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Meet Dr. Charlemagne Nditemeh
Grateful for NAB’s long, historic, and positive relationship with the Cameroon Baptist Convention, we have the privilege of engaging in relevant and strategic ministries of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18–21) – witnessing reconciliation between people and God, people and people, and people and creation. The ongoing civil conflict in Cameroon continues to provide endless opportunities to encourage reconciliation.
We recently participated in two ceremonies that ushered in a transition of leadership for the Cameroon Baptist Convention. On January 9 was a grand send-forth service for Dr. Godwill Ncham (CBC Send-forth Service). Godwill served the CBC as Executive President for the past eight years. Working under and with Godwill as a ministry partner was a positive and encouraging experience. During his tenure as CBC Executive President, we had the privilege of hosting Godwill at the last two NAB Triennial Conferences and the 2019–2020 NAB Blue Ocean cohort sessions. Godwill has transitioned to serve as lead pastor of a new urban church plant in Cameroon.
The following day, January 10, was the induction service of Rev. Dr. Charlemagne Nditemeh, the new CBC Executive President (CBC Induction Service). Charlemagne brings a wealth of ministry experience to this role, having served as church pastor, seminary professor (in Cameroon and internationally), seminary president, and field pastor (regional minister). With degrees in law, theology, and counselling, Charlemagne’s ministry passion and orientation has been advocacy for the poor, the underprivileged, the voiceless, the oppressed, the powerless, and all those in the margins.
How closely do we interact with Dr. Nditemeh? As CBC Director of Cooperating Missions, Calvin works under and is directly accountable to Dr. Nditemeh. As the NAB Field Director in Cameroon, Calvin works together with him in leading the integrated partnership between the NAB and the CBC. And on a personal note, the Nditemeh family has become our new next-door neighbours.
As we enjoyed working closely with Godwill, we equally look forward to working with Charlemagne to see the church in Cameroon serve as a sign, servant, and foretaste of the Kingdom of God. Especially during these years of civil conflict and economic decline, the church in Cameroon is poised to encourage and lead reconciliation on every front.
Trusting the God of the Church
If you have been following our update of ministries through the Crisis Relief Fund, you will remember that ministry to prisoners is a key component. Since the civil war began four years ago, the prisons in Cameroon have filled to over-capacity. Many of the inmates are people who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, were arrested, and were imprisoned without charge or hope of any trial. We partner with churches that have established prison ministries to provide counselling, advocacy, and material support to inmates. We recently received the following feedback from one of our prison ministry partners:
A young man of about 21 years of age, after receiving his own share of food and soap, made this comment, “Even though everyone I know has abandoned me, Jesus still loves a person like me, so I will trust Him with my life.” A second inmate said, “When I was a free person I hated the church, but now in prison the church has shown me love. Now I can eat and have soap to clean my body. I will forever love and trust the God of the church.”
Thank you for giving to the Cameroon Crisis Relief Fund. Testimonies like this are possible because you gave. The conflict in Cameroon is far from over, so if you are able to continue giving, please do so at: Cameroon Crisis Relief Fund.
Prayer
- That peace and reconciliation will soon return to the nation of Cameroon.
- For us and Dr. Charlemagne as we begin a new season of serving together.
- That more prisoners will put their trust in the God of the Church.
Praises
- That COVID-19 has not hit Cameroon as severely as other countries around the globe.
- For a positive and smooth transition of leadership in the CBC.
- That Ysabelle and Elianna have successfully started the second semester of this school year.
God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created
us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us.
Ephesians 2:10 (GNV)
Calvin & Susanne Hohn
PO Box 1, Bamenda, NW Region, Republic of Cameroon
calandsusie.hohn@gmail.com | chohn@nabconf.org | nabonmission.org