FROM HMONG OUTREACH MINISTRIES

(California-Nevada-Hawaii District)

(December, 2005)

 

LAUNCHING LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM

 

The underlining component of HMong Outreach Ministries is leadership training.  Without equipping the leaders, our new ministries throughout the church will not be effective.  We are “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up...(Ephesians 4:12)”  This is our central theme, the heart of HMong Outreach Ministries.  We will be launching a two-year leadership training program next month (January 2006).  This is a major undertaking that will require tremendous supports from all our ministries and congregations.  For more details, please contact pastorkou@stpaulmerced.com or 209-722-8725.

 

 

A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

 

On November 3rd, representatives from all of our California-Neveda-Hawaii District (C-N-H) HMong ministries met at Pastor Kou and Maykou’s home for the first joint leadership meeting.  It was a time for all the leaders of various ministries to come together and get to know one another as co-workers in His harvest field.  As usual, Maykou prepared a delicious lunch for all to enjoy.  Among other topics of discussion, it was decided that we would have a joint Christmas celebration for all our C-N-H HMong ministries on Christmas Eve beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Merced.  A catered luncheon will be served following the worship service.

        

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH-HMONG MINISTRY:

 

As a part of our Sunday morning activities, our young people are preparing special songs for the Christmas celebration.  Our new Sunday morning schedule has allowed times for both Sunday school and choir rehearsal.  We look forward to the participation of our young people in this wonderful Christ’s festival that we call Christmas.

 

THE OUTREACH NEWS:

 

On the evening of November 9th, Pastor Kou and John Whaley, our District Southern Mission Counselor, met with the leaders of Peace Lutheran Church in Fresno to discuss the possibility of Peace being a partner church with our HMong ministry in Fresno.  It was a very encouraging meeting.  There were over 20 leaders in attendance representing various areas of Peace’s ministry including the council and the board of elders.  It is our prayers that by the time you read this newsletter Peace will have their special voters’ meeting and our HMong ministry in Fresno will already have a place to worship and a place to proclaim the good news of Jesus to the largest concentrated HMong community in California—a 30,000 plus population, but less than 15% are Christians.

 

As a part of Greenhaven Lutheran Church Reformation Sunday, the church hosted Halloween activities for the children.  Many of our HMong children from our HMong ministry there enjoyed being a part of those activities.  As a part of the Sunday school times, the children are preparing for a Christmas program.  Since Sunday school began, we have seen an increase and consistency in worship attendance.

 

As Fresno ministry is established, we are now turning our attention to Stockton and San Jose for our next new ministry starts.  At the last circuit #3 pastoral meeting, these areas were discussed.  We are quite uplifted by the encouragement for church planting from the pastors and deacons that were there including our district representatives.  It is the hope of HMong Outreach Ministries to plant new ministries in these areas by the beginning of 2006.  Planting new churches or ministries is not the goal in itself; “make disciples of all nations” is what planting new ministries is all about and it is what our Lord commands.  We are very excited about these new possibilities.

 

As HMong ministries expand in the West Coast, Pastor Kou covers a vast geographical area.  IF ANYONE CAN PROVIDE A SINGLE-ENGINE AIRPLANE, PLEASE LET PASTOR KOU KNOW.  He holds a commercial pilot license with an instrument rating.  An airplane would help to save an immense amount of times and it would also cut the costs of associating with travels.  If you can help, please let him know.

 

CHINA PROJECT:

 

We have received words from China that the process of evaluation and application has been completed and the first sites for construction of our water projects have been identified and need to begin soon to take advantage of the dry season before the next monsoon season.  The two areas are Malong and Xuanwei in the Yunnan Province.  The total costs for these two areas estimated to be $8,900.  These two major water projects will cover six villages that lie within the Malong and Xuanwei area.  We continue to invite everyone to be a part of this life essential endeavor for our brothers and sisters in China. 

 

Pastor Kou has been invited to visit China in the Spring to explore other ministry opportunities especially the HMong pastoral training.  Our missionary, Rev. Rich Tursic, writes, “This training is immensely important and one that I hope that you will be able to join in the classroom personally.”  Another important exploratory will be the Wenshan Prefecture area in Southeastern Yunnan just above the Vietnam border.  Many millions of our HMong people live in this part of China.  However, this is a closed region that the good news of Jesus Christ has yet to penetrate in any significant way.    Pastor Kou and Maykou is planning to visit China in the Spring of 2006 to explore these areas and hope to pave the way for our church to reach out with the Gospel in these last few remaining untouched regions of the world.  If you are interested in supporting these projects, you may send your contribution to HMong Outreach Ministries: 2916 N. McKee Rd.; Merced, CA  95340 or contact Pastor Kou Seying (Kxf. Nyaj Kub Thoj) at pastorkou@stpaulmerced.com or 209-722-8725 for further information.

 

 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

 

Please pray for:

 

  • The launching of the leadership training program.
  • A blessed joint Christmas celebration for all the CNH HMong ministries.
  • Peace Lutheran Church in Fresno to open its door and hearts for a new HMong ministry there.
  • New ministry starts in Stockton and San Jose in 2006.
  • Our China projects—especially for the collection of funds from the earlier pledges in a timely manner.
  • A single-engine airplane to help cover the vast area of ministry more efficiently.
  • Safe travels for our loved ones during Christmas and New Year holidays.