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Where persecution is increasing, the gospel is advancing.
We see and feel this truth on display in the early church, and today in the twenty-first century, we continue to witness it. Recently, a 42-year-old pastor in northwest Laos (No. 21 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List) was shot and killed for how he courageously shared and lived out the gospel.
Pastor Thongkham Philavanh was a husband and a father of two teenagers. He and his wife Sengdala were also known as “Dad” and “Mom” by local young people who gathered at church or their house for discipleship and Bible study. The couple also helped plant house churches in their area and watched them grow exponentially in just a few years.
They were respected by their community. Multiple times, authorities warned Thongkham and Sengdala to stop their Christian activities. Police summoned them to the village chief’s office and asked them to sign a document renouncing their faith. But the chief stopped the police and defended them, saying the couple were role models in the community.
Thongkham’s and Sengdala’s lives centered on Christ, buoyed by a legacy of bold faith. Sengdala’s father—a church leader in the same province—was imprisoned for 13 years. Pastor Thongkham succeeded him in his ministry.
Pastor Thongkham spent his life looking for Great Commission opportunities—even minutes before his death. At around 8 pm on Tuesday, July 23, two men on a motorbike pulled up in front of the pastor’s home. When Pastor Thongkham went to greet his “visitors” and extend his arm for a handshake, his assailants shot him. Sengdala, who had come out to check on her husband, witnessed his murder.
Although the case is still under investigation, Sengdala believes her husband was silenced for his belief in Jesus and the ministry his family leads. Over the last year, Pastor Thongkham had told his wife to be prepared. He knew his life was in danger and could be taken away soon. At his funeral, she told our local partners: “He did not disclose everything that was happening. He kept most of the burdens to himself because he wanted to protect us. He sacrificed himself to protect his family.” Another local pastor shared: “This was as if a warning. They kill the leader to scare the members.”
Open Doors’ partners were able to spend time with the family and pray with them. “I need to be strong for my family,” Sengdala said, “but not now, not yet this time. I am grateful you came here for us.”
Pastor Thongkham was buried at the village cemetery attended by hundreds of people from all over Laos who were personally or indirectly impacted by his life and faithfulness.
His murder has shaken the Christian community in Laos where persecution incidents against Christians have increased since the beginning of this year. The senseless death of Pastor Thongkham and the increased suffering of Christians throughout the country is a reminder of the deep pain and risk that our brothers and sisters in Laos face every day.
Please continue to pray …
top photo: At Pastor Thongkham's wake
