Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Baptisms and New Life for Students

She had heard about God and believed he was good but feared that if she became a Christian and stopped worshipping the ancestral spirits and offering daily gifts of food, those spirits might harm or kill her.

Our InnerCHANGE team in Cambodia recently had the joy of baptizing six young Cambodian believers—students who had learned about Jesus through the team’s Bible classes and soccer team. These baptisms were the result of meaningful relationships formed between InnerCHANGE teammates, each student, and their families. Each student’s story is unique and beautiful; here are two snapshots.

MeyAing (the girl in the photo), surprised InnerCHANGE staff, F, one day by announcing that her mother wanted her to change religions and become a Christian. F asked MeyAing to tell her more. With tears, MeyAing shared, “My mom has been suffering from poor health since she gave birth to me.” MeyAing’s mother was afraid that evil spirits around their house were trying to destroy their lives. She had heard about God and believed he was good but feared that if she became a Christian and stopped worshipping the ancestral spirits and offering daily gifts of food, those spirits might harm or kill her. However, if MeyAing became God’s child, his power would protect her, and the spirits would not touch her. 

F eagerly shared the gospel with MeyAing. MeyAing wept before saying she was ready to have Jesus in her heart and let him alone own her body, soul, and future. She accepted Jesus into her heart, and a few weeks later, she decided to get baptized (with her mom’s permission).

Lina distinguished himself as a thoughtful student in F’s Bible class, asking insightful questions and actively engaging in class activities. His enthusiasm for soccer led him to join the InnerCHANGE soccer team as well. This allowed InnerCHANGE staff to have several meaningful conversations with his parents, who felt cautious about Christianity but also grateful for all Lina was learning. 

“Jesus is the answer I’ve been looking for”

After attending a meal for the “soccer moms” put on by F, Lina’s mom encouraged her son to listen, learn, and put what he learned into practice. Shortly after this, Lina confided to his parents that there were habits in his life he had long struggled with—habits he could not overcome on his own. He told them, “Jesus is the answer I’ve been looking for” and made a heartfelt decision to surrender his life to the Lord.

God is teaching him the difference between fleeting happiness and the deep, sustaining joy that comes from knowing Christ.

During the ceremony where Lina and MeyAing were baptized, Lina boldly shared his story. He spoke about his struggle with vaping, a habit he had tried to quit many times without success. Everything changed when Jesus entered his life. Lina shared how the presence of Christ reshaped his desires, relationships, and identity. He no longer felt rejected by classmates or compelled to gain acceptance by doing what others deemed “cool.” He was no longer bound by addiction. Instead, his life became marked by an unshakable joy—a joy that wasn’t dependent on circumstances but one that carried him even through difficult moments. He testified that God is teaching him the difference between fleeting happiness and the deep, sustaining joy that comes from knowing Christ.