Etoug-Ebe Baptist Church, Yaounde : And The Time Came To Be Called, Serve, Then Retire

It was almost a gathering of who is who in the Cameroon Baptist Convention, CBC. Both at the national level. And at the level of the Yaounde Field Council of CBC Churches. Not surprisingly, no less a personality than the Executive President of the Cameroon Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Teke John Ekema, was present. 

Happy Retirement Brother J.J.!
All turned out in their numbers to celebrate the ministry and retirement of a Minister of the Gospel. Rev. Dr. Joseph Jikong – fondly referred to as Brother J.J. - on Sunday, July 20, 2025 retired from frontline pastoral ministry and from Etoug-Ebe Baptist Church, EBC Yaounde. He will be replaced by Rev. Dr. Timothy Liombe.

All Manner Of Dignitaries 
On hand to celebrate the double event was Rev. Dr. Jikong’s wife and children who came from the United States. Likewise cabinet ministers, ministers of the gospel, the new Liberian Ambassador to Cameroon (who is Baptist deacon), other government dignitaries and Christians from far and near. Not leaving out the Rev. Jumbuin Enoch, Yaounde Field Council of CBC Churches.

CBC Honoured At BWA Congress 
The Executive President of the Cameroon Baptist Convention recognized the presence of two CBC officials who were this month inducted into three Baptist World Alliance, BWA commissions. This was during the BWA congress in Brisbane, Australia, after their earlier nomination and election. They are Rev. Dr. Charlemagne Nditemeh, the immediate past CBC Executive President, who was inducted into two BWA commissions. And Edison Yuniwo, the President of the All Africa Baptist Men’s Fellowship, AABMF, who was inducted into one BWA commission.    

Commendation For Deep Generosity    
Rev. Dr. Teke John felicitated Rev. Dr. Jikong for his service in Etoug-Ebe Baptist Church, and his deep generosity demonstrated over the years. He prayed for success for Rev. Dr. Jikong in his next assignment in retirement.  

Why Retire?
The Pastor of the Yaounde Field Council of CBC Churches, explained that Rev. Dr. Joseph Jikong preferred early retirement from frontline ministry, though the retirement age in the Cameroon Baptist Convention for pastors is 65. He explained further that retirement is meant for rest; to offer the opportunity to the younger colleagues to also serve; it is not necessarily because one is tired, no longer productive or useful. But to make oneself more available for their families, Rev. Jumbuin Enoch pointed out.  

Dumped US Comfort For EBC
On his part, Rev. Pastor Paul Meme, a former Pastor of Etoug-Ebe Baptist Church and now Pastor of Yaounde South Association of CBC Churches, recounted how EBC sent him on mission to Rev. Dr. Joseph Jikong in Dallas, USA. To appeal to him to consider coming back to serve in EBC again. Rev. Meme said he saw the comfort in which Rev. Dr. Jikong and family lived in the USA. But after prayerfully considering the request along with his family, Rev. Dr. Jikong finally accepted to return to Cameroon. To again serve in EBC at a time the church had undergone crisis and was almost torn apart. 

Passing On Service 
Though he still has till July 31, 2025 to serve in Etoug-Ebe Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Joseph Jikong passed on service to Rev. Dr. Timothy Liombe. Handing him a Bible, Etoug-Ebe Baptist Church membership list, the church’s constitution and the CBC Handbook on running church affairs. 

Pastor At Last!
Responding to all the messages and wishes expressed to him, Rev. Dr. recounted how, after leaving university with a Bachelor’s degree in Law, he for long resisted God’s call to go and train as a pastor. Preferring to become a lawyer or a magistrate – having passed the entrance examination for the latter. Before finally bowed to God’s call and trained in the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomosho, Nigeria. Before later continuing his theological studies in the USA. 

The Level Of Collaboration 
Rev. Dr. Jikong thanked EBC members for cooperating with him. He listed ...