GETTING TO KNOW OUR LEAD PASTOR

Some people prefer to call him "Pastor James"  because it's hard to say "Sisouphanh" (See-soo-pahn) in English --- let alone to say his last name (Rah-tuh-hau).  That's the closest we can help you to say it.

Pastor Sisouphanh earned BA in Pastoral Ministries from Crown College (formerly known as St. Paul Bible College) in Minnesota. He also earned MA in Pastoral Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois.  Right after the Bible College, in 1987 Pastor Sisouphanh was called to serve with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Illinois as a church planter in Aurora, Illinois and he became Laotian District Director (1988-1995).

Later pastor Sisouphanh was called by Elgin Church of the Nazarene to serve as an Associate Pastor for the Laotian ministries in 1996.  He thought he would serve only a short period during his transition. Little did he know that the Lord would let him serve with the organization to present.

Pastor Sisouphanh came to love the Church of the Nazarene because of its Doctrine of Holiness.  Since his training with the missionary-minded organization, which strongly promotes the task of completing the Great Commission, he is in tune with the Church of the Nazarene's missional purpose of "MAKING CHRISTLIKE DISCIPLES IN THE NATIONS."  In 2009, he had the privilege to lead a Nazarene Mission and take the Message of Holiness back into our homeland as well.

 

After much prayer, on Pentecost Sunday in 2015, pastor Sisouphanh led the Lao congregation to launch a NewStart Laotian church in South Elgin, Illinois as known as Cornerstone Bible Church of the Nazarene which he currently serves as Lead Pastor.

One of his favorite Scripture passages is from Galatians 6:9-10, "So let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.  Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone - especially to those in the family of faith."  (NLT).