GREEN LAKE, Wisc. (BP) — The Hmong Baptist National Association (HBNA) gathered for its 34th annual meeting this year at the Green Lake Conference Center.

Thirty four churches were represented with a total of 31 messengers and 177 attendees. The association has a total of 51 churches.

“This year’s conference was a special opportunity to grow together in unity through inspiring workshops, powerful times of worship and meaningful conversations,” outgoing HBNA President Rev. Pao Thao said.

“It was a time to celebrate the work God is doing among our churches and to encourage one another in the ministry He has entrusted to us.”

The theme for this year’s meeting was “Firm Foundation” based on Psalm 62:1–2.

A notable highlight of the gathering was the increased participation of younger leaders, Thao said. Nearly half (43%) of attendees were between the ages of 30 and 45, a significant generational shift from previous years when most participants were 46 and older.

HBNA hosted 11 simultaneous workshops covering a range of ministry and leadership topics during the event.

“We were blessed by the continued presence of Training Leaders International (TLI), the North American Mission Board (NAMB), GuideStone and the International Mission Board (IMB), all of whom led workshops this year,” Thao said. “We were also honored to welcome Dr. Hongyi Yang from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, who led a workshop on the doctrine of the Trinity and shared valuable insights. HBNA looks forward to continuing our partnership with her in the future.”

Other workshop leaders included:

• Bang Xiong, who leads Hmong ministry in Thailand, speaking on Ministry in Thailand
• Mark Hobafcovich (NAMB), Evangelism in a Pluralistic World
• Jeremy Sin (NAMB), Developing Missional Leaders Through Coaching
• Hoon Im, Investing and Budget Guidelines
• Mary Vang Her, Prayer and Fasting
• Nhia Lao Lee, The Importance of Christian Brotherhood
• Chucklu Vang, The Father of the House Is Blessed by the Congregation
• Erik Lee, Christ in All Ministry, specifically for next-gen participants
• Say Yang, Women’s Ministry and Mental Health
• Aaron Jameson (TLI), Principles for Preaching Christ-Centered Sermons

This year also marked an election year for HBNA.

“Elections are special to us because they only happen every two years,” Thao said. “We get to elect new teams to lead the association, and they bring new energy and fresh ideas.”

Newly elected leaders include:

• President: Rev. Cher Cha Yang, senior pastor of Hmong Baptist Church, Fresno, Calif.
• Vice President: vacant (to be appointed by the president)
• Pastoral Director: Rev. Nhia Lor Lee, senior pastor of Fox Valley Hmong Baptist Church, Appleton, Wisc.
• Men’s Ministry Director: Vang Lee, deacon at Reborn in Christ Baptist Church, Sun Prairie, Wisc.
• Women’s Ministry Director: Ncais Vang, secretary and assistant treasurer at Yexus Thwjtim Hmong Baptist Church, Brown Deer, Wisc.
• Next-Gen Director: Alex Thao, worship director at First Hmong Baptist Church, Broomfield, Colo.
• Moderator: Foua Vang, a member of First Hmong Baptist Church, Coon Rapids, Minn.
• Treasurer: Leng Her, budget director and secretary for men’s ministry at Hmong Baptist Church, Eyota, Minn.
• Secretary: vacant (to be appointed by the president)

Messengers also approved a $136,850 budget, reflecting a $33,800 decrease from the 2025 budget. The total includes $126,050 in cooperative giving, down $13,700 from the previous year.

“As seen across the Southern Baptist Convention, cooperative giving has experienced a decline this year,” Thao said. “However, we remain hopeful, as many churches continue to give directly to ministries, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to mission work and gospel advancement.”

Nine HBNA leaders presented ministry reports covering areas such as pastoral care, men’s and women’s ministries, next-gen initiatives, love and care ministries, women’s grief support, home missions, and international missions.

In other business, after two prior attempts to reach consensus, Thao appointed a new working committee that successfully completed revisions to the HBNA Constitution and Bylaws. Messengers unanimously approved the updated legal document.

Thao recognized Lydia Ly, a member of Followers of Christ Hmong Baptist Church in St. Paul, Minn., for eight years of faithful service as HBNA treasurer and communications coordinator.

“We greatly appreciate her dedication and the many ways she has helped the association,” Thao said. “She even created the Book of Reports, which shares how God is working among His Hmong people.” The publication is available as a downloadable PDF at hbna.org.

“We thank God for His faithfulness and for the unity of our churches as we continue to build up leaders and advance the gospel together,” Thao added. “HBNA remains committed to supporting churches, leaders and members through prayer, partnership and faithful stewardship.”

Dates and location for the 2026 annual meeting of the Hmong Baptist National Association have not yet been determined.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Karen L. Willoughby is a national correspondent for Baptist Press.)