101 - Intentional Happiness

Dr. Thien Doan was born in Saigon, Vietnam and immigrated to the United States of America at the age of one. Their first home in America was a tent in a refugee camp located on the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in Oceanside, California.

He grew up in a half Buddhist and half Catholic family in an inner-city community in South Los Angeles. Difficult childhood experiences led him to find God as a teenager. After experiencing a radical conversion, he entered into ministry.

Even though he barely graduated high school, Thien became the first person in his family to go to college. A graduate of Bible College and of Talbot Theological Seminary, Biola University with a Masters and Doctoral degrees, he has been working in the area of church planting in various roles for more than a decade. He has personally planted three churches in Southern California and worked as assessor, coach, consultant, and strategist for several church planting organizations including the Acts 29 Network, Southern Baptist Convention, Evangelical Free Churches of America, and the LaunchStrong / Multiply Network.

He is a sought-after speaker and has spoken and lectured at conferences and universities for The Gospel Coalition, Biola University, Golden Gate Theological Seminary, Acts 29 Network, The Reformed Church of America, and the Union University of California.

He is the founding pastor of three churches and is the lead pastor of Citylights Church in in Little Saigon, Orange County, which is among the first church plants targeting one of the least-reached people groups in North America.

Thien has written three books on Christian living and leadership, two of which were number one bestsellers in their categories. He is a sought-after speaker and has spoken and lectured at churches, conferences, and universities in four continents, including in his native country of Vietnam. Currently, his passion is helping to start and grow socially-responsible businesses that will make the world a better place.

Thien and his wife Kerry have been married for almost two decades and have three children and live in Fountain Valley, California. Both Kerry and Thien are huge Lakers fans and very excited that the Lake Show is back!