The newly inducted parish pastor of the Presbyterian Church, New Town Limbe, Rev Atem Jacob Agbor, has been urged to wave away all forms of distraction that he will face in his duty as shepherd of the congregation.

This was echoed by the Presbyterial Secretary of Fako South presbytery, Rev Mrs Mary Ekinde Salle, as she instituted and inducted the man of God, as Presbyterial Treasurer and parish pastor of the congregation. The ceremony which was attended by a college of clergy, took place on Sunday, February 1.

In her sermon drawn from Luke 17:7-10, Rev Mary Salle, preached on the theme, 'Just Ordinary Servants'. She said greatness, is a matter of humility and obedience, and not power, money or possession, as the world sees it. She reminded Rev Atem, and all present that, pastors are merely servants of God and as such, “God determines your greatness by how many people you serve and not how many people serve you”.

While expressing shock and disappointment at how some Christians make it their business to always say negative things about their own pastors, she advised that they should instead benefit spiritually from pastors and grow.

Corroborating the Presbyterial Secretary, the Chairman of the Presbytery, Mrs Lilian Njalla Quan, told Rev Atem that he should be aware of the fact that there are times when hard work is rewarded not with praise, but criticism. She advised him to remain focused and not let anyone distract him. She described him as a soft-spoken but no-nonsense person, thus urging the congregation to not take him for granted.

On behalf of the Christians of the Honey Comb congregation, the chairman, Elder Otto Musaka, assured the pastor that they are a dynamic and loving people, and pledged to give him all the necessary support in his work. Elder Musaka called on Rev Atem to leave no room for tribalism, gossip and other ills which usually plague churches.

Talking to The SUN shortly after the ceremony, Rev Atem expressed gratitude to God for the massive turnout, and said for the past six months since he took over at the helm of the parish, he has observed that the members are welcoming.

He said he intends to put much effort in visitations, bible study, retreat and all other things which will help build up their spiritually.

Talking on the issue of distractions, the man of God emphasised that he does not listen to people, no matter how close they are to him, to take decisions, but he does so from his own independent mind.

Born in Manyemen in Nguti sub division and the last child in a family of nine, in 1998, Rev Atem entered the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and graduated in 2002 with a Bsc. Degree in Theology. He was ordained as pastor in 2004.

In his 13 years of service, he has served in six parishes and as Presbyterial treasurer, for eight years. He took over the new town parish in July 2014.