PSI student spends vicar year with Hmong congregation

Josiah is one of 20 students across North America who are preparing to become WELS pastors through the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He and his wife are longtime members of Immanuel Hmong Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minn.

Josiah is a second-career student. He is in the fourth and final level of pastoral training through the Asian Ministerial Training Program. Josiah is completing his service as a vicar under Pastor Pheng Moua at Immanuel Hmong Lutheran Church.

Immanuel Hmong Lutheran Church is working with synodical mission divisions to plant a daughter congregation in a neighboring suburb. Their hope is to call Josiah after his graduation this spring to lead that effort. However, Josiah would also be very willing to serve overseas in Laos, where he grew up. Though he has lived in the U.S. for 19 years, he still maintains connections with family and friends in his homeland.

There are approximately 400,000 Hmong in the U.S. and approximately 300,000 still practice their tribal religion, shamanism. Josiah is equipped to work with older Hmong immigrants who do not speak English as well as younger generations who are struggling with the transition from the Hmong culture to that of their new North American neighbors.

The PSI was established in 2003 to recruit, guide and assist non-traditional students through their pre-seminary and seminary training. Through the PSI, the seminary prepares partners from a broad cultural spectrum to share the joyful burden of bringing in all nations.

For more information on the PSI, contact Prof. E. Allen Sorum, Director of Pastoral Studies Institute, at sorume@wls.wels.net or (262) 242-8178.