The Church in Laos Grows Up

BY JULIA O’CAREY

Isat in the church pew feeling a surge of emotion as I joined the momentous celebration on January 28, 2023. As I scanned the packed church, the faces of many friends triggered nostalgic memories of mission trials and triumphs over the years.

I couldn’t hold back the tears when Dr. Peter Oudon* stood up and recounted how my mother, Judy Aitken, first shared the truth of the Sabbath and a sincere picture of a loving Christian with him in a refugee camp. Dr. Oudon and his wife, Dora*, with great vision and patience, have led and mentored young people throughout the years, guiding them into the Spirit-filled, amazing leaders of the church they are today. They, along with other pioneers like Dick and Jean Hall, who started the first church in Laos in 1969, have instrumentally been used by God to bring a war-torn field to the point of officially becoming the Laos Adventist Mission.

The joyful music, thoughtful speeches, beautiful flowers, and the inspiring sermon by Elder Somchai Chuenjit, Southeastern Asia Union President, along with the prayers of rejoicing all perfectly reflected the true reason we were celebrating — the many souls that will be in God’s kingdom. The church membership in this communist country has grown to 3,040, with two official churches, two companies, and 77 groups. There is only one province left to enter with the Seventh-day Adventist message, though there are many more souls to still reach. Among the population of over seven million, only 1.7% are Christian. We praise the Lord that in 2022, 705 people received baptism. This is amazing when considering that every aspect of culture and life in Laos is entrenched in Buddhism and animism.

Thank you for significantly contributing to the growth of the church in Laos. God has been answering your prayers and blessing your donations, which makes a huge difference. This year, in faith, ASAP committed to providing $235,700 in funding to the Laos Adventist Mission, which will go towards the support of 40 missionaries and a seed preservation project, along with other income-generating projects, missionary training, churches, evangelism initiatives, and other soul-winning endeavors. Please prayerfully consider giving a special offering to the Lord, in celebration of the formation of the Laos Adventist Mission and in continued support for growing God’s kingdom in this difficult-to-reach country. Out of the 126 people groups in Laos, 96 are still unreached. There remains a great work to do before Jesus comes.