6 seminars were combined men and women with an emphasis on men lay leaders, one was for the ladies and one for the youth. There were 646 people in all that came to these 8 seminars. The aim of these seminars is to train lay pastors, evangelists, and new house church lay pastors. They learn how to hold their worship services, baptize believers, conduct the Lord's supper, preach and teach. They also learn how to lead their house churches, pray for sick people, cast out demons, give offerings and give testimonies, how to lead services, conduct weddings, dedicate babies and dedicate homes.

 

Laos continues to persecute Christians which they call an enemy of the State. This starts from the village authorities up to the provincial leaders. Our experience shows that this persecution does not originate with the authorities. As long as the head of the village is happy with the Christians, things go smoothly. But if he is not happy the leader can do anything that he wants to get rid of them. Most Christians in Laos, therefore, constantly live with opposition which may be coming from their relatives, neighbors or local officials. Their big task as a Christian is to please the village authorities, such as the head of the village, the communist party members, the village police and the national front village. These 4 groups form the main opposition to the Christians. Some of them are very rude and ruthless. Please pray for the Khmu believers that they may have victory over fear and live in peace and joy of the Lord.