In Vanghay village, northwestern Laos, Pastor Thongkham Philavanh was tragically shot by two masked individuals on motorcycles while he was feeding his chickens and ducks.

According to The Christian Post the assailants fired seven shots into his head and body, leading to his death upon arrival at a hospital. Pastor Thongkham, who left behind his wife and two teenage children, was 40 years old.

Pastor Thongkham, a respected tribal Khmu leader and head of the Lao Evangelical Church, was known for his dedication to spreading the Gospel and hosting pastoral training sessions.

Despite authorities' repeated warnings to cease his Christian activities, he continued his work.

The local Christian community has expressed shock and grief over social media. One Facebook post read: “His profound wisdom, unwavering faith and boundless compassion touched the lives of many.”

Despite increasing persecution, Christianity in Laos is experiencing significant growth. A spokesperson for Open Doors Asia told Premier Christian News: "In the last two or three years, we've seen that it's recurring.

"The brutality of Christian persecution in Laos is becoming more violent"

Laos is ranked 21st on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List for countries where practicing Christianity is most challenging, reflecting the persistent threats faced by its Christian population.