“And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” - Mark 9:5
Gathering with other believers is always a privilege, but especially in spiritually dry places. We are in the early stages of an international church plant in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. There is a great need for churches all over Cambodia, but especially in the capital city, since so many people relocate here from the countryside to look for work. In addition, there are many other international workers who have moved here either for business or for non-profit work. The city life wears on these people and they long to encounter Jesus, to find a place to rest where they belong.
This is why the Anglican Church of Cambodia had been praying for a church plant in our area for many years. After many years of waiting and praying, we joined the team to take part in all the Lord was doing. Our team just started public worship in October, so the church is quite young, but it's growing into a healthy and joyful place. Every week, people from all kinds of nationalities gather here to worship and encounter the Lord in Word and Table. Sometimes I feel like Peter. “It is good that we are here!” One can sense the Spirit at work in our presence, working to renew us, remind us of our identity and strengthen us for mission. It's a joy to worship together, even across language and cultural barriers. Actually one might say that the language and cultural gaps make our worship that much sweeter.
Fortunately, while our liturgy grows us together in worship to God, it also sends us back out. It is good that we gather, but we do not stay on the mountain. We go back out to serve the Risen Lord in this unreached place, as we “go in peace to love and serve the Lord!”