FHMAC Church History
AT LAST, A SENSE OF BELONGING
The Hmong people are know by the oppressive experience they encountered in their journey for existent through ages. Yet survived by the spiritual guidance of their Creator, for a minority race of His creations remain who they are, today.
As immigrants and being Christians, we have never forgotten the blessing God has given us since the beginning of time. With a fully guaranteed promise by the Lord Jesus that, “… I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. “Matthew 28:20. It does not matter what circumstance we are in.
A GLANCING BACK IN TIME. In 1928, Christianity was brought to Laos by an American missionary, Dr. G.E. Roffe. However, the proclamation of the Good News did not reach the Hmong until 1949, when a missionary named, I. Adrianoffe, an associate of Dr. G.E. Roffe, took the effort to bring the Good News to the Hmong tribe. Before long, the first Hmong (family) was converted to Christian. Due to rich family tradition through extended family and marriage bond, one family could bring missionaries boo the next family, comfortably. After an initial conversion to Christian, some of the men and young men were recruited to Bible training camp. Churches were built for their stationary upon completion of training.
With the exception that Laos is a small land lock country in Southeast Asia with huge forest, mountainous, and transportation difficulty, only a committed missionary can submitted his/her commitment to convert the native to become Christian, a reality. From 1950 to 1973, there were about 15,225 people became Protestant Christian. For those prominence Christians, Christianity became part of their day to day lives.
Unfortunately, in 1975, the Communist took over Laos and what we built was destroyed. The things that we own were taken away. The only direction that freedom still reign, supposedly, was where the sun set. The Hmong who supported the American during the American-Vietnam conflict fled to refugee camps in Thailand.
In 1976, the refugees were permitted to seek asylum in third countries. Most of the refugees chose their place of exile in the United States. In particular, the pioneer members of the First Hmong Missionary Alliance Church were sponsored by local churches in Wausau, such as, Trinity Lutheran Church (Tong Xeng Thao’s family), Pilgrim Lutheran Church (Rev. Yong Vang Thao’s family), and St. Mark Lutheran Church (Wang Chao Her’s family). Worshipping God has not been the same. Cultural differences and language barrier became an obstacle to us. But, whatever the consequences may be, making something happening that would give us in return, a feeling at home is always what we cherished.
THE FIRST HMONG MISSIONARY ALLIANCE CHURCH. The First Hmong Missionary Alliance Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) in Wausau began without a name. Informally, in early 1979, church services were held in a family home, at 517 S. 5th Ave; the very spot of present day Trinity Lutheran School playground. The house was occupied by Sa Sai Thao’s family. Only six Hmong families with no more than 15 people attended services. Pastor Yong Vang Thao was our minister at the time. Although, our future in worshipping the Lord was uncertain, we faithfully build our strength with a big dream. A dream that, some days in the future, we will be worshipping the Lord Jesus in a church of our own.
As more refugees were allowed to settle in the U.S., a number of families came to Wausau and became member in our church. Also, some members migrated from other states and cities in Wisconsin to Wausau. This rapid increased in attendance let to the borrowing of the Pilgrim Lutheran Church sanctuary in the mid 1979. Thanks to the Rev. Hendrickson and members of the Pilgrim Lutheran Church for their generosity. Our church became a full church body in 1980. Regular church services were held. Church elders and officers were elected to lead the church. The growth of membership not only strengthened our faith, but also multiplied our congregation’s activities. Yet, the name First Hmong Missionary Alliance Church had not been legally found until 1983. That same year, membership in our church showed much interest in building a church for ourselves; for, we can best worship the Lord and serve Him freely as we so choose. At least, this was a premise developed and arises in every one’s mind.
A drive for a place at home boosted our interest to pursue for this important project. However, it had not been easy building a church in this country. Most of the things people do here involved some type of regulation. While in the mountainous homeland of the Hmong, there had not statutes involved chop down trees, and cut bamboo, including free labor, contract with Construction Company, etc. to build our church for us. Lots of paper work must be fulfilled. And all of this cost a bundle.
THE DIFFICULT TASK. At first, it seemed impossible to erect this church to glorify our Lord. But, to achieve this goal, we must seek support from our new neighbors, new friends, and a lot of effort from our members. This included fund raising, donations, and pledges from whatever we can offer. Considering the fact that most so our member are of low to moderate income families, an enormous effort must be put up. For this purpose, we worked in ginseng gardens, campaigned for support from local churches, collected aluminum cans, sell hand crafts or ornaments, and sell foods. Also, each family has been provided with a little church bank for their children to save coins. And churches of the Christian and Missionary Alliance also sent in their contributions of support us. Financially, members of local American churches also donated. The results of all the effort we gave and all the support we received were accounted for at the end of each month. At this time (to account for the every all of us gave, see table B). All the small efforts joined together lead to a big accomplishment out of a big dream.
A LAST FINISHING TOUCH. To release some of the burdens on our members, we deducted cost by purchasing paints and painted the walls by ourselves, both internal and external. We helped to put pews in the chapel; also, sowed grass seeds on the landscape. There were other things, such as, kitchen wares, chairs, maintenance equipments, chalkboards, etc. Contributed by our church members, whom we can never count, only, God can preserve their contributions.
Christianity had taught us on being the kind of human being our Creator wants us to be. For 40 years we have learned much from the Good News. The Bible teaches us to love and care for ourselves as well as others, because without love, each and every one of us is very fragile. Today we can genuinely say that each of us had tried our best to preserve our human potential in God’s creation.
The Hmong people are know by the oppressive experience they encountered in their journey for existent through ages. Yet survived by the spiritual guidance of their Creator, for a minority race of His creations remain who they are, today.
As immigrants and being Christians, we have never forgotten the blessing God has given us since the beginning of time. With a fully guaranteed promise by the Lord Jesus that, “… I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. “Matthew 28:20. It does not matter what circumstance we are in.
A GLANCING BACK IN TIME. In 1928, Christianity was brought to Laos by an American missionary, Dr. G.E. Roffe. However, the proclamation of the Good News did not reach the Hmong until 1949, when a missionary named, I. Adrianoffe, an associate of Dr. G.E. Roffe, took the effort to bring the Good News to the Hmong tribe. Before long, the first Hmong (family) was converted to Christian. Due to rich family tradition through extended family and marriage bond, one family could bring missionaries boo the next family, comfortably. After an initial conversion to Christian, some of the men and young men were recruited to Bible training camp. Churches were built for their stationary upon completion of training.
With the exception that Laos is a small land lock country in Southeast Asia with huge forest, mountainous, and transportation difficulty, only a committed missionary can submitted his/her commitment to convert the native to become Christian, a reality. From 1950 to 1973, there were about 15,225 people became Protestant Christian. For those prominence Christians, Christianity became part of their day to day lives.
Unfortunately, in 1975, the Communist took over Laos and what we built was destroyed. The things that we own were taken away. The only direction that freedom still reign, supposedly, was where the sun set. The Hmong who supported the American during the American-Vietnam conflict fled to refugee camps in Thailand.
In 1976, the refugees were permitted to seek asylum in third countries. Most of the refugees chose their place of exile in the United States. In particular, the pioneer members of the First Hmong Missionary Alliance Church were sponsored by local churches in Wausau, such as, Trinity Lutheran Church (Tong Xeng Thao’s family), Pilgrim Lutheran Church (Rev. Yong Vang Thao’s family), and St. Mark Lutheran Church (Wang Chao Her’s family). Worshipping God has not been the same. Cultural differences and language barrier became an obstacle to us. But, whatever the consequences may be, making something happening that would give us in return, a feeling at home is always what we cherished.
THE FIRST HMONG MISSIONARY ALLIANCE CHURCH. The First Hmong Missionary Alliance Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) in Wausau began without a name. Informally, in early 1979, church services were held in a family home, at 517 S. 5th Ave; the very spot of present day Trinity Lutheran School playground. The house was occupied by Sa Sai Thao’s family. Only six Hmong families with no more than 15 people attended services. Pastor Yong Vang Thao was our minister at the time. Although, our future in worshipping the Lord was uncertain, we faithfully build our strength with a big dream. A dream that, some days in the future, we will be worshipping the Lord Jesus in a church of our own.
As more refugees were allowed to settle in the U.S., a number of families came to Wausau and became member in our church. Also, some members migrated from other states and cities in Wisconsin to Wausau. This rapid increased in attendance let to the borrowing of the Pilgrim Lutheran Church sanctuary in the mid 1979. Thanks to the Rev. Hendrickson and members of the Pilgrim Lutheran Church for their generosity. Our church became a full church body in 1980. Regular church services were held. Church elders and officers were elected to lead the church. The growth of membership not only strengthened our faith, but also multiplied our congregation’s activities. Yet, the name First Hmong Missionary Alliance Church had not been legally found until 1983. That same year, membership in our church showed much interest in building a church for ourselves; for, we can best worship the Lord and serve Him freely as we so choose. At least, this was a premise developed and arises in every one’s mind.
A drive for a place at home boosted our interest to pursue for this important project. However, it had not been easy building a church in this country. Most of the things people do here involved some type of regulation. While in the mountainous homeland of the Hmong, there had not statutes involved chop down trees, and cut bamboo, including free labor, contract with Construction Company, etc. to build our church for us. Lots of paper work must be fulfilled. And all of this cost a bundle.
THE DIFFICULT TASK. At first, it seemed impossible to erect this church to glorify our Lord. But, to achieve this goal, we must seek support from our new neighbors, new friends, and a lot of effort from our members. This included fund raising, donations, and pledges from whatever we can offer. Considering the fact that most so our member are of low to moderate income families, an enormous effort must be put up. For this purpose, we worked in ginseng gardens, campaigned for support from local churches, collected aluminum cans, sell hand crafts or ornaments, and sell foods. Also, each family has been provided with a little church bank for their children to save coins. And churches of the Christian and Missionary Alliance also sent in their contributions of support us. Financially, members of local American churches also donated. The results of all the effort we gave and all the support we received were accounted for at the end of each month. At this time (to account for the every all of us gave, see table B). All the small efforts joined together lead to a big accomplishment out of a big dream.
A LAST FINISHING TOUCH. To release some of the burdens on our members, we deducted cost by purchasing paints and painted the walls by ourselves, both internal and external. We helped to put pews in the chapel; also, sowed grass seeds on the landscape. There were other things, such as, kitchen wares, chairs, maintenance equipments, chalkboards, etc. Contributed by our church members, whom we can never count, only, God can preserve their contributions.
Christianity had taught us on being the kind of human being our Creator wants us to be. For 40 years we have learned much from the Good News. The Bible teaches us to love and care for ourselves as well as others, because without love, each and every one of us is very fragile. Today we can genuinely say that each of us had tried our best to preserve our human potential in God’s creation.