We recently witnessed one of the most beautiful moments in our time in Cambodia and one of the main reasons we are here: to plant churches that plant churches.
As we train the Pnong who have already accepted Christ, we emphasize ways in which they can truly know Him. One of these ways is through sharing the gospel with their own people, and learning to depend on the authority given to them by the Holy Spirit and by Christ’s Commission. This practice will make the work endure and multiply amongst the Pnong—whether I am physically present or not.
After several discipleship training sessions, some members of Srae Thom church decided to take the next step. Lum, one of the members, began sharing his personal testimony with a coworker as they spent long days together in the forest, collecting honey and wild fruits. Lum told his coworker how God had transformed his life. As a result, the coworker accepted Jesus and asked to meet “Lokru” (teacher—that’s me). I told Lum and the Srae Thom church that I would gladly visit, but just to meet the new believer, not to lead the group myself.
Soon, Silvan (a student missionary considering career missionary service) and I decided to venture out together. We jumped on our motorbikes and rode two and a half hours to this new location, hoping at least to meet this new believer.
When we arrived, the entire Srae Thom group was there, along with the coworker and the eleven others who live in the home. Twelve people! What an incredible blessing.
We had a beautiful time of worship. The patriarch of the household publicly announced that he and his family had opened their hearts to Jesus and wanted to follow Him. He also expressed their desire for their home to become a meeting place for reaching more people in their village.
And just like that, we can joyfully say that we have a new house church! Please welcome the new group of believers from Snanh Krobay.
Sending missionaries into challenging places around the world is extremely important, but missionaries also carry a tremendous responsibility. One of the most essential parts of the work is passing on the authority of Jesus to others, so that local believers understand the Great Commission and become disciples who make more disciples.
That’s exactly what Jesus did. He focused on a small group and invested deeply in them. But He did not stay with them forever—He sent them out. And even though He was no longer with them in the flesh, He did not send them alone. He sent them with His authority and with the power of the Holy Spirit.
This process takes time, relationships and a lot of work—essentially, discipleship. But once it takes root, the fruit becomes visible, as we witnessed with this new house church.
We praise God for allowing us to experience this incredible transformation in the lives of people who not only choose to follow Jesus and leave behind their old ways, but also choose to open their home so others can come, learn and experience that same transformation.
The Snanh Krobay group still has a beautiful journey ahead—learning more about God, the plan of Salvation, the Body of Christ, the Second Coming and much more.
Please join us in keeping them in prayer, “and for those who will believe in Me through their word” (John 17:20).
