Where We Work:
Laos & Thailand
Heart for Mission
Heart for Mission Laos-Thailand is a ministry of ALWM. Their work in Laos, Thailand, and the Mekong region started in 2009. After some time in the USA in pastoral ministry starting in 2017, the Thorstad’s returned to Laos serve full time with ALWM in May, 2024. The ministry is focused on training leaders and Bible Translation!
Laos has a population of 7.6 million people, with 96 unreached people groups. Neighboring Thailand has a population of 71.6 million with 74 unreached people groups. Together there are over 67 million people in the 170 unreached people groups, so there is tremendous need and opportunity to preach the Gospel.
Heart for Mission ministry works with the local and national churches to reach the unreached peoples of Laos and Thailand. This work is done in several ways:
Theological Education for the church leadership
See the request from two local seminaries in Thailand and Myanmar (Burma) who request your support. Appeal from Bangkok Institute of Theology, Myanmar Institute of Lutheran Theology, Global Theological Seminary, and Trinity Evangelical Christian University.
Bible Translations in Tribal People's Language
Youth and Children Ministry Sport's Ministry Outreach
Compassionate Centers (For underprivileged children)
Sport's Ministry Outreach
Ministry Outreach Sites
Their heart is to support the churches in Laos and Thailand and see the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed to the unreached people groups in those countries. They aim to return to full-time ministry but then, while there, also coordinate short-term mission teams to Laos and Thailand to support the local ministry and churches through short-term or long-term missions. By focusing on Bible and resource translations, Education and theological development, leadership development, and lay church engagement through sports, music ministries, and their ministry sites in Laos and Thailand. They hope churches and individuals will come alongside their years of experience to support them and their partner churches in Laos and Thailand.
If you wish to become one of those partners, click on the support Heart for Mission, and give today. You can also learn more by visiting their ministry site.
Pr. Tom and Deuane have three children. Tom is originally from Minnesota and Deuane is originally from Laos. They are currently living in Southeast Asia as of May 2024. Deuane holds a B.Th and a M.Th; she is currently working on a Th.D. Pr. Tom holds an M.Div., M.Th., and Th.D. and has post-doctoral work in Historical Theology.
Ministry Needs and Prayer Requests:
Please pray for them s the family settles into life and ministry in Laos!
Pray for their work in a Bible translation that will be used as a gateway Bible. A gateway bible language is used for tribal language translation where there is a lack of knowledge of English or biblical languages.
Support Pastor Tom and his Family
Join the Pastor Tom and his family’s mission support team as they live and serve in Laos!
Short Term Missions Opportunities
Teach English in Bangkok, Thailand with Heart for Mission
Are you a college student, a young adult, or looking for a chance to serve on a short mission trip in Bangkok, Thailand?
The Bangkok Institute of Theology is looking for volunteers to come to Bangkok to teach English to undergrad and graduate-level students basic English, intermediate English, and English for Theology.
When: June-August 2024 and annually
Investment: $2500 + airfare
Learn more about these upcoming mission opportunities in Southeast Asia!
Teach English in Bangkok, Thailand with Heart for Mission
Do you have a Ph.D. in Theology, Th.D.; or equivalent? The Seminaries in Southeast Asia need your help. We have the opportunity for short-term teaching opportunities in Myanmar and Thailand.
The trip is around 2-3 weeks long and dates are flexible. Support needs depend on country and time of year, between 3000-6000 depending on the length and country.
Pigs for Pastors
In Partnership with Pastor Tom & Deuane of ALWM’s Heart for Mission Laos - Thailand, “Pigs for Pastors” will make a life changing difference for pastors and their families, and the churches they serve in Laos, where new churches are opening weekly, and only 3% are Christian! Watch the video below, donate personally, and use our promo resources to help your church involved!
Our goal is to bless 25 pastors and their families in 2024. The reality is that:
Laos is only 3% Christian, so a great opportunity and desperate need for the Gospel
New churches are opened every year in Laos.
Last year alone almost 100 new churches were opened.
Many churches in Laos cannot be self-supporting
Most pastors are not fully supported.
Through "Pigs for Pastors", $2000 provides an enclosure, a mother pig, 10 piglets and 6 months of feed - everything they need to launch a business that will provide a steady income as they serve the Lord!
For Bulletin inserts that you can use at church, a power point slide, as well as our downloadable 'Pigs for Pastors' Video, please visit: