A Scarred Past in Cambodia
In Cambodia, a church might consist of 10 Christians gathered beneath a sugar palm, its trunk still bearing shrapnel scars from the battles that have been fought around it. Or it might be 40 worshippers who congregate in the house of a Bible trained church planter.
In either case, Cambodian Christians cannot erase the deep scars that have been left by decades of brutal violence.
Years of atrocities and political turmoil have gouged out a spiritual void in the hearts of Cambodians. It is a void that the national religion of Buddhism, with its unattainable path to enlightenment, has failed to fill.
In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Cambodia was left with socialist groups fighting for control. Millions of innocent people were executed, and civil war raged for decades.
Although a democratic government has begun with the help of the UN, the painful scars still remain. And the wounds reopen every time another mine explodes, planted years ago by the warring factions.
The vast majority of Cambodians have looked to Buddhist rites to try to heal their wounds. But Christians in Cambodia know that the peace their country aches for is a peace that only Jesus Christ can impart.
Eager to impart that peace to their fellow countrymen, Cambodian Christians are enthusiastically entering church planter training. And church growth is exploding.
Cambodia is the first Buddhist country in Southeast Asia to show such a mass movement toward accepting the Gospel message. In a country shrouded so long by Buddhism, it is remarkable to see hearts being opened, one by one, to the light of the truth.
The people of Cambodia are on their way to discovering that the only true refuge from turmoil and trouble is found in the saving blood of Jesus. And Bible trained church planters long to shepherd them with an eternal, unshakable comfort.
Cambodian Christians have a vision for their nation and a heart for the whole world. Fire burns in our heart! one pastor says. We long to bring our nation, every community, into His heavenly kingdom.
And God is using them to do just that. As they impact their communities with the love of Jesus, their nation is changing, one soul at a time. The body of Christ is growing, as local gatherings of believers are established in areas where there were no churches before. It is exciting to be a part of what God is doing in Cambodia.
The Lord uses trained Christians here in Cambodia, another pastor explains. It is really a great help to our hungry nation and us. His living Word enables us to be fully fed, and will help us bring our whole nation to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ our Lord in the near future. May the Lord bless these people to carry on this good ministry until we reach the whole world for Jesus. Amen!
As more Cambodians are brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ and His Church, please pray for the shepherds who care for this tender new flock. Pray that God would call more Christians to labor in this teeming harvest field, as the indigenous church planting movement spreads throughout the country.
(ArticlesBase SC #122963)
Article Tags:
Christian
,Bible
,Christianity
,bible Study
,church planting
,Christian Church
,Bible Verse
Christian Churches around the World
Faith and fascinating history meet in Christian houses of worship. Places of Prayer, is a history of common, ecclesiastical, architectural elements. In-depth tours of churches, as well as historical details about their architecture, create a personal, exciting, and educational experience in faith. Distributed by Tubemogul. (03:09)
Church Fundraising Idea
A simple church fundraising idea that can raise more money faster than traditional christian fundraising. (03:40)
Take Five Minutes and Worship Jesus With Me
A FRIENDLY INVITATION FOR YOU TO TAKE 5 MINUTES AND WORSHIP THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH ME. BY DECLARING THANKS TO HIS GLORY (04:57)
Learn About Greek Orthodox Easter
This short video gives an overview of Greek Orthodox Easter. The Greek Orthodox Church uses a different calendar to western Christianity. (01:40)
A Guide to Christianity
In this watchmojo video, will learn a brief overview of Christianity, where it came from and what makes it. (01:18)
Most people know someone who has “converted” to Christianity. From a purely mental, intellectual viewpoint ... what has happened here? This is really a great mystery ... or is it? Would it help to hear from someone who underwent such a change - with an additional 32 years (and counting) tacked on?
Through the study of Revelation chapter 17, the Lord has led us to a most startling truth, confirming that we are nearer to the end of all things than ever imagined. We are prompted by our loving God to share this prophecy, that none need be ensnared by the global events soon to transpire which will engulf the world in the grandest deception yet contrived by Satan.
Unclean - Formerly there were some that feared thee; but now we are all as one polluted mass, nothing of good left in us by reason of an universal degeneracy. And all - The very best of us all are no better than the most unclean things. Taken - Carried away to Babylon, as leaves hurried away by a boisterous wind.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter (Proverbs 25:2).
This is my testimony of how God has saved my life from destruction and how He has blessed me.
In the Middle East, many doors are tightly closed, locking Middle Easterners in with the darkness.
Excuse me!! Would you stop for a moment?!
We've moved so far away from the historical principles of most religious teachings. The ego has taken the discussion out of the esoteric and put it on the exoteric or externals and therein we've missed the major nutrients of the spirit.
After spending two years walking with Canadian crutches, and then a walker for a few years, I look at stairs and ramps with all sorts of mixed feelings.
Eighteen different Biblical versions give many varied and wrong translations when translating " foreign woman" and " the stranger who flatters with her words" In the entire Quran, the term "foreign woman" is not mentioned therein; all women are equal in respect to their rights and responsibilities regardless of race, color, location etc.
Every now I then I receive a letter from a subscriber on the best way to incorporate Christian meditation into their daily devotion time with God. Including Christian meditation, into your daily schedule can make your life so much more rewarding and fulfilling. There are numerous benefits to meditating on...
Horoscope and card reading is presage of our life. It is all about the date and time of birth, status about the planets in 12 houses. During the period of planets moving from one place to other you will see the change in your life.
What are the “basics” of Christian living – the most foundational activities and disciplines that God wants in our lives? For a long time, I believed that Bible study and memorization, prayer, fasting and attending church were high on that list. But is that what the Bible teaches? Or is there more?
So will the world end on May 21, 2011 or in October 2011? This is at least the second (if not more) time that this Preacher has predicted a date for the World's End. He is the same Preacher who exclaims that the "Church Age" has ended. Ironically, he and his followers still hold church like meetings. Also, he and his ministry continue to solicit finances to expand their ministry.
Malcolm S Forbes said: Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. God’s character goes into the creation of every person. It is human nature to want to see how we measure up in comparison to others; especially if we think that they are better than us or have more of something we want.
Probably any dog owner can tell you that training your dog isn't always as easy as it seems it should be. Most owners assume that after a few days or sessions of rehearsing commands and actions then the dog should just pick up on basic skills and that should be...
When you start thinking about adopting an Eclectus parrot, and you start talking to various people about the prospect, there is a very good chance that you will hear many myths, and absolute misinformation, concerning these very special birds. Here are the most common myths that you will likely hear: When...
For those who have heard stories about persecuted Christians in Africa it might be surprising to learn that nearly 50% of all Africans are Christians.
After 30 plus turbulent years under apartheid South Africa held its first national democratic elections in 1994.
In the Middle East, many doors are tightly closed, locking Middle Easterners in with the darkness.
In Cambodia, a church might consist of 10 Christians gathered beneath a sugar palm.
This small village in Kenya did not know Gods power until a humble Christian named Anderson was sent to break the strongholds of fear and bring Truth into lives.
Karth awakened from a deep sleep and immediately felt a strong sense of urgency overcome his body. What he had experienced could not have been a dream.
1