Chantha Kan (second from left), church-planting pastor of Cambodian Christ Cornerstone Church in Dallas, drove several of his church members (and others from Houston) 15 hours to the Blessing Field. Also pictured: Cambodian Southern Baptist Fellowship Chairman Seang Yiv (fourth from left) next to his wife Patty (black floral dress).
STATESBORO, Ga. — Cambodians celebrated America’s Independence at their “Blessing Field” meeting space during their recent annual meeting.
The Cambodian Southern Baptist Fellowship’s 41st annual meeting on July 2-5 also celebrated multiple repairs to the 7-acre Blessing Field’s worship center and fellowship hall in the wake of flooding from Hurricane Debby last August.
“There was excitement among the people about joining hands with us to make it even better next year,” Chairman Seang Yiv told Baptist Press. “We want to grow the group so that each year we have the ability to accommodate more people.”
About 170 people — 20 more than last year and the most in the 10 years — gathered for the annual event. “Whom shall I send?” based on Isaiah 6:8a set the tone.
“People came to help with the repairs and restoration that caused more people knowing about our facility,” Yiv said. “That was a good thing.”
Vice chairman of the Cambodian Fellowship’s NOW Gen Caleb Soch and member Map Voun led the NextGen group in their study of Isaiah 6:8. The guest speakers for the NextGen group included Nate Garrard and Kevin Kane.
Children, English-speaking NextGen and Khmer-language adults each met separately. Nate’s wife Sophat Gerrard led the children in a day camp study on Isaiah 6: God is holy; God forgives and cleanses us; we can listen to God’s voice; and say ‘Yes’ to God: be willing to go.”
Fellowship, fun, food and fireworks permeated the four-day event that nonetheless got attendees thinking about what they might be willing to do for God.
The Cambodian Southern Baptist Fellowship does not include business during its annual meetings. Elected leaders handle that through Zoom meetings throughout the year.
In addition to the fun and fellowship, though, a good portion of the four-day event was devoted to God.
In addition to six songs of praise and worship and three prayer times, a message from Sambath Ros from Isaiah 6:1-4 on Wednesday evening addressed “A call to encounter God’s glory before responding.”
Thursday morning, Khem Sam preached from Isaiah 6:5 on “God calls the humble, not the perfect.” That afternoon was set aside for men’s and women’s meetings and group recreation.
Following Thursday evening’s time of praise, worship and prayer, Chantha Kan preached from Isaiah 6:6-7 on “God’s call comes with grace to obey it.” Friday morning, Sokhom Khim preached from Isaiah 6:8a on “God looks for willing hearts, not perfect resumes.”
Nate Gerrard preached Friday evening from Isaiah 6:8b on “The power of a willing response.” During the closing service Saturday morning, Sophal Kes spoke from Isaiah 6:9-13 on “Living the sent life.”
The guest speakers — Sambath Ros, Chantha Kan, Sophal Kes, Khem Sam, Sokhom Kim, Nate Gerrard — are pastors from Southern Baptist churches in Philadelphia, Dallas, Palm Coast, Nashville, Atlanta and Philadelphia respectively.
Praise, worship and prayer permeated each of the six sessions. Small group workshops, meals, fellowship, recreation and just wandering around the freshly-repaired buildings filled the rest of the time.
Most of the work at the Blessing Field repairing last year’s damage has been completed.
Already the Cambodian Fellowship is looking at its first expansion since the property was purchased a year before the devastating flooding of the meandering Mill Creek through the property last August.
“I’m so happy with the work that’s been done,” Yiv said. “I didn’t imagine we could finish all this work.
“People came to give their time, energy, skills and donations” Yiv continued. “We spent less than $50,000 because people gave their labor and the things they brought with them.”
Mike Jefferson, a volunteer local ministry partner, found his 5-foot-10 frame in water up to his waist when he first checked the property after hearing there was a flood last August. He found the Blessing Field’s two main buildings, three support buildings, five gazebos and two water fountains under about four feet of water.
Ever since April this year and nearly every weekend before the Cambodia Fellowship’s July 2-5 annual meeting, volunteers have been working on the property.
“We got to finish all the floors in the two buildings,” Yiv said. “That was a lot of — a lot of — work, 21,000 square feet. The new carpet in the worship center has been laid but only partly glued. We plan to return at the end of the month and beyond to do the gluing as well as other remaining work.”
It was through Jefferson’s effort in lifting and transporting truckloads of heavy sheetrock, foam, carpet and vinyl materials that both buildings, gutted to their studs, have been rebuilt, though not yet painted, Yiv said.
Another volunteer drove four hours from Winder, Ga., to help rebuild showers.
A family from Jacksonville who are long-time supporters of the Blessing Field spent many weeks and donated funds and skills to build seven showers, rerouted water flows, added water heaters and brought the shower section to a higher standard.
“By the end of the fall, hopefully we should finish repairing everything,” Yiv said. “We give praise to God for the people He has sent us. I think the people see the potential for expansion of the facility for the younger generations.
“By the grace, love and goodness of God, we are wholeheartedly grateful for God’s families who have sacrificed their time, finances and talents to make a difference by pulling together to advance this 7-acre land into a house of worship to magnify Him,” the chairman continued. “May the Blessing Field turn ever more into a haven where His light, glory and words shine brightly among the attendees.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Karen L. Willoughby is a national correspondent for Baptist Press.)
