Cambodia—New directive bans public evangelism
Since 17 July 2007, Christians in Buddhist-dominated Cambodia are officially banned from some evangelising activities—including distributing Christian material publicly—to encourage conversion.
According to Agence France-Presse, Cambodia’s Ministry of Cults and Religions declared that Christians are prohibited from visiting people’s houses by knocking on the door and waiting to say ‘the Lord has arrived’. They are banned from offering food, clothing, free English lessons or even money as a means to introduce people to Christianity. In addition, religious literature can only be distributed in churches and permission is required before building a church structure. Similar bans on Christianity were issued in 1999 and 2003.
“This new directive creates an increased caution on Bible League’s ministry in Cambodia, though we do not use coersion to share the Gospel,” says Bible League’s Ministry Director for Southeast Asia.
“Despite this, we remain confident knowing we serve an all powerful God and His Word will continue to bring more Cambodians to Himself—even in areas of opposition,” he adds.
Throughout Cambodia, Bible League has been effectively placing God’s Word into the hands of those who have no other source of spiritual nourishment. By coming alongside local churches in all 24 provinces and 4 major cities in Cambodia, Bible League is equipping church leaders with Scriptures and training to strengthen the church and to reach the lost. Over the years, Bible League has been involved in the planting of more than half of the evangelical churches in Cambodia.
In last year alone, Bible League was able to place 156,115 Scriptures, graduate 104,354 Cambodians from a Project Philip Bible study, baptise 5,564 new believers and plant 338 churches in Cambodia.
We urge you to pray with us for Christians in Cambodia, that they will continue to boldly share the Gospel. Pray that God’s Word will victoriously bring people to Himself despite all opposition.
Now, you can also help support persecuted Christians through prayer and providing Bibles by ordering the free 21-day prayer and study devotional booklet "A LIGHT IN THE DARK". Click below to register:
Population: 14 million
Religion: Buddhism (95%); Evangelical Christianity (0.5%)
Despite the fact that Buddhism has remained the national religion since the 15th Century, Cambodia has positively increased religious freedom in the past 17 years.
Since 1990, Christians have been allowed to worship openly. But these are not born of ideological beliefs as much as from political and economic pressure from the Buddhist majority.
Yet, the recent instances of violence between Christians and Buddhists have created new tension, which is causing the authority to tighten its control over Christians. |
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