Pastoral Support
Pastor Lav Houen
Pastor Lav Houen left his village home as a teenager to attend high school in the capital city. He was barely scraping by in the city and fighting feelings of isolation when a friend introduced him to his pastor. Lav Houen moved in with the pastor and grew to know God through his actions and love. Lav Houen had decided to attend a Bible institute when the Khmer Rouge overtook the government. He was sent to the Killing Fields where he miraculously survived the brutal slaying of educated Cambodians. He was personally delivered out of several near death experiences in the camp while those around him were killed. His faith remained strong throughout the horrors of the Khmer Rouge and after the regime was overthrown his mission became planting churches in every province of Cambodia. He had successfully planted 50 churches in 9 provinces before his ministry lost its support. He hopes to plant churches in the remaining fourteen provinces with the help of the Lydia Project. These provinces include some of the most remote in Cambodia, and those barely, if ever, touched by the Gospel message. After planting the churches he will return to assist the leaders and establish more churches in the areas. The costs for him, his family, and another man working with him amount to $1,000 per month.