Life and Mission in Cameroon

Cameroon: at the crossroads of West and Central Africa

Cameroon: a country of great diversity…

In landscape and climate:

“Africa in miniature”

• Desert in the extreme north

• Mountains in the west-northwest

• Savannah in the center-east

• Tropical rainforest in the south

• Coastal plains in the southwest

Cameroon: a country of great diversity…

In peoples, tribes and languages:

• There are as many as 270 different tribes and indigenous languages spoken in Cameroon.

• Since colonial times, French and English have been the official languages of government and business.

Cameroon: a country of great diversity…In religious beliefs and practices

• 70% Christian

– 40% Catholic

– 30% Protestant

• 20% Muslim

• 6% Animist/Traditional

• 4% Other

Cameroon DemographicsPopulation: around 23 million people

About half (52%) are urban dwellers, with the two largest cities being Douala and Yaoundé.

About half are rural dwellers in small villages.

Cameroon Demographics

• 1/3 of the population lives below the international poverty threshold of $1.25/day.

• Unemployment is around 30%.

• Life expectancy is about 57 years.

• One of the highest school attendance rates in Africa (although girls attend less regularly than boys because of cultural attitudes, domestic duties, and early marriage and pregnancy).

• Literacy rate is 71% (78% for males and 65% for females over age 15).

TransportationMototaxis

Buses

Lutheran Missionary work in Cameroon

• The first American Lutheran missionaries were Adolf and Anna Gunderson, who came to Cameroon in 1923. Norwegian Lutherans began missionary work in Cameroon in 1925.

Missionary work led to the creation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon

(L’Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne au Cameroun)National headquarters in Ngaoundéré

Installation of new national bishop, the Rev. Dr. Ruben Ngozo

November, 2013

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon

• Today, there are about 300,000 members

• In more than 1500 congregations

• Organized into 10 regional synods.

The mission of the ELCCIs to bring God’s salvation to the whole person –body, soul, and spirit.• To that end, the health ministry of the ELCC operates

three hospitals and thirteen health clinics. The largest hospital, in Ngaoundéré, includes a center for ophthalmology and a dental clinic.

• The hospital in Garoua-Boulaï, on the border with the Central African Republic, is currently treating many refugees of the war in CAR.

The ELCC department of communications

• Works on translation projects, translating the Bible, catechism, liturgy and educational materials into local languages.

• Operates the Sawtu Linjiila (Voice of the Gospel) radio station, which produces programs in the fulfulde language to bring the gospel to the Fulani people.

The Department of Education of the ELCC manages 4 preschools, 41 primary schools…

One secondary school…

Four Bible schools for the training of evangelists and catechists for the church…

And one seminary for the training of pastors –the Lutheran Institute of Theology in Meiganga

(started in 1958)

The Lutheran Institute of Theology in Meiganga

• 5 full-time faculty and several visiting professors

• About 50 students in 3 degree programs:

– The Baccalaureate in Theology

– The License in Theology

– Master’s in Theology / Master’s in Muslim-Christian relations

My home in Meiganga

My home in Meiganga

Beginning of 2013-14 academic year

Children of students and faculty singing for the Institute’s Christmas program

Students marching in the Festival of Youth parade – February 11, 2014

Students singing on tour of congregations

Students singing on tour of congregations

End of the academic year 2013-14

End of the academic year 2013-14

Graduation – June 22, 2014

Children

Children

Children

Football!

Animals

Animals

Animals

Animals

Nature

Nature

Nature

In conclusion...

Merci beaucoup!

Thank you very much!

– For your support of my ministry and

of the ELCA’s partnership in mission

with the Evangelical Lutheran

Church in Cameroon !

God bless you!