On March 25, officials in a village in southern Laos arrested and detained five Christians during worship and charged them with leading a religious movement without official approval, according to advocacy group Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom.
The five Christians from Palansai district were attending a worship service in nearby Boukham village in Ad-Sapangthong district. The two men -- Phosee and Viengsai -- and three women -- Alee, Poon, and Narm -- had previously attended services in the area without interference from authorities.
Boukham church members meet in a private home, as do Christians in most other provincial villages. Officials strongly oppose small groups meeting outside the umbrella of the government-approved Lao Evangelical Church, but many Christians prefer meeting at house churches, citing strict controls over LEC activities. "This is typical of Laos now," a pastor from the capital, Vientiane, said. "In Vientiane we see things opening up a little. But the law is fluid. Things can change from day to day, and the situation is still very difficult in the provinces."
Pray for the release of these believers. Ask the Lord to give them the strength to stand firm in their faith. Pray they will rely on the Lord to give them the words to say as they stand before authorities (Matthew 10:19). Pray that God will use them as a witness for the gospel even at this difficult time.
For more information on the persecuted Church in Laos, go to the Laos Country Report.
