People group profile · PG000172
The Lao of France
The Lao of France, numbering about 19,500 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a Lao community in France shaped by colonial-era migration and later refugee resettlement that preserves the cultural heritage of the Lao people while remaining closely connected to Laos.
They are a diaspora people in the Lao people cluster of the Southeast Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Theravada Buddhism, and they primarily speak Lao.
Fast facts
- Country
- France
- Population
- 19,500
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- Lao
- Primary language
- Lao (lao)
- Primary religion
- Theravada Buddhism
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Expanding Unreached People Group
- Region
- Western Europe, Europe
Where they live
Gospel status
The Lao are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Lao
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Primary religion
Theravada Buddhism · Buddhism
57% adherents
Primary language
Lao · Tai-Kadai family
100% speak Lao
Gospel resources in Lao
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- Revised Lao Version · audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Lao
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
Lao in other countries
The same people (ROP3 105643) is reported in 7 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lao | Laos | 3,975,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Lao | United States | 236,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Lao | Vietnam | 206,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Lao | Cambodia | 41,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Lao | Myanmar | 26,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Lao | Canada | 17,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Lao | Argentina | 2,300 | Unengaged and Unreached |
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