This post continues the Mission Table’s “Year of Partnership” highlighting the new and strategic ministries of the Minneapolis Area Synod. Lao Evangelical Lutheran is one of the strategic ministries and worships in Robbinsdale.
By Pastor Thiem Baccam
Lao Evangelical Lutheran Church, Robbinsdale
My name is Thiem Baccam, and I have served as the pastor of Lao Evangelical Lutheran Church for over 30 years. Lao Evangelical was developed and organized here in the Minneapolis Area Synod as a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The church has gone through up and down times. There was a time when our community had grown to include more than one hundred members. At present, we are a small Laotian congregation, worshipping in facilities provided by Elim Lutheran Church, Robbinsdale. We extend our thanks to Elim for the kind welcome, for the generous hospitality that they have shown us, and for a place that the Lao church can call home. We are also thankful to the Minneapolis Area Synod for its support and prayers.
When this Lao church started, our calling was to do outreach among the first generation of Laotian immigrants in the Minneapolis area. Bible studies and worship were conducted entirely in the Lao language. Three decades later, the congregation has transformed and is being led by the second generation. It has been necessary to adapt and change. Worship is now done bilingually making use of both Lao and English.
A group from Lao Evangelical on July 4, 2025
Pastor Thiem doing a baptism in 2024
While culture and leadership are different, the mission and vision are still to witness and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with Laotian neighbors and with all people: “this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations.” (Matthew 24:14)
As we continue the work to which we are called, we need partner congregations to help sustain and encourage us. We pray and hope for partners in Christ that share our passion for outreach among the Laotian community. Partnering with our community is an opportunity to learn and share the love of God together. Ministry partnerships are especially important because of the deep relationships they can build.
If you sense God’s call to begin a partnership with Lao Evangelical, please reach out and start a conversation with us. To help you discern, here are some specific ways that we are looking to partner:
- In Prayer…that the Gospel will be preached and the Holy Spirit will reach into the hearts of the Laotian community.
- Through People…to help with music, youth activities, and additional programming.
- Through Technology…for developing a website and other “marketing” materials to reach into the Laotian community.
Lao Evangelical is willing to assist ministry partners in serving the Lord together. We want to encourage you in your calling to reach out to neighbors and show God’s love and care. We are committed to praying for ministry partners. I invite you to pray and respond if God is calling you to begin a new relationship with us.
Lao Evangelical Lutheran Church
3978 West Broadway Ave.
Robbinsdale, MN 55422