Photo by Judith Santiago, GBGM
Cambodia Methodist Bible School
Elder Pok Kosol (left) serving Boeungkok Methodist Church, Phnom Penh District, is assisted by the Rev. Som Sarun of Chres Methodist Church before the ordination ceremony at Cambodia Methodist Bible School, a mission supported by the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries Advance Advance #14917A.
March 15, 2017 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (GCFA) – Directors of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) held its winter board meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 4-8. Cambodia is a mission initiative nation selected by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM).
According to the GBGM website: "The Methodist Mission in Cambodia is jointly sponsored by five Methodist mission agencies based in North America, Europe, and Asia. It is moving toward the achievement of an autonomous Cambodian Methodist Church. and anticipates becoming an autonomous Methodist church in the near future."
During its time in Cambodia to review the results of United Methodist investment in the mission, the board visited with the staff and missionaries working with GBGM. Paul Kong, Asia Regional Representative, and Dr. Romeo del Rosario, Country Director for Cambodia, hosted the GCFA Board during its visit. While in Phnom Penh, the board visited sites of projects of hope and care for the people of Cambodia. It also worshipped at Toul Kork and Preak Tual Methodist Churches and celebrated International Women’s Day with the congregations.
Rev. Steve Wood, GCFA board member, said, “The congregation I serve is committed to supporting the Advance projects represented by these impressive mission initiatives. The work we observed in Cambodia is evidence that our connectional giving is spreading the Gospel to first generation Christians in Cambodia. Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world is happening in Cambodia in ways that inspire all of us.”
The Board visited four mission projects while in Cambodia:
- At the Toul Kork Methodist Church in Phnom Penh, the Board met with University Scholars and alumni.
- At the Cambodia Light Children Association (Advance #3020791) and the Women’s Ministry Project (Advance #3020788), the board members interacted with the children and parents of the orphanage and the community.
- The GCFA Board visited the GBGM Cambodia Regional Office located in Phnom Penh. Many of the missionaries serving as teachers, directors and community developers were introduced to the Board during this meeting.
- GCFA directors visited the Cambodian Methodist Bible School (Advance #14917A) and met with the cabinet of the school and the Mission Superintendent, Rev. Sok Sovandy.
- At the Community Health and Agricultural Development Center (CHAD) (Advance #14916A), the Board worked on a construction project and met with community children and their parents. They also engaged the students in training on personal hygiene and health care necessary for the children’s growth and development.
Sharon Dean serves as director of communications for the General Council on Finance and Administration.