Worship leading

Purify my Heart (Worship leading last Sunday at Enjoy Church)

How’s your week?

We’ve just come through an eventful one, full of ministry, full of joy, full of moments that once again reminded me why we are here in Cambodia.

Our weekends are always packed with service, and yet I cannot help but be thankful. Because at the heart of it, this is what we are called to do to serve the body of Christ, to help strengthen the church in its mission to proclaim the gospel.

Over the past month, God opened a new door for us: helping a pastor friend by leading English worship at least once a month. The service is at 3 p.m., so after our morning Khmer service at Phnom Penh Church (PPC), we go home for a quick lunch, then head over to volunteer at Enjoy Church for their English worship service.

And let me tell you what a privilege it has been.

Standing Again Before the Lord

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to lead worship at Enjoy Church. By God’s grace, it was the first time I had stood up to lead worship in 15 years (feels like the first time in forever 😅), the last time was back in the Philippines.

To say I felt nervous is an understatement.

I stood there on the platform, my heart racing, goosebumps all over, my mind telling me I shouldn’t be this anxious after all, I’ve taught communication skills and public speaking for years. But this was different.

Leading worship is not like giving a lecture.

Here, it’s not about me. It’s not about what I can say or how polished I can appear. It’s about standing in awe of a holy God and helping His people enter His presence in worship. It’s about humility, reverence, and being sensitive to the Spirit’s leading.

I had to take a deep breath and remind myself: God sees my heart. God knows my weaknesses. And that’s enough.

In that moment, He gave me calm.

One Body, One Goal

This new worship team that Pastor Greg formed is made up of people from different church backgrounds and denominations. Yet here we are, united for one purpose: to honor God and serve the body of Christ through worship.

We have our share of miscommunications and differences, as every team does. Sometimes the technical side of things doesn’t go as planned, and we all have different approaches to music and worship. But God is teaching us to work through those challenges with grace.

One of the blessings of this team is meeting new brothers and sisters in the faith. There’s a Filipino family in the group, almost all of them musicians. They take turns playing piano, bass, and drums. Their story is powerful, a testimony of God’s goodness and healing in their lives as a family.

I hope to write their full story another time because it deserves to be told.

But even in the short time we’ve worked together, they’ve shared helpful insights with me, practical advice on worship leading, and the importance of simplicity, humility, and authenticity over performance.

And that’s something I’ve been reminded of over and over again: worship is not about putting on a show. It’s about pointing people to Jesus.

Remembering the Mission

After leading worship yesterday, I sat down and listened to the sermon. As I looked around the room, it dawned on me that this congregation is full of missionaries, some new, some seasoned, here in Cambodia for the same reason: to proclaim Jesus in a Buddhist nation that desperately needs Him.

It’s beautiful to see how God brings His people together from all over the world, working in different organizations and ministries, yet united by the same gospel.

Sundays like this are not only for worship but also for fellowship and encouragement. We get to connect with others in the mission field and remind each other that we’re not alone.

And while we love serving at Enjoy Church, we know where God has placed our main priority: PPC and the dormitories.

That is the core of our calling: reaching the next generation of Khmer young people, discipling them, and equipping them to reach more souls for the Kingdom.

That’s why we help strengthen the body of Christ. That’s why we lend a hand with worship teams and help wherever we can, because the goal is not just to make Sundays beautiful but to see lives transformed by Jesus.

Bringing the Next Generation Along

One of the things that brought me joy these past few weeks was seeing some of the young men from the dorm join us for worship at Enjoy Church.

It was good for them to experience something different, to see how people from other nations worship, to sing in English, to sit side by side with believers from other cultures.

I pray that these experiences will widen their perspective of God’s family and deepen their desire to be part of His mission.

The Simple Gospel

I’ve been reflecting on Romans 10:13:

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

It’s such a simple yet powerful promise.

Paul reminds us that salvation is not reserved for the religious, the rich, or the righteous. It’s for everyone, anyone who recognizes their need for Jesus and calls on Him.

Sometimes we make the gospel too complicated.

We forget that it’s not about our works or worthiness but about Jesus’ finished work on the cross and His grace freely given to us.

And that’s the message we carry here in Cambodia to our students, our neighbors, our colleagues.

We don’t have to impress them with deep theology or perfect answers. We just have to point them to Jesus through our lives, our words, and our love.

Living It Out in the Marketplace

It’s not always easy to share faith in everyday settings. At the university where I teach, or in conversations with colleagues, there are moments when I hesitate.

Yet God always finds a way.

Sometimes it’s as simple as how I speak about marriage, money, relationships, or time. My students and colleagues notice the way I view things differently, and it sparks curiosity.

They start asking questions. And when they do, I just share my own experiences, what I’ve learned from walking with Jesus.

If they want to know more, I invite them over for coffee or dinner. And that’s when I can share my faith more fully, all by God’s grace.

Why We Do What We Do

At the heart of it all, worship leading, discipling at the dorm, teaching at the university is this one truth:

People cannot call on Jesus if they haven’t heard about Him.

That’s why we’re here.

That’s why we keep showing up, even when we’re tired.

That’s why we keep serving, even when nobody notices.

Because every soul matters to God.

And every moment we spend planting seeds of faith through a song, a word of encouragement, a Bible verse, or a simple act of kindness can lead someone closer to calling on the name of the Lord.

Encouragement for Fellow Servants

If you’re reading this and you also feel the weight of serving in the mission field here or wherever God has placed you, I just want to encourage you:

Your labor is not in vain.

Sometimes it feels small. Sometimes it feels unnoticed. But in God’s eyes, every little thing you do for His Kingdom matters.

Whether you’re leading worship, teaching children, discipling young people, or simply praying quietly for others, you’re part of His great story of redemption.

Stay faithful.

Stay humble.

And remember why you’re here: to glorify God and bring others to Him.

A Heartfelt Prayer

Let me close this with a prayer for all of us:

Lord Jesus, thank You for the privilege of serving You. Thank You for calling us into Your family and giving us the honor of helping build Your Kingdom. Remind us every day that it’s not about us it’s about You.

Help us to lead with humility, to worship with sincerity, and to serve with joy. When we feel tired, it strengthen us. When we feel inadequate, remind us that Your grace is enough.

Bless every person reading this who is serving in Your mission field wherever they are. Encourage their hearts today and let them know that their labor is not in vain.

And Lord, we continue to lift up Cambodia to You. May more souls call on Your name and find salvation in You. Use us, Lord, to win the next generation for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

So how’s your week?

Whatever it looks like, may you remember this: it’s always a good week when it’s spent for Jesus.

Stay faithful, friend.

You’re making an eternal difference.

Serving in Cambodia,

Tess 😍🙏