The mention of Koh Kong Province often brings to mind the physical toll of the journey—hours of motion sickness and back pain caused by the long, bumpy roads that lead to this coastal border. However, we are reminded that His grace is always sufficient for us. Despite the grueling travel, the Lord brought our team safely to the provincial town.
The Journey: Sustained by Grace
Exhausted and in need of a quiet place to recover for the next day's teaching, we initially struggled to find suitable housing. After finding the first guesthouse was dirty and smelly, we were led to a clean, quiet, and affordable location that felt like a gift from the Lord. It was clear that He was preparing a better option for us, providing the rest we needed to serve His people with full energy.
A Province Under Pressure
Koh Kong is currently facing a dual crisis. The border conflicts earlier this year have left the population on edge, and the rise of local scamming centers has created a spiritual vacuum. We were saddened to hear how these centers are "spoiling" the population, particularly the youth. Many young believers are being lured away by the promise of easy money, at times betraying their faith for financial gain.
In this environment, our mission was clear: to offer fellowship, to encourage the local churches, and to seek the Lord’s wisdom for leaders navigating these treacherous social waters.
The Message: Shifting Focus from Crisis to Christ
Sixty pastors attended the seminar, and we began with a powerful time of praise and worship. Our goal was to lift the spirits of the local pastors—to help them take their eyes off the overwhelming "current situation" and set them firmly back on Jesus. We declared together that our God is in control and has the power to turn even the darkest situation around and reclaim this province for His glory.
Given the spiritual warfare present in the region, we focused our teaching on two vital Derek Prince volumes:
- Authority and Power of God’s Word: To remind leaders of the unshakable foundation they stand on.
- The Power of Proclamation: To equip them to speak life and truth over their families and congregations in a time of deceit.
Spiritual Fortification
The seminar served as a spiritual fortress for the participants. By focusing on The Power of Proclamation, we encouraged the pastors to audibly declare the Word of God over the scamming centers and the border tensions. We prayed for the youth of Koh Kong, asking for a spirit of discernment and a return to the faith that has been compromised by greed.
Though the road to Koh Kong is long and the challenges within the province are many, we left with a sense of victory. The pastors are not defeated; they are being equipped with the authority of the Word. We believe that as these leaders proclaim the truth, the spiritual atmosphere of Koh Kong will shift, and the hearts of the people will be drawn back to the Lord.
Watch a video of the seminar here:
A Testimony of Transformation: From Discouragement to Victory
Pastor Pen Sothai, Koh Kong Province
In my four years of full-time ministry, I have learned that the demands of leadership are never-ending. It is far too easy to focus only on what we see with our eyes—the constant problems, the congregation's needs, and the daily trials. For a long time, I felt overwhelmed and deeply discouraged by these burdens.
However, two years ago I attended a DPM seminar that changed everything. I learned about the power of proclaiming the Word of God daily. I began to practice this myself, and as I experienced a personal breakthrough, I brought this teaching to my church. Now, every time we meet, we proclaim the Word together.
Since we started, we have witnessed true miracles. We have seen financial breakthroughs and the restoration of marriages and family lives. I am so thankful to the DPM team for bringing these life-changing materials to my hometown. They are a profound blessing to our churches and our ministry.
Taking Hope to the Edge of the Map: Remote Village Outreach
Immediately following the seminar, our team continued our journey deep into a remote village, nestled far out in nature and completely disconnected from modern life. The outreach was led by a passionate lady pastor whose heart's desire is to share the love and hope of Christ with as many people as possible.
To tangibly demonstrate the care of Christ and build a meaningful connection with the community, we brought along essential food supplies for the families. Praise the Lord, we were warmly accepted by the villagers! They gathered together in one place, listening intently as Pastor Chhairith shared the message and story of Jesus Christ.
For many, this was the very first time they had ever heard the Gospel. In a miraculous move of God, four families raised their hands to accept Jesus as their Savior! The seed of the Gospel has now been firmly sown into this village. The local pastor will continue to follow up with these new believers, with the exciting goal of starting a brand-new cell group right there in the community.
Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue to take the light of Christ into the most remote corners!
Testimony by the Lady Pastor
My name is Salav from Maong Village. I thank God for His amazing grace in my life.
I was born into a broken family and grew up with pain and violence. Later, my marriage also fell apart, leaving me deeply wounded and emotionally broken. For nearly two years, I wandered aimlessly and was known as a “psycho woman” in my village.
Everything changed when I heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, He healed my broken heart, restored my life, and gave me new hope and purpose.
Today, my family has been restored, and by God’s grace, I am serving Him as a pastor in my village. My life is a testimony that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and transforming power.
