by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
VIENTIANE (Worthy News) – Tensions remained high Monday in southern Laos after villagers armed with hammers and knives destroyed Christian homes and local authorities tied a pastor to a pole for preaching the Gospel, Christians said.
Advocacy group Open Doors said Pastor Bouchan—not his real name due to security concerns—is a 49-year-old father of two who was targeted after several villagers came to faith through his testimony.
When local authorities demanded that believers renounce Christianity or leave the village, Pastor Bouchan and others refused, Worthy News learned. Officials then tied his hands to a pole in the center of the town, where he was reportedly held for more than 12 hours overnight on October 12, according to Christians familiar with the situation.
“You must stay here until we expel all Christians from the community,” the village chief reportedly told him.
Despite repeated threats, the pastor stood firm. “We will not recant our faith; the Lord has healed us. Why should we ever forget Him?” Pastor Bouchan was quoted as saying by Open Doors, which supports Christians in the area
While he was detained, villagers used “hammers and knives” to destroy the homes of Christians, beginning with the pastor’s house, witnesses said.
CHRISTIANS EXPELLED
Following the attack, at least three Christian families were expelled from the village, which wasn’t named, and forced to live in makeshift tents in nearby forest land, several sources said.
Because the land is government-owned, they are reportedly not allowed to cut trees or build proper shelters. Local church partners have provided limited food and emergency aid, but access remains restricted, Christian aid workers said.
Laos ranks 26th on the annual World Watch List of 50 countries where Open Doors says Christians face the most severe persecution.
Open Doors says Christian believers—especially in rural areas—face intense pressure from local authorities and communities due to communist controls on faith and religion as well as hostility toward converts who abandon traditional and tribal beliefs.
Open Doors called for “prayer for Pastor Bouchan” and the displaced families, urging Christians worldwide to pray for their “protection, courage, and hope” amid continuing pressure.
There has been pressure on President Thongloun Sisoulith to allow more freedom for the Christian minority in his Communist-run nation. An estimated 212,000 Christians live among the 7.6 million people of Laos, where Buddhism is the main religion.
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