Rev Godwill Ncham has been re-elected as the new Executive President of the Cameroon Baptist Convention a post which before now was the General Secretary.

Rev Ncham succeeded himself at the close of the 28th General Session of the Cameroon Baptist Convention CBC that held in Bamenda from March 29 to April 2, 2016, under the theme “A church for the Community.”

Out of an electorate of 1580, the Rev Ncham got 912 votes while second place former General Secretary the Rev Dr Donald Ndichafa got 549votes. The third placed candidate Rev Dr Motumba Itoe settled for the remaining 117votes.

Yusibom John Nkom who stood unopposed for the post of Chairman hitherto President successfully got over two third of the total votes as stipulated by the CBC constitution totaling 1396 of the votes.

Nyanganji Job emerged as the Vice Chairman with 814votes while rival Mrs Ekema Neh Diane made away with 766 votes.

Prior to the elections, the nominations committee of the Cameroon Baptist Convention explained that more candidates than the few published were presented to them by the Search Committee charged with identifying competent Church members for the different available offices.

According to the leader of the nomination committee, many were eliminated for various reasons amongst them; minimum academic level and age limits.

Though the committee raised issues around the maximum age limit as a lacuna that needed to be filled, it was resolved that it will be a matter of consideration in the days ahead noting that a verbal declaration was made during the session putting 60 as the retirement age for CBC Pastors.

If this was the case which the legal department denied knowing anything as such, retired Pastors should not be allowed to run for office and that age will be considered the upper limit.

Notwithstanding the elections went on under the supervision of an electoral commission created for the purpose and Rev Ncham emerged victorious thus taking a successive second term at the helm of the Convention.

According to his mission for the CBC, the New Executive President interns to continue with the expansion of the convention, logical follow-up and implementation of the CBC Development Fund as well as the spiritual fortification of the Convention.

Enter the CBC General Session guest speakers

Speaking at the official opening on Thursday March 31, 2016, 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.

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.

The Rev Ambola David Njong April 1, 2016, in the Second message elaborated on the session’s theme using the example of Jesus Christ. According to the Menda Baptist Church Mile 3 Bamenda Field Pastor, Jesus based all his actions on the Gospel.

While wondering what the Church is building on these days, the Rev Ambola challenged the delegates and Convention leaders to go back to the root which is the Gospel.

The Rev Vegah Shadrach Zenebong talking on some practical activities for “a Church for the community”, he recommended simply things like cleaning, visits to the sick or needy, participating in community life amongst others.

While advising the immediate implication of the 2012 resolutions, the resolutions committee of the Session after taking into consideration various legal and spiritual elements guiding the CBC recommended the effective use of Cameroon’s official languages (French and English) at Sessions, the starting of the CBC University, the use of CBC schools by members, the continuous acquisition of land for future expansion of the church amongst others.

The newly elected officials immediately took off office following a short dedication exercise that marked the end of the 28th General Session.