Hello, my name is Sisouphanh (James) Ratthahao
As a pastor, my job is to serve the Lord and people like you. First, allow me to introduce myself. Sometimes people prefer to call me "Pastor James" because it's hard to say "Sisouphanh" (See-soo-pahn) in English --- let alone to say my last name (Rah-tuh-hau). That's the closest I can help you to say it!
I was born in the southern province of Laos to a Buddhist-Christian family. My father was a Buddhist and my mother is a Christian. My maternal-grandfather, Boutti Kounthapanya, was one of the first Lao pastors in the Savannakhet Province. I grew up with both traditions. Just a few years before we left our country, my father became a believer in Christ (and later served as a minister to several Laotian churches in Illinois). Not until after my 20th birthday in 1979, when my family became refugees in Thailand, did I decide to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.
While waiting for asylum in the refugee camp, I felt a call to serve the Lord as a full-time minister. I set a goal to go to a Bible School when I would go to the United States. A few years after arriving in California, I got accepted into Crown College (formerly known as St. Paul Bible College) in Minnesota with the assistance of a former Alliance missionary to Laos, the late Rev. Malcolm Sawyer.
After finishing my Pastoral Ministry training in 1987, I was called to serve with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Illinois. I began my ministry as Pastor of two Laotian Churches in Aurora and Elgin, Illinois. From 1988-1995, I'd had the privilege to serve as a District leader for Alliance Laotian Churches, located in eight States.
When my tenure with the Alliance was up in 1996, I was called by Elgin Church of the Nazarene to serve as an Associate Pastor for the Laotian ministries. I thought I would serve only a short period during my transition. Little did I know that the Lord would let me serve Him with the Lao Congregation to this very day.
I came to love the Church of the Nazarene because of its Doctrine of Holiness. I was impressed by the way of love and holy living demonstrated by members of the Church. My family continues to be touched by the unconditional love from the Church. Since my training with the missionary-minded organization, which strongly promotes the task of completing the Great Commission, I am in tune with the Church of the Nazarene's missional purpose of "MAKING CHRISTLIKE DISCIPLES IN THE NATIONS." And the Lao Congregation has the privilege to be part of taking the Message of Holiness back into our homeland as well.
I love teaching and preaching from God's Word. I've strived to bring the timeless truth from the Bible and make it relevant to people's lives. Reading books is one of my favorite pastimes and I believe in leadership training. I love to see young people get trained in ministry.
I also enjoy focusing on Prayer and Evangelism. It is a great joy to see people accept Christ as their Lord Savior and when their lives are transformed.
One of my 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).
There you have it. Everybody has a story to tell. And we'd be glad to hear from you.