March 2026
By Huy Ly
Oddar Meanchey has long held a special place in the heart of DPM-Cambodia. Throughout the duration of the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, our team has made frequent visits to this province, witnessing first-hand the heavy toll of war. Here, the reality of the crisis is deeply personal: many of our brothers in Christ are currently serving on the front lines, separated from their wives and children. Meanwhile, many of their families have been forced to abandon their homes to seek safety in crowded refugee camps.
As we walked through these communities, our hearts were heavy. We know that the violence, the displacement, and the loss of life are not from the Lord. As Jesus reminds us in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." In a place where the “thief” has been active, we felt an urgent mandate to bring the message of Abundant Life.
To respond to this challenge, our DPM-Cambodia team engaged in deep prayer and extensive discussion with the Provincial Church Council. We sought a way to not only provide emotional encouragement but to offer a firm spiritual foundation that could withstand the shocks of war. We trust that the Holy Spirit reveals His wisdom through the Word, and so we focused our teaching on Derek’s Laying the Foundation series.
During the seminar, we walked the local pastors through four essential pillars:
- Founded on the Rock
- Authority and Power of God’s Word
- Transmitting God’s Power
- Faith and Works
The atmosphere was one of intense focus. These pastors are leading congregations that are literally in the line of fire. By focusing on Transmitting God's Power, we empowered these leaders to carry the Holy Spirit’s strength back to the bunkers, the trenches, and the refugee camps. We believe that as these pastors stand firm on the “Rock”, they become beacons of life in a region that has seen too much destruction. We continue to pray that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard their hearts and their province.
View a video of the seminar here https://youtu.be/Mm_azEtdVsc
Testimony
My name is Khieu Sophon. I am 51 years old and a leader from Yongksan Church. Because of the conflict at the border of Cambodia and Thailand, I was forced to flee my home and now live as a refugee.
Life in the refugee camp is very hard and full of uncertainty. Many times, fear tried to take over my heart. But I continue to pray and trust in Jesus to protect my family, my village, and me. Even when I have very little, I hold tightly to God’s promise that He will never leave me and that He will provide.
Although my life has changed and I now live in a refugee camp, God has not taken away my calling. I continue to share the Gospel with others in the camp, encouraging them with God’s Word and reminding them that there is hope in Jesus, even in the darkest times.
Recently, God strengthened me through a book by Derek Prince, The Authority and Power of the Word of God. Through this teaching, I learned that God’s Word is my strength in difficult times. When fear comes, I hold onto His Word, and hope rises again in my heart. I am deeply thankful to God for renewing my faith and giving me the courage to continue.
Light in the Borderlands of Preah Vihear
The Heart of the Refugee Camp
After the Oddar Meanchey pastors’ seminar, we travelled to a refugee camp in Preah Vihear province. The families living in the refugee camps along the Preah Vihear border are never far from our prayers, but seeing them face-to-face always brings a fresh perspective on their resilience. This mission was specifically designed to reach those most often overlooked: expectant mothers and the disabled.
As we distributed essential food supplies, the atmosphere was one of quiet gratitude. However, it quickly shifted into a powerful spiritual encounter. Working alongside the Provincial Pastors’ Council, we hosted an evangelistic service where the air seemed thick with a “hunger for peace”. When the invitation was given, a sea of hands was raised—men and women choosing to leave behind their burdens and embrace Jesus as their Savior.
The Road to the Unreached
From the camps, Pastor Sokhuen challenged us to go further. We set our sights on a village so remote it felt untouched by the outside world—a place where the name of Jesus had yet to take root.
The journey was a true test of endurance. The “roads” were little more than dusty, bone-shaking paths. We found ourselves deeply thankful for the strength of our vehicle; its rugged frame and powerful engine were the only things that allowed our team to reach the destination safely. Without a vehicle built for such terrain, this community would have remained isolated.
Sowing Seeds in Hard Soil
In this new village, there is no church building and no history of the Christian faith. We spent time sitting with the locals, sharing the Gospel for perhaps the first time in their lives. While the response was small—only a few stepped forward to believe—we left with hearts full of joy.
We know that a harvest doesn't happen in a day. We are satisfied that the “seed of the Gospel” has been firmly planted in that soil. To ensure this seed grows, the local pastor has committed to the long, bumpy journey back to this village to disciple these new believers.
View a video of the outreach here https://youtu.be/Ob5wFy6wrQE
