Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 37, No. 6 Home Page
As pastor of the Khmu congregation at Butler MB Church in Fresno, California, Keovilay has travelled twice to Laos and Thailand in the past several years, and recordings of his sermons have been widely broadcast. During the recent visit, his previous work in both countries, along with the expansion of religious freedom in Laos, resulted in the large number of conversions and baptisms.
"Last time I visited Laos, I preached at small home meetings," says Keovilay. "I had to tell the Christians there to meet as small groups in their own homes. Now that the federal government has lifted some of the restrictions on churches, Christians in some areas of the country are free to meet publicly."
While some missionaries and Laotian Christians have been arrested in recent months, Keovilay and a fellow Butler church member were able to travel and preach freely.
"In Laos, the culture is closely tied to Buddhism and animism," says Keovilay. "The people in a town or county may complain to their local officials that the Christians are threatening the local culture and economy. Also, other more established Christian groups may complain that the new churches are a threat. Because of this, the local government has in some cases arrested missionaries and local Christians."
Keovilay reports that he was able to preach openly during the recent visit because he had first approached local officials for permission, and because of his relationship with many of the local pastors, as well as government, police and army officials.
"I preached on three passages: first, Romans 1:18-32, which speaks of our sinfulness and our need for God," says Keovilay. "Then, I read Romans 12, which asks us to make ourselves living sacrifices to God. After that, I talked about Romans 13, in which we are taught to respect our government and work for the good of our country. By preaching this last part, I showed the government officials who attended our services that Christianity is not a threat to Laos."
Keovilay worked with new churches in eleven villages to choose pastors and begin their training, so that the churches can seek guidance from one another rather than relying on outside sources. The new leaders will now go to the city of Vientiane, Laos to get several weeks of training before returning to their villages to pastor.
MBMS International is currently looking at ways to expand mission efforts in Southeast Asia, among the Khmu and other people groups. "Right now, there are only a small number of Christians in Laos," says MBMS International General Director, Harold Ens. "The expansion of religious freedom in that country is an opportunity to share Christ's love among a people who have shown a keen desire to learn more about the Good News."
Brad Thiessen, MBMS International Secretary for Media and Communications
Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 37, No. 6 Home Page