West Columbia Central Church of the Nazarene in South Carolina was inspired to raise money to purchase 440 Bibles for Cambodia after God used a missionary’s story to prompt the church to get involved.

In late October, the church held a missions service where they watched a video about a missionary in Cambodia. The missionary tells a story about a security guard who was so happy to receive a Bible so he could go back to his village and share about Jesus.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions had dampened the turnout, to the disappointment of the Church’s NMI President. That disappointment sparked Victoria Walker, who is the wife of lead Pastor Brent Walker, to get the whole church involved after she herself felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit during the video to get involved. 

“On this night, the minute I heard that they only had 300 Bibles and how happy the security guard was to get one, I heard God say ‘That’s what I want you to do…raise the money to buy Bibles in Cambodia,’” Walker said. 

Having long been a supporter of getting Bibles in people’s hands, she looked for ways to raise money. She began by finding items like home décor among things she could find to be expendable and gathered up enough to hold a small yard sale. She then challenged the rest of the church to do the same, and they delivered.

Members of West Columbia Central brought prized guitars, a 70-inch TV with speakers, fine china, furniture, and more, filling up a room with plenty of items. Those who didn’t have time to find items to donate pitched in with donation checks. In total, West Columbia Central raised $2,200 for Bibles in Cambodia, which amounts to 440 Bibles.

Both Brent and Victoria characterized their church body as a very giving church.

“Anytime we have asked for the church to step up to the plate, they have,” Walker said. “From food drives and blessing boxes, they step up. I guess I was just kind of surprised because it was kind of my dream and not theirs. It was for something that wasn’t local.”

The Walkers believe their church’s actions show a true family mentality. 

“It was our church family emphasizing the global church family,” Walker said. “They did exactly what a family would do and just came right up beside me and just did all they could to help raise the money.”