LAOS: Village Head Refuses to Register Christian Families

Vat and his family cannot get their family registration book because of their faith in Christ.

A Christian family’s registration book is being withheld because of their faith.

Vat was born and registered in a village in northern Laos, but as a young man he left for the southern part of the country to work at a coffee farm. While there, he married and also heard the Gospel, and he and his family came to faith in Jesus Christ. In January 2024, he returned to his home village. However, after learning that Vat and his family were Christians, the head of the village refused to renew their registration book — a document with vital records such as ID, travel and work permits, marriage and birth records, educational records, and residence permits. Without registration books, families struggle getting work, housing, social services, medical care and education for their children.

Pray for Vat’s family and others who are faced with being forced to deny Christ or lose these documents, as this is a common persecution tactic in Laos.