Biography

I. Childhood and School Years

Pastor Nguyễn Thanh Khiết was born on January 2, 1941, in the village of Phú Mỹ Tây, Nhà Bè District, Gia Định Province.

He grew up in a family of nine siblings; his parents were Mr. Nguyễn Văn Đậu and Mrs. Võ Thị Sửu.

As a child, he attended elementary school in his home village, then moved to Phú Xuân Hội Village to complete his elementary education.

As he grew older, he moved to Saigon to study at the private Tiên Long School (District 1) and later at the renowned Petrus Ký High School^[1] on Cộng Hòa Street.

Naturally gifted and with a passion for numbers, he was admitted to Saigon University of Education, majoring in mathematics.

In 1968, only 11 students^[2] graduated from the Mathematics Department at Saigon University of Education. He was one of the 11 students who graduated in the summer of 1968 in accordance with the university’s administrative directive.

II. A Devoted Teacher and a Loving Family

After graduating, Teacher Nguyễn Thanh Khiết was assigned to teach at Nghĩa Tử National High School^[3] from 1968 to 1975.

He then continued his career in education and, for a time, served as the administrator of Nhà Bè High School.

Throughout his years in the classroom, he devoted himself to imparting knowledge and love to countless generations of students.

In 1967, he married Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Xuân.

The couple welcomed four children into their home: Thanh Huy, Thanh Hùng, Thùy Dương, and Thanh Châu.

To his wife and children, he was always a deeply responsible husband and father. To his parents and siblings, he was a dutiful son and the pride of the entire family.

III. His Path to Faith and the Journey Across the Sea

In 1980, he officially accepted the Lord at Trần Cao Vân Church.

Around 1983, to prepare for the journey to find freedom for his family, he temporarily set aside his teaching to take up the extremely arduous work of shrimp dredging.

In April 1989, he and his family fled the country and arrived on Galang Island^[4], Indonesia.

Recalling the vow he had made to the Lord while still in Vietnam—that he would lead his entire family to accept Him once they reached a place of safety—he fulfilled that promise.

On April 15, 1990, he and his entire family were baptized at Galang II Church.

IV. A New Beginning in the United States and a Life of Service to the Lord

In early February 1992, his family officially arrived in the United States.

There, to earn a living and provide for his family, he worked while diligently pursuing his studies at the Vietnamese-American District Theological Seminary^[5].

In 2005, he graduated with a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry.

He spent some time worshiping and serving the Lord at Saint Louis Church (Missouri).

Later, he and his wife moved to Texas to live closer to their children, continuing to serve the Lord diligently at Grand Prairie Church until 2023.

As he got older, he retired and began attending and worshiping at Green Oaks Church. Throughout his years of ministry in various places, he brought the Gospel of salvation to many people.

V. Words of Gratitude and Mourning

Pastor Nguyễn Thanh Khiết lived a life of fulfillment: wholeheartedly serving the Lord, devotedly caring for his students, and living a life of quiet sacrifice for his family and friends.

He was always caring, ready to give of himself, and eager to help those around him—sometimes to the point of forgetting himself.

His passing has left an immeasurable sense of loss for his loved ones, friends, and the children of God.

Though that familiar voice is no longer with us, the love, guidance, and goodness he sowed in this life will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.