Cambodian school continues preparing servant leaders after years of civil war
Founded in a small house in 1991, the primary goal of Phnom Penh Bible School (PPBS) in Cambodia is to prepare servant leaders to strengthen the country’s Church and reach out to the lost with the Gospel. The serious lack of higher education in Cambodia is due to many years of civil war and occupation. The interdenominational school says it is now difficult for people to have a vision for the future after “the loss of a whole generation of teachers and scholars.”
Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world. PPBS offers specific courses, such as ethics and holistic ministry, to address societal issues like poverty, corruption and illiteracy. Graduates and students regularly minister in local churches as pastors, teachers, youth ministry leaders and worship leaders, while many of Cambodia’s Christian NGOs employ PPBS’s 173 graduates in leadership, counseling and social work positions involving the care of orphans, widows, poor families and abused women and children.
PPBS’ Bachelor of Christian Ministry program is focused on training students with the skills needed to make positive social and economic changes in Cambodia. Focus is also on raising the students’ level of English since theological literature is scarce in the Khmer language. PPBS also recently formed the Adult Education Department for those not yet qualified for the Bachelor program and for all levels of church workers who desire more creative theological training.
Diploma in Christian Ministry graduate Prak Vuthy is a church elder, Vice President of the Cambodian Christian Methodist Association/Methodist Mission of Cambodia and the District Superintendent of three provinces (Takeo, Kampot and Phnom Penh), providing pastoral care and training to seven district pastors under his care. Prak says he is glad he studied at PPBS because it has helped him teach the Word of God correctly to his church members and district pastors. He is currently in the PPBS Bachelor of Christian Ministry program.
