ABOUT US
Our Story
John and Linda Grover founded Cambodia Impact in 2014. After a long and successful career in the construction industry, it was the downturn of the economy around 2008 that changed the course of their lives as they closed their construction business and began to look elsewhere for how God could use them. John’s first trip to Cambodia was in 2009 and the first ministry projects began the next year. By 2014, the “Cambodia Impact” organization had been formally formed. While ministry was happening, plans and funding was already being raised for future ministry, including starting the orphanage in 2020.
John's parents, Gordon and Barbara Grover, spent many years traveling to the country of Cambodia working with a wonderful team of individuals and many organizations to build churches and support local orphans. During their time there they made many lifelong friendships. Freed up from the everyday needs of his business and through a remarkable series of events, John found himself in Cambodia working with nationals to care for orphans. After hearing about Cambodia from his parents for many years, John finally saw first hand this amazing country and was touched by what he saw; the needs of children, the weak and powerless, and the opportunity to make an impact in Cambodia. This was the call John first felt that has grown into what Cambodia Impact is today.
A true partner in every sense of the word, Linda soon joined John visiting Cambodia, and they both realized that God had placed in them a deep and abiding love for the people they met there. They recognize the extreme circumstances the people of Cambodia find themselves in after years of genocide and war and the ensuing aftermath and recovery. As John says, "Linda and I love this country and its people and are committed to bringing Christ to them along with a strategy for community development and evangelism."
Who We Are
Cambodia Impact is a Christian organization dedicated to making a difference in the country of Cambodia. We work with Cambodia-based and US-based partners to care for vulnerable children and the poor in Cambodia.
Our Vision
Working together we can offer hope, provide a better future and make an impact in the country of Cambodia.
Our Mission
To care for the physical needs of the poor and vulnerable women and children in Southeast Asia and beyond in order to lead them to Christ
Our Challenge
After years of genocide and war, the Cambodian people now struggle to lift themselves from poverty. The children of Cambodia lack educational opportunities and its people suffer from a lack of adequate health care, proper nutrition and often lack access to clean water. In addition, job opportunities are scarce, which results in much of the country struggling to adequately care for themselves and their families.
The poor in the country number close to 4.8M, with the majority living in rural areas. The statistics can be overwhelming:
of Cambodians live on less than $1/day
34%
of Cambodians live in rural areas
90%
face seasonal food shortages
66%
of rural pop. lacks access to clean water
50%
have not completed primary education
57%
depend on an agricultural livelihood
75%
of children 5-9 are involved in child labor
20%
of children 10-14 are involved in child labor
47%
of Cambodians are Christian
2%
Our Purpose
Cambodia Impact believes that every life matters and works to bring hope and healing to the vulnerable of Cambodia through Jesus Christ.
We provide a safe and loving environment for our children at Antioch Orphanage by providing educational opportunities and a strong spiritual foundation with the end goal of helping our kids achieve a successful and productive life.
We find innovative ways to provide funding and a hand up in order to help villages and families bring their vision to life and to flourish.
We believe in the future of Cambodia and Myanmar.
Our Statement of Faith
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We believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God. As such, we submit to it as the standard of our conduct.
1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17
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2. We believe that there is one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; Ephesians 4:4-6
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We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles and in His vicarious death as the atonement through His shed blood for all sin. We also believe in His bodily resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His personal return in power and glory.
Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-4 and 1:29; Acts 1:11 and 2:22-24; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-4 and 4:15
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We believe that all men everywhere are lost and face the judgment of God, that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, and that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ results in regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:46-47; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Ephesians 1:7 and 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7
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We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling enables the Christian to live a godly life.
John 3:5-8; Acts 1:8 and 4:31; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:6-10
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We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the saved unto the resurrection of eternal life and the lost unto the resurrection of damnation and eternal punishment.
1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Revelation 20:11-15
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We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ and that all true believers are members of His body, the Church.
1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23
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We believe that the ministry of evangelism and discipleship is a responsibility of all followers of Jesus Christ.
Mathew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15; 1 Peter 3:15
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We believe that we must dedicate ourselves to prayer, to the service of our Lord, to His authority over our lives, and to the ministry of evangelism.
Matthew 9:35-38; 22:37-39, and 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15 and 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10; Colossians 2:6-10; 1 Peter 3:15
Our Work
Cambodia Impact began in and around Battambang, a city of 250,000 in northwestern Cambodia. This work started with the Antioch Orphanage and coming alongside Pastor Saran’ church in the village of Svay Kang. From that beginning, Cambodia Impact now works in villages close to the border of Vietnam in the south of Cambodia to the northwest border with Thailand, and many locations in between.
Our ministry strategies create unique opportunities to share Christ and His love with the people of Cambodia and to utilize opportunities to partner with U.S. donors.
Today, the primary focus of Cambodia Impact is in five areas of ministry:
A residential orphan care ministry in Battambang where children enjoy the stability of a loving, Christian home.
Dozens of villagers of Svay Kang support their families by sewing products that are sold at local markets.
Drilling home wells for those living in rural villages, providing water for neighborhoods and Bible study locations.
House churches and local village pastors are a key part of our strategy in reaching the people of Cambodia for Christ.
Developing relationships with gifted church leaders in Myanmar to advance the Gospel.
Our Board
The Cambodia Impact Board of Directors consists of a diverse group of dedicated individuals who share a desire to help the people of Cambodia by addressing their spiritual and physical needs.
John Grover
Co-founder and Executive Director
Linda Grover
Co-founder and Board Member
John Grover was born in Dayton, Ohio and raised in Modesto, California. He grew up in a construction family and started his own company in October, 1988. J A Grover Construction, Inc began as a small family-owned company and grew to a regional company providing construction services to the western United States in commercial and industrial construction. Linda was co-owner with duties including financial oversight and office administration.
The Grovers are active at Renew Church and several community organizations.
John and Linda love serving the orphan, the widow, and the poor and powerless in Cambodia and Myanmar. They've made several trips to each country furthering the work of Cambodia Impact.
Jeff Foster
Chairman
Jeff spent more than 18 years serving at his two family businesses, Foster Poultry Farms and Crystal Creamery, including seven years serving as President and CEO of the dairy. Today, Jeff operates his own company, OF Logic, a unique e-learning site for companies to provide turn-key training for their employees.
Jeff is very involved in his church and serving his community, including Big Valley Christian School where he is the High School Golf Coach.
Jeff and his wife, Britta, and their four children have made multiple trips to Cambodia where they have fallen in love with the local people. He says, "I love being able to be used by God to help make a positive change in the lives of children who are less fortunate than mine.”
J.D. Grothe, AIA
Secretary
J.D. is an architect, retired from the firm he founded, J.D. Grothe + Associates. He serves in various leadership roles at his church, CrossPoint Community Church, and in a number of community service organizations.
J.D. and his wife, Sandy, have made three trips to Cambodia and each visit was a reminder that God uses basic things in life, like fresh water and safe homes, to draw people to Himself. When J.D. saw how modest investments of time and money in Cambodia often resulted in great impact for the Kingdom, he was hooked on the mission of Cambodia Impact.
Dr. Robert Chin, MD
Board Member
Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Chin is retired from being a physician at Cornerstone Family Practice. He has served on multiple boards and committees during last 32 years and is currently the chairman of the Physician Well Being Committee at Memorial Hospital.
He served in several leadership roles at Big Valley Grace Community Church before helping to launch a new church, Anchored Bible Church, where he is an elder.
Dr. Chin has participated in medical missions trips to several countries. He says, "Cambodia is a country that has suffered as few nations have. Our Lord shows great compassion on suffering people when they call out to Him. I desire to encourage Cambodians to call out to God and experience His Presence sweep through that part of the world."
Allen Layman
Board Member
Allen is the president of Nexus Engineering, Inc in Modesto, California. They are consulting engineers with experience in mechanical design, project management, construction administration and project feasibility. They provide HVAC, plumbing and fire protection engineering services to the health care, institutional, school and commercial sectors.
Allen has been involved in many professional and community organizations over the years and is currently president of the Modesto Rotary Club.
He says, “I am honored to be able to serve where I can to support the mission of Cambodia Impact which has done such a wonderful job of serving the forgotten and abandoned children of Cambodia.”
Martin Fox, CPA
Treasurer
Marty has practiced in public accounting since 1978. He is retired from the accounting firm, Grimbleby Coleman CPAs Inc.
Marty is married to Margie Fox, a retired oncology R.N. They have two children and three grandchildren. Marty and Margie are active in their local church and have participated in several missions trips to underserved areas in Latin America and Cambodia.