Laos
National workers in Laos who are sharing the Gospel in the jungles, forests, and villages of the region are some of the most effective church planters/evangelists on the planet.
Many pastors in Laos are being arrested for being aggressive in evangelism and church planting. When the communist government sees large numbers of people coming to the Lord, the police try to stop the excessive growth through intimidation of the enthusiastic pastors. Police often go beyond the country’s laws by harassing and imprisoning pastors. This intimidation and persecution does not discourage the believers. They remain committed and passionate about their mission of spreading the Good News of the Gospel.
Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, is surrounded by Burma, Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Vietnam. The mighty Mekong River plays a significant role in shaping the country’s western boundary with Thailand. With its abundance of mountains and dense forests, Laos boasts a captivating landscape, however, it also faces significant challenges, including widespread poverty. The country’s mountainous terrain and dense forests pose challenges for infrastructure development. This isolation hinders economic growth and perpetuates poverty in these areas.
The government officially recognizes four religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha’i Faith. However, religious freedom in Laos faces restrictions, particularly in rural areas, where onerous requirements are imposed on believers. But becoming a Christian has consequences. If discovered, they are driven from their home village by communist officials. Undeterred, believers use relocation as an opportunity to church plant. Many church planters are imprisoned repeatedly because they refuse to sign a government document forsaking Christ.
- Official Name
- Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Form Of Government
- Communist
- Population
- 7,529,475 (2023)
- Capital
- Vientiane
- Official Languages
- Lao
- Major Religions
- Buddhism, Folk Religions
Empower’s Response
Other Countries We Work In
Empower Ministries operates all over the world — from Canada to Burma, from Israel to India, and beyond. We believe there has never been a better time to equip people to share the Gospel.
