[1]STATESBORO, Ga. – The Cambodian Southern Baptist Fellowship (CSBF) anticipates a “Joshua” surfacing in the near-to-middle future, but they’re not just waiting.
Several projects planned for the next year were discussed during the 42nd annual meeting of the Fellowship, which took place July 8-11 at the Cambodian Fellowship’s Blessing Field retreat center in Statesboro.
“This younger team, younger by more than 10 years, is ready to carry on the torch for the Cambodian Southern Baptist Fellowship,” Chairman Seang Yiv told Baptist Press as he enters his 22nd year of leadership. “The work that has been done nearly flawlessly during the last year – including annual conference planning – affirms that the Holy Spirit is present and moving among the members of the core team and attendees alike at this year’s gathering.”
Yiv announced the need for new leadership at last October’s retreat, he said, applauding the way younger leaders have unified and stepped up “accomplishing far more than expected during a short nine-month period.”
This year’s four-day annual conference gathered under a theme of “Be strong and courageous” and the scriptural reminder of Joshus 1:9.
“The official theme banner for the 2026 Cambodian Southern Baptist Fellowship’s Blessing Field Annual Conference proudly displayed this year’s theme throughout the conference,” reported one of the younger leaders, none of whom wanted to use their names in order to emphasize their unity. “The banner served as a powerful visual reminder to trust God’s promises, stand firm in faith, and courageously follow His calling.”
The Cambodian Fellowship’s annual conference drew people from at least 20 churches, or about half of the Fellowship’s 43 churches and church-type missions located across the nation. This year’s gathering included separate tracks for children, for NextGen teens and young adults, and on Thursday, separate gatherings for men and women.
It was a time of spiritual refreshment and inspiration at an age- and gender-appropriate level, along with traditional and festive Cambodian fare prepared onsite by a team of at least a dozen volunteers, and the fellowship of new and renewed Christian friends scattered nationwide.
Speakers included:
- Seang Yiv, chairman of the Cambodian Southern Baptist Fellowship and Blessing Field Foundation, who opened the conference with a message from Joshua 1:1-9 on “Joshua’s Call to Lead.”
- Phal Chhith, retired pastor at the Cambodian Fellowship of Chets Creek Church in Jacksonville, who preached from Daniel 6 on “Courage to Stand Alone.”
- Sambath Ros, pastor of the Cambodian Baptist Church of Philadelphia, who shared a message from Daniel 3 on “Courage in the Fire.”
- Minwoo Jang, director for East Asian Leadership Initiative at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, who spoke on “Courage for the Unfinished Mission.”
- Kevin Kane, engagement coordinator for Cambodians with OMF, the Overseas Missionary Fellowship’s Global Neighbors Project, who delivered a message from Joshua 3 on “Courage to Step Into the Impossible.”
- Sokhom Khim, Cambodian pastor at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Ga., who preached from Esther 4:10-16 on “For Such a Time as This.”
“Each message resonated deeply with the congregation, stirring hearts, strengthening faith, and challenging listeners to trust God, remain faithful, stand firm under pressure, and step forward in faith, knowing that God has a unique purpose for each of His children,” a core team member said. “The biblical truths were both timely and practical, encouraging believers to live out their faith with courage, obedience, and unwavering confidence in the Lord.”
The teens and young adult NextGen group was led and organized by Eroben and Mary Chhith, members of Rolling Hills Community Church in Nashville, Tenn. The Children’s Ministry was led by Sopat Gerrard, member at Cambodian Baptist Church of Philadelphia.
Men and women met separately on Thursday. The women’s gathering was led by Sophie Chan, Sokhun San, Thy Chau, and Botida Sieng. The men’s gathering was led by core team members Sytha Chan, CJ San, and Samath Sieng. Core team members Map and Sothong Voun led the Friday session. All age- and gender-specific gatherings also focused on the conference’s “Be strong and courageous” theme.
Business was part of the Friday session. Rather than having a formalized budget, donations are spent as needed, the Fellowship’s bookkeeper Sothong Voun reported. In addition to supporting the ministry at the Blessing Field, donations also help advance missions in Cambodia. Sithon Nuon, Cambodian pastor at Chets Creek Church in Jacksonville, Fla., regularly travels to teach, encourage, and train pastors and church leaders throughout various regions and provinces of Cambodia.
“With so many ministry needs, 100 percent of all donations designated for Cambodian relief or other specific causes are used exclusively for those purposes,” Voun said.“Blessing Field does not retain or redirect designated gifts, honoring each donor’s intent with faithful stewardship.
“God has faithfully supplied every need through individuals who have sacrificially given not only financially but also through their time, talents, and skills to improve the facilities and prepare them for ministry,” the core team member said. “While much work remains, each improvement stands as a testimony to God’s provision and the commitment of His people.”
Among upcoming projects discussed were creating additional meeting space, laying the foundation for a future pavilion, and planting Live Oak trees around the pond at the Blessing Field to provide shade and beauty for generations to come.
“Blessing Field is much more than the site of the annual conference,” core team leaders said. “Throughout the year, it serves as a place for retreats, leadership planning, workdays, and other ministry events that strengthen churches, equip believers, and foster fellowship.”
The Friday session concluded with pastors and church representatives sharing ministry updates, prayer requests, and mission opportunities, while discussing how Blessing Field can continue to partner with local churches in advancing the Gospel and serving future generations.
“We believe the 43rd annual conference will be even more amazing, because half a dozen specific small and large projects have already been lined up to be completed during the next 12 months before the conference,” Yiv said. “We expect about a 25 percent increase in attendance next year, which we plan to accommodate. In the meantime, the big question is who would be ‘Joshua?’
“Personally, as we wait patiently for the Lord to show us with clarity who would be Joshua, the CSBF/Blessing Field board will continue to be at the helm. The faithful core team will continue to be faithful and do great things as the tasks at hand continue to grow,” the chairman continued. “The next leap of faith for the Blessing Field would be to ask the Lord to give it an exquisite ability and capacity to send missionaries overseas.”
The 21 younger leaders who comprise the core team are Map and Sothong Voun, Samath and Botida Sieng, plus Sras and Vathey Yan, all from Jacksonville, Fla.; CJ and Sokhun San, Marady and Sreyneang Prak, both couples from St. Petersburg, Fla.; Sokhom and Channa Mey Khim, Sytha and Sophie Chan, plus Savy and Kathy Sao, all from Jonesboro, Ga.; Leo and Thy Chau, plus Sokha Sy, all from Bowling Green, Ky; and Eroben and Mary Chhith from Nashville, Tenn.
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