The article deals with a possibility of the community development mission to alleviate poverty in the world, particularly in Cambodia in which poverty has been formed historically in the Theravada Buddhistic context. In a messianic perspective the article analyzes the religious, cultural and political factors to deteriorate the poverty and suggests an integral mission of Messiah Jesus for the community development against poverty. First, based on the definition of the relational and spiritual characteristics of poverty, the article describes the present poverty situation and its historical roots resulting from the time of the ‘glorious’ Angkor Kingdom civilization. Second, the article examines some opportunities to be able to change the poverty situation in the 16th to 20th century such as the future Buddha Maitreya movement, the Roman Catholic mission activities under the French colonialism, and the political messianism of the Pol Pot regime. They failed to alleviate the poverty situation and furthermore aggravated it. Third, as alternative the article discusses the Christian NGO mission. The NGOs can drive community development mission despite some limitations. In order to overcome them the article discusses a strategy that community members participate in the NGO mission from phase of planning and to self-supporting financially in their own context. Also the two examples of Hanah Mission and the CHE mission in Cambodia are examined. The article concludes to suggest the Messiah Jesus integral mission to transform the poverty community.

• 임희모(한일장신대 교수ㆍ선교학) | Yim Heemo