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Pao Cher Yang was born into a non Christian family with eight children.  He is the third oldest in his family. Back in Laos, he and his family spent most of their days working on the farm. While working on the farm in June, 1977, he recalls a memorable conversation with his father. His father asked him if wanted to go live in town with a pastor the following year. He asked, "What is a pastor?" His father replied, "They are people that teaches about the Word of God." Although Pao had wanted to do as his father asked, the unfortunate event of the communist take over in Vietnam that following year prevented him from doing so. In 1979, he moved to Thailand and lived with his sister for about five months before they were sponsored to the states.

In America, his sponsors introduced him to Christianity and provided transportation to and from church every Sunday. When he first heard of the Gospel, it really caught his attention. He had never heard of anything like that before and after a month, he came to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, two months after receiving Christ, he moved to another state to be with family. His relocation changed his life style from being in a Christian environment to a non-Christian. He did not return to God for another three years.

A turning point in his walk came when he became very ill. One of his uncle was very concerned about his health and had suggested that he get his fortune told by a very well known shaman. He got his palm read and was told that he was in a life threatening situation, because his soul was missing. He was terrified by the fortune and did not know what to do. He wanted to write his parents back in Laos, but wasn't sure they could do anything. So he turned back to God for guidance.

He took a bible and asked God to help. As he opened the bible, it landed on John 5:24. In it, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” After reading this, he knelt down and prayed. He prayed, “Father in heaven, I praise you. I believe that you can deliver me from death and into life. I trust in you. If I die today please take me with you. But if I live, I will be one of your servants. I pray in Jesus's name, Amen." Soon after the prayer, his health and life gradually got better.

He started to live a Christian life again and studied the Bible. In 1990 he moved from Dallas, Texas, to Detroit, Michigan. He attended the First Hmong Baptist Church and started his training in Seminary Extension, taught by Pastor Nia Leng Vang. Soon after he finished training, he was ordained as deacon. He served the Lord as a deacon to First Hmong from 1994 to November 2005.

Although he felt he was not worthy nor ready, God was calling him to pursue a new passion in his walk. Not once or twice, even three times, but on his fourth calling, Pao pursued on to a new congregation with a new purpose. On December 1st of 2006, Pao along with his wife, Kia and daughter Angela, joined the Hmong American Baptist Church in Roseville, Michigan. He was called upon there to help serve as acting Pastor. On March 31st of the year 2007, Pao Cher Yang was ordained by the Blue Waters Association of the Southern Baptist Convention in Michigan as Pastor of the Hmong American Baptist Church.