Eleven Arrested for Holding Christmas Services

Eleven Christians were arrested for holding religious services on Christmas Day and authorities are looking for ten others. Quoted in a January 2 report by news.com.au, the Lao Movement for Human Rights (LMHR) said that six Christians were arrested on December 27 in Kang village in the southern province of Attapeu "simply for praying together." Another man was arrested the same day in Somsouk and four others in the same district were arrested the next day. After being arrested, the were imprisoned and their Bibles were confiscated.

The Laos government maintains that there is freedom of religion and they deny all human rights violations, accusing the LMHR of trying to influence a debate by the U.S. government on normalizing trade relations with Laos.

Pray for endurance and spiritual strength for these and other Christians in prison for their faith in Laos.

For more information on Laos, go to https://www.vomcanada.com/laos.htm.

Laos Information

  • Current Ministry Project

    VOMC is working with an international partner to provide New Testaments to persecuted Christians, new believers, and those who are earnestly seeking Christ. We believe that the Word of God is a vital tool in combating persecution by helping believers grow in maturity to the fullness of Christ.

    Project Fund: Bibles

  • Country Information

    Population
    7,852,377 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Lao (53.2), Khmou (11), Hmong (9.2), Phouthay (3.4), Tai (3.1), Makong (2.5), Katong (2.2), Lue (2), Akha (1.8), other (11.6)

    Religion (%)
    Buddhism (64.7), Christianity (1.7), none (31.4), unspecified (2.1)

    Leader
    President Thongloun Sisoulith (2021)

    Government type
    Communist state

    Legal system
    Civil law system similar in form to the French system

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Laos

    Pray for strength and courage for Christians as they continue to face pressure and imprisonment for their faith.

    Pray for the government of Laos -- that those in power will continue to improve policies and activities, recognizing the need for freedom for all their citizens.

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Laos News

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    Photo: VOM USA
     

    Thongkham Philavanh was a pastor among the Khmu people of northern Laos, where he also served as the provincial head of the Lao Evangelical Church. Actively involved in ministry throughout the province of Oudomxai, he was closely monitored by authorities and had been repeatedly warned to stop his Christian activities.

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    On June 22nd, believers from the village of Tahae gathered at the home of Pastor Mum for a time of prayer in preparation for their Sunday worship service the next day. While the followers of Jesus were praying, the village chief – along with four other community officials – suddenly entered the home before arresting the pastor and five believers because of their Christian faith.

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    A village in Laos.
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    For the second time within the past five months, the homes belonging to a group of believers in Laos were demolished by angry villagers. The village is located in an area of the country considered a "hot spot" for persecution because of the increasing number of Christians.

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    Photo: VOMC

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