Violent persecution has spiked this year, making faith even more dangerous.
bottom“When I hear of someone being persecuted, I go to them right away because I don’t want them to give up their faith in God.”
– Maixay*, Lao Believer
The reporting period for the 2024 World Watch List began with a shocking moment for Christians in Laos: the killing of a pastor in October 2022. Across the country, violence rose substantially this year over last year—a horrible increase even for a place used to physical threats.
The spike in violence comes in addition to the common pressure that Lao believers experience. At the local level, Communist authorities heavily monitor religious activities in some parts of the country. In these areas, church leaders reported cases of local authorities closing down house churches. These gatherings must operate under the radar; technically, they are illegal. But even among registered churches, the threats are real.
Churches are monitored, and it’s estimated that 75% of all registered Lao Evangelical church congregations must worship in homes, which authorities consider illegal since worship gatherings are only allowed in approved religious buildings.
Converts to Christianity carry additional vulnerabilities. Because they are seen as traitors to their communities who have angered the spirits, they can face pressure and violence from their families and local authorities. Families have been known to stir up the local community, who often expel converts from their homes and villages.
Converts from Christianity suffer the most throughout the country because they are thought to have betrayed their community.
In Laos, church leaders tend to be the most targeted group of Christians in Laos – they are subject to imprisonment and fines. Christians also face persecution within the workplace. Additionally, it seems that the highest pressure—including violent opposition—occurs against churches that are growing and evangelising.
– Pray for Christians, and especially church leaders, who are heavily monitored.
– Pray for believers who are expelled from their communities for their faith in Jesus.
– Ask God to enable Christians to meet and offer fellowship to followers of Jesus.
Open Doors’ local partners strengthen persecuted believers in Laos by providing Christian materials, leadership and discipleship training, socio-economic development programs, advocacy support, and emergency relief.
