t first glance, you might wonder what kind of Church Planter he could be. Chan does not seem that dynamic, actually he seems quite timid and shy. But his faith, his church family and God’s Word kept him strong under brutal persecution to do a great work in Southeast Asia.

Chan was not new to the ministry but wanted to be trained in starting a new church in an unreached area of his homeland. So he and his family moved to a new village. He was trained by Bible League to plant a church there.

“Disturbing” neighbour not disturbed by persecution
Chan came face to face with spiritual opposition. People claimed he was “disturbing” the neighbourhood by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was promptly arrested, handcuffed and carried away to jail along with his father who was helping him. He was placed in a dark cell with four or five other people. The jailhouse offered no comforts—not even food or sanitation. Survival itself was—and still is—a daily struggle for its inmates. But Chan did survive on the prayers and generosity of his Christian friends who were brave enough to bring food to him. They were his strength and encouragement.

Chan was tortured and beaten for his faith during the 18 months he spent in that dark cell. The guards sometimes poisoned his food and they often drew blood from his veins to try to weaken him. “During that time,” Chan says, “The Lord gave me comfort and boldness through Matthew 10:26-28: 'So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.' ”

Chan was not alone. Another Laotian Christian reports that he was recently held prisoner while holding a Bible study in his home. Local officials nailed all of the doors and windows shut so that the group was unable to any obtain food or water. The greatest torture was not the lack of nourishment but the uncertainty of the situation. For three terrifying days, the group feared that the house would be set ablaze.

Amazingly, the horrendous persecution has not deterred Christians from sharing their faith. Like Paul, Laotian Christians have used their “chains” for “advancing the Gospel” (Philippians 1:12-14). Try as they might, but no one has been able to stop God’s Spirit from moving in the country of Laos.

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