Groundbreaking Induction of New CBC General Secretary Rev Ncham

Rev. Ncham

Adolph Lele Lafrique, the new North West governor cut short his leave to live the rite inducting  Rev Ncham Godwill as the new general secretary of the Cameroon Baptist Convention, CBC. This was at the main Baptist church at the CBC headquarters at Nkwen-Bamenda, last Sunday September 9, 2012. Governor Lele Lafrique sat beside Dr. Linda Yang, wife to the Prime Minister and Head of Government. The turnout of the induction in itself was laudable, given that for the first time, the three immediate past general secretaries: Revs Nyonglo, Tangwa and Ndichafah were conspicuously present. Representatives of the Catholic and Presbyterian faiths, including the ubiquitous Ntumfor Nico Halle were there. At least 3000 faithfuls and guests including Fon Yuh of Kom made their presence felt.

It was a highly animated event, coordinated by Tetevi Bodylawson, one-time President and Education Secretary of CBC. The entraulic/enchanting lyrics of NACOMEC, the French choir of CBC Etoug Ebe Yaounde, Wonya Christo choir Bethany Buea and Sekarettes, gave life and panache to the induction.

It was not a normal Sunday service, yet, the event was though an induction, also witnessed the rededication of the president and vice of CBC- Joe Chebonkeng Kalabutse and Justice Betty Luma.

Prior to the rite, Rev Dr. Paul Mokake presented a very succinct and hair-raising sermon. Drawing afflatus from the book of Acts 20: 28-31, Dr Mokake urged faithfuls and the inducted/rededicated to be watchful as they labour in God’s vineyard. Dr. Mokake Chronicle gathered is head of the Kumba seminary and newly elected (pioneer) president of the pastors’ fellowship.

According to Dr. Mokake, though he stood to challenge Rev Ncham at the last CBC convention elections in Ndu, he did not do so as a rival, but a friend and classmate. He posited that the sermon, he was preaching was just to remind his friend on some of the things that guide the CBC.

Dr. Mokake however hailed past CBC presidents and general secretaries for steering the sheep. He opined that each leader must make the church better than what he was entrusted to attain. Reiterating how his belief is that the greatest need of the CBC today is to have God’s-sent leadership. He posited that until God gets the attention of the leader, he can seldom get the attention of the church, adding that Apostle Paul yearned to transform leaders. He prayed that by God’s grace, Rev Ncham Godwill would match his goals.

Induction Rite Proper

It was Rev Fimba, Director of Missions and Evangelism at CBC who performed the induction ritual. He called up Rev Ncham and wife; introduced them to the congregation, before urging the wife to take her seat. Rev Ncham alone, facing the congregation, was presented the CBC constitution and then the holy bible. He was then urged that thse are the works which is 4-year mandate would be based on implementing. The congregation/session was asked to raise their approval, unlike was massively done.

Rev Ncham then knelt on a pillow placed infront of Christians and guests, with the bible in his hand. Then four key officials placed their hands on his head in simultaneous recitations and prayers. He was then raised up to a thunderous ovation of Christians/guests: a sign that he had gone through the ritual and inducted.

Prior to Rev Ncham’s induction, there was the formal rededication of Joe Chebonkeng and Justice Betty Luma as president and vie president of CBC. They were merely handed the bible and introduced to the congregation/guests, alongside their spouses. This was moreso, given that 4-years ago, they had undertaken the actual ritual.

Rev Ncham, President Chebonkeng and vice, Mme Luma were each presented gifts by faithfuls. Exceptionally the people of Kom, were in ecstatic fashion, given that Rev Ncham was one of theirs.

Choves Loh, senior journalist with Cameroon Tribune North West was at the fore of the events. As a son of Boyo, he was at the heart of mobilization to give the event the grander it deserved. During the presentation of gifts, Choves, clad in the green CBC outfit, danced exceedingly in front of the church as Kom elements moved on to present gifts. A message co-signed by Choves, Rev Fr Joseph Ateh (parish priest of Big Mankon) and Nkwain Lawrence Yong (president KOCUDA Bamenda) put things straight.

“The entire Kom community in Bamenda stood by you at this gracious moment as you take command to serve and bring glory to God as the new General Secretary of the Cameroon Baptist Convention, CBC”. The message titled “Courage Brother”, further urged the new general secretary that “The Lord, the Holy God of Israel is your God. You are precious to him because He loves you and gives you honour”. Concluding, the Kom community urged Rev Ncham “Do not be afraid, God is with you”.

Pedigree of New CBC General Secretary

Ncham Godwill Chiatoh was catapulted unto national screen some few months ago after the elective General Session of the Cameroon Baptist Convention, CBC that took place in Ndu, recently. Before this day, Ncham had been doing his work quietly as Youth Director. Ncham Godwill Chiatoh, before the General Assembly never seemed to be one of the favourites for the race of General Secretary of the CBC given his relatively youthful age. When the race for the replacement of Rev. Donald Ndichafah started, nobody ever thought the 42-year old and unassuming man of God could be any match. At the end of the vote counting, Ncham Godwill emerged as the dark horse to pick the coveted top job of the church.

This young man, endowed with leadership qualities and interpersonal communication skills has been in God’s vineyard for just over 15 years after graduating from the Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary, CBTS Ndu with a Bachelor’s degree.

In his twenties, his thirst for God led him to contemplate leaderships in church as a pastor with the mandate of winning souls for Christ. As a young man, Ncham Godwill had to follow God’s will for him - that of becoming God’s worker. His close aides reveal that he decided to work in God’s vineyard at an earlier age after studying the lives and works of a number of God’s great men of previous generations. This enabled him to grasp the fact that every one of them had an intimate knowledge of Christ that was beyond his own experience. He discovered that all these men, however different their characters and their work, had two secrets in common: they all began the day in solitude with God in prayer; and they all read the whole Bible right through each year. Ncham Godwill has since imbibed these two cardinal principles and qualities and this accounts for his leadership skills in the church.

As a young upscale church leader and pastor, he undertook to read the Bible in depth every year, and to achieve this, he allotted enough time for prayers knowing just too well that it is not by might or power but by the will of God, being a Godwill in the first place. This has become his fundamental principle of life. The revelation of God’s face has become a whole mission and vision to this young, upscale pastor of the Cameroon Baptist Convention who believes Christ remains his rock, his refuge and his stronghold. As a young man who has given his whole time to Christ’s service, Ncham Godwill Chiatoh who was so active in church activities during his formative years in Government Secondary School, GSS Fundong started to live an exemplary life so other could emulate. This, he did in total dependence on God. Born of a very humble background, Ncham Godwill sometimes often depended on God even for his daily bread - a simple faith that God has now honoured for well over three decades. As he grew up in suffering, poverty, and ignominy, he saw God bring into being a work of such spiritual potency that he was eventually overwhelmed and exhausted by the number of young men and women who came looking for Christ through him. A number of those young men and women Pastor Godwill has brought up through his ministry as Youth Director has rose up to serve God mightily. Through his work, especially as Field Pastor and ordinary preacher, a number of souls have been evangelized, new churches have come into being, and many other young men and women have been called to serve God.

For several years previous, Ncham Godwill Chiatoh’s heart opened wide to the spiritual needs of the younger generation. For him, this emphasis was the priority upon which the future of the church and especially the CBC depended. The cry of the young, thirsty for the reality of Christ made him to go for further studies so as to deepen his understanding in divinity and leadership. His humble colportage, through sleepless nights and endless deep personal discussion, he has had to come to grips with a vast range of urgent problems facing up to the anguish of a generation no longer satisfied with mere religious theory or tradition, but wanting to discover the reality of God and the true meaning of life.

Before even becoming General Secretary, Ncham Godwill was already being credited for stemming the tides of charismatism in the Baptist church. Together with the Director of Evangelism and Missions, Ncham Godwill worked had to reconcile these two opposing currents in the church. As new General Secretary, he is expected to consolidate this and more.

The Challenges Ahead

Ncham Godwill is taking over a CBC that is bedeviled with a history of problems and challenges. The very first one staring him in the face is the Belo Field crisis that previous General Secretaries have found difficult overcoming. Added to this crisis, is the unity of the Northern and Coastal church. While urging him to consolidate what his predecessor, Rev Donald Ndichafah left, he is expected to address the issue of new evangelism that is threatening the very existence of the conventional church. Prosperity theology is there waiting for Ncham’s response. Corruption has not spared the church and Godwill has to do something to stop it.

The 42 year old Ncham Godwill before becoming General Secretary has been Bamenda Field Pastor, member of the CBC General Council, Youth Director and others. Born in Njinikom in 1970, Ncham Godwill is married and father of five. He holds a Masters Degree in Divinity. By all intents and purposes, he is a young, upscale church leader.