In September, my first visit to Cambodia transformed my perspective on life, profoundly reframing my worldview, initiating a decisive shift in the trajectory of my life.

Despite 30 years of extensive travel, I had never been so deeply moved by a community's resilience, joy, and creativity. At the same time, I was profoundly struck by the challenges of poverty, limited education, and scarce resources. This experience ignited a deep desire to bring hope and opportunity to a place rich in potential but burdened by significant obstacles.

Cambodia’s children, the future leaders of this vibrant nation, face immense challenges—educational, social, and emotional. Yet, these massive hurdles present a simple opportunity to invest in young lives and plant seeds of hope for generations to come. This vision has inspired my wife, Sarah, and me to prepare ourselves to make a meaningful difference in Cambodia.

While we’re not relocating immediately, we’re committed to immediate action.

Preparation is crucial for this journey. Cambodia’s complexities demand more than passion—they require wisdom and skill. That’s why I’m pursuing a Master’s in Theological Studies at Westminster Theological Seminary, followed by a Master’s in Counseling. These programs will equip me with the theological foundation and practical counseling skills needed to navigate cultural, social, and emotional challenges with humility and effectiveness.

This preparation goes beyond academics. Just as pilots train before flying and surgeons study before operating, I must develop the knowledge and skills required to serve this mission field well. Westminster’s curriculum will help me approach this work with depth and respect for the Khmer culture, ensuring I can contribute meaningfully.


Short-term trips will allow us to build relationships, understand the challenges faced by the community, and foster opportunities for sustainable impact. After completing seminary, we hope to spend a year in Cambodia, working directly with the community and supporting local efforts.

Beyond education, we’re engaging hands-on with the Cambodian community. For instance, the church we partner with in Siem Reap plans to establish an art program for children. Art, a universal language, can provide children with a way to express themselves, process experiences, and find hope. While this program’s future is still unfolding, it represents the kind of transformative work we aim to pursue—creating spaces where creativity and healing can flourish.

This mission, however, is not something we can achieve alone. Real, lasting change requires collaboration, and that’s where we need your help.

Westminster has generously offered me a matching scholarship for the MATS program. In a nutshell, Every dollar given will be matched, doubling the impact of your contribution and lifting twice the financial weight of this program. These funds can not come from me directly. tuition cost for the MATS is $24,300. Half of this must be paid by me and 25% can be donated by partners, thus eliminating the remaining 25% of tuition. Your partnership—whether through financial support, encouragement, or prayer—will play a vital role in making this vision a reality.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Join Us: I’ll be leading short-term trips to Cambodia while attending seminary. These trips will focus on building relationships, understanding community needs, and fostering sustainable change.

  • Spread the Word: Share our story with friends, family, or anyone passionate about making a difference in a world they will likely never see first hand.

  • Invest in cambodia: Your financial support will directly fund my education and preparation for this mission.

Thank you for taking the time to hear our story. Together, we can make a difference, one step, one life, and one opportunity at a time.

Grace and peace,
Philip & Sarah Holt

***This site may autogenerate a dollar amount and that can be confusing…it is not a suggested amount, be sure that no gift is too small and every penny is appreciated