I grew up in Cambodia in a poor family. My dad and oldest sister passed away and for most of my childhood, my mother raised me and my brothers and sisters on her own. My uncle is a follower of Jesus and gave me a Bible, which I burnt. He would sing Christian songs and […]

I grew up in Cambodia in a poor family. My dad and oldest sister passed away and for most of my childhood, my mother raised me and my brothers and sisters on her own. My uncle is a follower of Jesus and gave me a Bible, which I burnt. He would sing Christian songs and I shouted at him to stop bullying me into believing.

My mother wanted me to study at university after I finished high school, however, she could not afford it. So, one of my friends suggested I go to the Lutheran Church in Cambodia and ask if they could help me with a scholarship. My friend also inquired for himself, and we both received a scholarship.

While studying at university, I lived at the Lutheran Church in Cambodia’s Rainbow Hostel in Phnom Penh. We had regular Bible studies and worship. I came to know God, but I did not yet believe. The longer I stayed at the Rainbow Hostel, the more the church demonstrated God’s love toward me. Slowly my heart was softened, I became more open to hearing about Jesus, and I prepared for baptism. And yet, even at my baptism, as the water was being sprinkled on my head I was thinking ‘I don’t believe this. I don’t want to become a Christian’.

One day, the pastor said, ‘If you want to know if God is a true God, you can pray to God. If God wills it, he will answer’. So, I prayed, ‘If you are a true God, please call my whole family to become Christians’. God answered my prayer and now my mum, brothers, sisters and I are all Christian. Hallelujah! Now I know God prepares me and makes a way for me; he is always with me to lead, guide and protect me.

I have been saved because of the grace of God and want others to be saved like me. In the Khmer context, most people think they will be saved by their actions. But this is not true, and I want to bring the good news to them. This is why I decided to study to become a pastor and be ordained into the Lutheran Church in Cambodia.

One of my roles is to lead the ministry team at our new outreach point in Teuk Chenh village. Please pray for the small school there, where we teach children to learn Khmer and English and lead them to Christ.

As I begin my ministry as an ordained pastor, please pray that I will continue to gaze steadily at Jesus, allowing my thinking to be conformed to the truth about God, so I can share this truth with others. Pray that I will read the Bible in the hope and expectation that God will speak. Pray that the Spirit is at work in my heart calling me to prayer. Pray that I will lead with a servant heart by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Pray that I will put my trust in the power of God’s Spirit to provide all I need.

I am married to Srey Lay and we have one daughter named Rebecca. I continue to praise God for their ongoing support. Please pray we continue to joyfully serve God and our community.

This story was also published in the December 2023 edition of Border Crossings, the magazine of LCA International Mission.

Many of our partner churches are working in new territory for the kingdom of God; therefore, spiritual attack is their everyday reality. As a member of a congregation, school, or family, or a couple or individual, you are invited to commit to praying for our partners in mission. For regular prayer point updates, go to www.lca.org.au/international-mission/act-now/pray

Read more stories about our partner church in Cambodia at www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/cambodia/