Six Christians Released from Prison!

Release International 01 March 2018

Photo: VOM Australia

Six Christians, who had been arrested on December 15th for celebrating Christmas, were released on January 31st. According to contacts in the Vientiane province, the believers were taken into custody because they failed to obtain a permit for a Christmas party. As part of the celebration, they invited the entire village to come and watch the Jesus film.

Those detained were finally released after each paying a fine equivalent to $630 CAD. Partners from VOMC's sister mission, Release International, assisted with the secure of their release by helping to pay the fines. The ministry is also supporting these believers and their families as they now recover from the ordeal. We praise God together with these bold believers for their safe return home.

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.

Laos News

Christian Families Expelled

Some of the believers who were evicted.
Photo: Barnabas Aid

Four Christian families were forcibly evicted from their village in northwestern Laos on May 5th and 6th. According to local sources, opposing community leaders and other residents of Huang Khan Village in Luang Namtha province specifically targeted the Christians.

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Pastor Fatally Shot in His Home

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.

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Six Christians Arrested by Village Chief

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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Homes Demolished for the Second Time

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.

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