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An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people of Cambodian origin are now living in the Tacoma/Pierce County area. Many struggle with issues involving their health, employment, language, housing, finances, education and faith. There is therefore a great calling for support ministries of all kinds to serve the needs of this segment of the population.
To this end, the First Cambodian Presbyterian Ministry of Tacoma, Washington was begun in late 2006. The Westminster congregation is pleased to offer this ministry a home for their worship, education, prayer, counseling, and social activities. We believe that worshipping and breaking bread together with our Cambodian sisters and brothers is a great privilege, and a gift from God.
This ministry to the Cambodian population of Tacoma is led by The Rev. Sahara V. Chea, the first native-born Cambodian ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA). Rev. Chea worked in the rice fields of a youth labor camp in the "killing fields" of Cambodia in the 1970s. He, along with his mother and his siblings, escaped to a refugee camp in Thailand, where Rev. Chea converted from Buddhism to Christianity through the efforts of a street evangelist. The family subsequently were granted political asylum in the U.S.
Although Rev. Chea had no formal education until he arrived in America, he graduated as valedictorian of his high school class. He received a Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife are now American citizens.
Rev. Chea's calling is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a fallen world, and to create a community of faith that radiates from a passionate center in Christ to all.
Among the goals of this ministry are:
* To evangelize and to organize the Cambodian community, and to develop leadership training that would ultimately lead to the planting of a Cambodian church.
* To gather useful resources in both Khmer and English languages, and to assist in translation of the materials as needed, for use in both the U.S. and Cambodia.
* To promote cultural awareness and to provide Christian education, pastoral care, and counseling.
* To network with other Cambodian ministries in the U.S., as well as to build a relationship for mission and evangelism in Cambodia.
* To lead worship in both English and Cambodian.
* To work closely with Presbytery representatives in evangelism and church development.
TO E-MAIL REV. CHEA: drsvcfcpmtw@yahoo.com
   
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