A chance meeting at church unveiled a remarkable story of survival, faith, and God's perfect timing. Mari Atkinson, who served voluntarily as FEBC Australia's Communications Manager, listened as B* shared her heart-wrenching journey.
In 1975, as the Khmer Rouge unleashed terror across Cambodia, B* witnessed the unthinkable. After soldiers killed her entire family, she fled alone. Still in shock, she walked across the border into Myanmar. B* was 12. There, exhausted and traumatized in a refugee camp, she heard something extraordinary—a radio broadcast in her native Khmer language. The gentle invitation, "Come unto me," pierced through her despair. B* gave her life to Jesus, forever changing her story. In time she came to Australia, married and had a family of three.
During this dark chapter of history, the Communist regime banned all religious expression. Sixth-generation Cambodian Christian Mr Poch Thuon's family members, leaders and pastors of Cambodia's first church, were imprisoned for their faith. Despite the risks, believers lived and gathered secretly in rice fields. Countless Cambodians made perilous journeys across borders to seek refuge in Thailand and Myanmar.
Throughout these harrowing times, Voice of Love Cambodia (VOL) never stopped broadcasting hope in Khmer. In Thai refugee camps, a Khmer broadcaster's parents, who were themselves refugees, ministered to displaced people. They introduced FEBC's life-giving broadcasts to them and ran fellowships.
1975 Khmer refugees singing at Pastor Kung's fellowship group at Pong Nam Ron refugee camp in Thailand. Pastor Kung and wife were the parents of FEBC's Khmer broadcaster. They were also refugees, but started to reach fellow Khmer refugees with the gospel of Jesus Christ through Bible teachings, fellowships and FEBC's Khmer broadcasts.
Restored and Redeemed
In 2023, Cambodia marked an incredible milestone—30,000 Khmer Christians gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the landing of the gospel in the nation, with VOL helping to organise and livestream this historic event.
2023, 30,000 Khmer Christians celebrated the 100th year of the landing of the gospel in Cambodia.
From modest beginnings in 1957 with just two hours of shortwave broadcasting, VOL now reaches four million people through FM radio, social media and digital platforms. Through FEBC Australia's partnership, VOL brings both physical and spiritual light to Cambodia's poorest villages through solar-powered radios, leadership training, and youth programs, illuminating hearts across the nation. And this Christmas, a special outreach will spread even more joy and hope!