Blogs of Faith

Hoyu and Marcy

God has a purpose for Hoyu and Marcy Sayaovang when they moved from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Merced, California. On February 7, 2009, Hoyu was ordained as Pastor by the Southern Baptist of California to serve the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Merced, California.

1st & 2nd grade Sunday School

Hoyu was among one of the original founder of Hmong First Baptist Church of Milwaukee. He relocated to California and got married to Marcy Thao. Soon afterward, having obtained his Master’s degree in Social Work, he came back to Milwaukee and served as a Sunday School teacher and a Financial Director for HFBC. He not only organized the department but also brought in “Faith-based” program to help the church. But all of these were not as important as his next task. He initiated and organized a group of twenty young adults and asked Pastor Tongber to instruct them for the next two year program called TEE, which stands for Theological Education Extension.

After going through some hardship, he felt a calling to go to Merced, California. While in Merced, he and his wife completed their TEE study along with the rest of the group and graduated. What Hoyu did not realize was God was preparing him along the way. Soon, they started attending the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Merced. There were very few members left and not too many Pastor were interested in leading this small congregation.

After being appointed a Deacon for a couple of years, Hoyu helped managed and ran the Sunday School and Worship service along other deacons. Soon afterward, they were left without a Pastor.

The church has been shephardless for several years now. The few members remaining took turn teaching Sunday School and share the gospel in worship. The congregation unsuccessfully searched for several months without suitable candidate. It was then decided one of the deacons would be appointed to head the church. After considerable prayer and discussion, Hoyu was nominated.

Outside Emmanuel Baptist

Based on Hoyu’s testimony, his spiritual experience has formed a close relationship to God and he cannot refuse to serve the Master as He is now calling Hoyu to do so. Hoyu is a humble, God fearing, God loving man whom his former Pastor Tongber Vang describes. He does the work of the Lord without regards to what people think about him.

He welcomes everyone to visit and attend worship service with them.

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