DownloadJuly 6, 2009 issue
Cambodian minister licensed in Illinois
Saved from killing fields, Nuth found faith and ministry
By Sally Schreiner YoungquistPage:
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CHICAGO — Once in danger of becoming a victim of Cambodia’s killing fields, Samrach Nuth is among the first Cambodians licensed for ministry among North American Mennonites.
Virgil Vogt, Illinois Mennonite Conference associate minister, hands Samrach Nuth his certificate of licensing to the ministry in Mennonite Church USA on May 31. In the background, a Mr. Potatohead toy symbolizes how all parts of the body are needed for the church to function well, illustrating Rom. 12:1-8. — Photo by Patty Peebles/Living Water Community Church
Virgil Vogt, then associate conference minister for Illinois Mennonite Conference, licensed Nuth, Cambodian pastor at Living Water Community Church, on Pentecost, May 31.
“I am happy to tell all Cambodians about the Lord Jesus Christ,” Nuth said by phone later.
At least one Cambodian was licensed for ministry in a North American Mennonite church previously.
Kuaying Teng, Mennonite Mission Network minister of Asian ministries, came from St. Catherines, Ont., to preach the licensing sermon.
Sharing his testimony with the congregation, Nuth said he was saved by God from Cambodia’s killing fields. There, an estimated 1.7 million people were executed or died from starvation, overwork and disease under the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979.
“They forced me to work hard,” Nuth said by phone.
Nuth fled to a refugee camp in Thailand in 1979 and was sponsored to come to Chicago in 1981.
Nuth said he came to believe, through reading the Gospel of John, that Jesus was the Messiah whom Buddha had pointed to in the Buddhist scriptures.
Nuth learned from Mennonites that forgiving enemies is an important part of following Jesus. He has forgiven the Khmer Rouge for the atrocities they committed against him and his country. He calls other Cambodians to do the same, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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