FIRST CAMBODIAN PRESBYTERIAN MINISTRY TACOMA, WASHINGTON

A MINISTRY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF OLYMPIA
Home     About Us     About Cambodia     Newsletters     Ministry Support     Contact Us     Site Map      
About Us
 
The First Cambodian Presbyterian Ministry is a growing network of people who care about the Cambodian refugees and immigrants living in and around Tacoma, Washington.

 

Rev. Dr. Sahara Chea is leading the way for this ministry, but the ministry draws on the faith and energy of many people and churches to do its work.  There is a group of faithful volunteer servants assisting pastor Chea with this ministry outreach program!

MINISTRY MENTORS

Rev. Dr. John Haberlin,
New Church Development Consultant

Rev. Benh Nguyen,
Coordinator for Southeast Asian Ministry

Rev. Radha Manickam,
Cambodian Ministries for Christ International

ENDORSEMENTS
 
Southeast Asian Advisory Committee
Rev. Thysan Sam, Vice-Chair

 

National Cambodian Presbyterian Council

Elder June Taing, Chair

Dr. Sahara Chea, Vice-Chair


Police Chaplain, Tacoma Washington
Rev. Russ Guppy
 
SEAC (Southeast Asian Committee)
Mr. Ken Sem Kong, Director

PRESBYTERY ADVISORY BOARD

 

Rev. Lynn Longfield


Rev. Heather James

Rev. Jett Brooks

Elder Arlen Davison

Rev. Irvin Porter

 
 
CAMBODIAN STEERING COMMITTEE
 
Moderator: Rev. Dr. Sahara V. Chea
 
ELDERS                                   DEACONS
 
       Elder Michael Yoeun                        DaVy Pov   
       Elder Sam Hoy                                Sodany Chek
       Elder Chhay Loy                              Ravy Pon
       Elder Sokhen Serey                         Sima Chea  
 
NATIONAL CAMBODIAN PRESBYTERIAN COUNCIL
 
Chair- Elder June Taing
Vice-Chair- Rev. Dr. Sahara Chea
Treasurer- Elder Sothara Ly
Secretary- Elder Albert Cheng
 
Brief Biography of
The Rev. Dr. Sahara V. Chea

Born:
5/8/68 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Killing Fields of Cambodia (1975-1979):
In 1975 the family was forced from home to concentration camps. Sahara slaved in rice fields from ages 7-11.

Refugee Camp in Thailand:
In 1979 Sahara found most of his family and
escaped to a refugee camp in Thailand.  Sahara heard the Gospel from a missionary lady in the camp and became a follower of Jesus Christ.

In the United States:
In 1983 the family came as refugees to Houston, TX. In 1985 they moved to Bakersfield, CA to get away from gangs and crime. They attended First Presbyterian Church.

Education:
Sahara first went to school in 1984 at the Jackson Middle School, Houston. In 1987 he graduated as
valedictorian from Highland High School, Bakersfield. In 1992 he graduated from California State University in Bakersfield with a B.A. In 1995 he graduated from San Anselmo Theological Seminary and in 2006, he received his D. Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Ordination:
On August 24, 1996 Sahara was ordained in his home church as Evangelist in Cambodian Ministry, the first native-born Cambodian ordained
in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).

Cambodian Presbyterian Outreach:
In Bakersfield Sahara established a ministry for Cambodians and served his home church as Parish Associate.
 
First Cambodian Presbyterian Ministry:
In 2007 Sahara and Olympia Presbytery launched a new outreach of care and service to the Tacoma Cambodian community.

Family:
Sahara is married with children.
Visiting With Our Partnership Church