Christ for Cambodia

By Ps Ng Zhiwen

As I write this (on Wed 8 April), I am seated in a rural church hall somewhere in one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia. A large gathering of pastors and leaders from all over the province have come. This region is less than 1% Christian, and the leaders have come to catch a vision to see many come to know Jesus. This could mean organizing the first ever large-scale public gospel rally in this province.

The church I am in has seen difficult times. Twenty-three years ago, the building was burned and almost destroyed by a mob. A new building has since been erected. One of the pastors here lost his father 40 years ago at the hands of persecutors. Now he is a member of the provincial Christian committee representing the churches here, whose task is to rally the churches here to unite for evangelism. 

From fear of persecution to faith to proclaim!

The LORD is at work in this place. I am here as a witness.

In just these 2 days, I have seen signs of revival. The national church is incredibly united. More than three-quarters of the churches in the nation are connected with one another through a relational network of leaders down to the provinces.

The senior leaders of the Church across different denominations serve together as friends. They will make time to meet and talk through issues, and fellowship over food. They have prayed together and share a vision to see the number of Jesus followers in the nation increase manifold within the next 7 years. That’s a bold vision that only God can make happen!

The national church ‘elders’ are godly men and widely respected. They give their time and energy freely to serve the unity of the Church.

The Cambodian brother who drove me from the capital (Phnom Penh) to the province considers it his ministry calling to drive to all the provinces, building relationships with the local churches, encouraging the leaders, and solving problems. He does this entirely as a volunteer, living on the support of other Christians.

I am right now listening to a sister providing interpretation for a presentation of the gospel rally. Just last night, she was encouraging the key pastors in the province to take ownership of the vision to reach their own people. She too is doing this as a self-supported volunteer. 

We were also joined by two locals who serve with Youth With A Mission, who had come from a province on the other end of the country – they came to lend strength and see the church on this end be united for the gospel.

The passion and sacrifice of God’s people here is touching me deeply. I believe the kingdom of God grows ‘at the speed of relationships’, and I see that happening here. I am excited for them.

Ok, so I am here to more than just witness. I am discerning how the Church in Singapore can lend strength to what the local church here is doing.

Pray with me as I think about this. And if you are interested or wish to be involved in some way, come and speak to me.