Radha and Samen Manickam

Missionary Profile

Ministry Focus

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 Story

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 Christian and Missionary Alliance and was also the first director of International Bible Society for Cambodia, and the Dean of Academic for Takmau Bible School of Christian and Missionary Alliance.


Education

Diploma in Pastoral Theology from the Bible Extension Institute of the Evangelical Church Alliance. Read more about Radha's story in his book, Intended for Evil: A Survivor's Story of Love, Faith, and Courage in the Cambodian Killing Fields by Les Sillars Available through: Amazon Barnes & Noble Cokesbury Amazon.ca Overstock Christianbook.com

 

 

  • WAYS TO SUPPORT

    Radha and Samen by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH). 

Learn more about where this ministry happens

Amid ancient ruins and modern struggles, new generations emerge with opportunity

Cambodia's colorful and extravagant traditions harken back to the Khmer Empire with costumes, dances and Buddhist temples that reflect rituals from thousands of years ago. Buddhism remains the dominant religion in the country today.

In contrast to its urbanized Asian neighbors, Cambodia is primarily rural, with miles of verdant rice fields and forests watered by the rains of the monsoon season.

Textiles and tourism support a growing national economy, yet many Cambodians live on less than $3 per day. The country has been cited as a source and destination for human trafficking, often facilitated by families seeking to gain additional income.

During the Cambodian genocide of the late 1970s, communist forces of the Khmer Rouge took the lives of one in four citizens, or about two million people. But the country's emerging generations anticipate greater opportunity and democratic freedom.

Your participation with Missions Door supports pastoral training, church planting, leadership development and social outreach, as well as economic development that provides income to pastors in Cambodia.

Cultural Snapshot

At the end of the rainy season Cambodians celebrate Bon Om Tuuk, a boat-racing festival with beautiful gilded boats, carnival games and fireworks.

Faith Fact

The extravagant ruins of Angkor Wat include 1,000 temples. At different times in history they honored indigenous deities, Hindu gods and the Buddha.

Country Profile

Population: 15 million, 52% ages 0–24

Major Religions: 96% Buddhist, 2% Muslim, 1% Christian

Languages: 96% Khmer (official), other 4%

Literacy: 90% urban, 74% rural

Poverty: 20%

 

 

Ministry service area:
International

Ministry location:
, Cambodia