“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” – C.T. Studd
This is the phrase Dr. Felipe Castro of Bileg Solid Rock Missions International lives by. Felipe grew up in the Philippines and discovered a heart for overseas missions at a young age. He chose to go to medical school in order to one day do medical mission work overseas. However, life got busy and excuses started to get in the way. It was not until Felipe reached his 40’s that he realized he needed to quit putting off God’s call to take the gospel to the nations. He realized he only had one life to live, and he knew he wanted to live it for Christ. He entered Bible school, and soon after brought his family to Cambodia.
The Castro family has now been in Cambodia for 16 years. After spending a few years in the city, they headed down to the Kampong Thom province. It was there, in the Baray district, they discovered the need for the gospel, for education, for child care and for medicine. It was there where Bileg Solid Rock Missions International was formed.
Solid Rock started as a church, 12 years ago. The church is intentional in the way they bring the gospel to the surrounding areas. Solid Rock is not located in a major city. It is instead a network of small villages in the district. Solid Rock has helped to establish house churches in at least ten villages. Solid Rock also provides leadership training for the pastors that have been raised up in each of these villages. The training is offered on weekends in order to work around Monday-Friday jobs and pastoring on Sundays.
Then 7 years ago, Solid Rock opened a school for children who did not necessarily have the opportunity to find education elsewhere. What started as a school Kindergarten – 2nd grade is now K-11th with over 400 students! Solid Rock provides basic education in Khmer plus lessons in English, computers and Biblical principles. The school also provides a chapel service every week for children who may not attend on Sundays. Once children graduate, Solid Rock continues to work with them to find scholarships to attend university.
Along with the school, Solid Rock also opened a children’s home, for orphans and underprivileged children that attended the school. It is a place that can provide for the basic needs of the children while also showing them the love and light of Christ.
Because Felipe is a medical doctor and his wife is a nurse, they have also been able to run medical clinics from Solid Rock. These clinics can provide for basic consultations and medicines. However, it is often difficult for people to get treatment when more serious medical issues arise. Therefore, there are plans to build a small hospital on the Solid Rock site. Pray that God would provide the means to see this dream become a reality.
It was an honor to meet with Dr. Felipe Castro and hear his heart for the nations and for the people of Cambodia. It was amazing to learn about Bileg Solid Rock Missions International and the various ways they seek to bring the kingdom of God to the Kampong Thom province. God has blessed their ministry and I pray they continue to be blessed so they can pour out blessings on the nation of Cambodia.
