The association Trinity Methodist Church (TMC) has with Cambodia began in 1994 when our members covenanted among ourselves and with our Lord to adopt the Khmer people of Cambodia as an unreached people group, and to become instruments to evangelise to and establish the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ there.
Soon after, we adopted a local church situated in the township of Takhmao and the birth of the Takhmao Trinity Methodist Church was born. A piece of property was acquired and in 1999, a one-storey church building was constructed. It was a simple wooden structure built on stilts over a pond intended to cultivate fish for self-sustenance.
In 2003, heavy rain caused an erosion that led to the structure of the building’s foundation being compromised. The building tilted and was declared unsafe for use. The members moved into rented premises and have been moving from property to property ever since. Church membership dwindled and the original property lay unused.
In 2012, the church dropped the name ‘Takhmao’ which had become associated with a local deity, changing its name to Glory Trinity Methodist Church (GTMC). Recently, the leadership of GTMC prayed and expressed their sincere desire to return to the original plot of land.
In partnership with GTMC, the leadership of TMC prayed alongside them and decided to support their wish to re-establish themselves at the original site.
Prof Hum Sin Hoon (LCEC Chair, TMC); the Rev Nhoek Chamnap (PIC, GTMC); the Rev Chen Sokhom (District Superintendent, Kandal District); the Rev Dianna Khoo (MMS Area Director); the Rev Alvin Chan (PIC, TMC); the Rev Youthearoath Savy (Secretary, Methodist Church of Cambodia Cabinet); Mr Jacob Cheng (MMS Country Director for Cambodia); Mr Andy Chew (Lay Leader, TMC); Mr Bunthourn (LCEC Chair, GTMC).
On Saturday 16 Jan 2016, a Ground Breaking Ceremony and Service was conducted on the original site as a dedication of the premises to build the new church building to honour and glorify God. Attendees at the Ceremony and Service included representatives of the Methodist Church in Cambodia; representatives of the Methodist Missions Society (MMS), Singapore; MMS (Cambodia); the Pastor-In-Charge (PIC), Lay Leader and LCEC Chairman of TMC; the PIC and LCEC Chairman of GTMC, as well as TMC supporters and several neighbours in the community.
In his sermon “What is the Church Made of?”, TMC’s PIC the Rev Alvin Chan encouraged GTMC to reach out to their community in love and establish themselves firmly in the Word of God.
The new church building is expected to be completed before the end of 2016 and will certainly become a landmark where the people of God can minister to the growing population of this vibrant township.
Kelvin Tan is Missions Chairman at Trinity Methodist Church.