Development Work among Muslims in Cambodia

Community development work among a Muslim, minority people group in Cambodia. Most have never heard about the love of God we know through Jesus. That can change! – if you come to live and serve in Cambodia.

Job Description

This people group has a population of 500,000, and is the largest minority group in Cambodia. 

Cambodia’s Muslims are culturally distinct from their Middle Eastern counterparts, characterizing a “softer” form of Islam with influences from ancient Hindu-Buddhist civilizations, mystic Sufism and local traditions. Many are poor, a disenfranchised minority in a majority-Buddhist nation.

OMF International has been helping Muslims learn more about Jesus in Cambodia since 2005. Today, we have a small team living among and serving Muslim peoples.

Will you join us?

OMF International colleagues engage and serve Cambodia’s Muslims in different locations in a variety of ways. We teach, serve as professionals, empower poor communities and contribute to local development where we serve, for instance through health and education projects. We make friends with our neighbours, build bridges and explore the Scriptures with them; we explain what it means to follow Isa Al-Masih – Jesus the Messiah. We also work with like-minded followers of Jesus in loving and serving our Muslim neighbors with the love of Jesus.

The first 1-2 years in Cambodia may be spent in full-time language, culture and worldview study. You will subsequently transition to your place of service, adjust to the new context there and assume a role in the community. Some locations may present living challenges, such as rural environments with limited services or urban settings with high population density, traffic and heat.

OMF International colleagues' housing and living conditions are simple. It is customary to sit on the floor cross-legged when visiting neighbours. Flexiblility and hospitality are essential. Their house needs to be clean. No pigs, no pork, and no dogs. Food is to be the same as the community's and meat (beef and chicken) must be prepared and purchased in the community.

Responsibilities

Long-term OMF International colleagues need to learn both the Cambodian (Khmer) language for two years and then the minority language. He/she must be able to communicate the message in ways that people will understand, seek to honour God in all cross-cultural settings, be able to work in a team and able also to work independently at times.

Qualifications

We seek people to serve among the Muslims of Cambodia who:

- are strong in their faith as followers of Jesus.

- have a heart for Muslim people and desire to see them learn more about Jesus.

- have some knowledge or experience of serving Muslims.

- have some knowledge of Islam in Cambodia.

- are able to build meaningful relationships.

- have a pioneering yet patient spirit.

- have the flexibility, willingness and humility to adjust and learn in new cultures.

- have appropriate qualifications and/or experience to serve the community in development work.

- at least one year of Bible college or seminary training, including cross-cultural studies.

- while shorter-term opportunities may arise, we seek people who will commit to at least two terms (8 years) serving the Muslims of Cambodia.

Living Situations

Lifestyle: Simple housing conditions. No dogs in the house. Cats are permissible.

Attitudes: Christ-like, humble and flexible.

Diet: No pork.

Dress: Women must wear a headscarf.