One of the visions of Bethesda Cathedral is to be a “mission-sending church” and this is happening today.

On 22nd September ‘07, Pastor Tay Cheng Kee led a small team to Cambodia to study the needs of the churches over there and to look into how we can co-work with them to usher more souls into God’s kingdom. The mission team consisted of Pastor Tay, Pastor Mark Chew, Bro. Wilson and me.

When we arrived in the city of Phnom Penh, my first impression of Cambodia was that it is a developing country, trying to recover from its painful, war-torn past and the horrific genocide of its 2 million people. The city is very crowded and seems disorganised. Cars and motorcycles jammed up the streets, going in all directions. Construction work is going on everywhere. Rubbish dumps in the streets are a common sight and people were seen rummaging through the garbage for something of value. I’ve noticed a few extremely rich people with huge houses and luxury cars, in contrast to the multitudes of poor people and orphaned children. People here need the Lord to heal them not just physically but emotionally and spiritually.

On Sunday 23rd September, we ministered to a 300-member house church in the city of Phnom Penh itself. The worship style was contemporary with electric guitars and tambourine dancers. Pastor Tay preached a simple message on Christian assurance and the people received it warmly.

On Monday 24th September, we conducted a seminar in an 80-member house church in the village of Setabou. We are adopting this church whose current name, when translated means “The light of new life in Christ”. On the way there, we were stopped by a huge tractor that blocked the road. Perhaps the devil was trying to hinder us from ministering the Word, but God is greater! The road-block was cleared and we arrived at the house church safely. Praise God! About 23 leaders of the church turned up for this teaching seminar.

Pastor Mark Chew taught on the topic of prayer in the morning session. You could tell that they were hungry for the Word of God; they were listening intently and taking down notes in their notepads. After a delicious lunch, I taught about the importance of the Word of God.

A few relatives of the church members who had joined us were non-believers. Pastor Tay decided to share the gospel and praise God, two persons decided to give their lives to Jesus. Hallelujah! Led by the Spirit, Pastor Tay continued to give altar call for the sick and prayed for deliverance. Many came forward to be prayed for, and six people were instantaneously healed! One of them was a guitarist who had injured his wrist and couldn’t play the guitar. After being prayed for, he immediately felt strength returning to his hand!

Sensing God’s presence there and the faith of the people building up, I spoke about Baptism in the Holy Spirit. When the call came for those who wanted to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, everyone came to the altar area. We worshipped the Lord with just our voices and the Holy Spirit came upon the people. When I prayed for them, almost all of them burst out in tongues! People were crying before God; the atmosphere was electrifying. More than 10 people received the Baptism in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

When we dare to step out of our comfort zone and preach God’s Word, He will confirm the preaching of the Word with signs and wonders.

We left Cambodia humbled, excited and in awe of what God is doing there and what He can do when we step out in faith to allow God to use us as His vessels to bring salvation, healing and deliverance to the nations. All glory to God!