People group profile · PG009120
The Jeng of Laos
The Jeng of Laos, numbering about 8,700 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are a people who migrated en masse from Vietnam's mountains to southern Laos's plains in 1936, bringing ancient brass gongs once used as currency, and resisting Buddhism in favor of animist traditions like building miniature spirit villages for feared forces.
They are an indigenous people in the Mon-Khmer people cluster of the Southeast Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Animism, and they primarily speak Oy.
Fast facts
- Country
- Laos
- Population
- 8,700
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- Mon-Khmer
- Primary language
- Oy (oyb)
- Primary religion
- Animism
- Strategic Progress Index
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Expanding Unreached People Group
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Attapu province: foot of Bolaven plateau, and near Pakse; Xekong province: Thateng district. Attapu province: Samakkhixai and Sanamxai districts, 7 villages north of Attopeu town; Xekong province: Dakcheung and Lamam districts (Jeng dialect); Attapu, Cha
Where they live
Gospel status
The Jeng are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. 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 Jeng
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Primary religion
Animism · Ethnoreligion
100% adherents
Primary language
Oy · Austroasiatic family
100% speak Oy
Gospel resources in Oy
- Bible not available
- JESUS Film not available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Jeng
- 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.
- 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.
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