Three key challenges facing the church in Laos

Laos (MNN) — The Church in Laos faces three major challenges: animistic beliefs, government restrictions, and a predominantly Buddhist culture.

In rural Laos, animistic beliefs often shape how communities respond to new Christians. Todd Nettleton of Voice of the Martyrs USA says some villagers fear the consequences of following Christ.

“If you follow Christ, the spirits are going to get mad at us, and the rain won’t fall on our gardens,” he explains.

That fear can have serious consequences for new believers. Nettleton says: “We have heard from Laotian Christians who sometimes literally within days of choosing to follow Christ are kicked out of their village into the jungle, or their house is torn down.”

In some instances, the ministry has been able to provide temporary shelter for displaced believers with the help of local Christians.

Nong Khiaw, Laos (photo courtesy of Teodor Kuduschiev via Unsplash)

Many of these believers come to Christ through a personal revelation or a miracle. They often choose to follow Jesus after witnessing His power over the spirits they once feared. “It’s really a matter of Jesus is more powerful than the spirits, and so they want to follow him once they see that power,” adds Nettleton.

The Church in Laos also faces challenges from the country’s communist system and predominant culture.

“You have a communist government that naturally distrusts religion in general, but you also have a country where 60% of the people consider themselves to be Buddhist,” says Nettleton.

The government officially recognizes the Lao Evangelical Church and several other Christian groups. Even so, many Christians meet in small home groups because of persecution and restrictions.

“Sometimes it’ll be a larger gathering of 50 or 100 people, but often it is much smaller than that. It’s 10 people, it’s 12 people, and they will gather in a home, and they will study God’s word together,” Nettleton says.

He says believers gather to study Scripture, sing and worship together. In some cases, they also use Christian media and resources from outside the country.

Pray that believers in Laos would have wisdom and endurance, and that the Church would stand strong. Pray also for ministries finding every opportunity to share the hope of Christ in Laos. Visit Voice of the Martyrs USA to learn how they walk alongside persecuted church.

Header photo: Buddhist monks and villagers at a temple ceremony, Laos (photo courtesy of Suraphat Nuea-on via Pexels)