The most important decision he made was to build a system of delegation.

Like most entrepreneurs in the early stages, he initially carried everything alone. He worked more than fourteen hours a day and generated substantial income. But that was his ceiling. Increasing his working hours to earn more would only reduce his productivity.

For one month, he carefully recorded and analyzed his daily tasks. He discovered that more than half of what he was doing consisted of simple, routine work that anyone could handle. So he boldly hired an assistant and delegated those tasks, freeing himself to focus on what only he could do.

At first, paying the assistant’s salary felt burdensome. But over time, revenue grew. Later, he hired a marketing specialist and a video editor, entrusting them with professional responsibilities. Paying additional salaries was not easy. Yet as teamwork took root, his income steadily increased. Today, he works systematically with six core professionals and has established one of the strongest brands in his industry.

The Apostle Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 4:11–12 that various leaders are given to equip the saints so that together they may build up the church. In 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12:6–8, he further explains that the diverse gifts given to the church must cooperate to strengthen the body.

Yet implementing this is not simple.

In many small churches, the senior pastor carries 120 percent of the ministry load. This is a severe overload. And when an overloaded pastor runs harder, overall productivity inevitably declines.

Why do we struggle to break out of this structure?

The reasons are complex. There are real limitations and painful circumstances. But Shin Kyung-yeol identifies the key to his escape from overload: desperation.

He writes:

“Desperation was like a seed. If you merely hold it in your hands, nothing happens. It must be planted in the soil, watered daily, and sometimes protected from harsh winds. I transformed vague passion into a concrete strategy and gathered small acts of execution into a solid system. Along the way, I treated every person I met with sincerity. Eventually, that tiny seed grew into a vast forest of 1,000 colleagues and 70 branches. That is the magic of desperation I experienced.”

Desperation is not merely an emotion. It gains power when it becomes a strategy.

At the 2026 Milano–Cortina Winter Olympics, snowboarder Choi Ga-on won the gold medal in the women’s event. In her first run, she fell hard and lay on the ground for some time. In her second run, despite severe knee pain, she fell again and fractured three fingers. Yet she did not withdraw. She attempted a third run.

Why didn’t she give up?

Was it not desperation?

We pastors also carry this desperation. In prayer, it burns intensely. But now we must take one more step. Even if our environment makes it difficult to escape structural overload, let us find capable people, train them, share the ministry, and build a system that allows the pastor to focus on what only the pastor must do.

When desperation becomes strategy, and strategy becomes a system, the church will be built firmly and sustainably.

The post When Desperation Becomes a System appeared first on DCMi.org.

Thank you for praying for peace in Cambodia and Thailand. As of noon today (Saturday, December 27), Cambodia and Thailand have reached a ceasefire agreement to end the war. One of the Cambodian church leaders wrote to us:

“Hallelujah, I could sleep last night… Yesterday and last night were so bad. Early this morning, four bombs were dropped by jets at the edge of Sisophon! I was going to move out this morning. Praise God for the on-time intervention.”

I appreciate your prayers!

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/27/thailand-and-cambodia-agree-on-ceasefire-cambodia-defence-ministry-says

David

The post Thailand and Cambodia Reach Ceasefire appeared first on DCMi.org.

The highlight of this mission was the Christmas Gospel Festival held in the refugee camp. The event began with the Cambodian national anthem and a moment of silence in honor of fallen soldiers upon the arrival of the Mayor of Sisophon, and approximately 1,000 refugees attended. As the team sang Christmas carols, they responded with smiles and applause. After I shared the message of the Prodigal Son and invited them to the loving Father, everyone present raised their hands and accepted the Lord.

After my message, the mayor of Sisophon expressed his gratitude to our team, mentioning the difficult reality that 5,500 refugees were sharing only two bathrooms, and urged them to trust the government and maintain order, patience, and respect for one another.

A small Cambodian church with 120 people (rather a big church here) provided a traditional Cambodian noodle dinner for 1,200 people as part of their special Christmas meal. The faces of the refugees who received our relief supplies were filled with joyful smiles. Thank you for blessing these people with your support and prayers.

David Chung

The post Christmas Gospel Festival at the Refugee Camp appeared first on DCMi.org.

In strongly Buddhist Cambodia, temples became important refugee camps. When our team placed relief supplies inside the prayer hall and temple courtyards, refugees gathered and sat behind the supplies. After the head monk introduced us, we shared our testimonies and preached the gospel.

The first time I preached the gospel in a prayer hall, out of respect for the head monk standing with us, I did not invite people to receive Jesus Christ. However, one of my coworkers visited another temple where a funeral was taking place. Realizing the urgency of that moment—when heaven and hell were at stake—he boldly invited the people to receive Christ, and everyone raised their hands and accepted Jesus.

From the next day on, our team boldly gave invitations and led sinner’s prayers even inside the prayer halls and temple courtyards. Each time, everyone present raised their hands and received the Lord. One head monk said, “Thank you for American Christians coming to our city during the war and showing us the love of Christ. Buddha bless you, and Jesus bless you. I am so happy to see you being blessed through anyone.”

During this outreach, many monks and Buddhists clearly heard the gospel. We greeted each other with Merry Christmas in the temples.

Merry Christmas,

David Chung

The post Preaching at Buddhist Temples appeared first on DCMi.org.

In Banteay Meanchey Province, a border region where fighting continues, the provincial governor (pictured in the center wearing brown), who is constantly moving back and forth to the front lines, personally hosted a meal for our mission team. He shared the following words with us:

At a time when even Cambodians are leaving this area in search of safety, the visit of a mission team from the United States has brought encouragement and hope to our people.

His remarks reflected both the reality of the war and a sense of reassurance that the people here have not been forgotten.

Conditions in the refugee camps are extremely difficult. Families are living in temporary tents, waiting for the conflict to end so they can return home. Among them, the children were especially noticeable. They were still able to gather, play, and laugh together, seemingly unaware of the full weight of the situation.

We shared a simple message with the refugees and the children: “You are not forgotten. God still loves you.” Although our time was brief, we believe that what remained with them was not only the rice and relief supplies we provided, but also the message of Christ’s love and hope. Please pray that when the war ends and people return to their communities, the church will be a place they seek out, and that the gospel seeds planted now will bear fruit in times of peace.

Because of the conflict, we were unable to hold the Christmas of Love Gospel Festival 2.0 that had been planned. Even so, we remain committed to returning once peace and stability are restored to hold the event that could not take place this time. We ask for your continued prayers toward that day.

If you are considering giving a year-end gift to DCMi–a ministry of evangelism and leadership development– you can use the button below. Your prayers and financial support continue to make a meaningful difference, even in the midst of conflict.

Our team has returned safely to Seattle. Thank you for your prayers and support throughout this journey. We wish you and your families a joyful Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Sincerely,

David Chung

The post Governor, Children, Hope and Joy appeared first on DCMi.org.

We had the honor of sharing dinner with Cambodia’s Secretary of Agriculture. As a member of the cabinet, the Prime Minister sent him to Sisophon—the capital of Banteay Meanchey Province, where we are serving—to provide full administrative support to the many people displaced throughout the province, which has become a battlefield (Banteay Meanchey borders Thailand).

While serving in a different refugee camp yesterday, we witnessed something very moving. Cambodian Christian volunteers were providing haircuts, hair washing, and fingernail trimming under a tent. Hundreds of children and adults were waiting patiently in chairs for their turn. These volunteers were wearing blue shirts donated by a Korean church. On the shirts was a logo with the words “Healing Fields.” When I saw those words, my heart was deeply touched as I reflected on Cambodia’s journey—from the Killing Fields, to Healing Fields, and now, once again, battlefields.

The Secretary of Agriculture, who was educated in France, was remarkably humble and down-to-earth. Fluent in English, he thanked us sincerely for visiting Cambodia during such a challenging time. He said, “When war breaks out, people usually flee the war zone, but you, American Christian people, flew into the war zone. Your sacrificial love deeply touched us, so treating you to dinner is the least I could do.”

He explained how the war began, how it is unfolding, and some of the behind-the-scenes political realities. Cambodia has only a ground army, while Thailand uses F-16 fighter jets and warships. He shared that although the United States is not actively involved in ceasefire initiatives, Thailand currently has no intention of entering peace talks and continues to pursue military action.

Though he is not a Christian, when we prayed for peace and stability, he said, “Amen.” With his permission, our team laid hands on him and prayed that God would protect him and use him to accomplish His purposes during and after the war.

This morning, the Governor of Banteay Meanchey invited us to breakfast at 6:30 a.m. It is now 5:22 a.m. The suffering people here are responding to Christ’s invitation with an openness that feels as though they have been waiting for it. Your prayers are vital for this ministry in Banteay Meanchey.

Thank you for standing with us.

David and the Team

The post Dinner with Cambodia’s Secretary of Agriculture appeared first on DCMi.org.

At present, in Banteay Meanchey Province, where we are ministering, 50,000 war refugees have been displaced. The refugees welcomed us with joy and gratitude and received the relief food we distributed. After sharing our testimonies and preaching the gospel, when we invited them to the Lord, 100% of the refugees raised their hands and accepted the Lord.

Yesterday, Thai Air Force fighter jets dropped bombs in an area about 10 kilometers from where our team had been ministering. Please pray that the war will end quickly and that peace will come soon.

Thank you very much for your support.

Sincerely,

David

The post The Gospel, Hope and Food appeared first on DCMi.org.

Due to the recent bombing of Cambodian military bases by the Thai army this week, not only the Christmas of Love Gospel Festival but all events throughout Cambodia have been canceled or postponed. In Banteay Meanchey Province, where the festival was to be held, four civilians have been killed and twenty others injured. Residents of the border cities have all fled, leaving the towns completely deserted. In Sisophon, the capital of Banteay Meanchey, 16 to 20 refugee camps have been established.

Our team is currently en route to Cambodia, not for the gospel festival, but to minister to the refugees. Your urgent prayers are deeply needed for the following:

• That refugees may encounter the Lord through timely relief efforts and the proclamation of the gospel
• That the war will end quickly, and peace will be restored
• For the safety of our team

Sincerely,

David

The post Cambodia-Thailand at War appeared first on DCMi.org.

Next week, I will leave Seattle for the Gospel Festival in Cambodia (December 18-19). As last year’s festival drew an unprecedented crowd and nearly a thousand people came to the Lord, the provincial governor has invtied us to return this year to preach the gospel once again.

This year’s border tension between Thailand and Cambodia has, in fact, created an even more receptive atmosphere for proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Churches throughout BMC Cambodia are preparing for the festival through prayer and evangelism, and despite their poverty, believers are giving sacrificially, praying that the gospel will transform their nation.

There is no investment more valuable than winning souls into God’s kingdom and making disciples in unreached regions. Many have already partnered with us through their mission offerings. If you have not yet had a chance to participate, would you join this important gospel event thorugh your prayers and financial support.

Anticipating a great harvest,

The post Cambodia Christmas of Love Gospel Festival 2.0 appeared first on DCMi.org.

Join us gather to create a spritual awakening in this creative access country!  We desire to see this nation worshipping Jesus as Lord!  To see our brothers and sisters built up, encouargged and boldly declaring the name above all Names!

Our Prayers for this country

Lord, your word reminds us in Isa. 16:1-3.  “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring the good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion–to gie them a beautiful headdress insteawd of ashes, the oild of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The Lord is near to the brokenherted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

Deuteronomy 31:8, You are the God who leads, guides, and goes ahead of His people to clear the path, fight their battles, and make way for them.  This is a promise of divine leadership, assurance, and support, conveying that He will be with you and will not leave you or forsake you, so you should not be afraid or discouraged.

Than you for your prayers, care, and financial support.

Antoinette Williams

The post Antoinette’s Newsletter: The Gospel for All-Heading to A Creative Access Country appeared first on DCMi.org.