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Son of Three-Time Imprisoned Laotian Pastor Found Strength in Support from Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Open Doors Canada invites Canadians to pray for Christian captives on June 23, 2024
TORONTO, Ont., June 3, 2024 – Fifty-seven-year-old Inthy, a pastor from Laos, is no stranger to religious persecution. He has been imprisoned three times for courageously living out his faith in a staunch Buddhist village where Christians are considered traitors, proponents of disunity, and offenders of tradition. On June 23, 2024, One With Them: A Day for Christian Captives, Open Doors Canada calls on Canadian Christians to stand in prayer for those being held captive for faith-related reasons and their families.
Inthy was arrested for the third time in August 2020 for conducting a Christian funeral at the request of the deceased’s family. He was imprisoned for six months under terrible conditions. Inthy was forced to sleep on the ground of a dirty washroom, showered with mud water, and was not permitted to leave the cell he shared with more than 170 prisoners. During his interrogation, authorities repeatedly demanded that Inthy deny his faith, but he remained resolute.
“Last year, more than four thousand Christians were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced, and imprisoned because of their faith. Nearly four thousand were abducted. And these are just the cases we know about; many of the injustices inflicted on persecuted Christians remain hidden,” said Rev. Gary Stagg, Executive Director of Open Doors Canada. “And while there are many stories of imprisoned brave believers, there are others whose stories are often left untold – the families of the prisoners who are left behind to worry and struggle without their imprisoned loved ones.”
Each time Inthy was arrested, he left behind his wife, Chamchai, and their nine children. She struggled to provide for her family financially and endured insults from her relatives while he was in prison, but she did not abandon her faith. Open Doors partners ministered to Chamchai and her children by providing them spiritual care, support, and financial assistance while Inthy was in prison. This support also deeply impacted their son, Kikeo’s faith.
Kikeo, Chamchai and Inthy’s 17-year-old son, believes God always looks out for His children
“I believe what happened to my father is part of God’s plan. Each time my father came out of prison, he proclaimed the word of God more strongly,” said Inthy’s seventeen-year-old son, Kikeo. “God always looks out for His children. I feel that God is always with us. Even during my father’s absence, God gave my mom the strength to support the family so we would never go hungry.
The 2024 World Watch List, an annual ranking of the 50 most dangerous countries to live as a Christian, results reveal that the discrimination and attacks that Inthy and his family experienced aren’t uncommon in Laos. Laos is ranked number 21 on the list due to a recent spike in violence across the country, daily pressure, discrimination, attacks, and government raids. Converts are at risk of losing their homes, families, and communities, with many families working to expel converts from their homes and villages.
Throughout June, Open Doors Canada will share stories and prayer requests and host a special One With Them online event focused on educating our family of faith about the plight of Christian captives. The Open Doors Canada office will be home to a four-by-four cell, which will be filled with prayers for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.
“Prison cells and rooms where Christians are locked away can be filled with fear, hopelessness, trauma, and uncertainty. But we know our prayers go where we cannot,” said Stagg. “So, let’s fill their cells instead with words of encouragement, hope, and faith. This cell will serve as a symbol, but we know our prayers are real and powerful.”
For more information about One With Them: A Day for Christian Captives, available resources, event details, and to submit your prayer, go to www.onewiththem.ca.
Interviews with Rev. Gary Stagg, Executive Director of Open Doors Canada, are available. Imagery and campaign videos can be found here.
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About Open Doors Canada:
Open Doors Canada is affiliated with Open Doors International, a global ministry that has supported and strengthened persecuted Christians in more than 70 countries for over 65 years. Open Doors provides practical support to persecuted Christians such as food, medicines, trauma care, legal assistance, safe houses, and schools, as well as spiritual support through Christian literature, training, and resources. For more information, visit opendoorscanada.org.
About Rev. Gary Stagg:
For more than fourty years, Gary has been involved in full-time ministry with an emphasis on the revitalization of Christian communities and the establishment of systems for assimilation and discipleship. Gary studied education and theology and has used that training to structure his passion for helping people stand firm in their faith and embrace a missional lifestyle.