Setan Lee, leader of Kampuchea for Christ, with his wife, Randa.Photo courtesy Intercede International.
Saved from death, he became an instant evangelist. Six months later he was preaching to a church of 35,000.
by Alan Doerksen
Christianity.ca
Setan Lee, miraculously saved from death in Cambodia’s Killing Fields, launched a church movement that grew to 35,000 in six months. He went on to develop Kampuchea for Christ, an indigenous mission that ministers to the spiritually needy people of Cambodia. In May 2008 Lee will visit seven Canadian cities to share his testimony and the story of Kampuchea for Christ.
In the late 1970s Lee was just 17 years old when the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, seized control of the government in Cambodia and unleashed a reign of terror. Their rule lasted three years, eight months, but seemed like a thousand years for some who lived through it. Quickly cities were evacuated, and many educated people were killed.
Lee, a young medical student, had been planning to go to Paris to continue his studies. Instead, he and his family had to flee their home in an effort to escape to the border of Thailand.
On the way Lee witnessed people being lined up and shot. He was separated from his family and taken to a youth camp where he and others were forced to work in fields 20 hours a day. Lee saw friends being tortured, and one day was forced to watch a female friend being suffocated by a female Khmer Rouge member. Then Lee was led away and buried in the ground up to his neck and left to be bitten by insects and crabs. Somehow he survived.
Later when the Khmer Rouge found evidence of Lee’s schooling, he was taken blindfolded to be executed. At that critical time says Lee, he believed there had to be someone greater than Communism, so he prayed, “Lord of the universe, whoever you are, please spare my life. One thing I will do is be your witness.”
Suddenly someone asked the killers not kill him, but instead to bring him to his quarters. Because of his education Lee was spared certain death and asked to do agricultural planning work.
In late 1978 the Vietnamese were fighting the Khmer Rouge. Lee again set his sights on Thailand and searched intensely for his scattered family. Some of them were reunited, but not without grief. One of his older brothers had been killed. The family decided to escape Cambodia separately.
A mysterious messenger
As Lee crossed the jungle in search of freedom, he faced danger from landmines and had to step on dead bodies to avoid them. Suddenly a man came out of jungle and said, “I want to tell you about the Lord of the universe. His name is Jesus Christ. Jesus can save you and me now. One false step and our lives will be over. All you have to do is pray and accept Jesus now. Do you want that?”
Right on the spot, Lee prayed to accept Jesus into his life.
He recalls, “I was a totally different person. I had a lot of bitterness in my heart. I was a person with a lot of anger, the spirit of revenge in me. All of a sudden it just cleaned up—washed away.”
Amazingly, within a few hours, Lee found his family at Khao I Dang refugee camp across the border in Thailand. He also met a pastor there who encouraged him to share his faith with others in camp.
Lee became an instant missionary and led people to Christ every day. At the camp, Lee and others started a church with a few believers. The congregation grew to 35,000 in only six months.
One day when Lee was preaching, he got an eerie feeling. He then saw in the crowd the woman who had suffocated his friend. “I wanted to get revenge on her,” he recalls. “Right away I was praying in my spirit, ‘Lord take control of me.’ Instantly I felt compassion for that lady.” Instead of killing her, Lee forgave her. “She came, she cried, she prayed, and she disappeared. I have never seen her since.”
In the camp, Lee met and married Randa, another terrorized escapee.
Reflecting on the Killing Fields, Lee observes, “God allowed that to happen so that He could bring out people like myself as a broken person to come to a saving knowledge. Without that kind of experience, I might have never met the Lord. But because of that experience—through miraculous revelation—somehow He let me know that He is the Lord of the universe.”
Setan and Randa Lee immigrated to the U.S.A. in 1979. Twelve years later, when Cambodia’s borders finally opened, Setan returned to proclaim Christ to his own people. He headed up a Bible school in Phnom Penh before starting Kampuchea for Christ in 1995.
Beginning May 2, 2008, Lee will visit seven Canadian cities – Halifax, Moncton, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver – to share his testimony and the story of the ministry at Kampuchea for Christ. His itinerary begins at Gateway Cambodia Conference in Fort Erie May 2 and 3. The Canada-wide Mission Cafe Evenings in each city will be hosted by Intercede International. For more details, visit the Intercede website: www.intercedenow.ca/missioncafes.php.
Endnotes
Kampuchea for Christ is an indigenous Christian ministry based in Cambodia that is assisted by Intercede International.
Alan Doerksen is the publications editor and production manager for Intercede International (formerly Christian Aid Mission), based in Fort Erie, Ontario.
Originally published in Mission Gateway, February 2008. The story has been adapted from the original version.
by Alan Doerksen
Christianity.ca
Setan Lee, miraculously saved from death in Cambodia’s Killing Fields, launched a church movement that grew to 35,000 in six months. He went on to develop Kampuchea for Christ, an indigenous mission that ministers to the spiritually needy people of Cambodia. In May 2008 Lee will visit seven Canadian cities to share his testimony and the story of Kampuchea for Christ.
In the late 1970s Lee was just 17 years old when the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, seized control of the government in Cambodia and unleashed a reign of terror. Their rule lasted three years, eight months, but seemed like a thousand years for some who lived through it. Quickly cities were evacuated, and many educated people were killed.
Lee, a young medical student, had been planning to go to Paris to continue his studies. Instead, he and his family had to flee their home in an effort to escape to the border of Thailand.
On the way Lee witnessed people being lined up and shot. He was separated from his family and taken to a youth camp where he and others were forced to work in fields 20 hours a day. Lee saw friends being tortured, and one day was forced to watch a female friend being suffocated by a female Khmer Rouge member. Then Lee was led away and buried in the ground up to his neck and left to be bitten by insects and crabs. Somehow he survived.
Later when the Khmer Rouge found evidence of Lee’s schooling, he was taken blindfolded to be executed. At that critical time says Lee, he believed there had to be someone greater than Communism, so he prayed, “Lord of the universe, whoever you are, please spare my life. One thing I will do is be your witness.”
Suddenly someone asked the killers not kill him, but instead to bring him to his quarters. Because of his education Lee was spared certain death and asked to do agricultural planning work.
In late 1978 the Vietnamese were fighting the Khmer Rouge. Lee again set his sights on Thailand and searched intensely for his scattered family. Some of them were reunited, but not without grief. One of his older brothers had been killed. The family decided to escape Cambodia separately.
A mysterious messenger
As Lee crossed the jungle in search of freedom, he faced danger from landmines and had to step on dead bodies to avoid them. Suddenly a man came out of jungle and said, “I want to tell you about the Lord of the universe. His name is Jesus Christ. Jesus can save you and me now. One false step and our lives will be over. All you have to do is pray and accept Jesus now. Do you want that?”
Right on the spot, Lee prayed to accept Jesus into his life.
He recalls, “I was a totally different person. I had a lot of bitterness in my heart. I was a person with a lot of anger, the spirit of revenge in me. All of a sudden it just cleaned up—washed away.”
Amazingly, within a few hours, Lee found his family at Khao I Dang refugee camp across the border in Thailand. He also met a pastor there who encouraged him to share his faith with others in camp.
Lee became an instant missionary and led people to Christ every day. At the camp, Lee and others started a church with a few believers. The congregation grew to 35,000 in only six months.
One day when Lee was preaching, he got an eerie feeling. He then saw in the crowd the woman who had suffocated his friend. “I wanted to get revenge on her,” he recalls. “Right away I was praying in my spirit, ‘Lord take control of me.’ Instantly I felt compassion for that lady.” Instead of killing her, Lee forgave her. “She came, she cried, she prayed, and she disappeared. I have never seen her since.”
In the camp, Lee met and married Randa, another terrorized escapee.
Reflecting on the Killing Fields, Lee observes, “God allowed that to happen so that He could bring out people like myself as a broken person to come to a saving knowledge. Without that kind of experience, I might have never met the Lord. But because of that experience—through miraculous revelation—somehow He let me know that He is the Lord of the universe.”
Setan and Randa Lee immigrated to the U.S.A. in 1979. Twelve years later, when Cambodia’s borders finally opened, Setan returned to proclaim Christ to his own people. He headed up a Bible school in Phnom Penh before starting Kampuchea for Christ in 1995.
Beginning May 2, 2008, Lee will visit seven Canadian cities – Halifax, Moncton, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver – to share his testimony and the story of the ministry at Kampuchea for Christ. His itinerary begins at Gateway Cambodia Conference in Fort Erie May 2 and 3. The Canada-wide Mission Cafe Evenings in each city will be hosted by Intercede International. For more details, visit the Intercede website: www.intercedenow.ca/missioncafes.php.
Endnotes
Kampuchea for Christ is an indigenous Christian ministry based in Cambodia that is assisted by Intercede International.
Alan Doerksen is the publications editor and production manager for Intercede International (formerly Christian Aid Mission), based in Fort Erie, Ontario.
Originally published in Mission Gateway, February 2008. The story has been adapted from the original version.
23 comments:
Good on you Lee that you have found a new religious that helped you wipping out those angers and spirit of revenge which many surviors of the regime, the KID camp are still hauting them, however, believed that all of us having diffrent path when comes to religious beleif. Personally, I lost my fathe to the regim, but inside me I am still who I am, I am still a practical buddhism [belief in doing good deeds and no hamrs] and I don't have any grief, grudge and revenge for the regime. Life must moves on and there is no point to let the past to dominate your life if you want to lead a new life.
don't sell religion...don't make an exchange...uuu get a bag of rice but must change buddha to christ....make sure let them change if they believe it....don't sell or exchange.....buddha our lord is good....
Don't need to become a chrsitian to change. There is enough in Buddhism if you care to look for. I am no religion nperason. I believe all regilions are shit, just pures hitmade up all mentally retarded people like Jesus, Mohamed. A decend normal person would not go around proclaiming himself to be a son of god. Only mentally ill people do that. It became a religion because people at the time were dumb and no universal religion. If jesus were to go around saying what he did now he would be thrown in a mental hospital given prosaic.
Lee bullshited the same thing, that he saw a man appearing in the bush telling him to go for Jesus. What a load of shit.
Nothing can help you but your own self, like the Buddha said, "One is one own's refuge." It doesn't matter what you believe in; if you are good, then you are good. In America I have found a lot of folks who change their believe and turn to insult their old one, which is like they insult their own ancestors. I have confronted them all through live show TV program, or I wrote some articles to put on Cambodian newspapers. I did it only against those who tread on my religion. If I do not hear or see them, they are OK; but if I hear or see them insulting my religion infront of me, I don't who they are. I must respond to them with some questions. They can condemn some foolish Buddhist monks, but they cannot condemn my religion!
We are the same for having faith in Christ or with Buddha. Jesus Christ and Buddha were all the same. They have represented one only God in heaven called Preah Indratireach who has created the universe and the world. They have taught us all the same to care for others and care the nature. But there are bad people in both religions destroying the religion by not focussing the caring but have using the religion to exploite other for their own benefits. Areak Prey
You are 100% wrong Mr. Areak Prey. Christ will save you from sin you have commited. The Buddha only give you Dhamma principles to follow; you are your won master: you are responsible for own sin.
Hello poster 9:50AM,
I have spent 10 years with a church and now I come back to become Buddhist again because I realised that all my ancestors were all Buddhism and If I have faith in Jesus Christ, the souls of my ancestors cannot find me. Offcourse Jesus can save your sin but only after you have faith in Jesus which means you have to follow the path of Jesus. THere is a trick in here to understand. Buddha start to say NO, he cannot help anyone, but he has a path for them to follow. Jesus start to say YES but you must have a faith in Jesus by following his teaching. It ends up the same. Jesus can tell you that you can go to Heaven if you have faith in him. Buddha cannot promise anything because he knew that many people cannot behave themselves very well. Areak Prey
Hi Areak Prey,
what you've said that,"Jesus Christ and Buddha were all the same.They have represented one only God in heaven called Preah Indratireach who has created the universe and the world" is not quite rihgt.For the comment teachings are somehow the same.But the basic philosophy is too far differant.In buddhism,the god Indradhiraja(indriadhiriaj)did not create the universe and the world.From which book did you get this idea?.kmengwatt
The bottom line is Christian can make money to feed his family and with big salary whereas Buddist monk can't have money. As Mr. Setan Lee try to get the new members and expand his church, he will make more salary to himself and his family. You and I know that Christian pastor can marry and have children, can make money, enjoy life, drive fancy car, and so on whereas Buddhist monks are opposite. When one graduates from bible school with Bachelor or Master degree, he or she will open the church to make money.
Remember when you join the church, 10 to 15% of your salary go to church to support pastor's big salary and humanity. But Buddhist religion doesn't require you to give money.
The bottom line is if you convert to christian, you get a big sin too. You betray your ancestors who raise you to become a good buddist followers.
I always keep myself and believe in Buddhist practice. When I approach the Xstrian who try to convert me, I tell them straight to their face "I'm 100% Buddhist, and no interest with your visit".
So be aware, Mr. Setan Lee is not helping you; he helps his pocket. What kind of religion that let the pastor married and the church has rock and roll band. It's the business to make money.
We all wanted to understand but we can not. We never understand one another and we continue fighting non stop. Why?
Some people giving away food and money; some people receiving food and money. Some countries giving food and money; some countries like Cambodia receiving food and money.
Some people have lots of food and money and never give away but still want more and more.
I had been appointed as a pastor for a period of few years. I realised that I did not have the gift or talent to serve the Lord as a pastor. I resigned.
I attend church regularly, I give money to support my church, I give money to support my minister and mission field. I also give my money to support SRP.
AM I STUPID?
Do you want to be a giver or a receiver?
Who is happier? Both are happy.
The Bible said the giver will have more blessing. I wnat to be a giver rather than a receiver or a beggar. What about you?
Mr. Arak Prey, it's me 9:50 again. If I were you I wouldn't tell our folks that I became a Buddhist monk twice in my life, because some folks would think I am silly. You didn't have enough confidence in yourself. You told me you ran back and forth, wandering about between the two believes. You must be a very sinful man. I might have sin too, but just a little. I have a god within me. I don't need to run around looking for another god to save from my sin. I have enough confidence in myself. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I became a Bddhist monk once in the late 1950, only for three years.
I don't care a damn if you are a pastor or not; what I care is that I don't want to hear and see some Cambodian pastors insult my religion in front of me. If I hear that they and I will be engaged in bitter arguments. I will argue to defend my ancestors religion from being trodden on by some idiots who have been losing their ways in belives. And don't be mistaken by thinking that I never enter churches. Right now even if I never go to church, I still listen to Joel Osteen, Joice Meyer, Dr. Richard, and Dr. Wayne Dyer on TV every week. And it's much better that I listen to some Cambodian pastors who know only about the fact that God created the world and therefore we must have faith in and thank God, though I am a Buddhist.
... and I don't care a damn whatever you're preaching about; it's your rights, but never step outside of your boundary as to condemn the others' religions, and then, and only then you are respectable.
6:36 PM
“””“Remember when you join the church, 10 to 15% of your salary go to church to support pastor's big salary and humanity. But Buddhist religion doesn't require you to give money.”””
1. My friend, you are almost right but look….. You are not really understand some things there.. If you are in Cambodia or have been to Cambodia, you’ll see how GLORIOUS and decorative Wats are while the houses of Buddhist surrounding the wats, mostly are in critical shape….!!! Do you understand the word “DIFFERENT””?? So WHAT IS YOUR HIGHNESS’ BASIS in saying that BUDDHIST RELIGION (Buddhism) DOESN’T REQUIRE TO GIVE MONEY…??? Have you ever seen big and noisy speakers on the road that those holy clergies and monks using in asking (begging) for cash???? For what????? Well, for their WATS!! You are right because they DO NOT REQUIRE but BEG. Am I not speaking enough>>>????? Oh building ‘vihear’ (WAT) for WHOM? For rats, bats and pigeons etc..>???? Sir, you can profoundly give the answer… Honestly, I became a Buddhist monk for 11 years but I found Christ in late 1998. My life is gracefully CHANGED and I am so peaceful and contented… Well, have you ever seen Cambodian Buddhist monks having the latest cell phones and some super ones even have luxury cars and body guards??? Some even have their cell phone songs but with special promo of phonograph clips… Is it what Buddha call GREEDSSSSSSSSSSSSS?? Sir, do you think those holy monks have already FREED themselves from: “ LOPHEAK, TOSAK and MOHAK?? You can tell us, sir! Christians are blessed and share the blessings! How about Buddhists? Particularly, Buddhist monks,,,,,,, they are craving and hungry for more of your saving… I speak to all Buddhists: your sins will be forgiven when you repent and be saved by the special grace of GOD through our LORD JESUS CHRIST!
2. My general comment: Please, please and please do not repeat that you are betraying your ancestors when you are no more longer Buddhist… (Please remember not to criticize anyone). Take note: Your souls are not your ancestors’ souls… GOD created us all one body with one soul…. If you beloved keep thinking and arguing that ‘Buddhism’ is Khmer people’s religion, you may be correct but “””NOT ACCURATE…”” WHY>???? Please understand Buddhism was brought to Empire of Khmer from India… It overpowered Hinduism that off the same origin…. So please use your TIME MACHINE: From the start of their history, Khmer people were animistic, ancestors worshipers and so on… My Buddhist friends, you CANNOT STOP THE WATER CURRENT.. I dare you! Day by day, CAMBODIAN PEOPLE ARE COMING TO THE SAVING KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST! I pray that GOD will have mercy on all of us and free us from all sins (greed and anger…..)
3. GOD BLESS CAMBODIA and my beloved friends who have long attention span and patient in reading my comment. Thank you dear much! Any respond?? My email: smart_khmer@yahoo.com
Let me going back to Mr Arak Prey's comment above, saying that "Jesus Christ and Buddha were all the same."
If you believe so, some religious ideas of the former might be copied by the later one.
Who claims that the Buddhist religion does not require money? it's you mr. 9:24PM. who said that. Oh, and one more thing you said Buddhism was brought into Cambodia by the Indians. How about your Christianism? Where was it existed first? Israel where the Jesus Christ was born, right?
Dr.Setan Lee you're a kowtowing person; mentally, let me repeat after you that<< A mysterious messanger! A man came out of jungle said to you !>> at Thai & Cambodian border?. I thing you have a psychological problem, you need to have a permanent psychologist doctor whre ever you go.
PL.K
Gentleman
Believe in any religion is a free choice. Religion does not have any colour or shape, but we seem to paint it in all sort of ideas, to have it becomes visible.
The fact is we all are human being, therefore human rights is more essential to us. What's concerned us is our behaviour.
Causes and Effects are scientific phenomina, say good behaviour results in positive outcomes and bad one will result in destruction on oneself and others. Newton's law confirms that.
Regardless religions orginated from, the progress of human lives is our interest, we only adopt one as our guideline of our behaviour, hoping for desirable achievement, or one chooses not do so.
We ought to look at religion in holitic approach, Mind and Body and their social outcomes. Behaviour acts out our mind, through our body. Accepting our sin and to correct inappropriate behaviour is only way human prepared to learn, and move on with psychological health. But repeating committed sin,is just hypocrite.
Please intellects be open minded,and lend ourself in HUMAN RIGHTS and ETHICS to avoid all sort of confusion.
Thanking for your wisdom.
Neang SA
Two things people never agree: politics and religion.
So let it be, let it be,let it be.
As long as we are still Khmer brothers and sisters and don't sell our country and Khmer conscience to the yuon and siem.
My advice to the converted Christians, don't look down on your ex-religion, as most Khmer are still Buddhist. We enjoy Xmas, Easter and Khmer New Year equally.
Cambodia doesn't need any help in religion. They only need help in trade.
Stay the fuck out, gorilla!
9:24AM
I know that vietcong always said that because they are thmil ot sasna.
Hello Mr. 10:23 PM
Please look at my comment. I just quoted a few lines from Mr. 6:36PM.. Please my friend, have a clear look at what he wrote before shooting at me.
1. Well, answering your inquiry. Sorry but you quoted me WRONG.. Did i really say that Buddhism was brought to kingdom of Khmer by Indians??? NOPE!! I DID NOT!! I am not a historian so i cannot tell your honorary, now who brought Buddhism (both Mohayana and Theravada) in but they might be Buddhist missionaries either from India, China, Burma or/and Sri Langka. You Buddhist scholar can tell me!
2. As of Christianity. Yes, you're very correct that Christ was born in Israel and where His gospel of salvation was preached. Indeed, God sent His messengers to bring GOOD and LIFE CHANGING NEWS to KHMER PEOPLE. Well, many Cambodians called it 'foreign religion. If Khmer people (Buddhists) still labeling Christianity as foreign (imported) religion, i think they should understand the origin of Buddhism... You super intelligent and well educated friends would understand my point...
3. Hello Mr. PL.K of 12:30 AM.
I am very sorry to hear and feel how you feel about Mr. Lee. You address him Dr. Satan Lee.. But sadly, you expressed inappropriate terms with criticism shadow... I never met him in person but use to hear about him... If you think you are greater and better than him, i would like to invite you to join hand with whomever you like in HELPING KHMER PEOPLE like what Dr. Lee and his team has been doing. Would you mind, my friend!!?>??
Or are you having personal conflict with this person???.
4. I appreciate your time in reading my immature comments.. May GOD bless and open your spiritual eyes!
SMART_KHMER
2.48PM,
I you meet me in person, I would explain my view to you about Christianity. many Christian people who knock on my doors on the weekends walk away as they can't argue with me. Most are amateur who didn't even finish high school and they come to bullshit me about religion. Mary , a whore, fucked by a Roman soldier and bore a retarded baby called jesus. No human being can have kid without fucking, be real.
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