Christians of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, have undergone a one-week course on leadership in the church and other functions

The leadership course was the main activity of the workshop jointly organised by the Christian Men Fellowship (CMF) and the Christian Women Fellowship (CWF) of the Fako South presbytery.

CWF/CMF Leaders Benefit From Leadership Training

By Rosaline Obah in Bamenda

The Christian Men Fellowship (CWF) and the Christian Women Fellowship (CMF) leaders of Mezam Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon have benefited from a one-week leadership training course that ended on 5 August 2010 at Presbyterian Secondary School, Mankon, Bamenda.

The Presbyterian Church Bole Bakundu of the Meme South Presbytery, in Mbonge Sub division, has bid farewell to their Parish Pastor, Rev. Joseph Eyakwe Tata Nangunda, who served in the Parish for five years. 

The send-off ceremony that brought together all the five congregations that make up the Bole Parish, too place recently and was coordinated by Rev. Pius Bah.  In a soul-searching sermon, drawn from the book of Isaiah 5:1-7, the outgoing Pastor, Rev. Eyakwe, under the theme “Reaping from your Labour” stressed on the need for the Christians to continue to have faith in the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon and not to relent their efforts, in contributing to the growth of the church. 

The outgoing pastor thanked the entire congregation for always standing by them and prayed that the same collaboration is accorded his successor. 

The chairman of the Parish, Elder Samuel Njemo Nandoa, in his send-off speech, on behalf of the congregation, described Rev. Eyakwe, as a man who loves development as his five years in Bole Parish have been fruitful.  His achievements, according to Elder Njemo include, the laying of the foundation where he mobilised and brought the former Moderator The Very Rev. Nyansako- ni -Nku of the P.C.C to Bole during FCFA 2.7 million was raised for the Bole Bakundu church house, the approval of FCFA 500,000 from the central church building committee for the Parish is thanks to Rev. Eyakwe.

After just three years at the service of the God-fearing Tiko population as pastor and spiritual leader, Rev. David King Nje is on the move to a new journey to head the Christians of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Presbyterian Church, Nsimeyong, Yaounde. This movement gives room for the vibrant gospel preacher, Rev. Alphonsius Mbu, from Presbyterian Theological Centre, PTC, to take over.

Feelings registered within and without PC Tiko circles are very divided on why the Rev. Nje should part from the good romance he enjoyed and had established with his flock. Popularly described as a developer, the parting Rev. Nje had transformed the infrastructural setting and spiritual life of PC Tiko.

The fleet of cars which lined up and the calibre of people that gathered last Sunday 13 May at the newly constructed magnificent edifice – Presbyterian Church New Town in Limbe, which has been described as the Promise Land was impressive.

Former Prime Minister, Chief Ephraim Inoni, Senior Citizen, Mola Njoh Litumbe, the Government Delegate to the Limbe City Council, Andrew Motanga, the Mayors of Buea and Limbe III, Charles Mbella Moki and Samuel Mokate respectively, the clergy led by the Rt. Rev Dr. Festus A. Asana, the Synod Clerk, Rev William Abwenzoh Membong, a college of pastors, the Presbyterial Secretary and Chairman of Fako South Presbyrety, Rev Kang Alobgwede, and Elder Calvin Nyam respectively, all answered present.
Traditional authorities were not left out as last Sundays occasion was also attended by the Chief of Great Soppo, HRH Chief Etine Monono, the representative of the Fon of Bali in Limbe, Bah Dohnji Tadmanji Paul, the President of BANDECA, Dr. Scoot and the Chief of the Bakossi Community in Limbe, Chief Nhon Zachee Nzoh Ngandembou.

The colourful event was the Pastoral visit of the Rt. Rev Dr. Festus A Asana, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon to PC New Town and the induction of the Rev. Simon Mokoko Elive as Presbyterial Treasurer of Fako South Presbytery and Parish Pastor of PC New Town-Limbe Congregation.

A Warm Welcome
Welcoming the august guests, the Congregational Chairman of PC New Town, Elder Otto Musaka, expressed overwhelming joy on behalf of the congregation to receive the spiritual head of the PCC and extended their heartfelt condolences for the loss of his mother-in –law.

Otto Musaka further expressed the appeal of the Christians to the Moderator saying “we have a long-term vision and agenda for our congregation and the PCC as a whole. For this reason, we are appealing to the Synod to allow our pastor work with us longer so that we can collectively realise this vision and agenda in record time.”

On a special note, Elder Otto Musaka, on behalf of the congregation, thanked the Government Delegate to the Limbe City Council for the maintenance of the road in front of the new Church House and the packing space.

Support and Protection Guaranteed
Taking the cue from the Chairman, the Fako South Presbytery Chairman, Elder Calvin Nyam, said the presbytery is ready and willing to support and protect Rev Simon Mokoko.

He added that the Rev Simon Mokoko is a man of God and not God, so he is also tempted to fall down. He appealed that when such circumstances happen, the Christians should raise the pastor to his feet.
He called on the Christians never to challenge the authority of the Pastor as he is the head of the Church.

Elder Calvin Nyam revealed that Rev. Mokoko is the first ordained person to be made treasurer of Fako South, as others had been lay men.
On the former presbytery treasurer, Elder Nyam said he came in and met a budget of FCFA 30 million and when he left, the presbytery was running on a budget of over FCFA 100 million.
With this illustration, Rev. Mokoko was told to take the presbytery finances forward and never backward.

Bokwango Plans To Retaliate
Speaking on behalf of the Family of Rev. Mokoko, the Lord Mayor of Buea, Charles Mbella Moki, said the family appreciates the Synod, the college of pastors, Christians and the various communities which have hosted their son to bring him to the level in which he is today.

“We have to be happy because we now have a son who has brought pride and honour to our community”, he said.

Mbella Moki reminded the church that Rev Mokoko is a descendant of a very distinguished pastor in the history of the PCC, Rev. Litumbe.

He described Rev Mokoko as a young man, fond of doing ordinary things in extraordinary manner, one who changes the order of things, a man who prides in his deficiencies and tries to transform his deficiencies from stumbling blocks to stepping stones.

To Rev Mokoko, Mbella Moki, said, “Bokwango may have been your birth place, which is true, that was your Nazareth, but let New Town become your Jerusalem.

He added that, “your life story will only be told when the extent to which you fear God, reflects in how far you are going to travel in that journey. In doing so, Rev Mokoko, if you place a green branch in your heart, you will surely find birds singing in your heart.”

Mbella Moki ended up by narrating former Ugandan President, Idi Amin’s visit to England and how he was well received and given a first class treatment by the Queen at the Buckingham Palace and by the time he was leaving for Kampala, he promised the Queen that by the next time she visits Kampala, the people of Uganda will reciprocate.

“We are therefore expecting Rev. Mokoko in Bokwango, not alone, but with the entire church and the people of Bokwango will reciprocate,” he concluded.

The Honey Comb Pastor
After the induction ceremony by the Moderator of the PCC, and the series of speeches, it was time for the inducted pastor to take the rostrum.

When he mounted, he started by appreciating the Moderator and his entourage for making the day a memorable one. He also appreciated his colleagues and friends who came from far and near, not only to be witnesses but also to give some moral and spiritual support.

He said from 15 July 2009 since his family arrived Limbe, they were received with open hands and readiness to work together, adding that their fellowship with them this far has been wonderful.
He used the chance to thank all the pastors who have worked in New Town, especially his predecessor, Rev Ebenezer Bage and Arthur Martin, for their contribution towards the growth of the New Town Parish.

He also extended his appreciation to HRH the Fon of Bali Nyonga, Dr Doh Nwanyongha III and the Bali Nyongha family in Limbe.

He said he would never forget where his pastoral placenta was buried, adding that the support granted them is a reminder that their family background are not limited only within Bokwango village but cuts across Cape Town to Cairo, Mogadishu to Dakar, and the entire universe.

According to Rev. Mokoko, “the world is my parish. We need to see ourselves as a united people, missionaries with a common purpose, we need to see ourselves as people who don’t only come to Church on Sunday, but those who also go out and make disciples for Christ.”

The church, he said, cannot achieve its full mission, if some of the members are inactive or remain divided and pursue their parochial interests and personal agendas.

For the Church to succeed in its mission, Rev Mokoko went on, Christians must work collectively

Together
Together, according to Rev. Mokoko is the only way to move the congregation, presbytery and the entire PCC forward. He said it is only together that individual talents will constitute the great power of the Christian church that would chase away the ills plaguing the lives in the Church, it is only together that great things can be achieved for God Almighty

“It is only together that we can affirm that Church money belongs not to individuals but to the Church, it is only together that we can bring about concrete transparency and accountability in the management of Church finances, it is only together that we can fight with determination and bury the spirit of laziness, gossip and blackmail that remains a real threat to the mission and growth of the church, it is only together with the Moderator and the new team for the good of the entire PCC that we can  concretely promote their vision of possible change and merit”, he said.

Anybody who knows the Rt. Rev Dr. Festus A Asana, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, definitely knows that he is that kind of person who will never flatter anyone but one who always gives honour to where it is due.

As someone who has traveled very wide across seas and oceans and has worshiped in many Church Houses, Cathedrals and Basilicas, his description of the new Church House of PC New Town as one he has never seen may have surprised the authorities of the church, the Christians and even the architects of the roof, Ernesto Enterprise.

But when he explained what he meant, the multitude that was attending last Sundays service understood perfectly and shared his views.

“When I stand here at the pulpit and look behind me, I see the Green Mountain and dense forest, it tells of nature and God’s beauty. When I look in front  and I see the beautiful design of the windows and how the sky fits in to them, it is like heaven, if I should add something, I propose that the artist should write in between the windows, ‘To the Glory Of God’”, the Moderator noted.

He went ahead to say the magnificent painting of the Lord’s Supper equally beatifies the Church house.

“The roofing is extraordinary, making it possible to have proper and adequate ventilation. In fact, I have seen balconies in Churches but I have never seen one like this,” he said.

The Moderator did not stop at magnifying the beauty of the building but described the Christians as very patient, a quality he described as positively contagious.

He also took notice of the orderly manner in which praise and worship is being done at PC New Town and concluded that it is the way the Church should worship God.

All these, the Moderator used to confirm that the Christians of the PC New Town are in the ‘Promised Land’

The Route To Canaan
There was no better person to narrate how the children of PC New Town moved from their own Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, then the wilderness and how they finally entered their Canaan, than the congregational Chairman, Elder Otto Musaka.

He began by saying that  PC New Town is just coming out of the unfortunate incident that befall them some two and a half years ago, when a tornado that swept through the city of Limbe brought down the rafters and which were under construction.Otto Musaka said they were only thankful to God that no human life was lost.

He went on that since that day till this moment, the enthusiasm of the congregation increased and they were challenged by their faith that the devil would never be given a chance to triumph over their efforts because Jesus Christ was with them. Otto Musaka continued that they saw the incident as a test of their faith.

“Since then, we have been more united in spirit and action and did several fundraising exercises and this is the results you find today, certainly sir, (Moderator) we still have a long way to go. By faith we are determined to do it so that you can come back soonest for the dedication of this magnificent edifice, to the Glory of God”, the chairman wished.

He continued his narration that, thanks to the understanding, corporation, hard work and the spirit of unity that reigns in the congregation, they were able to realise the roofing and part plastering of the walls, construction of some pews and the completion of the ceiling of the new building within a short time, costing them FCFA 32 million.

Hear Otto Musaka; “This is the reason why I have been directed by the Christians of this parish to gladly inform you that we have crossed the Red Sea and the wilderness and at last entered the Promised Land today-our new church house and we are no longer going back to Egypt, but hope to continue our worship life inside this new edifice of God- the place flowing with milk and honey- the Honey Comb Congregation.”

The Rev. Mokoko Simon Elive is the fifth in the line of seven and was born in Bokwaongo village, Buea Sub Division on the 22nd of November.1969. He was baptized on the 17th of December, 1972 at the Presbyterian Church in Tiko Town, where he also worshipped as a Sunday School (S.S) and Young Presbyterian (Y.P) member.

At his prime, he attended Government School Upper Custains and Government Technical High School Ombe where he studied Mechanical engineering.

Following the footstep of his two grand uncles of the Etome family in Bokwaongo – Catechist Litombe Njuma, and Rev. Johannes Litumbe Ekese, all of blessed memory, Rev. Mokoko answered the clarion call into the pastoral ministry in 1994.

Rev. Mokoko has served the P.C.C in the following capacities:
Pastor of Njenka Parish in Bali Nyonga for seven years. In addition to his work as parish pastor, he also served cumulatively as acting Teaching Chaplain of C.P.C Bali in the academic year 2003/2004. Still in Bali, he served as the zonal chaplain of the C.M.F; zonal chaplain of Halleluiah choir; zonal treasurer of the Association of Presbyterian Congregations, Secretary General of the Ecumenical meeting of clergy, and also as the Pastor’s representative of the Mezam Presbytery Exco. Rev. Mokoko is a title holder in the Bali Nyonga Royal Fondom.

After Bali, he served as parish Pastor of Mutengene parish in Fako South Presbytery and pastor’s representative in the Fako Presbytery executive for three years, before his transfer and appointment to New Town as parish pastor and Presbyterial Treasurer of Fako South Presbytery.

By God’s Grace, he is a holder of the following qualifications:
City and Guilds of London Institute in Mechanical Engineering and Craft Studies (C.G.L.I. – M.E) from G.T.H.S Ombe, Diploma in Theology (Dip. TH) and Bachelor Degree in Theology (B.TH) from the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Kumba, and Master of Arts Degree in Missions (M.A) from the Cornerstone University and Theological Seminary in Jerusalem, Israel.

The Rev. Mokoko Simon Elive is a G.C.E Ordinary Level Examiner. He is the current Presbyterian Chaplain of Makom Mesa Yehova and also a current member of the Finance Committee of the Central Church.
He has authored two unpublished works titled, “A preaching Guide for lay-preachers” and “Tithing to God”. His hobbies are reading, playing of football and choral singing.Rev Mokoko is happily married to Mrs. Mokoko Sally nee Ekome – a midwife working with the Presbyterian Health Center, here in Limbe. They are blessed with three kids.

Rev. Mokoko’s ministry philosophy is based on the assertion that, “Theme work is the fuel that empowers ordinary people, to produce extraordinary results.

It was with total solemnity that the worshipers of Presbyterian Church Down Beach Congregation in Limbe, known as the Mighty Beach, gathered to dedicate 29 members into the Christian Women’s Fellowship, CEF, of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon.

The ceremony took place last Sunday 23 May 2010 at the premises of the Presbyterian Church Down Beach, Limbe.

The Vatican has accepted the resignation of an Irish archbishop in Nigeria accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl in the Niger Delta.

Richard Burke, the archbishop of Benin City, admits to a relationship but denies she was a minor when it began.

The Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kumba, PTS, on Friday 28 May 2010 graduated its first batch of Masters students along side 12 pastors who did a one-year Bachelor of Theology programme and the 17th batch of students for the three-year Bachelor of Theology programme.

The three graduating Masters students are Rev. Amos Nfor Talikong, Rev. Masok Emmanuel and Re. Miki Hans Abia.