HIF is a Christian family of internationals living and working in Hanoi, Vietnam. We welcome all who seek to know, worship and serve Jesus Christ. Started in 1995 by a dozen expats meeting in a living room, HIF today consists of three congregations in two locations with over 550 people and 50+ nationalities in regular attendance. You can join us at one of these Sunday services or in any of our numerous activities. You are most welcome!
Join HIF and become a part of this spiritual family. Especially if you’re far away from home and home church, we are brothers and sisters in Christ together. Some might even be spiritual uncles and aunts, grandparents to your children, or you might become a spiritual mother or father to new believers!
Pastor Jacob leading the Youth Worship Team during the “Daewoo Days”
Prior to the establishment of HIF, all expat Christians attended an ecumenical group at the UN apartments in Van Phuc. Since it was liturgical in style, those from evangelical traditions discussed ways to create a service in an evangelical style. As a result, HIF was started on 27 August 1995, with a dozen people meeting in the home of Stewart Stemple on Tran Hung Dao Street. After 2 to 3 months the group rented a room in the HITC building on Xuan Thuy Street, experiencing immediate
growth with the addition of Filipino brothers and sisters.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT & ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Shilpa serves as HIF’s Administrative Support & Engagement Coordinator, helping people feel welcomed, connected, and engaged in the life of the church. Through her role, she supports newcomer engagement, member connections, and the many behind-the-scenes processes that help people find meaningful community and take…
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR
Fresh out of British University Vietnam and officially the Gen Z representative of the HIF team, Giang brings young energy, creativity, and a whole lot of heart to everything she does. She joined the HIF family in December 2023, went through Foundation Class, began volunteering…
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Kester has been part of the HIF family since 1997, serving as an elder from 2020 and stepping into the role of Associate Pastor in 2026. Born in New Zealand and raised mostly in Melbourne, Australia, he has now spent more than half his life calling Vietnam…
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EXTERNAL RELATIONS DIRECTOR
Emily Ngoan first walked through the doors of Hanoi International Fellowship in 2014, and it was here that she came to faith and was baptized. What began as a personal journey with God has since grown into over a decade of faithful service,…
LEAD PASTOR
Jacob has served as HIF’s Lead Pastor since 2005. He also founded Love Your City and Love Hanoi, and serves as Catalyst for the Lausanne Movement’s Cities Network, helping start and strengthen urban mission networks around the world. Through these roles, he loves helping form a kaleidoscopic…
ADMINISTRATOR
If the church is the head, Marian is the neck that turns it. As Administrator at Hanoi International Fellowship, she works quietly and faithfully behind the scenes to keep the church’s operations and administrative needs running smoothly, so that every ministry and every person can be served well.…
DIRECTOR TECH, MEDIA & MUSIC, Coordinator & Mentor African Fellowship, Hanoi Vietna
. Tomi has been part of the Hanoi community since 2010, and in that time, his heart for people and ministry has only grown deeper. Not long after arriving, he immediately started what began as a Nigerian…
YOUTH DIRECTOR, HIF ELDER, HIF ECOPARK LEAD PASTOR
Peter is a pastor, teacher, and encourager who loves helping people feel seen, known, and drawn closer to Jesus, preferably with a good suit, a good laugh, and the occasional impression along the way. He describes himself first and foremost as…