CBC Celebrates Life, Ministry of Outgoing Director of Cooperating Missions
Canadian born, Calvin Hohn has come to the end of his 32 years sojourn to Cameroon and 23 years as Missionary to the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC). He served 14 years of his stay as
North American Baptist Conference (NAB) Field Director to the CBC. The name of this office would change along the line and Calvin Hohn would become the pioneer Director of Cooperating Missions to the CBC. He resigns from this position to return to Canada for health reasons.
During a colourful ceremony to celebrate the life and ministry of the outgoing Director of Cooperating Missions, CBC Executive President (EP), Rev. Dr. Nditemeh Charlemagne rejoiced that Calvin Hohn came to Cameroon as a single and is now leaving with a big family comprising his wife: Susanane and three beautiful daughters: Ysabelle, Elianna and Michelle. The EP joined the Doyen of CBC Directors, Prof. Tih Pius Muffih, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, to wish that one of the Hohn daughters gets married to a Cameroonian to ensure that the family would always come back to Cameroon.
The send-forth ceremony took place on June 16, 2022 at the Baptist Center Main Hall in Bamenda, and attended by CBC Ministry Directors, some Board chair persons, staff of the Baptist Center and friends of the Hohn’s family. CBC Education Secretary, Mr. Nyanganji Job Indi sat in for the CBC Chairman, Mr. Yosibom Mkong John who was unavoidably absent.
Mr. Calvin Hohn was celebrated for the impact he created in the various Ministries of the CBC. In their speeches, the Doyen of CBC Directors and the Executive President highlighted key areas where the NAB through Mr. Hohn fostered growth.
In the CBC Health Services, the hydro electric project and the childhood cancer program in Mbingo Baptist Hospital and the chosen children program that has supported thousands of orphans to receive education and apprenticeship stood out significantly. Restore the Primary Schools project will remain indelible in the mind of the Education Department. In Evangelism and Missions, Calvin Hohn will be remembered for supporting the Fufulde Ministry with the construction of a Center in Allat and missions to the Baka pigmy community in East Cameroon. The Women’s Union will remember him for support to revive the Women’s Ministry at CBTS Ndu and the Home Economic Centers in Mfumte and Lingam. The Men’s Department, for their part, are grateful to the outgoing Director of Cooperating Missions for support at the Retreat Center in Mile 3 Bamenda and the visibility given to the department during the last Biennial Conference by producing pens for all the participants. A similar gesture was done to the Youth and Students’ Department. In addition, Calvin Hohn supported has many young people to get married and transition from being youths into adulthood.
In tears, the in-coming Director of Cooperating Missions, Mrs. Moody Maureen requested for prayers as she gets into what she sees as an over-sized shoes left behind by Mr. Calvin Hohn. Mrs. Moody brought fraternal greetings from the NAB family and wished Calvin Hohn and family well as they return home in Canada. Rev. Dr. Paul Mokake, CBC Director of Evangelism and Missions prayed for the departing family.
In an earlier devotional thought from Ephesians 2 :1-10, Rev. Minang George, CBC Ministerial Council Secretary said, Mr. Calvin Hohn’s 23-year Ministry in the CBC impacted lives for the Kingdom of God. He said our faith must show up in our good works, thus, the need for us to continue to work in righteousness.
Responding to all the speeches and gifts received, Mr. Calvin Hohn thanked the CBC and every individual that has contributed into their lives during their period in Cameroon. “Our lives have material due to our meeting with each and every one of you,” he remarked. Impressed with the number of children he has seen maturing into adults, the outgoing Director of Cooperating Missions admonished the CBC leaders to each identify and mentor one youth into the future. Drawing inspiration from Scriptures, Calvin Hohn admonished the CBC to live together in love.
The Calvin Hohn family suggested that all physical gifts and donation made in their honour should be channeled to one of the following NAB project funds:
Mbingo Child Cancer Fund Account: 452006-405
Cameroon Crisis Relief Fund Account: 452030-907
Restore Primary Schools Account: 471932-907
Donations can be made into these Fund Accounts at any CBC Bursary. If you wish, you can indicate your donation in a note to the Hohns.