During the "reign of terror" by Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge (Cambodian Communists) from 1975 to 1979, estimates of up to as many as 2.5 million people were tortured and killed in Cambodia, yet hundreds of thousands of Cambodian nationals escaped across the border into Thailand and lived in refugee camps. Missionaries working in these camps converted many to Jesus Christ, among them "Mom Ven," mother of two sons, Narin and Nara. (These two young men would later become workers at the orphanages in Kampong Chhnang and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.) It was in the refugee camp that Mom Ven realized the Buddhist religion she had followed from childhood had not helped her. ICM's contact with Mom Ven and her two sons began in Thailand, where they were studying with special permission from the Thai government. Another Cambodian young man, Meas Thawee, was there also.

During a short-term visit to Cambodia in August 1993, representatives of the forthcoming International Christian Mission were introduced to Mr. Sao Saroeun, Vice Governor of Kampong Chhnang, who told of orphaned children in Kampong Chhnang and took the visitors to meet them, a total of sixty-six children at the time. Efforts to help such children had been in planning since 1992 and now, through what we believe was the leading of the Lord, the door had been opened. Papers were signed and the commitment was made during the 1993 visit. By this time Mom Ven, her two sons, and Meas Thawee had returned to Cambodia. Narin, Nara and Thawee had jobs with World Concern, jobs they gave up to work full-time for Jesus Christ. It was also at this time that the long process of applying for Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status began; there was much "red tape" to cut through.

On December 24, 1994 a fax was received here in the United States from Cambodia with news that NGO status had been granted and coordinators from ICM were required to be present for the signing. With the Lord's blessing, ICM received its Certificate of Incorporation from the State Corporation Commission in Richmond, Virginia on February 1, 1995. Russell Hall returned to Phnom Penh, Cambodia and the NGO signing took place in the office of Dr. Hong Theme, Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Social Affairs, Labor and Veterans Affairs, on February 9, 1995.

The signing was shown on Cambodian national television during the local 11 PM news broadcast and again at noon the next day. A few days later, nineteen orphans were brought to the second, new orphanage in Phnom Penh, sixteen boys and three girls. At this writing, sixty-three orphans live at Good Shepherd Mission in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

On January 31, 1996 the Internal Revenue Service granted non-profit status under section 501(c)(3) to International Christian Mission. The work in Cambodia is operated under the umbrella of International Christian Mission.

January 2006