As I mentioned in Tuesday’s post, Good Shepherd’s founding pastor Claude Kayler forged a relationship with Cambodian pastor Sopeung Sok in 1999 and 2000.
As a result, our church was able to build a church building for Pastor Sopeung’s church early in the last decade.
So today, I got to preach a sermon and then lead a baptism service in that same building.
There were 200 or so people present. And two very interested dogs.
The village went all out to welcome us, including a welcome tent usually reserved for once in a lifetime events like weddings, and a covered dish, Cambodian style.
Anyway, the highlight of the worship was not my preaching but the baptisms that followed it.
Because we baptized 50 new people into the kingdom. All were adults, many were elderly, and most were making the daring move of giving their lives to Jesus in the middle of a culture (and a village) that is almost exclusively Buddhist.
It’s a journey that Sopeung himself has taken in his own life.
So we baptized them, one after another. It was exhiliratingly exhausting.
One interesting note about the baptisms: Ron Dozier, our pastor of Missions and Community Impact, performed them with me. So we had an African-American and an Anglo baptizing Cambodian people into the kingdom of God.
Good Shepherd is full on, full color. Even halfway around the world.
Tomorrow: we visit the Phnom Penh office of International Justice Mission plus a wrap up with Methodist leadership in this country.
Also – a couple of technical glitches are preventing downloads of some of our many photos. We’re working on it.
There are 22 comments
How cool to baptize 50 adults with Ron! Taylor and Riley have been asking about you so now I have something special to tell them! Be careful. I love you, Julie
To God be the Glory!!
Susie and I will pray that God continues to use you to lift others into the kingdom of heaven. David Dozier
This why I love Good Shepherd. I enjoy seeing and reading about how the various ministries reach out to our community and those around the world to spread love and word of GOD. I’m sending much love and prayers to the team for a continued safe and blessed trip and return trip home. Look forward to reading more about the mission and seeing those photo’s 🙂 Take care.
LaSaundra Spencer
WOW. truly moving.
What an exciting adventure! I can’t wait to read the next entry. I can only imagine what it must be like to bring the word of God to people of another culture and part of the world. God bless you all and keep you well.
That is amazing and incredible! Thanks be the glory of God, working through you all for the people in Cambodia. I’m sure you are exhausted but just know that the folks back home think what you’re doing is so wonderful; so powerful is the Spirit with you in your work there. I am praying for each of you and the lives that you are touching. Right now on my lunch hour. God be with you!
God is so good! Way to go ‘Dream Team’ I pray for each of you that the holy spiritwill continue to be so contagious!
Awesome! So glad you’re all getting a glimpse of what God is doing around the world!!!
Talbot, Rick sent me the link to your blog. Don’t know if you remember us but we were there when Good Shepherd got started way back in the schools. We moved up to Mooresville in 2000. You baptized our youngest, Sydney. This was an awesome experience you shared. May God continue to use you to lead people to Christ. Friends in Christ, Kim Isom and Family
Congratulations on so many baptisms. So wonderful to see that these individuals have welcomed the Lord into their lives. God bless all of you on your journey.
How exciting! Thinking of you all and praying for you.
That is truly wonderful. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
That is so awesome! Can’t wait to hear about the whole trip.
So, here we are in Charlotte enjoying the rain — did I say RAIN?! It should be dry and nice where you are. Our prayers continue as we undergird your mission. Two great things happened in the past 24 hrs. — Beulah turned 94, and JMS taught a fantastic class today (switched with Chris). So much information and we all walked out wondering how to assimilate it. We look forward, however, to your return, Talbot. Miss you all and know each day is a fabulous experience. God will definitely reveal a plan for GS through you.
That is just so awesome that you and Rob baptized 50 people. What a blessing the mission team must be to these people. Keep up the good work. I look forward to hearing about IJM
Janet Harris
PS – Ron – I am the one from the 8:30 service, at a recent altar prayer, whom you asked if I needed prayer, and I replied I was praying for GSUMC. I still am!
Always exciting to hear stories of how God is using his people to share His love! I too recently sat next to a lady who works for “World Relief NC” doing the same thing locally!! Wow! I had no idea this was going on over here as well.
One interesting note about the baptisms: Ron Dozier, our pastor of Missions and Community Impact, performed them with me. So we had an African-American and an Anglo baptizing Cambodian people into the kingdom of God.
One of the gifts and testimonies from God is that together we can do anything!
To All: Keep up the great works, God is with you all at each and every turn.
Blessings to all,
Belinda
How incredibly exciting to be living and sharing the Word and welcoming 50 new people to the Kingdom. “Well done my good and faithful servents”…Bless all of you and praying for you safe return!
Missy Curtis
Praying for all of you. 50 people certainly is a blessing. God is certainly doing some amazing things. It’s amazing how many things come full circle. Hope you are having a wonderful time and that you all just be safe. God is with you for sure.
Hello All,
We are amazed at the Baptism of all those saints; There is a party going on in heaven and names are being added to the Lamb’S Book. What an awesome God we serve. We are all praying for your safety and health each day; I am listening now to the news of the tsunami and I am praying that you all are safe from the effect of the earthquake in Japan which produced the tsunami. Talbot James Michael taught a great class this morning but your groupies missed you.
In His Name,
June S.
Wow, 50 baptisms, awesome tribute to the power of the living savior who travels with you in the form of the Holy Spirit. The fields must be ripe for the harvest there with the people hungry for the word. We are praying for your safety and health as you take the good news of the gospel to foreign lands. I am listening to the news at this time and they are talking about a huge earthquake that hit Japan and will produce giant tsunamis which will affect California and Hawaii; I pray you all are safe from this disaster. Talbot,your groupies missed you in class, but James Michael taught us well. keep up the good work as we pray for each of you and for those who will be saved.
June