You may be aware that IJM is working to expand and deepen our relationships with local churches throughout the developing world. We have always held the conviction that the Church is God’s ultimate plan for bringing rescue and justice to the oppressed, and every day is a learning process as we seek to grow in fellowship with churches not only here in North America but all throughout the world.

IJM Cambodia has made significant strides over this past week in their work with churches in the capital city of Phnom Penh. Below is an excerpt from a report we received from staff team on the ground:

******************************************************
At a round table this past week with pastors from one of the largest churches in Cambodia, representatives from IJM’s field office in Phnom Penh opened discussions on launching an expanded initiative to bring the biblical mandate of seeking justice to the attention of Christians throughout Cambodia.

Field Office intern Karen Genzink has been working for months to lay the groundwork for this initiative and hopes that the meeting last week was the first of many to engage the Cambodian church in ways that are increasingly robust and sustainable.

IJM Cambodia will lead trainings to equip pastors on how to engage issues of sexual exploitation within their communities - enabling churches to serve as a resource to confront this challenge. Genzink also looks forward to sharing more deeply the mission of IJM throughout the body of Christ in Cambodia with the ultimate goal of witnessing the Holy Spirit move this part of the global church to action on behalf of those who are suffering as a result of human trafficking.

“We have to talk about the realities of oppression and the hope of biblical justice if we expect to see real transformation,” she says. “The church will be the lasting change.”

She says as more people advocate for change and justice in their own neighborhoods, the problem of oppression can be combated. The work has just begun for IJM Cambodia, but Genzink is confident that the road ahead is worth it. “This has the potential to be powerful.”