Late 70’s the Southeast Asian refugees started coming to the US for their resettlement. Churches within the Presbyterian Church USA welcomed Lao refugees and started looking for ways to provide Spiritual help for those who came to church regularly. However, the sponsor churches ran into difficulty on helping Lao refugees on their new lives due to language barrier, custom and culture differences and education level.

   The Rev. Dr. James Oudom became the first Laotian ordained minister in the PCUSA and through his leadership the National Laotian Presbyterian Council (NLPC) was established in 1991 and the Lao American Mission Partnership (LAMP) in 1993 to enable churches and organizations within the PCUSA to do ministry to these people and providing effective help on their resettlement program.  Also in 1993 The Southeast Asian Lay Training program was established at Austin Seminary to equip leaders of the Southeast Asian Fellowship and expand to others in 2001.

   NLPC, LAMP, and SEA Lay Training were established for the purpose of helping leaders of churches and organizations to assist Lao refugees and new immigrants for their resettlement and ministry within the US and in the world.

* Immigrants and refugee needs: legal service, jobs search and training, filling forms, school, doctors and hospitals for translation and transportation, and other basic needs for new comers.

* Churches & Organizations: Provides workshop and training on how to work with these new immigrants. Provide leadership training at Austin Theological Seminary to upgrade leadership skill to the Lao and other church leaders within PCUSA and beyond.