritual oppression as well. Spirit-worship is common to Vietnamese Buddhism and most take the reality of demons for granted. As a result few Vietnamese are interested in a philosophical or moral approach to religion, explains Associate Pastor Lam “LT” Chuong.

“They are only interested in Christianity if the Christian God has the power to deliver them from evil,” he added.

American-born young adults among the Vietnamese face their own challenges. Negotiating the traditionally high expectations of their parents and the greater freedom of choice of Western culture catches many in a double-bind. Some are rejected by their Buddhist parents because of their acceptance of Christianity. Others find themselves unsuited to the professional callings—doctors, lawyers, and engineers-their parents ceaselessly advocate. “Nearly everyone in my generation feels unworthy,” says Anh Tuan Nguyen (known by his friends as “Andy”). “Only in Christ can we find acceptance.”

For more information about the conference, pictures of the event, and other postings, go to http://www.vbcweb.org. Dr. Crandall’s website can be found at www.chaunceycrandallmd.com.

Harold Fickett writes full-time. He is the author of The Living Christ, Dancing With the Divine, and a forthcoming biography of Albert Schweitzer. He is also a contributing editor of www.godspy.com, where he contributes columns on world Christianity and spirituality. Harold lives in Nacogdoches where, as a latter-day facsimile of a Southern gentleman, he takes care of his mother, his children, and a dog named Roxie and a cat name Gracie. (His wife, Karen, actually takes care of everybody but allows her husband his illusions.)