Strategic Planning and Warm Welcomes: Relay Trust’s Visit to the Anglican Church of Cameroon
In early May Doug Ingram (COO), Daniel Magagnin (Deputy COO), and Ella Marshall (Regional Relationship Manager for the Internal Province of West Africa), visited the Diocese of Cameroon. This was their first visit to the country and its focus was the IPWA Strategic Planning Workshop, an event aimed at shaping the future of the Anglican Church in West Africa for the next decade.
The Diocese of Cameroon is one of the six dioceses of the IPWA. This visit, based in Douala, extended to Yaoundé and Limbe, where the team engaged with local church leaders and communities, further strengthening the bonds between Relay Trust and the church.
The Strategic Planning Workshop
This event brought together Bishops, their wives, and representatives from across the IPWA. The workshop’s main objective was to develop a comprehensive strategy for the next ten years, focusing on achieving the ‘three selfs’ of mission: self-propagating, self-supporting, and self-governing. These principles, originally articulated by Henry Venn of the Church Missionary Society in the nineteenth century, aim to establish an autonomous and sustainable church that can grow and thrive independently.
Engaging with Leaders and Communities
While the delegation’s visit was centred on the coastal city of Douala, it also extended to Yaoundé and Limbe. In Yaoundé, they had the honour of meeting with the British High Commissioner and Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute of Cameroon. These high-level meetings underscored the importance of religion and the Church’s role in the broader societal framework and the support it garners.
In both Limbe and Yaoundé, the delegation visited several churches, receiving a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the local congregations. The team was able to gain an insight into the local church’s activities and the challenges they face, helping to tailor the support and training offered by the Relay Trust to the specific needs of the Cameroonian context.
Opening of the Bishop’s Court Complex
The other key highlight of the visit was the formal opening of the Bishop’s Court Complex in Douala. This complex is set to become a vital hub for the diocese, housing diocesan offices, a training and retreat centre, accommodation facilities, a music school and studio, life skills training areas, a bookshop, and a clinic that will open soon. The facility is expected to significantly enhance the diocese’s capacity to train leaders, support its congregation, and engage in community outreach.
Conclusion and Prayer Requests
The team’s visit to Cameroon was a great success, and they hope that the workshop will mark the beginning of a new phase for the future of the IPWA. The strategic planning workshop and the opening of the Bishop’s Court Complex are poised to make a lasting impact on the church’s growth and sustainability.
We ask for your prayers as the strategic plans are implemented. Please pray for the church in Cameroon and across West Africa, that they may continue to grow and flourish. Pray for wisdom and guidance for the leaders involved in executing these plans, and for the continued support and engagement of the communities they serve.
