The church in Cambodia is experiencing growth but Christian ministry is up against the dangers of the prosperity gospel, according to two Sydney missionaries.
CMS missionary Dave Painter, who is training students at Phnom Penh Bible College (PPBC) and his wife Leoni, who assists in the College library are encouraged by the growing number of College graduates, but say the Cambodian Church must be on guard against the prosperity gospel.
There were 14 Diploma graduates in 2004, 16 in 2005 and Dave says there should be 25 in the graduating year of 2006.
However, a history of violence and poverty in Cambodia with the resulting insecurity means many citizens crave the “security” provided by the prosperity gospel.
"Cambodia's history has had a huge impact on its people, as it would any country that has been through a holocaust situation," Dave says.
"A lot of students come from single parent households, and they are seeking to look after the survival of themselves and their family unit. This affects their decision making."
Dave says many people go to church seeking to improve their family’s situation.
"When a tourist comes to visit a church in rural Cambodia a huge crowd turns out, because they know if they show themselves to be poor, gifts will follow," he says.
"There's a sense of self-fulfilling prophecy of prosperity theology. People go to church with an expectation of receiving something and they do."
Commitment to the cause
Dave says missionaries to the Third World need a long time to work out the real needs of the country that God has specifically sent them to work within.
"I believe it takes 15 years for someone to become truly confident and comfortable as a missionary to a community."
"In Western society as soon as we are comfortable in a job or a place we think it's time to move on. But as a missionary, if I learn the language and make friends, I have earned my position in that community and can become a strategic Christian influence in that environment by remaining there."
College students often experience new learning styles at PPBC.
"When students arrive they have only experienced rote learning. So I am teaching students about understanding because things that are understood will remain when rote learning will be forgotten."
Dave says he has observed changes in students as they progress in their education.
"From first to third year I see the students having a greater understanding of God's word, and an increased maturity in ethical issues," he says.
"For example, when you ask students why we don't cheat in exams, at first they say it's because you might get caught, but later they realise it's because the exam is a test of learning in order prepare ourselves to serve God better."
Sydney links
Three College graduates have undergone further training at Sydney Missionary and Bible College and two have since returned to commence teaching at PPBC.
"They have a commitment to return and teach at the school for four years. The test will be to see if they still choose to serve at the college or elsewhere when they finish their commitment," Dave says.
Dave says the current socio-political climate is good for missionaries to Asia.
"This is a huge historical moment of opportunity. In the cities of Asia people are seeking global culture, much of which is English and computer based," he says.
“We Australians are uniquely placed to put these opportunities to good use for the cause of the Gospel.”
"Please pray that people will seek opportunities to witness cross culturally in these overseas communities."
