Cambodian Church Built One Cup of Coffee at a Time

During our recent trip to Cambodia, our team had the privilege of meeting Pastor Ratha, an Assemblies of God pastor in Doun Keo, a city in Takeo Province in southern Cambodia.

Pastor Ratha helped organize and host the workshop we did for pastors from the province, so we met with him and his wife, along with Pastor Poleak Tim, one of the other organizers, for dinner the night before our workshop.

During our dinner, Pastor Ratha told us a remarkable story:

His church was constructing a new multi-story building, one cup of coffee at a time!!

He went on to explain that he gave a simple challenge to his church members - one that everyone could get involved in.

He invited them to give up drinking coffee one day a week, or maybe two days if they wanted, and then donate that money to the church to help build the new building.

Pastor Ratha said that if someone gave up coffee for day, that would amount to a $1.00 donation to the church each week. It’s something so simple that everyone can do it. Though many people give more than $1.00 a week.

For 7 months now, the church has consistently raised money to build the new building, which includes worship space for 200 people, classrooms, housing for guests, and other space to bless and serve the community.

Their goal is to raise $90,000, and so far over the last 7 months they’ve raised $60,000!! Pastor Ratha says it’s been a huge blessing to see enough money coming in each week just in time to buy the materials that were needed for that week to keep the project moving forward.

We praise God for Pastor Ratha’s wonderful example of building his new church building with local funds as his church members have embraced the grace of giving in their own lives.