Newly elected PCC moderator swears to reconcile Christians, opponents

The newly elected Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, Reverend Samuel Fonki, has pledged to reconcile the PCC Christians who may have split because of elections into the posts of the Moderator and Synod Clerk.

Rev Fonki also promised to work in close collaboration with his political opponents.

“We went into elections as brothers in the Lord and we should not be divided after the elections,” Rev Fonki stated.

The Moderator elect was talking to the press shortly after his election into the office of the Moderator, on Tuesday, November 26, at the Presbyterian Church Centre Mankon.

Rev Fonki said his team will not only take the PCC to international level, but will also take it to greater heights in the spread of the Word of God.

“I am really surprised and humbled by this election. If it were only on my own, I could not have made it. It is God who did it for me. When God surprises you, he empowers you to do his Will through the Holy Spirit. As my predecessor, the Rt. Reverend Dr. Festus Asana had as theme “Stepping aside in hope” during the opening of the 47th Synod Meeting; I can rightly say that, as he is stepping aside in hope, I am also stepping in, in hope. He has been a wonderful Shepherd, soft spoken but firm and we have learned and shall continue to seek his advice all the time,” Rev Fonki noted.

The Moderator Emeritus, Festus Asana, who is going on retirement in January next year, described the elections as free, fair and transparent.

According to him, the choice of Fonki and Babila comes from God, “You have seen Christians who have been waiting for over five hours that we were in conclave to elect these officials jubilating and thanking God for giving them new leaders. I am fully satisfied that the elections were conducted in peace by the Electoral Commission that was very independent.”

Reverend Asana said he is available for advice at any time. “The challenge I am giving my successor is for him to serve God in faith, because it is not common.”

To emerge successful, Rev. Fonki floored, Rev. William Abwenso, outgoing Synod Clerk by 74 votes to 46. The Post of Synod Clerk was contested by Rev. Christian Nganji who had 47 votes and the winner Rev. George Babila had 70 votes.

Candidates Decry Bribery Prior to the elections, some candidates were heard lamenting that money had changed hands. Even though they could not substantiate who gave what to whom.

However, at the end of the 47th Synod Meeting, some key resolutions were taken such as the installation of the PCC Radio (the Christian Broadcasting Service, CBS) in Bamenda, the creation of Upper Bakossi Presbytery with headquarters in Bangem, upgrading of 13 prayer groups to full fledge churches, the constructing of the Women’s Work Evangelism Centre in Bamenda and severe sanctions to be meted out to some dubious Christian.

Moderator Samuel Fonki, hails from Bombay in Akwaya, Manyu Division of the Southwest Region. Before becoming the Moderator, Rev Fonki was the Parish Pastor of PCC Bastos Yaounde. He is happily married to Rev. Perpetua Fonki, and they are blessed with a child.