Sihanoukville is a city of stark contrasts. Known for its beautiful coastline (situated in the south-west on the Gulf of Thailand), it has in recent years become synonymous with a landscape dominated by high-rise casinos and the shadow of international scam operations. For many, it is a place to avoid—a region marred by spiritual and social challenges. However, for Derek Prince Ministries-Cambodia, the local churches in Sihanoukville remain deeply special and close to our hearts. We believe that where the darkness is most evident, the Light of the Gospel must shine even brighter. It was with this conviction that our team returned to this coastal province to support those standing on the front lines of ministry.
From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was electric with joy. Meeting our local church partners felt less like a professional seminar and more like a long-awaited family reunion. There is a unique warmth in the Sihanoukville Christian community; they are resilient, loving, and deeply connected. We opened the seminar with a powerful time of praise and worship, lifting our voices together to seek the Lord’s specific guidance and protection over the province and our time together. With 53 pastors in attendance, the room was filled with a spirit of expectancy.
Deepening the Foundation
Our teaching focused on the essential Laying the Foundation series by Derek Prince. These foundational truths are critical for leaders operating in a complex environment like Sihanoukville. The sessions covered:
- From Repentance to Faith: Re-establishing the first steps of the Christian walk.
- Authority and Power of God’s Word: Equipping leaders to stand firm against spiritual opposition.
- Faith and Works: Understanding the balance of living out one’s calling.
- Transmitting God’s Power: Learning how to be a vessel for the Holy Spirit in the community.
The Power of Small Groups
To ensure these teachings moved from the head to the heart, we spent significant time in small-group discussions. This format allowed the pastors to go much deeper into the materials, sharing their personal testimonies and the specific challenges they face in their ministries. The response was overwhelming; the groups shared with such joy and transparency that the sessions frequently ran over time. These moments of fellowship provided a safe space for leaders to encourage one another, reminding them that they are not alone in their mission.
A Celebration of Fellowship
The seminar concluded with a beautiful gesture of hospitality. The local church prepared a spectacular seafood meal, a specialty of their beachside home, to honor our team. This “warm welcome” was a humbling reminder of their gratitude. They expressed how much it means to them that our team consistently shares these high-quality resources and biblical training, especially when they often feel overlooked in such a rapidly changing city.
We left Sihanoukville with full hearts and a renewed perspective. Though the city faces many external struggles, the Church there is vibrant, hungry for the Word, and filled with the joy of the Lord. We are committed to continuing this partnership, ensuring that the Light in Sihanoukville continues to grow brighter through the power of grounded, biblical leadership.
Watch a video of the seminar here https://youtu.be/VX56f-KceJk
From Chains of Condemnation to the Freedom of the Cross – A Testimony by Ps. Vannak, Koh Kchorng Church
For years, I lived a double life. To my congregation at Koh Kchorng Church, I was a leader—a man of faith. But inside, I was a prisoner.
Even as I served the Lord, a relentless voice followed me into every prayer and every sermon. It was the voice of condemnation, a constant whisper reminding me of my past mistakes and my present failings. It told me I wasn't worthy. It told me I was a fraud. This heavy shadow of guilt didn’t just hurt my heart; it paralyzed my ministry. I lived in constant fear of what would happen next, feeling the weight of the “devil’s lie” dragging me further away from the very God I wanted to serve.
Everything began to change when I joined a small group to study Derek Prince’s teachings on From Repentance to Faith and The Three Most Powerful Words (teaching on forgiveness). As we turned the pages together, the truth started to pierce through the darkness. I began to see, with fresh eyes, how Jesus looked upon sinners—not with a finger of blame, but with arms of absolute forgiveness. I realized that His mercy wasn’t just for the world “out there”; it was specifically, tenderly for me.
The turning point came when I looked truly at the Cross. I was reminded that the foundation of my freedom isn’t my own goodness, but the suffering of my Savior. He endured the beatings, the curses, the poverty, and the agonizing pain of the nails so that I wouldn’t have to. He took my shame so I could receive His spiritual blessings.
Through our small group discussions, the breakthrough finally arrived. The chains of condemnation simply snapped. I realized that my standing before God doesn’t depend on what I have done, but on what Jesus has already finished. Today, that fearful voice has been silenced by a greater Truth: I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am no longer a leader hiding behind a mask of guilt; I am a son standing in the light. For the first time in years, I feel a deep, overwhelming sense of relief. I am finally free to serve Him—not out of fear, but out of a heart overflowing with gratitude.
