Pastor killed, leaving behind family and foster children
Pastor Thongkham Philavanh, 40, was a tribal Khmu leader and provincial head of the Lao Evangelical Church. He actively shared the gospel and trained other pastors throughout the province while leading a growing church. According to friends, he was closely monitored by Laotian authorities and had been warned to stop his Christian activities.
On July 23, 2024, two masked men approached the pastor in his yard and spoke to him before shooting him several times. His wife rushed him to the hospital, but he died on arrival.
One church member wrote on social media: “Last night, our community was shattered by the tragic loss of our beloved pastor. His profound wisdom, unwavering faith and boundless compassion touched the lives of so many.”
Thongkham’s wife, their two teenaged children and dozens of foster children were home during the shooting.
You can stand with Thongkham’s family in prayer, asking that they will experience God’s presence and comfort. We encourage you to remember the families of martyrs in hostile areas and restricted nations often in your prayers.
We also invite you to stand with the families of Christian martyrs, like Thongkham’s family, though a gift to VOM’s Global Ministry. Your gifts to VOM’s Global Ministry help address all ministry needs in service to persecuted Christians, including help to families of martyrs, while drawing other Christians around the world into closer fellowship with them and deepening the commitment of all believers to Christ and his Great Commission.
