Laos

Partner with Local Missionaries in Laos

Located in the 10/40 Window

One of the few remaining one-party communist states, the landlocked country of Laos is bordered by Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Vietnam. About twice the size of Pennsylvania, Laos has one of the lowest population densities in Southeast Asia but one of the fasted-growing economies in Asia. Though the infrastructure is underdeveloped throughout the country, which is mainly covered in mountains and forests, private enterprise is allowed. Laos is a source country for trafficking and a producer of opium.

The Lao majority comprises more than half of the population. The second-largest ethnic group in Laos is the Khmu people, among whom the Christian population is rapidly growing. Around 60% of the population is Buddhist with another 32% practicing ethnic religions.

Christians face much persecution from their Buddhist families and communities and from communist authorities, as Christianity is viewed as a threat to be exterminated. Believers worship in underground house churches, which are considered illegal. It is not uncommon for these house churches to be destroyed or for Christians to be kicked out of their own villages, attacked, or arrested.

In a country where rice is already in short supply due to drought in some areas and flooding in others, those who follow Christ are even more threatened as officials withhold rations from those who have left the ancestral gods for Christ. At the same time, villagers refuse to sell staple items to Christians.

“The authorities’ tactics and strategy are to block and oppress Christians in every way to make them discouraged with no way to go,” reported the leader of an indigenous ministry. Not only are Christians denied crucial aid in times of hardship, they are also refused simple dignities like burying their dead in their own village. The leader provided the example of a Christian family whom authorities are pressuring to exhume the body of one of their relatives buried in the village cemetery.

Christians in Laos began facing heightened persecution after the implementation of Decree 315 in 2016, which added numerous restrictions on Christian activity. Laotian Christians are prohibited from meeting together unless they do so inside of a registered church with a registered minister. To curtail the spread of the gospel, the decree also bans Christians from visiting another province without permission from both their provincial leader and the leader of the other province—a feat that is nearly impossible in an area where Christians are considered a problem to be eradicated.

An indigenous ministry that helps to oversee, disciple, and train the over 70,000 Khmu believers in Laos requests assistance for their training programs, Facebook live program that draws hundreds of thousands of viewers, support for persecuted believers, and financial assistance for their ministry workers.

7.1 million

Population

2.47%

Evangelical Population:

128

People Groups:

109

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Laos

Pray for the many unreached ethnic groups in Laos, that God would send workers to tell them about the Lord Jesus, and that many would accept the gospel.
Pray for the growing number of Christians in Laos, that God would strengthen them to stand firm despite rejection and persecution from friends, family, and neighbors.
Pray for provision for believers who are denied crucial aid in times of hardship and for ministry workers laboring daily to share the gospel in difficult conditions.

More stories from Laos

Celebrate as the Lost Surrender to Christ in Laos

A witch doctor’s nightmare led him to seek out a local missionary, and he gave his life to Jesus. Following his surrender to Christ, the man led his family—14 people in total—to the Lord as well, and the local missionary organized a special meal to welcome the man and his family into the community church. You can assist with such evangelism and discipleship with a donation. Pray for the lost to give their lives to Christ.

Help Persecuted Christians Persevere Against Opposition in Laos

A Christian man shared the gospel with a friend in his village, and he gave his life to Christ. But they are the only two believers in their village, and many people there hate Christians. The village leader became afraid that the men would cause other people to believe in Christ and threatened them with imprisonment. The persecution became so great that the men were forced to leave the village. “They choose to believe in God no matter what will happen to them,” the ministry leader said.

Strengthen Weary Persecuted Believers in Laos

The wife of a Christian missionary was denied health care when the medical staff learned of her beliefs. The doctor said to her, “You can’t go anywhere else because no [public] hospital will treat you, but if you leave God now, we will do it.” The woman refused to recant her faith and was forced to leave and search for a private clinic that would accept her. But the cost was great, and after she gave her testimony to local missionaries, they were able to provide financial assistance for her care. Your donations support ministries as they provide aid to the persecuted.

Assist the Persecuted Church in Laos

A local missionary visited with and prayed for a woman who suffered from an ongoing illness. As a result, she became a believer. But her husband, who did not like Christianity, used her new faith as an excuse to divorce her, rendering her homeless. The missionary who led her to Jesus asked the local church to provide for her, and the congregation not only gave her a place to stay, but they also helped provide for her needs. Your donations support missionaries who work in places with high levels of persecution.

Assist With Gospel Outreach in Laos

Through the perseverance of local ministries, many unreached people have heard the gospel, and churches have been planted in villages in which there once were none. In one region, missionaries have conducted outreach to at least 10 different tribes, and currently, there are 25 churches and house churches among those groups. In another area, a local missionary continues his outreach to an indigenous tribe in which there are now 50 to 60 Christians. Recently, three more families also gave their lives to Jesus. Consider a monthly donation of $60 to support missionaries in their gospel outreach.

Sisters Refuse to Give Up Their Faith in Laos

When Mala* and Noy*, sisters from Laos, gave their testimonies during a local ministry’s youth conference, the ministry leader was deeply saddened by the trials they had suffered. But he was also in awe of their perseverance. Despite constant pressure from their family to renounce their faith, the sisters always refused. And when their mother insisted they prostitute themselves to help support the family, they chose to go to church instead.