Religion Watch Archives

Monitoring Trends in Religion - From February 1990 to January 2016

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archives
    • By Issue
    • By Article
    • By PDF (2008-14)
    • By PDF (1985-97)
    • All Articles
  • Sections
    • Current Research
    • Findings & Footnotes
    • On/File
  • Google Search
You are here: Home / Archive / Cambodian religious freedom brings on evangelical surge

Cambodian religious freedom brings on evangelical surge

November 1, 1999 by Richard Cimino

Print-friendly

With greater freedom for Christian and other non-governmental groups, Cambodian churches are growing.

There are more than 1,000 evangelical churches in the country, up from about 50 in 1992, Religion Today (Oct. 25) reports. While there are about 120 Christian and Missionary Alliance churches and the Assemblies of God has about 1,000 members, congregations started by native Cambodians are growing the fastest. Many Cambodians became Christians in Thai refugee camps and evangelized their countrymen when they returned. Cambodians who became Christians in the United States are also returning to spread the gospel.

Los Angeles pastor Christopher LaPel started one of Cambodia’s largest indigenous churches. LaPel, a native Cambodian, started several churches in a Thai refugee camp and later helped the congregations resettle in northwest Cambodia. Today the movement has 314 churches serving 18,000 in three provinces.

The spread of Christianity is not due to any planned evangelistic program, but occurs as “the Gospel passes from believers to their friends and relatives, from one village to its neighbor,” LaPel says.

Print-friendly

Filed Under: Archive

Also in this issue

  • On/File: November 1999
  • Findings & Footnotes: November 1999
  • Ganesh galvanizing Hindu nationalists?
  • Satanist-based vandalism in Russia, Norway?
  • Current Research: November 1999
  • Vacation Bible School rebounds, draws in new participants
  • Karate – the evangelicals’ bingo?
  • Healing rated most durable new age innovation
  • Practical preaching predominating?
  • Spirituality gains support, credibility among workers, CEOs
  • Law enforcers going back to school on new religions?

Search the Site

Download the first issue of RELIGION WATCH (1980)

Download the first issue of RELIGION WATCH (1980)

Click on the image for downloading

© 2016-2023 Richard Cimino / Religioscope
·News Pro Theme · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · WordPress