A pastor in northern Laos was shot dead by two masked gunmen at his home on 23 July, a Barnabas contact reports.
Pastor Thongkham Philavanh was chairman of the Lao Evangelical Churches group in Oudomxay province.
The gunmen approached the pastor’s house at 8pm and walked to the back of the building. On seeing Pastor Thongkham, one of the gunmen shot him seven times.
Pastor Thongkham Philavanh died after being shot seven times by unidentified gunmen
Pastor Thongkham’s wife, son and daughter were unharmed. Barnabas Aid partners are assisting the family with funding for essential costs at this difficult time.
The motive for the shooting has yet to be established. Local residents “are shaken and currently living in fear”, our contact said.
The country’s Law on the Evangelical Church, introduced in December 2019, gives Lao Christians the right to conduct services and preach throughout the country, and to maintain contacts with believers outside Laos. However, locally Christians are often subjected to harassment and violence, especially in rural areas, while the government imposes onerous registration requirements on churches.
Pray for Pastor Thongkham’s family as they mourn the loss of their husband and father. Ask that they receive the Lord’s abundant comfort and strength amid their grief and questioning. Pray that his congregation, and the wider church in the region, will lean on the Lord and draw on His perfect love that drives out fear.
