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God’s grace in Vietnam

This July, God’s grace could again be seen on WELS’ work in Vietnam with the formal building dedication of the new Theological Education Center in Hanoi and the graduation ceremony of the first class of 55 pastors from the Hmong Fellowship Church who have completed their seminary training. WELS President Mark Schroeder and WELS Missions representatives Sean Young and Larry Schlomer attended the events. Among others present were Jon Bare, president of Asia Lutheran Seminary; Bounkeo Lor, Hmong Asian ministry coordinator; and Joel Nitz, Hmong Asian missionary.

“We are grateful to the government of Vietnam for granting WELS permission to carry out this training and to erect a building in which to do it. We are thankful to the Hmong Fellowship Church for inviting us to train its pastors. We thank the members of our synod for their generous gifts of love and faith to make this possible. Above all, we are thankful to our gracious God for giving us this amazing opportunity to share the gospel in Vietnam,” says Schroeder.

Learn more about the new center and the mission efforts in Vietnam at wels.net/vietnamhmongoutreach.

Vietnam ribbon cutting
The formal ribbon cutting and dedication of the Theological Education Center in Hanoi, Vietnam. Consisting of a chapel, classrooms, and dormitory/cafeteria space, this center will provide a permanent site for the training of Lutheran Hmong pastors. A new group of 60 has already started classes.
Vietnam pastors talking
Graduates of the theological education program visit with Larry Schlomer, World Missions administrator, after the service. These Hmong pastors studied for six years to be thoroughly trained as Lutheran pastors in the Hmong Fellowship Church, which consists of more than 140,000 members in more than 350 congregations.

 

Vietnam pastors
Twelve graduates were commissioned to serve in the theological education program, returning to their home villages to instruct other Hmong pastors in biblical, Lutheran doctrine.

 

Vietnam pastors walking into church
Graduates ready for the service to begin. As part of the service, all the graduates received stoles that were handmade by one of the graduate’s wives and ten other women.

Author: FIC
Volume: 110, Number 10
Issue: October 2023

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