Cambodia: Sharing the message of hope

Bishop Sreyleak Tuch on faith, service, and breaking new ground

(LWI) – In Cambodia, being a Christian means practicing faith as a minority: 95 percent of the population are Buddhist, only two percent are Christian. The Lutheran Church in Cambodia has fewer than 1,000 members, yet it is full of youthful energy and engagement, says Sreyliak Tuch, who was elected bishop nearly a year ago.

How did you become a pastor? Did you grow up in a Christian family?

No, my family wasn’t Christian. I was the first in my family to become a Christian when I was 18. I heard the gospel and felt it was very meaningful to me. As someone from a poor family, I found it challenging to feel a sense of spiritual security. I often worried that I could never do enough to find peace in the afterlife, which left me with a deep sense of fear.

When I learned that Jesus died on the cross to save us, I read the Bible and found hope in it. I wanted to become a Christian but didn’t know how, so the people in the church guided me.

I learned to share the gospel by watching my pastor. One day, he asked me to share it with an elderly man, but when the man asked me a question, I couldn’t answer it. I felt so disappointed in myself. I wanted to give him hope like I’d found, so I decided to study the Bible and become a pastor who could interpret it faithfully and clearly.

Two years later, I received news that someone would sponsor my theological studies. In 2012, I left my village in Kampong Cham province for the capital, Phnom Penh, and began four years of study. I was ordained in 2019. Soon after, I was asked to lead the entire church when the previous pastor resigned. After ordination, I served as acting president, and last November, I was elected and installed as bishop. So, I’ve been in this position for almost a year now.

I feel so blessed by what God has done in my life. It isn’t easy, but I can see joy in people’s smiles because they’ve found hope through God, just as I did many years ago.

How would you describe your church?

We are a small church with many needs, like theological training and skills development. But our strength is that we’re young—many of our pastors, leaders, and staff are young, and we’re happy to volunteer. Through our work, we proclaim the gospel. We serve others through diaconal work, teaching life skills to people. We never forget why we’re Christians, and we aren’t afraid of rejection or persecution. We bring people to church to worship God through our service.

Is it difficult to be a Christian in Cambodia?

Yes, even though we technically have freedom of religion. When someone converts to Taoism or Islam, they’re still accepted in the community. But when someone becomes a Christian, they and their family are often rejected. Friends and neighbors turn away; when you approach a group, they may disperse.

We believe this is spiritual—a struggle between good and evil spirits. We don’t see it as people rejecting us but as an evil spirit at work. So, we don’t fight back, knowing it’s a spiritual conflict.

Did your family struggle with your conversion?

At first, they weren’t happy. They didn’t kick me out, but they didn’t treat me normally, either. My friends also distanced themselves from me.

Now you’re leading the church. What’s your focus as a bishop?

There’s a lot I want to do. Above all, I want to continue sharing the hope I have in God and be present for people. I also want to bring more women into ministry, offer more training, and deepen our understanding of what it means to be part of the global Lutheran communion.

Is it difficult being a woman in this position?

It’s not easy. Even within our church, people aren’t used to seeing a woman in this role, though they don’t oppose it openly. In fact, two of our five pastors are women.

Outside the church, however, it’s very hard. People won’t directly tell you they dislike it, but they may ignore your invitations or ideas. It’s a kind of quiet resistance. This makes it challenging and often lonely.

Where do you find support?

We have networks and groups, including some overseas, like with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and other Asian churches. Knowing I have others praying for me is deeply encouraging.

Finally, what does it mean to you and your church to be part of the global Lutheran communion?

We’re in a two-year process to become a full member. I pray about it, and I already feel this is a positive step. Since submitting our application a year ago, we’ve received a lot of support and knowledge-sharing, which has been a source of comfort and strength.