100-Years Celebration of Christianity in Cambodia
(ការប្រារព្ធ​ខួប ១០០ ឆ្នាំ​នៃគ្រិស្ត​សាសនា​នៅ​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា)

ដើម្បីអានជាភាសាខ្មែរ សូមចុច នៅទីនេះ

The Prime Minister of Cambodia joined a celebration marking 100 years of Christianity in Cambodia at a special ceremony held in Phnom Penh. The event was held on January 27-28, 2023 at the Koh Pich Theater grounds. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and thousands of other Christians attended the celebration.

Prime Minister Hun Sen was the Guest of Honor where he addressed the audience of nearly 10,000 Christians. In his remarks, he said, "This gathering is a demonstration of the progress of Christianity in Cambodia under the shade of peace."

Christianity first came to Cambodia in 1923 and currently, there are 114,402 registered Christians. This makes up only a small percentage of the population, which is approximately 95% Buddhist. Today, there are more than 16,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambodia.

Mission President for the Church in Cambodia, Veasna Neang, attended the event and did an interview with EAC News. When asked how he felt about the event, he said, “These 100 years mark the love and care God has for Cambodia.” He also expressed that Cambodia will continue to prosper because God is here.

“We have been blessed by a government that allows us to practice our religion freely,” President Neang continued. “We have missionaries who leave their homes and serve all over the world. We have many American and Khmer missionaries who serve here.” He said they share a message of the gospel and of living prophets today. 

When asked what makes the Church different, he said that, "We have a living prophet who is the head of the church, who communicates directly with God, we have the priesthood and the plan of salvation."

Elder Malachi Horn, a full-time missionary for the Church, was also interviewed. He was asked about the benefits of Christianity to Cambodia. He responded, “Christianity can help develop a loving culture, and that looking forward, Christ can continue to bless this country. He can bless us with knowledge and education and bring hope and joy into our lives.”

Members of the Church, including a large gathering of full-time missionaries, were in attendance to join the celebration and see the Prime Minster in person. Four representatives from the Church were invited to sit on the stand with the distinguished guests and they were the Association President Samnang Sea, North Stake President Eng Bunchuoch, Touch Sophornn of the South Stake Presidency, and East District President Sokha Phirum Tay.

Members also attended the Saturday session of the celebration. Hun Manet, who is the Prime Minister’s son, spoke during the Saturday night celebration. Over the two days and three sessions, nearly 30,000 Christians from Cambodia and around the world attended the marking of 100 years of Christianity in Cambodia, celebrating the gospel and hope in Jesus Christ.