Signs advertising this weekend's Love Phnom Penh Festival with Franklin Graham are dotted around Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh. This is the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s first time sharing the Gospel in this Southeast Asian country.
Buddhism is the official religion of Cambodia. Merriam Webster's definition of Buddhism states that "suffering is inherent in life and that one can be liberated from it by cultivating wisdom, virtue and concentration." Here, people bow down to pray at a Buddhist shrine on the streets of Phnom Penh.
In this city of 1.5 million residents, Pastor Sin Somnang says there's much poverty, oppression and lack of hope. Somnang is an optimistic local pastor who believes the Festival will attract many searching for more to life. >>Are you searching for purpose? Start here.
Buddhist temples are common in this country, which sits between Thailand and Vietnam. The temples represent the pure land or environment of a Buddha.
In a part of the world where Christians are a very small minority, Franklin Graham will share the hope of Christ and salvation at this outdoor venue December 7-8.
In October, over 2,700 children and their families heard the Gospel at a KidzFest event. More than 25 percent of those in attendance walked forward to make a decision for Christ. Of those, 500 prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Surprisingly, in a country of more than 16 million people, Cambodia has never had a McDonald's. Another fun fact: the country has changed names five times since 1953.
With such a great need for the one true God, will you pray that the Holy Spirit will move to soften hearts and that many souls will be saved through this weekend's Love Phnom Penh Festival?
