Sometimes overseas ministry is easy to define. Sometimes it fits into a nice little box. Education. Evangelism. Construction. Kids’ ministry. Orphans. Church planting.
Other times it takes creativity to make ministry happen. Instead of fitting into a box, ministry is whatever you make of it.
Brian and Jody Williams are perfect examples of living out this creative ministry. As I mentioned in my last blog, this couple is doing some amazing kingdom work in Kampong Cham, Cambodia.
[Photo credit: Jackelyn Mead]
Brian and Jody are a couple from Calvary Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They have chosen to follow the Lord’s call to serve as missionaries in Kampong Cham through an organization called Cross World. They have a vision to see the Christian leaders raised up in Cambodia. Their ministry is rooted in basic discipleship, Bible teaching and leadership training. One-on-one relationships and flexible creativity are the tools they use to see ministry take root and grow.
Brian and Jody have been doing ministry in Kampong Cham for about a year. Since they first joined the community, they have built a creative and unique ministry. Here is a look at what they do.
- Brian is very active with a local dormitory that supports young men from surrounding villages while they come into the city for schooling. Brian helps teach English. He also helps facilitate Bible studies – teaching the Bible while also teaching those who have become Christians how to teach the Bible to others.
- Brian has also started teaching the young men in the community different trade skills that could help them start their own small business in the future. One he is actively teaching right now is how to fix bicycles.
- Jody is very active with a local pre-school. She helps train the local teachers so they can offer even better education to the children. Jody also helps teach English while also incorporating Biblical concepts into the teachings.
- Brian and Jody have also opened up their home. They host bible studies and discussion groups in for the local young people. They provide a place for young people to ask questions and grow closer to the Lord.
- Brian and Jody have also chosen to use their large yard as a space to start raising animals and planting crops. They already have turkeys and chickens with hopes for fish in the future. The young Khmer people are helping to make the “farm” operation run as a way to be more self-sustaining and make some extra money.
- They are also active in the local church, networking with the Christian community.
This is just a brief glimpse of their ministry. As they continue to think creatively, I am sure they will find more ways to reach out to the community of Kampong Cham. It was a blessing to meet them and see how they are bringing God’s kingdom to earth. I am honored to highlight them as unsung heroes of Cambodia.
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.” [Colossians 3:23]
Ways you can pray for Brian & Jody:
- Pray for open doors and continued connections.
- Pray for those staying in the men’s dormitory – that they would come to know the Lord and take that saving knowledge and grace back to their villages.
- Pray for the opening of a women’s dorm in Kampong Cham to provide the same opportunity to girls from rural villages who are hope to pursue higher education.
