Restricted
Laos
The Communist government, in conjunction with Buddhist monks, persecutes Christians, with the exception of the government-controlled Lao Evangelical Church. Poverty, lack of infrastructure and mountainous terrain make evangelistic outreach challenging. Thanks to bold evangelists, churches continue to grow even as they experience ongoing persecution.
Major Religion
60 percent of Laotians consider themselves to be Buddhists, but most practice a syncretistic version of Buddhism mixed with tribal animism. 4 percent are Christians.
Persecutor
Most believers are persecuted by family members or village authorities concerned that Christians offend the spirits, and the central government restricts Christian activity.
WHAT IT MEANS TO FOLLOW CHRIST IN LAOS
Some in Laos, particularly those in government leadership, view Christianity as a foreign religion and a tool used by the West to undermine the Communist Laotian regime. There are many house churches and some church buildings, but the vast majority do not have a trained pastor. Laotian authorities sometimes arrest Christians and detain them for up to a week in attempts to control Christian activity. Christians are commonly denied medical treatment as well as educational and other social services.
Access to Bibles
Bibles are not sold in bookstores. Government-sanctioned churches sell Bibles, and other organizations are able to bring Bibles in with legal permission. But the government restricts and opposes Bible and Christian literature distribution of any significant size. Give Bibles
VOM Work
VOM distributes Bibles, prints Christian literature and provides audio devices containing Scripture and discipleship resources. VOM also responds to persecution incidents by relocating families inside Laos and providing food and other needs. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Pray for Laos
- Pray that God's Word will be accessible to believers despite Communist oppression.
- Pray for Christians persecuted by family members and village authorities who are afraid of offending spirits.
- Pray that God's love, demonstrated by persecuted Christians in Laos, will inspire others to follow the Lord.
- Pray for Christian families who have been attacked and isolated in their villages because of their faith.
- Pray that Christians ostracized in their communities for their faith will find encouragement in God and in his Word.
