African Baptist men conclude continental gathering in Yaounde

By Hans Ngala

The All Africa Baptist Men’s Fellowship (AABMF) which is the men’s wing of the wider All Africa Baptist Fellowship will conclude a four-day conference at Etoug-Ebe Baptist Church in Yaounde.

More than four hundred men from eight African countries including Nigeria, Congo, and Zambia have been meeting at Etoug-Baptist Church since Wednesday, October 26 to pray, study the Bible, and have small workshops on various issues that affect the lives of African Baptist men. The conference is taking place under the topic of “Free Indeed” based on John 8:31- 42.
Among some of the issues addressed were abortion and domestic violence which are of particular concern within African homes.

Former Prime Minister, Philemon Yang was also at the conference and was part of a panel that encouraged Christian men to take up an active part in politics if they are to be the salt in the world. It was also resolved that Baptist churches (known to have a strong anti-politics stance) should not condemn their members who are in politics but that churches should develop programs to encourage Christian participation in politics.

According to Rev. Dr. Paul Mokake, Director of Evangelism and Missions at the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) which is hosting the conference, the goal of the meeting is to build more Christ-like men and to help men become more evangelistic and bring more men to Christ.
This is just the second AABF meeting of its kind. The first was held in Nigeria in 2019 where there were just twenty-eight men in attendance.

The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) through its men’s union also promised to support the ongoing building project of a local Baptist church in Awae, Yaounde which is expected to sit over a thousand worshippers.

The AABF is the continental body of Baptists affiliated with the global Baptist World Alliance (BWA), the world’s largest Baptist organization.

At the end of the conference today, the country to host the next AABMF meeting will be announced.