New Moderator Wants PCC To Be  Model In The World

Right Reverend Dr. Festus Ambe Asana has urged Christians to promote transparency, accountability, love and fellowship in the church in order to become a model for the world. He was speaking last February 28 at the esplanade of the Presbyterian Comprehensive High School, PCHS, Buea Town in the South West Region as he was being inducted as the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC.

As PCC tradition demands, the Synod Clerk Elect, Rev. William Abwenzoh Membong was also inducted as the Synod Clerk. The colourful induction ceremony brought in thousands of Christians from the various presbyteries all over the country.  In his sermon that had as theme "Making All Things New", the new PCC Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. Asana called on all Christians to be good neighbours wherever they find themselves in the community, shun gossiping and be morally upright. "We can't believe in God and promote war or destroy the church” he said. The Moderator further explained that the transformation will not be made by Asana and Abwenzoh but by God, adding that every Christian is a developer.
 
He stressed on the point that Christians ought to show proof of honesty, even though "honest people have become endangered species in Cameroon”.  Rev. Asana prescribed transparency, love for one another and humility before God and prayed that God makes all things new. He sent a warning tone to some great nations who are destroying the world with their weapons of destruction and environmental degradation that God is not happy with the way things are going on.

During the Institution and Induction, carried out by the Very Reverend Moderator Emeritus, Nyansako-Ni-Nku, Asana and Abwenzoh were urged by Rt. Rev. Dr. Nyansaku Ni-Nku to serve the church with diligence and fidelity in the fear of the Lord, without giving offence and to become a Shepherd of the flock of Christ. "You will also have to give account before the judgement seat of Christ on the Last Day," he added. The apex of the ceremony was the transfer of the Pectoral Cross from the Moderator Emeritus to the new Moderator, signalling the last process in the transfer of church authority from Nyansako-Ni-Nku to Asana.
 
The new moderator Rev. Asana was born and bread in a pastoral home in Bafut, Northwest Region on March 30 1948, He is the first of ten children of late Rev. David Chembe Asana and Mrs Monica Bi Asana. After attending many primary schools because of the itinerant missionary nature of his father's service at the time, the young Asana moved on to Cameroon Protestant College, CPC, Bali, where he felt the call to the pastoral ministry in 1966.

Rev. Asana has served God through the church in many capacities. He has co-authored four books and published several articles. Ordained in 1978, Rev. Asana is married to Mrs. Jenny Nchang Asana, a teacher by profession. They are blessed with four children and five grand children.  The Rt. Rev. Dr. Asana was overwhelmingly elected by the 44th Synod of Change of the PCC that met at Church Centre, Kumba from November 22 - 24 2009. He is the fifth PCC Moderator since 1958.
 
On his part, the Synod Clerk Rev. William Abwenzoh Membong was born on April 26 1953 at Epen-One in Elambeng Bajoh, Bangem subdivision, Kupe Muanengouba Division, Southwest Region. He is the third child of late Ida Neah Nzoh and Benjamin Nzoh, Church worker for PC Epen, Bakoh and Mbubaji congregations.

After his primary education at PS Ekanjoh Bajoh in 1966, he proceeded to PSS Besongabang for his secondary education, where he graduated in 1972. Done with school of Theology in 1978, Rev Abwenzoh worked in some congregations before moving for further studies in the Vatican, Rome, Italy, Bossey, Geneva, and subsequently to Richmond, Virginia, USA.  Rev. Abwenzoh and Magaret Diang Abwenzoh have been married since 1977 and are blessed with five children. He is the ninth Synod Clerk since 1959. At the end of the induction ceremony, The SUN Newspaper caught up with the Moderator and other Christians to get their hot impressions and wishes for the PCC family.

Reactions

Rt. Rev. Festus Ambe Asana, New PCC Moderator

“I am inspired by the words of one of our former Moderators, Rt/Rev. Jeremiah Chi Kangsen, who said if the church were to have all the money it needs for its project, it will no longer be a church. We are comforted just by that but I think we need money for the church to grow. As a church, we must be willing to offer ourselves for transformation through the Christians. A church is a growing institution and God has promised in Jesus Christ that he will be with us always to the close of the age. We have issues of development; a programme of opening a new University, there are many churches under construction. Like any other institutions, the church has its problems, which we have to settle, counting on God. We want to open up to other churches.” 
 
Ni John Fru Ndi, SDF National Chairman.

 “First of all permit me to thank Moderator Emeritus for a job well done and I believe that service is a continuous process. I also want to welcome and congratulate the incoming team and wish them success. It has been a wonderful occasion and I believe the new Moderator and the Synod Clerk are going to be up to the task. From the Moderator's sermon we can see that there are many innovations in the church; the healing services which he has to face, there are schools that he has to build, there are hospitals to be renovated. We wish the Moderator and the Synod Clerk success in all their endeavours and to say all the Christians who have come out here have come to give them their full support so that tomorrow, they should not say they had no support.”  

Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle, CMF President

“The organizing committee did a marvellous job. We are living witnesses of the solemnity, the high spirituality, the Pastors well dressed, the Christians well clad and committed to the event. Everything was put to suit the event. You will agree with me that it was very compelling and pleasing. We thank God almighty for blessing this event. In the sermon he said the church is sick and needs healing. He preached against the unorthodox methods of getting wealth, the unemployment, poverty, banditry, human rights abuse, bribery, corruption and all societal vices. He said the church which is the conscience of the society, should be a role model and until that is done, it has no moral authority to preach to the circular world.”

Jacob Ngalle Kinge , President Organising Committee

“It was not an easy task to make today’s occasion a success because some of our members who appeared enthusiastic at the beginning maybe hoping to receive any payment for the organization suddenly withdrawing when they realized that we were not rendering a paid job. I am globally satisfied with the event and I think even the weather was on our side because rain did not fall to disturb us. We thank God for that.” 

Ako N1ang of PCC Bastos Yaoundé

 “Today was a great day in the history of PCC because we all witnessed a gradual change which we can classify as a peaceful revolution that came on the heels of election which did not witness any inside fighting. As you must have noticed yourself, people came in round the world to be part of this memorable event. I am now going back to Yaoundé to narrate this beautiful story to other Christians who for one reason or the other could not make it to Buea today. God will guide the new team we pray.”