60 Years of the Cameroon Baptist Convention

Published on March 12, 2015

Celebrating 60 Years

The Cameroon Baptist Convention recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. Churches held celebration thanksgiving services throughout the country while the leadership gathered to celebrate in Bimbia, on the coast. Bimbia is where the first missionary to Cameroon, the freed slave from Jamaica, Joseph Merrick, landed on the shores in 1843. The celebration started with a reenactment of the arrival of Joseph Merrick by canoe (pictured). It is humbling to be abe to serve a long legacy of Kingdom building ministy here in Cameroon.

Serving the Local Church

Besides directing and serving the integrated partnership between the North American Baptists (NAB) and Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC), we also have the privilege of serving our local church. A new leadership team was dedicated at Mt. Carmel Church at the beginning of 2015. Amongst the new leaders, Susie was appointed as advisor to the Finance Committee and Calvin as chair of Advisory & Evaluation Committee. We are thankful that God can use our gifts and skills to encourage the new leadership of this church; a church that God is rebuilding in all aspects, after four years in exile.

Meet the New Hostel Parents

God has answered your prayers for hostel parents for our missionary high school kids. Craig and Maureen Moody have accepted the call once again – having served as hostel parents from 2008-2010. They come to us well seasoned for the job. Get to know Craig and Maureen better here and consider partnering with them through prayer and finances.

Don’t stop praying with us for long-term hostel parents, though. The Moodys will only be in this role for one year so we will still need hostel parents for the 2016-17 school year and beyond.

Missions Intern – Part 2

In our last newsletter we introduced you to Bennett Moody, a missions intern here for ten and a half months. Another missions volunteer/intern who is blessing our lives is Leah Fangrad. Leah, from Ontario, Canada, came at the end of October 2014 for six months. She previously spent part of summer 2012 in Cameroon with Teen Missions. Leah returned this year to “check out” missions more in-depth before beginning her nursing studies in Fall 2015.

Here is what Leah had to say about why she came to Cameroon and what she’s been learning so far:

Why did you decide to spend 6 months in Cameroon?

I decided to come to Cameroon because I felt God leading me to spend time serving Him between my high school years and university. I had heard so much about what the NAB missionaries were doing in Cameroon and I though it would be a great opportunity for me to see what missionary life was like. I came to help with Ysabelle’s home schooling, volunteer in a CBC Health Centre to gain some health care experience and to help the missionaries in any way I can.

What has been one of your greatest experiences during your time in Cameroon?

I think the greatest experience I have had so far was travelling to two different villages on a support visit with a team from LAP (Life Abundant Primary Health Care). It was amazing to see how different life is in rural Cameroon and I felt so blessed to have been able to go out with one of the chaplains to talk and pray with some people who couldn’t leave their homes due to age or illness. It was a very eye-opening experience.

What has been one of your greatest challenges during your time in Cameroon?

One of the greatest challenges for me has been adjusting to living away from my family and everything that was familiar to me. I realize that I have been staying in my comfort zone too much and have been very hesitant of trying new things on my own. Being on my own has challenged me to grow closer to God and rely on Him for my strength.

What is something you have learned about missions and missionaries during your time in Cameroon?

I have learned that missions is not just about finishing projects or running events in a different country. It is also about building relationships with the people you are living around and learning how to work with them. Opening up and living a Christ-like life while serving others, no matter how menial the task, is not always easy, but it is important.

Thank you for your continued interest, prayers and support.

Calvin, Susanne, Ysabelle & Elianna