Coming a full circle: Historical analysis of the Hmong church growth, 1950-1998
Author(s):
Vang, Timothy T.
Format:
Thesis
Degree granted:
D.Min.
Publisher:
Ann Arbor : Fuller Theological Seminary, Doctor of Ministry Program, 1998.
Pages:
348
Language:
English
Abstract:
The purpose of this dissertation is to analyze how Hmong churches grew from a missionary field, through hardship and suffering, to become a sending missionary agency, and to present visions and plans for the future. The Hmong people were found living at the basin of the Yellow River in China about two thousand years before Christ. They migrated to North Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar in the last 200 to 300 years. During the Vietnam War, the Hmong in Laos became allied with the United States. When Laos fell in 1975, a large number of them escaped to seek political asylum in Thailand. From there they were sponsored by various nations, including the United States, to start new lives. Presently, approximately 200,000 Hmong people are living in the United States. The Christian and Missionary Alliance sent missionaries to the Hmong in Laos in 1949. In early 1950 the Hmong came to Christ in large numbers. During the past forty-seven years, they have continued to come to Christ, and Hmong churches have continued to grow both in Laos and in the United States. At the end of 1996, the Hmong District of The Christian and Missionary Alliance had 25,806 members in 78 churches. Three Hmong missionary couples have been sent to Asia. Many Hmong young people are studying in various Bible colleges and seminaries preparing to serve as missionaries. This dissertation includes information researched from books, magazines, and articles written by missionaries, anthropologists, journalists, and government officials. It also includes information gathered from interviews with Hmong political and military leaders, missionaries, pastors and church lay leaders. It contains four parts. Part One focuses on the history of the Hmong people from China to Laos and to the Western world. Part Two focuses on significant factors contributing to church growth among the Hmong people. Part Three deals with the current challenges facing the Hmong churches. The final part presents an optimistic outlook for the future of the Hmong churches and missionary enterprise.