Mien people originated in China and the majority of the Mien remain in China. In the 1700s, the first major migration of the Mien was to Northern Vietnam. By the 1800s, many more have migrated to Thailand and Laos. The mien people survive and are self-sustained through utilization of the natural lands and employing the slash and burn method of producing vegetation and raising their own animals for meat.
Mien in the World:
Estimation of Mien Population: China 1,000,000; Vietnam 500,000; Thailand 40,000; Laos 30,000; U.S.A. 30,000 Europe 500+
Mien in the United States:
Post-Vietnam War settlement (of the Mien) in the United States of America began to occur in early 1970’s. The Mien have mainly settled in the West Coast (California, Oregon, and Washington), with only a few families residing in the East Coast. Today, there are approximately 30,000 Mien in the U.S., but only about 5,000 of whom are of the Christian faith. The rest of the older generations remain in Animism, while many of the younger generation have become Atheists.
Mien in Shasta County:
There are approximately 265 Mien families here in Shasta County.
CrossPointe Mien Baptist Church’s History:
We are thankful to God for allowing the Mien to be part of the CrossPointe Community Church family.
In our desire to please God, we began meeting at CrossPointe (then called North Valley Baptist Church) in February, 2001, with Sunday worship services in the Chapel, and Bible Study every Wednesday night and Sunday morning.
CrossPointe Mien Baptist Church is a ministry of CrossPointe Community Church. It is our goal and mission for every Mien family in our “Jerusalem” to hear the gospel message in their native tongue. Worship service in Mien occurs simultaneously with the English speaking services of Crosspointe Community Church. Child care, children and youth ministries are all part of CrossPointe Community Church.
Our desire is to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth and to be faithful in disciple-making and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our prayer is that the Lord will add to His Church and that Jesus Christ will build up His own Church among the Mien.