Creative Journey

 

A trip to Cambodia by Pastors Jim Odens and Todd Bishop resulted in several creative ministry opportunities recently. They began by visiting the Shalom Phnom Penh Church which was celebrating its 22^nd anniversary. Their theme was the Mercy of God. Pastor Odens preached from I Peter 2:9-10, celebrating God’s mercy in making His people a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for His possession. The service ended with the baptism of nine new believers.

Over the next several days, twenty-four teaching sessions were held with the Shalom Mission Cambodia pastors. The sessions concentrated on New Testament Survey and Introduction. Jim and Todd shared that teaching load, and the pastors’ appreciation was heart-felt. “They told us that not only had they themselves benefitted from the sessions, but also they would be using what they learned in ministering to the congregations where they serve,” writes Jim.

At the end of the week, a visit was made to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a vivid reminder of the three million Cambodians who died of execution, forced labor, starvation, and disease under the regime of Pol Pot between 1975 and 1979. Their host, Chhinho Saing lost immediate family members to the Khmer Rouge, including his mother and brother.

Though reminded of the darkness and power of sin, Jim and Todd rejoiced that they now had the opportunity to share theological training with a new generation of pastors who are reaching Cambodia with the Good News of the Gospel.