Hmong Mission in Hmong Mission in St. PaulSt. Paul

Agenda Agenda

DemographicsDemographics

PurposePurpose LCMS Hmong Ministry in St. PaulLCMS Hmong Ministry in St. Paul Challenges and Opportunity Challenges and Opportunity Vision for Growing Hmong Ministry Vision for Growing Hmong Ministry Proposal & BudgetProposal & Budget

QuestionsQuestions

DemographicsDemographics

Who are the Hmong?Who are the Hmong? Hmong originated in southern China & migrated into northern Laos and Hmong originated in southern China & migrated into northern Laos and

Thailand.Thailand. Most of the Hmong still practice Animism and ancestor worship.Most of the Hmong still practice Animism and ancestor worship.

Why & When? Why & When? The Hmong in St. Paul are from Laos and Thailand and started arriving in The Hmong in St. Paul are from Laos and Thailand and started arriving in

1976.1976. Many were sponsored by LCMS.Many were sponsored by LCMS.

Where are they now? Where are they now? 1) 1) CaliforniaCalifornia 38%38%2) 2) Minnesota Minnesota 25%25%3)3) WisconsinWisconsin 20%20%

• Minnesota has an estimated 2010 Hmong population of 97,600Minnesota has an estimated 2010 Hmong population of 97,600• About 39% lives in Ramsey County, estimated 38,111About 39% lives in Ramsey County, estimated 38,111

The Mission GroundThe Mission Ground

Bethlehem

Eastside St. PaulEastside St. Paul

Hmong in Ramsey County are highly concentrated in just a Hmong in Ramsey County are highly concentrated in just a few areas.few areas.– 55106, 55101, 55103, 55117, 5511955106, 55101, 55103, 55117, 55119– About 35% of the Hmong in Ramsey are in our neighborhood at About 35% of the Hmong in Ramsey are in our neighborhood at

55106.55106.– Based on the estimated 2010 Census it is an approximately Based on the estimated 2010 Census it is an approximately

13,770.13,770.– About 1 out of 4 students in the St Paul School District speak About 1 out of 4 students in the St Paul School District speak

Hmong. Hmong.

– In this neighborhood, 1 of 5 person are of Hmong ethnicity. In this neighborhood, 1 of 5 person are of Hmong ethnicity. • The blocks right outside the doors of Bethlehem shows 1 of 4 The blocks right outside the doors of Bethlehem shows 1 of 4

person are Hmong.person are Hmong.

Density of Hmong in St. PaulDensity of Hmong in St. Paul

Hmong Churches in St. Paul

There are 9 Hmong Churches in St. Paul.There are 9 Hmong Churches in St. Paul.

• In our Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood, there is just one other In our Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood, there is just one other church – United Methodist.church – United Methodist.

• In the areas highlighted, there are a 4 Hmong churches. 2 In the areas highlighted, there are a 4 Hmong churches. 2 United Methodist, 1 ELCA, and 1 Missionary Alliance.United Methodist, 1 ELCA, and 1 Missionary Alliance.

ChallengesChallenges

There are only two Hmong LCMS Congregations in the Twin Cities. There are only two Hmong LCMS Congregations in the Twin Cities. Currently, there is no Hmong Pastor serving the Hmong LCMS Currently, there is no Hmong Pastor serving the Hmong LCMS Congregations in the Twin Cities. Congregations in the Twin Cities.

The two Hmong Congregations continue to lose members due to The two Hmong Congregations continue to lose members due to spiritual needs being unmet, especially for limited English spiritual needs being unmet, especially for limited English speakers.speakers.

There is high interest from Hmong people to be part of a more There is high interest from Hmong people to be part of a more established LCMS Congregation since there are small groups of established LCMS Congregation since there are small groups of Hmong meeting at various locations. They are being served by an Hmong meeting at various locations. They are being served by an ordained pastor on an intermittent basis.ordained pastor on an intermittent basis.

Language and cultural barriers make it difficult to recruit new Language and cultural barriers make it difficult to recruit new Hmong members. Hmong members.

OpportunityOpportunity

Bethlehem is situated in the “perfect” location for an LCMS Hmong Bethlehem is situated in the “perfect” location for an LCMS Hmong ministry.ministry.

Bethlehem has a Hmong speaking service and existing Hmong Bethlehem has a Hmong speaking service and existing Hmong congregation that would be the seed for expansion to reach out congregation that would be the seed for expansion to reach out plant a stronger and new Hmong mission. plant a stronger and new Hmong mission.

This mission ground is excellent for spreading the “Good News” of This mission ground is excellent for spreading the “Good News” of the Bible to this ethnicity.the Bible to this ethnicity.

Collectively, MN LCMS South District, LINC, and Bethlehem can have Collectively, MN LCMS South District, LINC, and Bethlehem can have success in an urban ministry with Hmong.success in an urban ministry with Hmong.

Bethlehem is committed to using our resources to develop, mentor, Bethlehem is committed to using our resources to develop, mentor, plant, and grow this mission.plant, and grow this mission.

Our Vision: Grow Hmong Our Vision: Grow Hmong MinistryMinistry

Establish a new mission site in the northeastern part of St. Paul, Establish a new mission site in the northeastern part of St. Paul, Maplewood, and Oakdale. Maplewood, and Oakdale.

Begin outreach immediately to plant the new mission. Begin outreach immediately to plant the new mission.

Call Hmong pastor, preferably Rev Kou Seying to serve Bethlehem Call Hmong pastor, preferably Rev Kou Seying to serve Bethlehem Lutheran Church and also to grow the new mission because he has the Lutheran Church and also to grow the new mission because he has the following: following: Knowledge, experience, track record of being successful in the Hmong Knowledge, experience, track record of being successful in the Hmong

mission field. mission field. Bilingual, bicultural and inner city Hmong family experience.Bilingual, bicultural and inner city Hmong family experience.

If Rev Kou Seying does not accept the call, work to find another Hmong If Rev Kou Seying does not accept the call, work to find another Hmong pastor who can serve Bethlehem and grow the Hmong ministry. pastor who can serve Bethlehem and grow the Hmong ministry.

Within three years, Bethlehem will plan a third Hmong mission in the Within three years, Bethlehem will plan a third Hmong mission in the Cottage Grove/Woodbury area. Cottage Grove/Woodbury area.

Proposal & Budget Proposal & Budget

We are requesting $115,000 from MN LCMS South District. We are requesting $115,000 from MN LCMS South District. Bethlehem will allocate this amount over 4 years with the Bethlehem will allocate this amount over 4 years with the expectation of independently paying this Pastor starting in year 5.expectation of independently paying this Pastor starting in year 5.

- Pastor Robert Krueger retired on June 15, 2010. His funding - Pastor Robert Krueger retired on June 15, 2010. His funding could be redirected to fund our Hmong ministry.could be redirected to fund our Hmong ministry.

31K 31K 31K22K

32.3K 33.5K43.8K31K

66K

Year One Year Two Year Three Year Four Year Five

Proposed Budget Cost

and Sharing Over Time

Proposed Budget Cost

and Sharing Over Time

MN

Sou

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Tota

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ost

Beth

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Tota

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62K 63.3K 64.5K 65.8K 66K

The End The End

QuestionsQuestions