Three Pastors Released

Pastor Van Thong
Pastor Van Thong
Pastor Van Thong, the head of Lao Evangelical Church in Vientiane, and eleven other local pastors were arrested on November 26, 2006 for attending meetings organized by Christian leaders from the West. Eight of these prisoners were reportedly freed in late October. The Voice of the Martyrs has learned that Van Thong and two other believers have recently been released.

Praise God for the release of these men. Continue to pray for them as they rejoin family and friends.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Laos, go to the Laos Country Report.

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

  • Pastor Fatally Shot in His Home
    Pastor Thongkham Philavanh appears to be praying.
    Pastor Thongkham Philavanh
    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.

    Read more...

  • Six Christians Arrested by Village Chief
    A large wooded area partially hides a village in the mountains of Laos.
     

    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.

    Read more...

  • Homes Demolished for the Second Time
    Laotian village
    A village in Laos.
    Photo: Vinko Rajic (cc)

    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.

    Read more...

  • Converts Driven from Their Homes
    A village
    A village in Laos.
    Photo: VOMC

    More than a dozen Christian families from the village of Mai in northwestern Laos were driven from their homes by other members of the majority-Buddhist community. This recent incident is the latest in a string of similar attacks against Laotian followers of Jesus, despite the fact that laws have been instituted in this country to protect the free exercise of religion.

    Read more...

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Laos Videos

 
Laos: Christian Persecution on the Rise
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Laos: Girl Facing Charges After Resisting Attack
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Laos: Wife of murdered church planter continues her late husband's work
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