Rev. Kou Seying (Kxf. Nyaj Kub Thoj) to join faculty

Rev. Laokouxang (Kou) Seying will be joining the faculty as associate dean for urban and cross cultural ministries and associate professor of practical theology beginning with the 2015-16 academic year. Seying brings extensive experience as a pastor and teacher, as well as in developing multicultural ministry within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

The first ordained HMong pastor in the LCMS, Seying has served the California-Nevada-Hawaii District (CNH) since 2004 as a deployed mission developer/strategist of Joy of Harvest Ministries through St. Paul Lutheran Church in Merced, California, and Greenhaven Lutheran Church in Sacramento, California.

Much of his multicultural ministry experience was in HMong, Southeast Asian, and African immigrant communities, especially in the areas of leadership training. Besides serving in the LCMS CNH District for over a decade, he served as pastor of HMong Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, from 1991-1995. Seying also taught religion and theology at Concordia University, St. Paul, from 1992-2004, and was the missionary-at-large for the LCMS Minnesota South District from 1995-1998.

Seying was involved in early discussions within the LCMS that led to pastoral training programs for immigrant and nontraditional students. His leadership-training program and participation in multiethnic leadership training has provided leaders for many language-specific ministries and led many to the Holy Ministry from various ethnic groups. In addition to writing devotional materials, mission articles, and frequently giving presentations on missiology, Seying is the editor-in-chief for various major theological works in the HMong language.

“Our Lutheran faithfulness to the Word of God and our confessions to the world have caught the attention of many language groups from beyond the borders of LCMS,” said Seying. “Many Christian groups across America and from around the world are craving a good theological education across cultures. Concordia Seminary is poised to cultivate the rich heritage of the church, accurately interpret the present, and stand ready to enrich the future.”

“Taking the Good News of Jesus Christ to immigrants is an amazing opportunity that the Lord has put before us, and I’m grateful that Concordia Seminary can be a key partner in this Gospel mission,” said Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president of Concordia Seminary. “Rev. Seying will strengthen the work of our Center for Hispanic Studies and Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology. And his experience as a missionary, pastor, and teacher will be of great benefit also to our residential students and the congregations that they will serve.”

Among Seying’s other experiences: aviation and soccer. He holds a commercial pilot license and a flight instructor certificate. Beyond his dean and teaching responsibilities, he will coach the soccer team at Concordia Seminary.

Seying holds a Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana (CTS); has studied Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota; and is completing his doctorate of philosophy at CTS. His dissertation, which is in progress, is Cast Away the Spirits—A Study of Conversion from HMong Traditional Religion to Christianity.