Neal Pollard
Though this is my third trip to Cambodia, I continue to see and watch new things develop and experience some things for the first time. As we are spending more time in the villages apart from a church building, we are seeing “native habits” like I have not in previous trips (just ask my wife or Wes). But I am also seeing an exciting development. The church is growing and it reminds me so much of what I read in the New Testament.
First, there is a similarity in the general circumstances of both groups. The early church relied a lot on “slower” means of transportation to carry the gospel, and that is typical here. While not as many walk from place to place here as in some, other impoverished countries, many of the people (especially in the
villages) could not imagine taking a plane trip, riding a train, or riding in some types of vehicles. But, they are taking the gospel as they go. The early church faced stiff opposition from the religious majority and such is the case here where 95% of the population is Buddhist.
But the greatest, most exciting comparison concerns the way the church has grown. The church began in Siem Reap just a few short years ago, in 2006 or 2007. As conversions continued, there was a need and opportunity for a Bear Valley extension school to begin. Because of this, 16 individuals are about to graduate and go to different parts of this country with the gospel. But this is not a commercial for the BVBID. It is about what this congregation has done. One of her students went out to nearby Leang Dai, where some of the early Siem Reap members called home. Slowly and amidst great persecution and opposition, the Leang Dai congregation has taken root with conversions in the nearby Sum Roun and Saray villages. Efforts are going on elsewhere, but another student went a different direction and taught his family and friends in Takam village. 20 baptisms occurred there on one Sunday to begin the church several weeks ago. As this first group graduates and goes to their home villages or works together to plant a church in a given area, the gospel will keep spreading.
Acts 1:8-11 recounts the departing charge of Jesus for His followers, to start where they were, go nearby, and then ultimately spread out to the farther reaches with the good news. They did that and the church was planted all over the known world of their day (Col. 1:23). Do not be surprised to see the same, what with all the ambitious, zealous seed planters who have found out who they are, why there are here, and where they are going. What can we do, in the little corners of each of our worlds, just by taking to heart what these dear brethren have– to the same extent and with the same zeal?
The Preacher Pollard Blog 
Verry uplifting!!!!!!
Deb. Sytnik
Bro. Neal. This article made me think of Titus 2:14. When people are zealous of good works, God will be glorified “in the church”.