Country Profile: Cambodia

A country of 15 million people, Cambodia is located in South East Asia between Thailand and Laos to the North and Vietnam and the Gulf of Thailand to the South. The main ethnic group in Cambodia is the Khmer, which makes up 90% of the population. The country experienced political turmoil and mass genocide when Communist Khmer Rouge forces took over the capital city, Phnom Penh, in 1975. It is estimated that about 1.5 million Cambodians were executed or died from starvation or forced labour during the Khmer Rouge rule under Pol Pot. In 1978 Vietnam invaded the country, which led to nearly 13 years of civil war. Today, Cambodia hosts a multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy.

Religion

Buddhism is the main religion, with 90% of the people being Theravada Buddhist.

Economy

Cambodia relies heavily on its garment industry, which makes up more than 70% of the country’s exports. Another growing industry is tourism. Other industries include rice milling, fishing, lumber, rubber, cement, gem mining and textiles.

Needs

Cambodia is a kingdom of children; 50% of the population is under the age of 18. OM has responded to the needs of the community in Phnom Penh by focusing on church planting and programmes for children and youth through their orphanage and youth centre.

OM Cambodia

OM Cambodia is a relatively young ministry with exciting potential. Since the work began in 2006, we have planted three churches and have 15 of the local Khmer people and five international Global Action workers on our team. Ministry locations are in the capital Phnom Penh, Prek Svay village, the Takeo province, and Bathambang province.

Our main purposes at OM Cambodia are evangelism, church planting, and the training of believers. Our discipleship programmes aim to establish the churches in the local regions and to produce leaders to follow God’s command to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

OM Cambodia accepts short-term teams to come and minister with the national team. In 2007, six short-term teams, in 2008, eight teams and in 2009, 13 short-term teams from different countries worked with our various ministries

Current Ministries

1. Church Planting:

Evangelism and discipleship is done weekly at various garment factories and in the communities of our church plants. Three churches have been planted and are served by our workers. 150 adults and 200 children attend these 3 churches.

2. Training of missionaries for cross-cultural ministries:

Another focus is the preparation of those who commit their lives for cross-cultural ministries in other countries.

3. Educational ministries:

A Christian kindergarten is under construction. Cambodia lacks a basic public education system. We will provide kindergarten services with Christian values.

Computer classes and language classes (English and Korean) are also being offered.

4. Running of the Children’s Home:

Currently 15 children live together at Sae Soon Children’s Home (name means Blossoming). Some of these children are orphans of AIDS parents. Others are children of AIDS sufferers.

5. Management of Youth Centre:

Currently 21 youths live in separate girls’ and boys’ homes. They attend public schools. We hope to see them mature into Christian leaders who will be positive contributors to the Cambodian churches and the society around them as they learn to live together under Christian teaching.

6. Resources:

Another aspect of the work of OM Cambodia is the translation and publication of books and other resources. Two of George Verwer’s books: ‘No Turning Back’ and ‘Out of the Comfort Zone’ have been translated and printed. Both these titles have been distributed. Several Christian movies have also been translated. 

Workers needed in:

1. Evangelism, Discipleship, Church Planting ministries

2. Administration, Children ministries

3. Youth ministries, teaching English and computer.

4. Training and preparation of potential cross-cultural workers.