Radha and Samen Manickam
FIELD
After Radha’s first trip back to Cambodia in 1989, God put a burden in his heart to help rebuild Cambodian churches. To do this, Radha needed to step out of his role as a pastor of a local church and begin the challenge of working with many Cambodian churches.
He sees church planting and leadership development as critical to the growth of the Cambodian church. The Khmer church needs someone who can train Cambodian church planters, send them out, and produce the materials they need in order to do their job. The goal is to develop leadership and resources for the churches in Cambodia.
In 1993, Radha and Samen were appointed by Missions Door to work with Cambodian churches in North America and in Cambodia. In 2004 Missions Door named Radha the Cambodian Ministry Specialist and Coordinator.
FAITH
Radha was born and raised in the city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, of Indian descent. Both of his parents came from Brahman backgrounds and were devout Hindus.
Radha became a Christian in 1973 through an English class that his church provided free of charge. It was a hard decision to make because of his Hindu family, and he was their eldest child. He accepted the Lord, however, because he was sure Jesus was the only one who could save him from his sin.
Samen was also born in the city of Phnom Penh and is one of nine children—the third generation in a family of Christian believers. Her father was a Cambodian Christian pastor serving with the Christian Missionary Alliance.
FAMILY
Radha married Samen in 1978. They have five children: Chandra, Lakshmi, Priscilla, Jonathan and Sarah.
EDUCATION
Diploma in Pastoral Theology from the Bible Extension Institute of the Evangelical Church Alliance
