Cambodia
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Cambodia Mission Initiative
The mission initiative in Cambodia has flourished in the last decade and anticipates registration as an autonomous church by 2016. Multiple Methodist bodies began working together in 2004 to support and plant local churches in Cambodia. In less than a decade, leadership of the Methodist Mission Church has shifted from foreign missionaries to Cambodian Methodists. The local Khmer leadership is strong and local leaders continue to be cultivated.
The 154 Methodist faith communities and 140 pastors that make up the Cambodia Mission Initiative are focused on planting new church starts, and strengthening ministry by women, ministry with street children, Christian education, ministry with youth, economic development, and community health. Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster of the Western North Carolina Episcopal Area provides episcopal oversight for the mission.
Challenges
With the shift from missionary leadership to Cambodian leadership comes the challenge of ongoing leadership training. This phase requires walking alongside Cambodian leaders, including the mission superintendent, the three deputy mission district superintendents, and the 11 district superintendents to effectively fulfill their responsibilities in new ways. Many of the lay and clergy leaders are deepening their discipleship journey including a better understanding of Methodism. Progress is being made, and this will continue to be a priority in the growth and development of the church. The cabinet has a master plan for the next few years.
Missionaries
Missionaries have played multiple roles in Cambodia, such as preacher, teacher, church planter, entrepreneur, healer, organizer, agronomist, and evangelist. View missionaries currently serving in Cambodia on the right sidebar.
In Mission Together Partnerships
The In Mission Together coordinator provides training for U.S. churches to develop healthy partnerships as they move from short-term ministry to long-term relationships that build the capacity of the church in Cambodia. The coordinator also connects the church in the United States with ministry in Cambodia and assists with communication between the two. The interim In Mission Together coordinator for Cambodia is Patrick Friday (pfriday@umcmission.org).
Be Involved
For more information or to become involved please contact Myungim Kim, regional executive for Cambodia (mkim@umcmission.org), or you can give to the Cambodia Mission Initiative, Advance #00230A.
Learn More
Learn more about Mission Initiatives and how local churches in the US are partnering with these congregations through the In Mission Together program.