HISTORY OF LCMS HMONG MINISTRIES

First of all, we want to thank the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, Districts and congregations for welcoming the Hmong people to this wonderful Synod. Secondly, we want to thank God and all of the congregations and Christian friends for your prayers and support to make the Hmong ministries possible in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

1. 1981 - Zong Houa Yang was certified by the Lay Ministry Institute at Concordia University Mequon. He was called to serve the Hmong ministry at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lansing, MI. He was the first Hmong pastor in the LCMS.
2. 1985 – Yia Vang and Yia Lee graduated from Lay Ministry Program in Mequon, WI.
3. 1986 – Two Hmong ministries in Mineapolis and St. Paul, MN stated in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s coming together to form the Hmong Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN. The ministry was served by Lay Ministers Yia Lee and Yia Vang.
4. 1986 – Hmong in LCMS and ELCA joined together to write the first Lutheran Hymnal.
5. 1987 – Yia Vang resigned from Hmong Lutheran Church to attended Concordia Mequon, WI. Wang Kao Her was commissioned as Deacon to serve the Hmong Lutheran Church with Yia Lee.
6. 1987 – The Hmong Evangelical Lutheran Church becomes the first Hmong chartered congregation in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. The congregation was served by Yia Lee and Wang Kao Her, who later resigned because of friction in the Church. Mr. Yia Lee also resigned to find a secular job.
7. 1991 – Wang Kao Her was asked to resign from the ministry.
8. 1992 - Yia Lee also resigned as Pastor of the Hmong Lutheran Church.
9. 1992 – Rev. Kouseying, the first Hmong ordained Hmong Pastor in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, was called to serve the Hmong Lutheran Church.
10. 1993 – Yia Vang completed his studies at Concordia Seminary St. Louis was called to be a MAL to the Hmong people in the SWD.
11. 1993 – Rev. Zong Houa Yang completed the Colloquy Program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fortwayne. He was called to continue his ministry in Lansing, MI.
12. 1993 – The first Hmong Lutheran Hyman was published by CPH.
13. 1994 – The SWD chartered the Hmong Lutheran Outreach of Oshkosh, WI to be the second Hmong congregation in the Luthean Church – Missouri Synod.
14. 1994 – Mr. Faivneng B. Her was commissioned as Deacon to serve the Hmong mission in Milwaukee.
15. 1995 – Hmong ministries formed the Hmong Mission Society (LCMS).
16. 1996 – North America Missions welcomed the Hmong ministries to form a Task Force and outreach began other Hmong communities in North America. Yia Vang was chosen as the Field Counselor to work with the North America Missions. During this year the LCMS Hmong ministries also formalized the Hmong Ministry Conference for all the Hmong ministries in North America. The first official conference was held in St. Paul, MN in 1996. Rev. Kouseying as the first chairman of the conference.
17. 1996 – Mr. Kue Ly was commissiond as Deacon to start Hmong mission in Green Bay.
18. 1996 – Rev. Kouseying resigned from the Hmong Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN to continue his studies with the Missiology Program at Fortwayne.
19. 1996 – Mr. Chang Tao Vang was commissioned as Deacon to serve the Hmong Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN.
20. 1997 – Dang Thao brought a group to join the LCMS.
21. 1997 – Nou Toua Yang was commissioned as Deacon to serve the Hmong ministry in Manitowoc.
22. The Hmong Mission Society LCMS was formed to serve the Hmong ministries.
23. 1998 – The CNHD commissioned Nou Vang Thao & Koua Thao as Deacons to start Hmong mission work in Merced, CA.
24. 1998 – Rev. Zong Houa Yang was the second chairman of the Hmong Ministry Conference.
25. 1999 – Koua Thao resigned from the ministry and moved to Utah.
26. 1999 – David Vang was commissioned as Deacon to start Hmong mission work in Hickory, NC. Enrolled in DELTO, but later joined EIIT.
27. 2000 – Dang Thao and his group cut off from the Hmong ministry groups, but still worship in a LCMS Church in Minneapolis.
28. 2000 – Yia Vang moved to Sheboygan to start a Hmong ministry there.
29. 2000 – Dr. Fungchatou Lo was commissioned to start a Hmong ministry in Brooklyn Park, MN. He also as chosen to the chairman of the Hmong Ministry Conference.
30. 2000 - IRS recognized the Hmong Mission Society (LCMS)
31. 2001 – The Hmong ministry in Milwaukee was chartered as the third Hmong congregation in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
32. 2001 - A group of Pastors and laymen visited Thailand to start mission work there.
33. 2001 – Cher Tou Vang was voted to be the chairman of the Hmong Ministry Conference.
34. 2002 – Neal Xiong was commissioned as Deacon to start Hmong ministry in Eau Claire, WI. Enrolled in EIIT.
35. 2002 – Blong Vang was commissioned as Deacon to start Hmong ministry in North Milwaukee. Enrolled in EIIT.
36. 2002 – Cher Toua Yang was commissioned as Deacon to serve the Hmong Lutheran Outreach in Oshkosh, WI. Enrolled in EIIT.
37. 2002 – Chia Thao was commissioned as Deacon to serve the Fox Cities Hmong Lutheran Church in Appleton, WI. Enrolled in EIIT.
38. 2003 – Dr. Fungchatou became the Hmong Mission Facilitator replacing Yia Vang.
39. 2003 - Faivneng B. Her, Kue Ly and Chang Tao Vang completed DELTO and become Pastors of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
40. 2004 – The first Luther’s Small Catechism in Hmong was published by Lutheran Heritage Foundation.
41. 2004 – Ponsak was commissioned as Deacon to serve the Hmong congregation in Kong Hoi Klai in Thailand. Phaav Hang, Tong and Ponsak are still in training to become Pastors for the Hmong ministries in Thailand.
42. 2004 – Two other men were being trained to become pastors in Thailand.
43. 2004 – Rev. Zong Houa took a call to Florida to start Hmong ministry there.
44. 2004 – Dr. Noulang Yang was commissioned as Deacon to serve the Hmong ministries in Richville, Lansing and as Hmong Mission Developer for the MI District.
45. 2004 – Dr. Fungchatou Lo was commissioned as Director of Hmong ministry in Brooklyn Park, MN and also Director of the Hmong Mission Society.
46. 2004 – Rev. Kouseying took a call to Merced, CA to be an Outreach Director for Hmong ministry in CA.
47. 2004 – A Music Committee was put together to write the first LCMS Hmong Hymnal with music notes. Hope to complete in 2008.
48. 2004 – Nou Toua Yang resigned from the ministry in Manitowoc for health reason.
49. 2004 – First LCMS Hmong congregation started in Thailand.
50. 2004 – Three Thai Hmong leaders were recruited.
51. 2005 – Nou Vang Thao resigned from the ministry in Merced, CA.
52. 2005 – Daniel Xiong was installed as a Deacon to do ministry in Charlotte, NC. and for the EIIT program.
53. 2005 – The SWD District called Faivneng Her to be MAL to the Manitowoc areas.
54. 2005 – Vicar Tswvblong Vang was installed to serve the Hmong Hope Lutheran Church and Hmong ministry at Benediction Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI.
55. 2005 - A ministry started at St. Stephanus Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN.
56. 2005 - Chia Yang was recruited to do ministry in Madison. He was interviewed by the SWD and approved for the EIIT program
57. 2005 – A ministry started in Sacramento, CA
58. 2005 – A ministry started in Fresno, CA
59. 2005 – A ministry started in Stockton, CA.
60. June 2005 – Rev. Faivneng received MAL assignment to serve in Manitowoc
61. March 2006 – A new ministry started in Taj Qeeb, Thailand
62. March 2006 – Commissioned Tong Vang and Phaav Hang to serve as Youth leader and Hmong language teachers in Thailand respectively
63. April 2006 – Kxh. Ntxoov Yag tsev tuabneeg moog ua Vaajtswv dlejnum nyob rua Hmong Hope Lutheran Church huv Milwaukee
64. July 2006 – Cher Toua Yang resigned from Hmong Lutheran Outreach in Oshkosh
65. Two more men recruited from the Chang village in Thailand to be trained as spiritual leaders in Thailand
66. Four EIIT have completed their training on December 2006. They will be interviewed in February 2007 to be ready for Call Day on April 2007
67. 2007 – Pastor Kouseing Thao resigned from St. Paul Merced to take a call as a Church Planters for the Hmong mission in CNH District
68. March 2007, the Thailand Hmong Mission started mission work in another Hmong village in Tak. 31 people were baptized. About 50 in all formed a new Hmong LCMS ministry in the village of Pajkha.
69. April 2007, Rev. Blong Vang received a call to the Hmong Lutheran Outreach in Oshkosh; Rev. Chia Thao received a call to serve the Fox Cities Hmong Lutheran Mission in Appleton; Rev. Neal Xiong received a call to serve the Hmong Lutheran Mission in Eau Claire, WI. Rev. David Vang received a call to serve the Hmong Lutheran ministry in Hickory, NC; Rev. Dr. Fungchatou Lo received a call to serve as a LCMS World Mission missionary to Indonesia.
70. January 2008, Mr. Moua Vang has completed the interviewd with the SWD to be enrolled with EIIT. He is serving the Hmong ministry at Benediction LC in Milwaukee, WI.