As the ongoing anglophone crisis persist, apart from the sociopolitical and economic hardship being faced by the population, the religious sector is also bearing the brunt. Churches in the remote areas are being emptied by the crisis as the population relocates to urban areas that are now safer.
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| Scanty Sunday Church Service in P.C Bessi Fomukong Congregation |
Bessi Fomukong village, located about some 5 kilometres from Mbengwi central town, chief town of Momo Division in the North West region is today getting underdeveloped because of high rural urban migration. It's Presbyterian Church in the Meta Presbytery that used to have hundreds of Christians during Sunday services can barely boast of 100 chistains these days, most of whom are the elderly and children that should've been going to school. But while many Christians are relocating, there are pastors that have vowed to stay back no matter what.
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| New Church House Construction Project for the Congregation |
Rev. Njigeh Mbanwi Jonathan, pastor of Sang/Mbengeghang Parish, Meta presbytery says he prefers serving God in such remote areas because he moves, talks and eats with the people on daily basis and is facing the crisis with them, suffering together with them but he believes God will see them through. Shepherding God's flock in the suburbs isn't a bed of roses. "I can't say there's no headache. In fact if there are no obstacles put on my way by my Christians, I'll sleep and because of these challenges, I'm pushed to do more research and investigation and to stand firm because it's through huddles that one is built up to stand firm" the pastor said. While many men of God have been seeking transfer from the insecured hinterlands to safer urban areas, pastor Mbanwi Jonathan is rather contented where he is. Hear him, "I'm very contented to be here. I know where ever God sends me, he has a special message for me to deliver to the people of the area. So long as there are people in the area, even if it's just one person, I know God has a plan for me. That's why I'm satisfied being here"
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| Rev. Njigeh Mbanwi Jonathan, Pastor, Sang/Mbengeghang Parish, Meta Presbytery |
As a result of the internal displacement, there's also been a drop in offertory and harvest thanksgiving yet despite the economic hardship, the few chistains left are still braving the odds to meet up with their church contributions. The Christian Women Fellowship (C.W.F) of Bessi Fomukong congregation forexample on Sunday October 13th 2019 raised over 130.000Frs via harvest thanksgiving, far above the 90.000Frs target they had. The congregation has even engaged in a multi-million project to construct a new church house. It is for this reason that the fon of Bessi Fomukong village, H.R.H Fomukong Wilfred is encouraging all his subjects to support the project. In his voice, "They should know that despite the ongoing crisis, we've struggled to put up a structure for the church but now since there are no more Christians, we are pleading to each and every Bessi Fomukong son and daughter outside to support us so that we roof the church and continue with the finishing."
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| Current Church House, P.C Bessi Fomukong Congregation |
The crisis has let to many palaces being deserted. The Meta clan in Mbengwi has 31 palaces and more than half of the fons have abandoned their palaces and are now IDPs. But just like the pastor, the fon of Bessi too has decided to stay back with his few remaining subjects. "I've not escaped because since I'm the ruler of the people, I can't go and allow them to stay alone. I must stay here in the village with them" the fon said. He's currently mobilising his subjects for community work to be carried out in the village that will involve villagers coming out to clear all roadsides in all quarters after which he plans to relaunch the weekly market in his Bessi Fomukong village known as "Kwe" market. He ended by encouraging all his subjects out of the village to feel free to return home at any time since there's calm and serenity reigning. In his words, the village is fine.
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| H.R.H Fomukong Wilfred, Fon of Bessi Fomukong village, Meta Clan, Mbengwi |
After the recent holding of the Grand National Dialogue that was ordered by the Head of State, many now look forth to a quick end to the crisis so that villagers can return to resume normal life and shutdown schools reopened so that the lost pride of the Anglophones, education, can be revived.
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