CBC holds 28th General Session in Bamenda

Representatives from various Churches of the Cameroon Baptist Convention CBC are currently meeting in Bamenda for the 28th General session.

Placed under the theme “A church for the Community” the five days session according to the Executive Secretary of the Convention Rev Ncham Godwill is expected to search a better way through which the CBC can be a pillar in today’s communities.

Speaking at the official opening this Thursday March 31, 2016, The Rev Liombe Timothy guest speaker to the General Session recommended that “a church for the community demands us to seek the welfare of that community” and that “a church for the community demands us to depend on the word of God for the prosperity of that community.” According to the speaker there is need for the church to have a direct impact on the lives of those who make up the church.

The Rev Liombe challenged the church to take the Gospel, Education, Health and other amenities to areas in need as a better way of being a Church for the community. In doing so he noted the Church will be providing answers as to why someone should come and stay in the Church.

In His Welcome remark the Chairperson of the CBC regretted that the struggle for ranks and privileges is coming into the church. Joseph Chebongkeng who has come to the end of his second mandate recommended that the CBC should be a Christ Centered Church where everyone is useful. Worried by the currently security challenges facing Cameroon now from the Northern Regions, the Chairman requested a special prayer for the country which was lead by the Executive Secretary of the CBC the Rev Ncham Godwill.

Salutations from the Representatives of The Council of Protestant Churches CEPCA, The North American Baptist Conference, All African Baptist Fellowship AABF, featured a couple of recommendations amongst them: the need to intensify research on church planting and expansion.

Civil and political leaders present like the Mayor of Bamenda III Fongu Cletus Tanwie, SDF National Chairman John Fru Ndi and Northwest Secretary General Absalum Munono Wolua addressing the General Session appreciated the CBC for the Evangelisation of Cameroon, The Outstanding health services offered at near best across the country, involvement in the Educational sector.

To better build the Church for the Community the Executive President said there was need for money. It was within this framework that a Development Fund was launched. According to the Rev Ncham Godwill improving on the area coverage with the word of God, Health Services and Education is capital to the Church and with the drop in support from foreign partners; Christians will need to sacrifice through the development fund for the growth of the CBC.

The 28th General Session that ends April 2nd will see the election of new officials at the helm of the 62years old convention. While the now Chairman Joseph Chebongcheng is expected to leave office after coming to the end of his two terms, the Executive President The Rev Ncham Godwill will be qualified to seek a second term since he has served just four years and the Church constitution allows him to seek re-election. So far there are no hints on those interested in the functions.

The Cameroon Baptist Convention has 28 fields and three missionary areas with 1030 churches. The CBC Health Board as one of the departments of the Church has seven hospitals, 30 health centers, and 50 primary health units in six of the ten regions of Cameroon.

12 Secondary and High schools and one teacher training college are managed by the Education Department of the CBC with about a hundred nursery and primary schools.

UPDATES:

-Executive President presents updates for the last four years with the Church expanding with great individual sacrifices in the North of Cameroon

-Questions and Answer session suspended with recommendation for delegates to channel proposals and worries to the committees.

-Presidents presents a seconded motion to the suspension and committee are presented with advice for those with preoccupations to identify with the concerned committee

-Delegates now moving to committees some of the committees announced will carter for Education, Finances and Development, Evangelisation and many other issues

-Mbingo 1 one Pastor prays to end the plenary

-Committees are expected present to the plenary Tomorrow.

-Delegates are currently making efforts to buy some spiritual material including Bibles being sold on the Session ground

We end here for today

TOMORROW: April 1, 2016

Assembly by 7:45

2nd Guest Speaker: Rev Shadrach Zenebong, Gospel Baptist Church Bethel Field

Focus Groups Bible Studies

Reports from Commissions and Discussions

Resolution Committee

April 2, 2016

3rd Guest Speaker: Ambola David Njong, Menda Baptist Church Mile 3 Bamenda Field

Elections and dedications