PASTOR KONG AND HIS CHURCH FAMILY’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY
The pictures above and below are from a recent 10th Anniversary Service. If you read our Prayer Updates regularly, you will be familiar with Pastor Kong, his wife, and their church family. I had the privilege of teaching Kong at the Bible college we started and later discipling him. For the past six years, he has led the college and interpreted for me when I teach.
Kong also started another church, which he has since entrusted to one of our graduates. He started a Bible institute where I have the privilege of teaching, and he oversees three conferences each year. He is a faithful and fruitful servant of the Lord!
Recently, his church celebrated its 10th anniversary. It is wonderful to see what God has done there. On an average Sunday, 120 to 150 people attend their services. Over the years, they have had hundreds saved and baptized. Please be sure to see his testimony and the end of the update.
“The same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” —2 Timothy 2:2
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND GIVING!
Please continue to pray for Pastor Kong, his wife Lily, their church family, and the Bible college students!
VISITING IN THE VILLAGES
Over the past few weeks, it has been a blessing to visit several villages and share the gospel with a handful of people. In many of these villages, our fellow workers gather the children for singing, games, and a simple gospel message while others speak with the adults. I’m grateful for the Cambodian believers we serve alongside and for their desire to reach people for Christ and disciple those with whom they have reached.
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” —Mark 16:15
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND GIVING!
Please continue to pray for our soul winning and discipleship in the villages!
PREACHING
Recently, I had the privilege of preaching at our mother church just outside Phnom Penh and at one of our church plants. There’s nothing quite like preaching and teaching believers who hunger for God’s Word. Looking forward to preaching for our Family Conference next week. Covet your prayers!
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season.” —2 Timothy 4:2
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND GIVING!
Please continue to pray for all of our church plants and my preaching opportunities here in Cambodia!
DENISE RETURNS TO THE CLASSROOM
For the past two years, Denise has volunteered to teach four days a week at our school, Pacific International Academy. She loves the staff and students at PIA, and they love her. After being away for almost three months, she was glad to get “back in the saddle.” She does such a good job with the students and is a huge help to Kosal, the school principal, and the staff as they lovingly train up the next generation.
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” —Colossians 3:23
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND GIVING!
PIA CHAPEL
Preaching in our school chapel is one of my favorite parts of serving in Cambodia. Over the next few months, I will be teaching a series of simple lessons called “Six Building Blocks of the Christian Life.” We have also prepared a coloring and activity book to go along with the lessons, and the students will have a coloring contest in October.
“Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” —Matthew 7:24
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND GIVING!
Please continue to pray for Denise, the staff, and the students of PIA!
COLLEGE GIRLS FELLOWSHIP
It is always a blessing to welcome the college girls into our home for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship. Denise, Esther, and Reza prepared a delicious Asian dish. We enjoyed Bible trivia, UNO, and Dutch Blitz, along with plenty of laughter. According to our neighbor, who is also a church member, we got a little loud!
“And breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.” —Acts 2:46
CHILDREN’S NIGHT
We also love having some of our “adopted grandchildren” over occasionally. The children made their own pizzas, played games, answered Bible trivia questions about the life of David, and watched a short-animated film about David. It is always a joy to spend the evening with them.
“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.” —Mark 10:14
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND GIVING!
Please continue to pray for our various Hospitality Nights!
COLLEGE CLASSES
For the past 14 years, I have had the privilege of teaching Bible college and Bible institute classes, both in person and online here in Southeast Asia. Investing in the next generation of local church leaders is a joy, especially when the students are eager to learn God’s Word.
A few weeks ago, I began teaching an online class college class. This week, I start teaching a Bible Institute class, and in the coming weeks, I will begin another online college class and teach an in person college here in Cambodia. Altogether, I expect to teach about 70 students this term. Please pray that what they learn will strengthen them as they serve their churches and teach others to do the same.
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” —2 Timothy 2:2
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND GIVING!
Please continue to pray for my discipleship, college, and Bible Institute schedule!
FAITHFUL AND FRUITFUL SERVANTS
My name is Kong Xiong, and my wife, Lilly, and I are grateful for all God has done in our lives and ministry. God saved me on June 18, 2015, and I followed the Lord in baptism two months later. On April 18, 2016, while Pastor Johnny was preaching from Matthew 9:35–38, God called me into full-time ministry. During the invitation, I surrendered my life to His call.
Just two days later, I began sharing the Gospel in Thadindeng Village. I did not know what the future would hold or what God might accomplish. I simply knew that God had called me, and I wanted to be faithful. That burden eventually led to the beginning of our church in Thadindeng Village on November 18, 2017. As we look back over these years, we can clearly see God’s faithfulness every step of the way.
By God’s grace, the ministry has continued to grow beyond Thadindeng. The Lord allowed me to start another church about three hours away, and today a young couple has been sent there to serve and take responsibility for that ministry. One of my greatest joys is not only seeing churches started, but also seeing young people trained, trusted, and sent out to serve the Lord and reach others with the Gospel.
I am especially thankful for my wife, Lilly. She has been my partner, helper, encourager, and fellow servant throughout this journey. She faithfully disciples and mentors’ young ladies in our Bible college, spending time teaching, encouraging, and helping them grow in their walk with Christ. Her desire is to prepare the next generation of young women to become faithful wives, mothers, teachers, and servants of Christ.
As I look back, I know this is not a story of our success—it is a story of God’s faithfulness. What began with simply saying “yes” to God has become a growing church family and a ministry reaching beyond Thadindeng Village. Our prayer is that the next generation will continue what God has begun, not for our name or glory, but for the name of Jesus Christ and the spread of the Gospel.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND GIVING!
Please pray for Pastor Kong, Lily, and the various ministries they oversee!
As always, Denise and I want to thank you for your fervent prayers and faithful giving. Your partnership makes it possible for us to live and serve here in Southeast Asia. We are grateful for the love you have shown us and for the part you have in this ministry. We appreciate you more than words can express.
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” —Philippians 1:3
Your missionaries in Southeast Asia,
Johnny and Denise Esposito
