Cambodian Pastors

I am reposting this note to request prayer for the Cambodian pastors.  The Church is strong, and where the Church is strong, Satan fights. Please keep the Cambodian pastors in your prayers. There are presently 35 pastors -- both male and female -- in the Wesleyan Church of Cambodia.  In the last few weeks, much has happened in the Church, and the pastors need much prayer and encouragement.

Pastors cannot win the battle alone; they need committed intercessors to lift them up in fervent, specific prayer. I believe that the power of God will be released when we begin to faithfully pray for our pastors. Pastors are human—they face the same challenges that their people do, with some additional ones! They grow tired in ministry, are tempted to sin, and may find it difficult to balance their many roles and responsibilities.

Here are just a few ways to pray for the pastors in Cambodia:

• An intimate knowledge of God
• Faithfulness to spend time reading God's Word daily, and for insight into Scripture and an understanding of how it applies to Cambodians today
• That he would preach with clarity, power and boldness, and that his preaching would be anointed and empowered by the Holy Spirit
• Protection from the work of Satan and victory over temptation
• To keep a soft heart in the face of abrasive and abusive people; Buddhist families often deny relatives (even children and siblings) when they become Christians, especially pastors.
• A successful ministry - however God defines it in his life - and that people would be won to the Lord through his life, ministry, and preaching
• Boldness to speak the truth, and grace to speak it will humility
• That he would persevere through whatever trial he is facing
• That his children will grow up with a positive impression of church ministry
• That he would remain pure and that his love for his wife would increase daily
• Physical and mental strength, and opportunities to relax
• To live according to God's direction and worthy of his calling as a shepherd of God's people

Pastor Titus and Pastor Greg


Pastor Paroath and Pastor Poleak


Pastor Sopheak and Pastor Sithat


Pastor Kieth, and Pastora Socheata and Pastor Rotha


Pastor Sothkan and Rev. Kimsan, and Pastor Banyen

and many others.

Prayer for Pastors

Please keep the Cambodian pastors in your prayers. There are presently 35 pastors -- both male and female -- in the Wesleyan Church of Cambodia.

Pastors cannot win the battle alone; they need committed intercessors to lift them up in fervent, specific prayer. I believe that the power of God will be released when we begin to faithfully pray for our pastors. Pastors are human—they face the same challenges that their people do, with some additional ones! They grow tired in ministry, are tempted to sin, and may find it difficult to balance their many roles and responsibilities.

Here are just a few ways to pray for the pastors in Cambodia:

• An intimate knowledge of God
• Faithfulness to spend time reading God's Word daily, and for insight into Scripture and an understanding of how it applies to Cambodians today
• That he would preach with clarity, power and boldness, and that his preaching would be anointed and empowered by the Holy Spirit
• Protection from the work of Satan and victory over temptation
• To keep a soft heart in the face of abrasive and abusive people; Buddhist families often deny relatives (even children and siblings) when they become Christians, especially pastors.
• A successful ministry - however God defines it in his life - and that people would be won to the Lord through his life, ministry, and preaching
• Boldness to speak the truth, and grace to speak it will humility
• That he would persevere through whatever trial he is facing
• That his children will grow up with a positive impression of church ministry
• That he would remain pure and that his love for his wife would increase daily
• Physical and mental strength, and opportunities to relax
• To live according to God's direction and worthy of his calling as a shepherd of God's people

Pastor Titus and Pastor Greg


Pastor Paroath and Pastor Poleak


Pastor Sopheak and Pastor Sithat


Pastor Kieth, and Pastora Socheata and Pastor Rotha


Pastor Sothkan and Rev. Kimsan, and Pastor Banyen

Anticipated Future Ministry [pt. 2]

Pastor Poleak, his wife, and twin boys: Peter & Paul

In addition to youth ministry [read HERE,] I want to work alongside the pastors and their families to establish some sustainable income generation projects. The Wesleyan Church in America recently withdrew all their financial support of the Wesleyan Church in Cambodia, leaving most of the pastors without an income. I do not know the reasoning for the Church to withdraw support, except an assumption that the Church in Cambodia is ready to stand on its own without outside support. Despite the very difficult situation of having no income, the 35 pastors are still very faithful to God and are encouraged nonetheless.

Pastor Arun and Pastora Chariya, with sons Ruben and Rodan

Even without their great responsibilities of time and energy to the church, economic opportunities are limited, especially in the country-side provinces. I want to use my training and education in International and Community Development to assist the pastors and their families in creating sustainable projects to generate an income to support their families without withdrawing from their support of the church. In the lush, country-side provinces, I hope to train the pastors to garden; fruits and vegetables can either be sold to purchase other necessities, or consumed by the family. Chickens can also be raised for their meat, and their eggs sold for profit. Other options are training the women to sew, or opening small stores for odds and ends.

Rev. Kung Kimsan and family

Many years from now, I would like to see a cafe established and operated by the pastors' wives and/or daughters. The cafe could target Westerners and offer cheesecake, blueberry muffins, chicken salad sandwiches, grilled cheese and etc. A corner of the cafe could highlight handmade goods - i.e. jewelry, journals, greeting cards, etc. - crafted by the pastors, their families, or church members. I know that is a big dream, but we'll see what God does!

Pastor Kimsua and family

Love love love, Jewel