Start as a servant
CMS missionary Amanda Jacobson, serving with Maurice at Elim Bible School in Cambodia, introduces Lork Gru Chann, the principal of the school, who suggests students shouldn’t focus on becoming leaders.
A principal who serves
Sitting under his six-metre square wooden hut, Lork Gru Chann, principal of Elim Bible school, looks out into the darkness. A few metres away is the cashew plantation he’s been working in all day. Now he’s contemplating the question I’ve just asked him, “What did you mean when you said you don’t want our students at Elim to become leaders?”
By way of answer, Chann tells me a little of his story.
“When I first heard the Good News myself, I had no intention of becoming a leader. But I did want to study everything I could, to get to know my God, who he was, and what he desired for me and from me. As I studied, it was like the words from the Bible were speaking directly to me, showing me how Jesus lived his life, and encouraging me to live my life the same. The more I lived this way, the closer I felt to God, and my love for him grew and grew.
“As my life began to change, my church fellowship noticed the fruit being produced, and they wanted me to become their pastor. They encouraged me to study leadership subjects. I still didn’t want to be a leader. I know others aspire to be leaders because of the title and honour that comes with it. For me, I knew if I could just be a good servant, that would be enough.
“When we look at the example of Jesus calling Peter, we see that Jesus asks him to feed and care for his sheep (John 21:17). This is the kind of thing a master would ask of their servant. The point we want to make to our students is that if they strive to be true disciples of Jesus, and true servants of Jesus, they will begin to produce fruit. Maybe one day they will become leaders. But the most important thing is not to focus on becoming a leader, but becoming a humble servant who is willing to work at any task their master calls them to.”
One Elim student’s story
Alongside Chann, Maurice and I have the joy of teaching many wonderful young Cambodian Christians, who will one day be leaders in their churches and communities. People like Darany,* who is 25 years old and comes from a tribal village in northeast Cambodia. Like many in that region, Darany’s tribe still has their own language and customs, and formal education is given little importance.
Darany shares, “I had been attending church with my parents for forever, but when I was about 14 years old, I prayed to God and asked him for a ‘moto’ (motorcycle), like my friends had. When I didn’t get one, I decided God didn’t listen to me, and it was no use following him. Then my friends ended up in all sorts of trouble riding in moto gangs.
“Studying at Elim has helped me to understand the will of God. When I look back now, I see that God protected me from getting into that kind of trouble. Now I know he does hear me. I can’t wait to go back to my village and share with my old friends about how my life has changed, and theirs can too.”
Under God, with a passionate and humble principal, the students of Elim are being equipped to serve. We are so thankful that God has allowed us to play a part in this work.
Care
At the time of publication, the Jacobsons are on Home Assignment (HA). There are practical ways of caring for CMS missionaries on HA, including hearing about their location, and praying for the people there (such as Darany and Chann). Contact your CMS branch though cms.org.au/contact-us to find out more.
* Name changed for privacy reasons.
