“I have decided to follow Jesus,” responded a young church servant when asked about his plans for the future. He spoke with quiet determination, “I had a good job, but I am not going back.” This forward-thinking mindset characterized many of the Christians who traveled mostly by motorbike or on foot from nearby villages to attend meetings which MTM was invited to provide.
Up to 80 people between 12 and 80 years old attended a three-day teaching session held in a village church an hour’s drive from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Some were pastors, many were church leaders and others were interested Christians. Many were first-generation Christians having believed just a few years, yet this church has grown since the year 2000 to include a network of about 134 churches served across Cambodia.
The very first MTM Kingdom Builder’s Training Conference in Cambodia, was held in Khrang Thnong Village, February 22-24, 2017
Twice every day we drove near the horrific killing fields where many of the 25% of Cambodia’s population were brutally killed in the late 1970’s by Pol Pot’s regime. Also nearby was the S-21 prison where all but 7 of 20,000 prisoners died.
Within this context speakers taught a series on “Three Vital Relationships for a Fruitful Ministry” from John 15 speaking of our relationship to God, to others and to the world; and another series on “Forgiveness” based on messages from the Lord’s Prayer regarding the cost of not forgiving, and the blessing of forgiving. The students were attentive and interactive, taking notes and recounting points from the lessons among themselves.
The final session ended with the church crying out in unison in their beautiful Khmer tongue, “For Thine is the kingdom and the glory and the power forever, Amen!” Their faces said they meant every word with all their hearts and minds and souls. God is certainly filling them with fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Each day local Christians prepared delicious Cambodian food and lovingly cared for our needs. Best of all, we enjoyed precious fellowship with Brothers and Sisters who love Jesus. Many still have memories of enduring unimaginable horror and pain in their lives or their parent’s lives. Jesus is healing them. As one Brother said, “I don’t know how I could stand it without Jesus.” After the meetings, Cambodian pastors each stood and discussed what they had learned, what they thought was most important and how they would take the messages and examples back home to teach their home congregations. Many expressed strong fervency to take the Gospel further to the lost, a window of freedom and opportunity which seems open at present in this beautiful tropical country.
Please pray that the Christians in this fertile land will continue to produce much fruit to God’s glory. Pray that they continue to abide in the vine, and find healing and forgiveness. Rejoice that one day soon we shall raise our hands with them, to sing together as sons and daughters in God’s Kingdom, to exalt his Holy Name forever.
Editors note: The above article was written by MTM guest teacher, Brother Mark, who is currently serving Christ in SE Asia.
Click Here For Testimony from Phon Chanthorn Native Leader in Cambodia
CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO ALBUM OF THE KHRANG THNONG VILLAGE, MTM
