Cambodian Princess Soma Norodom Meets Jesus!

Princess Soma Norodom 

You will not believe this. A member of the Cambodian Royal family turned to Christ? Not a hearsay, but a reality!

Yet, what did it take for Princess Soma Norodom, the "Royal Rebel", who graduated with a degree in journalism from the California State University, to turn to Jesus Christ? Being the cousin of the current Cambodian King, Norodom Sihamoni, it would be thrilling to hear her testimony. Based on a partial information the Cambodian Princess attributed her conversion to Christianity through a dream she had in May 2014. For some, it would take painful experience before they turn to God, for others they come to Jesus by reading the Scripture or through someone sharing the Gospel to them.

For Princess Soma, it took a God-given dream to get her attention. In her dream,  she was in a car with two other people and the driver drove off the Spaghetti Junction, a famous area where all the freeways/highways merge. The freeways had no rail and the car went over and was slowly falling. Before the car hit the bottom, the Royal Rebel had a conversation with God that lead to her conversion. In her dream, she didn't die; only injured. Throughout her dream, she was talking to God. She woke up saved! Hours before she had a dream, she had been asking lots of question about God to a pastor friend and was presented an opportunity to accept Jesus and embrace Christianity. She wasn't fully convinced and turned down the offer. There were others who shared the Gospel to her prior to the night she saw a dream. What human couldn't do, God did it in a dream. Behind the dream, however, was a prayer of an American pastor; a prayer that God would speak to the Princess in a dream. God heard the Pastor's prayer. The Princess responded in faith and was gloriously saved! Had the princess ignored the dream, she would have not been saved and will eventually perish without Christ. What a turning point that would be in the pages of Cambodian news and history in the days and years to come.

In Muslim countries and other difficult places to reach, God has been using dream to turn people towards faith in Him. Once again, God used the power of a dream to change the course of someone's life and this time a Buddhist and member of the Cambodian Royal family. On August 10, 2014, she was baptized at Parkway Baptist  Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia, by Pastor Todd Flanagan, who was a missionary in Cambodia back in 2010. 

 

I've read an article about Princess Soma Norodom by ASIA Life Magazine, sometime in 2011, where she was dubbed "The Royal Rebel" or The Rebel Princess! Because the Princess grew up in the US, when she returned to Cambodia her lifestyle and belief were different from a typical Cambodian woman, much more of being a Royal.
During the dedication of the International Christian Assembly (ICA) church, I saw the Princess for the first time in person along with other members of the Royal Family. And during the "You've Got Talent" show at ICA in 2013, I've seen her again several times specially during the giving of awards. I thought I wouldn't be surprise if one day she would become a Christian. 

In 2013, I started following her on Facebook and get updates from her every time I log in to my other FB account. Just  the other day, I noticed an unusual post of her, posing with an American pastor and some other women at Parkway Baptist. The Princess is going to church? Well, apparently, because I seldom used my other FB account, I had missed her updates in August last year about her baptism at Parkway Baptist.

Courtesy of Soma Norodom Fans

Courtesy of Soma Norodom Fans

Only yesterday was my question answered when I read the blog of Pastor Tim Paton, the former associate Pastor of ICA, that Princess Soma found Jesus or rather Jesus found her. In her letter,  the Princess attributed her new found faith in Christ when God came to her in a dream! 

This morning, I sent a message to the Princess welcoming her into the family of God. And while I was writing this blog post, I received a message from her telling me she would start attending ICA when she returns to Cambodia. She also shared to personally how she got saved through her dream. Praise the Lord. God is in the business of changing lives!

Here is a cut-out image from Ptr. Paton's blog post!

A-Cause-Tic Night at PPC

A-Cause-Tic Night was a fundraising event held at PPC on June 14, 2014 organized by the Praise and Worship team through the initiative of Ygeirne Molitas. 

Pastor Greg Speaks about 3 things you can do with your life

PPC P&W Team

Pervez & Noel from ICA

Allyn from PPC

Paul & Divine from Pentecostal Holiness Church 

Shamae and her sister

I Am SECOND Cambodia

Last week I had the privilege of teaching the principle of the I Am S.E.C.O.N.D method of small group, by e3 Partners Ministry, to our Cambodian pastors in our KCC circle. Everyone was excited and was willing to try in their churches and community. I look forward to seeing the result in our next meeting in July this year. If everyone will start a small group based on this method, there will be growth in our churches both numerical and spiritual. 

One of the pastors asked, "Will there be an award to any pastor who will start 10 small groups in the next 3 months"?  One of my friends replied, "Your reward will be in Heaven"? Deep inside of me, I thought there has to be an incentive. I was about to promise a hundred dollars but then I don't have that amount. Nonetheless, I believe there has to be some kind of reward to encourage them.  

I am praying and believing that the churches will be mobilized and will get involve. What difference would it make in the growth the church and the maturity of members if everyone tries this method. 

The principle is simple and easy to follow. The difficult part is actually doing it. 

DNA of the Iam SECOND

There are three simple format of the I am SECOND for small group. 

I Am SECOND Look Back

I Am SECOND, Look Up

I Am SECOND, Look Forward

The strength of this method is seen in the acrostic S.E.C.O.N.D. but also in the commitment of each person in the group to put into the lesson into practice. Not only there is accountability but there is a review during the next meeting. Every week everyone will be asked how have they applied or fulfilled their commitment. In other words, this method is based on obedience not knowledge. 

Concert For A Cause in Cambodia for Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan Victims - You Raise Me Up by JK

JK Photo Credit: Greg Fernandez Jr.

John Kenny or JK, a Filipino living in Cambodia, performed during Concert for a Cause, a fund raising project for Typhoon Yoland/Haiyan victims, held at International Christian Assembly (ICA) Phnom Penh, Cambodia on December 8, 2013.

I uploaded the video on my YouTube channel GREFERJUN but it has been blocked in the US due to alleged third party content and also copyright notices. At least 10 musical agencies issued copyright notices. The musical accompaniment, is of course from someone else but the voice truly is original.

Because it has been blocked in the US, I decided to delete the video on YouTube and uploaded on my Facebook instead. Even if you do not have FB account, you can still watch the video by clicking the link below. Click this You Raise Me Up by JK to watch the video on Facebook.

Nevertheless, few days after I deleted the video on YouTube, I uploaded the video again. I still received Copyright notices and was still blocked in the US. I want to dispute the third party content but it decided not to. JK sings really well; he sounded like Josh Groban.

Here is the YouTube link:

Videos of other performers during the Concert for a Cause are available in my channel Greferjun! 

Politicians Cheating on Election Versus Students Cheating on Exams

Students cheating on exam shared by Cambodian Facebook users

Cambodian politicians cheating on the national election versus Cambodian students cheating at the National High School examination are worth exploring for some comparison and contrast. Is it wrong to cheat during election while cheating at work, cheating on spouse and partner is right? Is it justifiable to cheat on exam but not on election? Is it justifiable to pay for higher grade, certificate and degree but not on voters' vote?  Why is cheating on spouse justifiable but cheating on the government fund is wrong? No one said either one is right or wrong for what justifiable cause exists for cheating?  As noted below, the students attitude about cheating in the classroom seems to imply that such is acceptable therefore it's justifiable. Cheating practices are wrong regardless of how one defines and justifies.

Villagers in Kampong Cham gathered in front of a commune leader's house to receive pay-out from CPP

Cheating is rampant and expected as over 100 thousand high school students take the national exam this week in Cambodia's capital. Cheat sheets are being sold for $5 per subject according to The Phnom Penh Post reports. The sad part  is that teachers are alleged of selling exam or cheat sheets to students. Teachers openly selling answers to students during exams  are unbelievable. Read the reports Prayers, Cheat Sheets Readied. 

How is this different labeling the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) being a corrupt political party if teachers who are not in politics do the same within their sphere of influence? The CPP being alleged to election fraud and irregularities during the national election has drawn insurmountable criticism on the web and social networks. The question nobody asks is if students cheat openly what is the guarantee that they will not cheat when they become government officials someday? When they are in power and authority, what guarantee there is that Cambodia will be corruption free? 

'A CALL FOR CHANGE'

During the election campaign, thousands of youth and students from the opposition party are shouting "Change" as they march on the street. They are calling for change in the government. Young Cambodian Facebook users are boldly criticizing the government for rampant corruption practices. 

Is the call for change genuine or a facade that hides a deep envious attitude toward what the people in power possess? Is the call for change from the youth real or simply an expression of disappointment towards those in authority? The call for change has to be selfless for the sake of the nation and its citizen.

Lots of people were shocked to find out a video of a pay-out  done by the ruling party after the election in one of the villages in Kampong Cham, province of Cambodia.  The video has become viral on Facebook and people are calling for investigation. There is nothing shocking about this; it happens widely in different forms. Students pay for a better grade. Others pay for a degree. People pay for promotion. In fact, just today, The Cambodia Daily reported that many students were able to cheat by bribing exams supervisors to take exams sheets into the classroom. Why is vote-buying different then? Why is cheating in the election different from cheating in exam? Of course it's different in its gravity, level, and effect, but cheating someone, cheating at school, cheating for promotion is still cheating.

Here is another question no one dare to ask: How will students and young generations call for change in the government if they themselves cheat on their exam, grade and degree? How can the citizen accuse the government for corruption practices when they do the same even if theirs is a smaller and limited degree? It's a human nature for us to see the fault in others but blind to our own blunders.

A call for change in the government must be from a changed individual/group or it's groundless. The foundation for change has to start in someone's character not from a reaction of others fault alone. Changing the government leaders does not solve corruption unless the change starts within the people. Youth calling for change to a corrupt government is shallow and meaningless without its basic foundation—character and integrity.

In Christianity, genuine transformation and change happen when one encounters Jesus Christ and experience the saving power of  the Savior. 

First Wesleyan Cambodian Pastor Graduated in Phnom Penh Bible School

On July 13, 2012, Phnom Penh Bible School (PPBS) graduated eight students for Bachelors in Christan Ministry degree and several others for associate degree. This was PPBS's 18th graduation, since the school was founded in 1992. The chairman of the board mentioned that students graduating this year are special as the school celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. 

Rotha and his Family

Yun Rotha, one of the 8 graduates, is the first Wesleyan Cambodian pastor to graduate at PPBS. The Mission Council which, I am a part of made a decision in 2007 to send Rotha and his wife to PPBS on TOOL (Training Of Overseas Leaders) scholarship. In 2009, Rotha began his studies at PPBS. Due to limited funding, his wife was not able to study with him. 

Although, Rotha completed a 3-year program at the Wesleyan Bible Institute in 2007, PPBS accredit only 1 year, and had to start second year with some first year courses. After three years at PPBS, Rotha finally graduated and earned Bachelors in Christian Ministry.  

Even if I am not with the Wesleyan Church of Cambodia anymore, I am happy to see Rotha graduated. Last week he had asked me to write a recommendation letter for a job application and I was delighted to write the best recommendation I could give.

Wesleyan Bible Institute (WBI): A Leap of Faith

Wesleyan Bible Institute (WBI) 2010

A LEAP OF FAITH was a message I delivered during the Ground-breaking ceremony of the Wesleyan Bible Institute building in 2007. As I reminisce the tumultuous history of WBI and its closure last year, I cannot but remember the history behind it and the effort and sacrifices of the former missionaries, Rev. Jun and Mamel Rafael.

WBI site was a rice-field  in 2003. In 2004, we (Rafaels and Fernandezs) bought this property from a donation given by Kentwood Community Church (KCC). 

 A LEAP OF FAITH
Rev. Greg Fernandez Jr. 
Wesleyan Bible Institute's Ground-Breaking Ceremony Speech: Challenge and Concern

September 13, 2007

Dear pastors, we have called you here today because we want you to have a sense of ownership for this property. This lot (property) and the future building are not for the missionaries but for you. Missionaries won’t stay in Cambodia forever. We have called you to join us today because you are our partners. 

Wesleyan Bible Institute (WBI)

Somebody ask, “Why build a big Bible School when we only have 10 current students”? Yes, but we are going to build this school for the future. This will be a training ground for future Cambodian leaders. This will be for you, for your children and your grandchildren. This will be used also for pastors’ conference, youth convention, and other national church gatherings. We are building for the FUTURE. I want you to see the future and not just the present.

As we are about to begin the project, a huge problem lies ahead. Ahead of us is a vast river/ocean with no boat to carry us across. The only way to cross that ocean is to learn how to SURF. Let’s learn how to Sacrifice, to be United, to take Risk, and move in Faith. 

The great ocean ahead of us is the lack of funding. In short, we do not have enough money complete it. Our donors promised $400, 000 for this project. The best estimate for the building and other expenses, however, will cost $600, 000. To tell you the truth, we already spent $50, 000 for the dirt fill and the wall. This means there is only $350, 000 left from the donor’s promised amount. To make this thing even worse, we do not have this $350, 000 to start the project. Because the donor promised it, I believe they will give it! The problem lies ahead is the remaining $250, 000 to complete the project. Nobody promised to give this amount. Where will we get $250, 000? From us? Yes! But, even if we sacrificed everything we own, it will never compensate this need. Will it come from the donors? No!  There is only one Who can supply this need. He owns all the gold and the cattle in the fields. He created the universe. He can give it if He wants. Our resources cannot, but God’s resources can; it never runs dry.

One early morning, I heard small voice that goes something like this, “Because you do not have money now, it is better to wait until the money comes before you start the project. You do not need a big school now because there are only few students.” Out of this incident, I made two proposals during our previous council meeting: (1) We will take a risk or (2) We will wait. Waiting is the safest thing to do; nevertheless, we chose to take a risk. 

Dear pastors and students, we will never see what God can do unless we step out in faith. I believe without any shadow of doubts, that if this is God’s will, He will provide the means. In his devotional book, This Day with the Master, Dr. Dennis Kinlaw writes,  “I don’t think we truly believe until we have risked greatly and God has worked for us. Faith that we maintain while sitting in a chair without any danger or vulnerability is not biblical faith at all. Biblical faith emerges when we take a risk and realize that if we do not receive divine help, we will be embarrassed.” What about us? We missionaries are taking risk for this project and are willing to be embarrassed if we do not receive divine help. Are you with us or against us? 

Wesleyan Bible Institute by Greg Fernandez Jr.

Wesleyan Bible Institute (2010)

The construction began in January 2008, was dedicated on January 10, 2009, but was closed in July 2011. The reasons for the closure were complex, but the shortest description is due to a short-sighted vision. John Maxwell was right when he said, "Everything rises and falls on leadership!"

CAMBODIA IMPACT: A MISSIONS REPORT

CAMBODIA IMPACT: 2009 HIGHLIGHTS

 Missions Report

By Rev. Greg B. Fernandez Jr.
WBI, September 2010

Greetings to all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am glad to present my report to this Annual Conference. The highlights for the Cambodia ministry in 2009 is describe by the word IMPACT which stands for: Impetus, Miscellany, Partnership, Achievements, Challenges, Transitions.

I-IMPETUS

A. Our Lord
Our highest motivation for doing what we did and doing what we do is to please and honor God. What God has called us to do matters most regardless of what others think and do. The high call to glorify God is indeed an impetus regardless of the constraints and challenges of ministry. We thank Him greatly for carrying us through the year 2009.

B. Our Vision
Another impetus for our ministry is our vision. Our ultimate vision for ministry is to see Sustainable, Influential, and Powerful churches impacting lives for time and eternity. 


C. Our Partners and Friends
      Our partners and friends who supported and prayed with us deserve to be called an impetus. What I share in this report was possible because of your partnership with us and the ministry that we do. You are the backbone and the pillar of our ministry here in Cambodia. We are forever grateful for the abundant prayer and the financial support you have extended to us this year. Sharing your resources so that God’s kingdom will expand and grow is indeed an eternal investment. We are indebted to your generous heart and supportive spirit.

Your burning passion to support missions keeps us excited, motivated, and inspired. We sincerely thank you for your partnership making it possible for us to continue our ministry in Cambodia.

M-MISCELLANY

A. Marriages

Historic marriages happened in the Wesleyan Church of Cambodia this year. Pastor Vandy Hourng, the new elected WBI president, married Rolitess Galam from the Philippines in October. Two months later, Channy Kong, one of our WBI staff and the daughter of the District Superintendent, married Jeff Rasmussen from Oregon, USA. Marriages between Cambodian nationals and foreigners are very costly and complicated. After several months of paper works both marriages received approval from the Cambodian government. It was a relief for both and everyone concerned. 

B. Statistical Reports  

Here is a picture of the whole Cambodian Wesleyan church in a statistical form. You will notice here that membership is not listed. I think that telling you how many people are really worshiping every Sunday is more realistic than showing you how many members we have in the membership role. Excluding children, our 30 churches have a total of 560 worshipers every Sunday and average of about 18 people every church. While these worshipers are all members, we have more members in our list than the regular worship attendees. The Wesleyan Church of Cambodia is not far behind in comparison with most churches in Cambodia. While a few have hundreds attendance in worship, the majority are small.

PASTORS	CHURCHES	PREACHING POINTS	REGULAR  WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
40	24	6	1,162

ADULT	YOUTH	CHILDREN
336	224	602

C. Personal Report

1.      WBI Ministry

In 2009, I taught more than 100 hours at the Wesleyan Bible Institute, conducted all WBI staff meeting; spoke during WBI prayer meeting and WBI chapel services. 

2.      National Church

At the national church level, I attended all the DBA meetings, visited 29 churches several times, and Preached 10 times to over 1, 500 people mostly non-Christians with only 10 seekers of salvation. While it is easy to have people raise their hands or to come to the altar to receive Christ, more often than not it is not the best way to determine whether a person is saved.

Last year, we hosted a total of 8 different teams and individuals with a total of 50 people from KCC, GP headquarter, Brookings Wesleyan Church, World Impact (Indiana Wesleyan University), Redfield Wesleyan Church, Mitchell Wesleyan Church, Brevard Community Church, and 3 guests from the Philippine Church.

D. Family

Resie, my wife is an excellent partner in ministry. She has done a great administrative work for the national church and WBI. She taught courses also at WBI that are very inspiring. I thank God for her partnership and the work that she does. She keeps me on track every time I go off the track. She is currently the WBI registrar and the missions’ treasurer and bookkeeper.  

Not everyone wants to go to school 7 days a week but for Aleeyah, that’s what she thinks school should be. At   4 years and 8 months   old, our first daughter, Aleeyah Charis, goes to pre-Kindergarten School.  She is excited about school every day and questions why her school closes on Saturdays and Sundays.  Esher is growing too and she loves to play, sing, and talk. Both Aleeyah and Esher are learning to speak Khmer.

P-PROJECTS

The DBA made plans for income generating projects to augment the ongoing deficit of funding.

A.     Income Generating Projects for the National Church

Income Generating Projects	Initial Investment	Income Generated	Remarks
1.      Church Property (Old WBI) Development and Renovation	$5,000	$390 monthly	Fund not available
2.      Purchase of Apartment Building	$80, 000	$500 Monthly	Fund not available
3.      National Church Vehicle for rent	$ 12, 000		Fund not available

B.      Some Church and WBI Projects

Project	Cost	Remarks
1.      Church Building	$1, 500	Ongoing
2.      Dirt fill (Siemreap Church)	$700	Fund available
3.      National Office	$3, 000	Project by the Wesleyan Church of the Philippines. Fund not yet available.
4.      Computers for the National Office	$1, 200	Fund not available
5.      Church repairs	$ 1,000	Completed
6.      WBI Road	$ 6, 000	Completed
7.      WBI computer Lab	$ 6,000	Completed

C.      Church Property for sale ($150, 000)

To sale this church property in order to fix a current problem is not the main motivation but to prepare for the future. In fact, the selling the property seems to be the best source to fund the income generating projects mentioned above. The selling of church property is not to be spent but to be invested to generate more income for kingdom expansion. 

A-ACHIEVEMENTS

A.     WBI new Facility Completed

The Greatest achievement that inspired us the beginning of the year was the completion of the new WBI facility. The 10^th of January 2009 marked a wonderful celebration of God’s faithfulness and provision to the Cambodia ministry when the new building of the Wesleyan Bible Institute (WBI) was dedicated to the glory of God. After 6 years of praying, planning, and giving, the WBI building stand tall as a symbol of partnership between different supporters and the Cambodian ministry towards the fulfillment of a vision to train future pastors and leaders for the Cambodian church. 12 representatives from the two major donors for the WBI facility, 3 from Kentwood Community Church (KCC), and 9 from the Dakota District, were present during the event. KCC was the major financial force in the history of the new campus and facility. Along with KCC and other individual donors and churches, the Dakota District also plays a major financial role for the new facility.  More people will know Christ when more ministers will share Christ because more are trained as they are called by Christ.

B.      New Church Planted

Four Churches were planted in 2009 with an average attendance of 30 adult and young people. While several churches decline in membership, new churches were planted, and others grew.

A.      WBI Students visited the Philippines

Seven WBI students attended the 6^th General conference and the national youth congress in the Philippines in April 2009. Thanks to the donors from Kentwood Community Church, Brookings Wesleyan Church,  Mitchell Wesleyan Church and other individual donors for making the trip possible.  Thanks to the Philippine Wesleyan Church that hosted the team. The students’ perspective has never been the same after the trip. The students are accompanied by two WBI staffs, Rotha and Channy, and Rev. Kimsan, the national leader of the Wesleyan Church of Cambodia

C-CHALLENGES

A.     Thirty Thousand Dollars, Turned to Ashes

A fire tragedy struck the family of pastor Sideth while he was at the hospital being treated for serious illness. The family lost their home and almost everything they owned. A total of $30,000 turned to ashes in this tragedy. But thanks to the Generous support of KCC and GP to help the family start a new beginning. 

B.      Faithful Layman Went Home to Glory

In July 2009, we lost one of our most dedicated and faithful laymen in Cambodia. Lookru Moich had a motorcycle accident in April which led to a major surgery in his head. After three months of battle with his injury, he went to be with the Lord whom he faithfully serves on July 23, 5 o'clock in the morning. His ministerial legacy is seen in the two churches that he has pioneered and also to his active involvement in the ministry of the local church.

C.      Kratie Wesleyan Church was Shut Down by Government Authority

The church in Kratie has been shut down by government authorities in October 13, 2009. The reasons are complex but God is turning things around to our advantage. The paper work to reopen the church is still on hold by the Ministry of Cults and Religion.  The processing of the document is taking too long due to the involvement of some political figure with high profiles. A military General and a colonel from the Royal Cambodian Arm Forces though are helping us.

D.     Moral Integrity Challenged

It is a sad scenario that one of our pastors and one of our students faced a disciplinary action due to moral indecency. This is the first time in the history of the Wesleyan Church of Cambodia this one has occurred. Despite this, the church is slowly moving triumphantly.

E.      Financial Constraint

The challenge of finances is endless but the source is ceaseless—it never runs out. Such is the situation here in the field. The National Ministry Shares (NMS), a fund coming from the US churches and individuals, for the Cambodian national church has not always been enough to cover the pastors’ monthly support and national office expenses. There is a substantial drop of donation for this budget that will allow pastor to get their support less than half of what they normally receive in a monthly basis if this problem will not be solve in 6 months. This is a very alarming scenario because not one local church in Cambodia Wesleyan Church can afford to support its own pastor. Teaching church members on the subject of stewardship has always been difficult. But however difficult it may seem, there is no other alternative path if we are to build sustainable churches.

Our personal ministry budget towards the end of 2009 also dropped to one third of what is actually needed. It takes a miracle to survive the year 2010, but the miracle Worker is not limited with the financial crises. Our hopes never diminish because the best is yet to come! Robert Schuller put it well enough, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” We are trying to be tough people during these tough times. 

T-TRANSITIONS

We are all aware that transition is the only constant experience in life. We transition from one place or state to another. Transition is indispensable and inevitable. From cradle to the grave, from womb to tomb, transition is constant. Perhaps the final transition is the transition from death to eternity. Although transition creates discomfort, it brings new challenges. It leads to new opportunities. It provides growth. Here in the field, several transitions have transpired that underline new challenges, opportunities, and growth.

A.     Leadership Transitions

1.      Trusting Cambodian with Cambodia

Missionaries come and go and go and come, but the field remains. It is therefore a must to train the locals to lead their own. In 2009 the time has come that a Cambodian national has to take the full leadership responsibility of the Wesleyan Bible Institute (WBI). With my recommendation, Pastor Vandy Hourng was nominated and elected during the pioneer district conference on April 24, 2009, and was installed on September 4, 2009, being the first Cambodian president to ever lead WBI. Pastor Vandy Hourng is one of the first graduates at WBI in 2003, and one of the first Cambodians to earned Bachelor of Theology degree at Rosales Wesleyan Bible College, Philippines. He brings into the school a rich pastoral experience and theological education.

2.      Trusting Missionaries with Cambodia

While, we trust Cambodians to lead the church, they also need to trust the missionaries if we are to work as a team. I used to be the WBI president but I now oversee the national church. Because we have 30 churches total, it is quite a challenge to supervise these churches and mentor pastors. While I remain as the WBI Academic Dean and teach one course a semester at WBI, our main focus of ministry is to the National Church. In 2009, I also started to revise and rewrite the Discipline of the Wesleyan Church of Cambodia hoping to complete in 2010.

B.      Transition from Full-time Pastoring to Bi-vocational

The DBA has approved a resolution last year allowing ministers to work bi-vocationally to augment their financial difficulty. This policy is under trial for one year and will be evaluated during the 2010 District Conference. It is too early to tell whether or not the bi-vocational minister has more positive results.

C.      6 WBI STUDENTS LEFT FOR MINISTRY ASSIGNMENT

In 2009, 6 WBI students left for their ministry assignment. WBI was their home for three years. The theoretical side of pastoral preparation has been completed, but the real test of learning is not in the classroom but in the field. The field is where they are truly shaped and molded.  Our six students officially began their ministry on October 12. It will be a one year internship, and if all goes well, they will graduate in September 2010.

CONCLUSION

What lies beyond the horizon is unclear but the place where we want to go is clear. The course is set and the journey continues. The path is not always smooth. There are valleys to walk, mountains to climb, and rivers to cross. With God leading us there is no reason to quit and with you partnering with us there is no reason to give up! Together, we can accomplish the impossible!