Wind of change sweeps through PCC

Reverend Samuel Fonki is the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC.

The 47-year-old Fonki was elected Moderator today, Tuesday, November 25, during the 47th Synod of the PCC held at the Presbyterian Church Centre Mankon.

His election came after tense and bitter behind-the-scene campaigns. According to results that trickled out of the conclave, Fonki overpowered Reverend Abwenzoh by 74 votes to 46 in what has been described by observers as an offset. Abwenzoh will be replaced in his Synod Clerk Office by Rev. Fochang Babila who beat Rev. Christian Nganji by 70 to 47 votes.

It was total drama at the Bamenda Presbyterian Church Centre today as those who matter in the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon gathered to elect a new moderator and synod clerk to run the affairs of the church for the next five years. Tension was brewing around the centre as elected delegates kept on avoiding to speaking to one another.

A day before the elections pastors who spoke to The Journal said it was going to be very tight and that only prayers could do the thing.

The two candidates for the Moderator job and those for the Synod Clerk were hardly seen around though it was said in places that serious negotiations and campaigns were going on with huge envelopes allegedly changing hands Things became more serious when reporters and other observers including top notches of the church were sent out of the hall only for those to vote to stay inside.

After a long wait for ‘THE SMOKE’ to rise from the roof of the hall, the news break to reporters and spread like wild fire that the new Moderator is Reverend Fonki Samuel and the new Synod Clerk is Foncham Babila.

The euphoria was too much as his supporters followed him, led by the outgoing moderator for his first ever press interview as Moderator -elect of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon.

Speaking shortly after his election the new Moderator told a battery of pressmen that he is humbled and feels fulfilled that the Lord has made it possible for him to serve in the capacity as Moderator.

According to Reverend Fonki, he has always believed in the Christians of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon and they have proven their trustworthiness. He equally said he has learned a lot from the humility, as well as the soft spoken attitude of the outgoing moderator.

Quizzed on his plans for the church as new Moderator, he asked reporters to keep the question for another time.

Asana ‘steps aside in hope’ Meantime, the outgoing moderator, the Right Reverend Festus Ambe Asana thanked God and the Synod for the peaceful conduct of the elections.

He said they are satisfied with the outcome of the elections and hopes the Church will continue to grow.

“The elections went well, there was no complain and all worked for the glory of God” he told Journalists in Bamenda.

He asked Christians to continue to live in peace and hope and serve God with all their might. He advised the new moderator to be faithful to God in all he does while taking care of God’s people. In his message to Christians on the 57th PCC Day, Asana said he is stepping aside in hope.

“…Many people have wondered what the future of the PCC will look like. That is the reaction to any transition. Let’s put our trust in God…This address marks the sunset of our constant appeal for transparency, accountability and togetherness. We have not said we have accomplished all we had to, but we have done our most. It is our prayer that we land safely at the next stop over. The crew may change, but the destination doesn’t,” he said.

Asana went on to add that: “…Five years ago, we pledged to work as a team. We are soon handing over to a new team. It was nice having you on board…The results have been extraordinary. I’m retiring with my head lifted high. You showed spiritual maturity. We witnessed peace. We thank you for resisting the temptation of campaigning for yourself. For me as a team leader, I’ve accomplished. I’m still in for a transparent and accountable PCC. We brought in more women and youths in the leadership of the church. Thanks for your support and encouragement.”

Asana has served the PCC as Moderator for the past five years. He said in an interview that: “I’m happy to say that the PCC is waxing strong and that I see a lot of future in the church. As I leave the church for my retirement, I will continue to pray for the church – so I am not going away. When I look back and see the numbers in congregations increasing, the number of Christians joining the church and the young people who make up a large portion of the Christians, my heart is overjoyed. The church is alive and vibrant. That makes me go on retirement happily.”

The road to the elections 29 presbyteries did nominations for the post of Moderator and Synod Clerk from a college of over 500 pastors of the PCC. Only ordained pastors who have served the church for at least 15 years were selected for further screening. 94 were qualified. The Electoral College went through their files and came out with top three. For Moderator, Reverends Abwenzoh, Fonki and Besong were retained, while Revs. Fai Michael, Fochang Babila and Nganji Christian battled it out for the Synod Clerk office.

The intrigues, blackmail, mudslinging and plenty of tension that characterised the race to the elections forced Christians to pray for a peaceful transition at the helm of the church.

Ever before the results of today’s votes were released, lots of congratulatory messages were already being posted on the official Facebook wall of Rev. Fonki. Fonki and his team will set to work in January.

Bio-data Born on November 23, 1965, a native of Akwaya, Rev Samuel Fonki Forba has a sound educational background. He has also held several posts of responsibilities in his Christian career.

He is married to Rev. Dr. Perpetua Fonki and father of one child. Before his election, he was Presbyterian Secretary for East Mongo North and Parish Pastor of PC Bastos Yaoundé.

As Secretary of the East Mongo Presbytery, he represented the PCC hierarchy as he oversaw the development and welfare of the church in the Centre, South and East regions.