Sustainable Change in Cambodia

Only 3% of Cambodia’s population identifies as Christian. Resonate Global Mission missionaries Ly Chhay and Navy Chann-Chhay are working with local pastors, churches, and ministries to grow that percentage to at least 10% by 2033—2,000 years from the year in which many Bible scholars put Christ’s resurrection.

For Chhay and Chann-Chhay, that work goes hand-in-hand with seeing individuals, families, and entire communities lifted out of poverty and thriving.

“God’s Word changes lives,” they said.

Chhay and Chann-Chhay lead Timothy Leadership Training, which provides holistic biblical training for pastors and Christian leaders who haven’t had an opportunity to attend seminary. Because Cambodia’s population is almost entirely Buddhist, there aren’t a lot of Bible schools or seminaries, and attending one can be expensive, especially for people who already struggle to make ends meet.

Resonate missionaries use TLT in Cambodia and throughout the world because it gives pastors and leaders tools to overcome challenges and meet needs, leading to sustainable change in communities. At the end of every TLT training module, participants develop a plan for implementing change in their own lives, their families, their churches, or their communities.

Since participating in TLT with Chhay and Chann-Chhay, Pastor Sophon has witnessed growth in his small, rural village.

“The village faces many conflicts with families and lack of income-generating activities,” Chann-Chhay said. “Many people have no land to cultivate fruits, short crops, and vegetables. Cambodia has limited security on land ownership, which makes it difficult for landowners to protect their lands. The farmers can lose their land because they have no influence or connection. And they have limited access to the market.”

Sophon and his wife, Chan Thach, work hard. In addition to leading the village’s small but growing church, they run a farm that grows what Chhay and Chann-Chhay say are some of the best oranges they’ve ever tasted. But the orange farm wasn’t producing enough to meet the family’s needs.

During TLT, Sophon learned what the Bible has to say about stewardship and using resources already available to him. Feeling encouraged and inspired, he worked with Chhay and Chann-Chhay to develop an action plan for diversifying his crops. In partnership with one of his neighbors, Sophon and Chan Thach planted 400 banana trees and started a vegetable garden. Over time, the family has been able to harvest more food to eat, sell, and share with their neighbors.

The transformation has been a vibrant testimony to Sophon’s village. Through Chhay and Chann-Chhay’s work with Sophon and the family’s hard work, the village has seen that the gospel makes a difference in their lives. More people have become curious about Christianity, and they know they can go to Sophon with questions and prayer requests. Sophon has been leading Bible studies with small groups, and with more money coming into the village, the community is now constructing a building where the church can gather to worship and study God’s Word together.

“Pastor Sophon shows people that God provides with what we have,” Chann-Chhay said. “He is a trusted person who loves God.”

Chhay and Chann-Chhay are equipping more leaders like Sophon to spread the gospel. They hope to see more churches, thriving communities, and people following Jesus.

“On behalf of the church in Cambodia and Resonate, we appreciate your prayers and support,” they said. “Please pray for the church to be a healthy witness.”