Worship Retreat and Baptism Weekend

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This month of November is extra special for us at PPC. Our hearts remain full of gratitude and joy as we reflect on God's amazing work during those two days of fellowship, worship, and commitment.


Our retreat marked a special milestone for Phnom Penh Church (PPC). Held at the serene and picturesque coastline of Sihanoukville, it was more than just a getaway—it was a sacred opportunity to strengthen our bond as a church family, renew our commitment to the Lord, and celebrate life-changing decisions through water baptism.

But before we dive into the highlights, let me first apologize for my absence on social media recently. Life got busy with looming work deadlines, and I also went through a season of illness that left me drained. Yet, in those challenging weeks, I was reminded of God’s promise of healing and restoration. Praise God for better health now, and I pray for His continuous strength and recovery as I resume sharing the goodness of His work in and through our lives.

A Tribute to God’s Faithful Workers

I want to take this moment to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to our incredible Men's and Ladies’ Dorm Ministries! Special mention to Sister Chen Da for leading the charge with such passion, dedication, and grace. Your leadership and faithfulness in organizing this retreat made everything chaos-free and beautifully smooth—a first for PPC!

To our church members who stepped up and took responsibility for planning and facilitating, thank you for serving selflessly. Seeing you work together with a spirit of unity and joy was a testament to God's transforming work in our community. Your leaders are blessed tremendously by your faithfulness.


** Here's the link to the google form 👉 Newsletter!

The Joy of Baptism: Celebrating New Life in Christ

One of the most memorable highlights of the retreat was the water baptism ceremony, where we rejoiced as five men from our dormitory, including our son David, declared their faith and committed their lives to Christ.

Water Baptism
As parents, there is no greater joy than witnessing your child take this profound step of obedience and public declaration of faith. Watching David’s willingness to be baptized and his heart's desire to be part of God's family brought tears to our eyes. It’s a joy beyond words to see him growing in the knowledge of God and being discipled not only by us but by the loving community of believers at PPC.



To our other four brothers who surrendered their lives to Christ through baptism, we are so proud of you! This significant step in your faith journey is a beautiful reflection of your trust in God and your willingness to follow Him wholeheartedly. 
Your church family stands with you in prayer and love as you continue to grow in your walk with the Lord.

Ephesians 2:18-19: The Gift of Belonging to God's Family

“For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.”
— Ephesians 2:18-19

Water baptism is a powerful expression of faith, a symbolic act that mirrors the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not just a ritual; it’s an outward declaration of an inward transformation—a proclamation that we now belong to God’s family.

In Ephesians 2:18-19, Paul reminds us of the incredible privilege we have as believers. Through Jesus, we are no longer outsiders but cherished members of God’s household. Baptism signifies this spiritual truth. It is a declaration that we are no longer bound by sin or alienated from God but are now reconciled to Him through Christ.



For our five brothers, including David, baptism marked the beginning of a new chapter as fellow citizens of God’s kingdom. They are no longer defined by their past but by their identity in Christ. It was a profound moment that reminded us all of the unity we share as one family in Christ, regardless of our backgrounds, languages, or experiences.

Raising Faithful Disciples

As parents, we often pray for our children to not only grow in knowledge and wisdom but also in faith and love for God. Seeing David make this decision was a reminder of the importance of discipling our children at home.

The retreat was not just a milestone for David but for us as a family. It deepened our resolve to guide him in his faith journey, to model Christ’s love and humility, and to continually pray for God’s hand upon his life. To all parents out there, let’s continue to nurture our children’s spiritual growth through prayer, intentional discipleship, and by living out the gospel daily.

Thanksgiving and Reflection

As we reflect on the retreat, our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude for the countless blessings we experienced:

  • The smooth organization led by our faithful church members.
  • The time of worship and fellowship that brought us closer as a family of faith.
  • The life-changing decisions of our brothers in Christ who were baptized.
  • The joy of witnessing our son David’s commitment to follow Christ.

It was a weekend filled with laughter, prayer, testimonies, and worship—a reminder that God is at work in PPC, drawing people to Himself and building His kingdom here in Cambodia.






Hearts Full, Praises Overflowing

We leave you with this reflection: God is faithful, and He is building His church—one life at a time. Through the retreat, baptism, and the unity we experienced, we were reminded that we are no longer strangers but part of God’s household. Let’s continue to rejoice in His grace and be His hands and feet in the world.

Thank you for your prayers, love, and partnership in the ministry. Let’s keep pressing on for His glory!

With love and gratitude,
Vandy, Tess & David

#PPC 

#Ephesians21819

#PPCWaterBaptism2024 

#KingdomWork

Location: Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia

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