Cambodia

Partner with Local Missionaries in Cambodia

Located in the 10/40 Window

Cambodia, an impoverished monarchy in Southeast Asia, has endured tremendous political and social upheaval. Located in the Indochina Peninsula, it shares borders with Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand.

The Khmer Rouge, an extreme Marxist group, seized control of the government in April 1975 and began its reign of terror. Cambodia is still recovering from one of the bloodiest genocidal campaigns of the 20th century. More than 1.5 million Cambodians died from executions, starvation, and other forced hardships in what is referred to as “the killing fields.” Those targeted for annihilation included the educated, doctors and civil servants, former military personnel, wealthy citizens, and religious leaders. This genocide was followed by 10 years of Vietnamese occupation and a 20-year civil war.

Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the impoverished countryside, which also lacks basic infrastructure. About 88 percent of Cambodia’s population is made up of the Khmer people, descendants of a vast empire that dominated the region for 600 years. According to Joshua Project, “Most of the Khmer still live in small villages and grow rice in irrigated paddies. Unfortunately, it has been dangerous for the farmers to work the fields since the 1970s (due to land mines). The mines have caused more wounds to the Central Khmer than any other weapon.”

Prostitution and child sex trafficking are rampant in Cambodia. An indigenous ministry assisted by Christian Aid Mission began rescuing street children—those who are orphaned or abandoned or forced to beg. They request assistance for their children’s center, where impoverished street children are bathed, fed, given clean clothing and a safe place to play and be normal children. They also need help to continue their feeding program in a remote area, which daily draws children to enjoy a nourishing meal. As they eat, the children learn to read and hear the gospel message.

Though 85% of Cambodia’s population is Buddhist, the gospel is rapidly spreading throughout the country. Through the work of indigenous church planters and evangelists, church growth has greatly multiplied during the past 20 years. While the global evangelical annual growth rate is 2.6%, Cambodia’s evangelical growth rate is 8.8%.

Sources: Joshua Project, CIA World Factbook

16.4 million

Population

1.77%

Evangelical Population:

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Cambodia

Pray that the healing, hope-filled message of the gospel of Jesus Christ would continue to spread rapidly throughout this war-ravaged nation.
Pray that God would provide resources for indigenous missionaries to continue ministering the gospel to Cambodia’s most vulnerable citizens.
Pray that God would raise up the next generation of Cambodians to be strong proclaimers of His truth in their nation.

More stories from Cambodia

Expand Outreach And Discipleship Tools in Cambodia

Almost 7,000 people have received Christ through a native ministry’s radio program, which celebrated its third anniversary last year. The program is broadcast across the country via radio apps and social media, and people of all ages and from all walks of life, including political leaders and indigenous people, have benefitted from the Christian messages. An estimated five to 12 people call in to receive Jesus each day on air, and leaders give all the praise to God for blessing the people of Cambodia through this ministry. Donations are needed for such evangelism and discipleship projects. Pray for the hearts of the people as they hear the good news of Christ.

Restore Hope in Jesus’ Name in Cambodia

Nearly three years ago, a 47-year-old prostitute infected with HIV began listening to a native ministry’s radio program. She had spent much of her life filled with hatred toward men and had pledged to infect as many as possible with the disease that ravaged her body. But through the radio broadcasts, the Holy Spirit began to transform her, and recently, she publicly gave her life to Christ during one of those broadcasts. Now, she has left behind her life of prostitution and is committed to becoming an evangelist. Your donations support outreach such as this ministry’s radio program. Pray that those who hear the gospel message will give their lives to Jesus.

Assist With Gospel Outreach in Cambodia

Through a native ministry’s radio program, millions of people have heard the gospel, and approximately 100 to 150 people became believers during a two-month period. “Glory to our almighty God, and our Lord Jesus Christ!” the ministry leader said. Missionaries see their country as ripe for harvest and regularly conduct home visitations, pray for their communities, and answer questions about Christ. “We can do all these things because of Christ who is living within us and also through you, who share our concerns about the people and nation of Cambodia,” the ministry leader said. Your donations support evangelism outreach such as this. Pray for a spiritual revival for the people of Cambodia.

Expand The Lord’s Kingdom in Cambodia

A native ministry leader estimates that approximately 95 percent of those who listen to his ministry’s radio program are not believers, but more come to know Jesus every day. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the program led more than 200 people to Christ, and 123 were baptized by the ministry’s pastors across the country. “Much praise and glory to our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!” the ministry leader said. The ministry is now working to expand its outreach to include an audio library for the blind and the handicapped. Your donations support missionaries in this evangelism. Pray that their work will further the Lord’s kingdom.

Lift the Lost Out of False Religions in Cambodia

Pray for indigenous pastors as they lead their flocks in Jesus’ name. Before he became a believer, a pastor from a local ministry was addicted to alcohol and gambling. But when he gave his life to Jesus, everything changed. Now, he preaches the gospel at every opportunity and works alongside other Christian leaders to protect believers from unbiblical teachings and cults. “The people who are living within our community can see that we as Christians are living, speaking, and acting differently from those who are still of the world,” he said. Your donations support Christian workers in their service to the Lord.

Expand the Lord’s Kingdom in Cambodia

Pray that indigenous missionaries will serve the Lord with gladness. An 84-year-old indigenous missionary who was once a military leader became a believer through the evangelism of a young pastor. Now, the older man serves as a pastor in a small village where he lives with his family, preaching the gospel and helping the poor and elderly. “I do not only preach the gospel of salvation through Christ Jesus, but I am also living the gospel through love and caring for one another,” he said. “I am so honored to be a part of Christ’s kingdom among my fellow countrymen.” Your donations support missionaries in their everyday work.

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