This venerated scholar is a product of CPC Bali, CCAST Bambili, Faculty of Protestant Theology Yaounde, Princeton Theological Seminary, USA and the Faculty of Divinity in the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
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Reverence to the Reverend
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I am much saddened by the passing of the Reverend Professor Michael Bame Bame, Pastor and former long serving Dean of the Protestant Faculty of Theology in Yaoundé. He made monumental contributions towards the advancement of the Christian church and the propagation of the Gospel in Cameroon, Africa and beyond.
He was notably Curator of the first English Presbyterian church in Yaoundé, where he left an indelible imprint through the construction of a church, with an innovative architectural design and, which in his vision, was to serve as a befitting place of worship, open to the international and ecumenical needs of the fast growing cosmopolitan capital city of Cameroon. With this in mind, he introduced iconoclastic changes to Presbyterian liturgical practices which were varyingly greeted with appreciation and apprehension.
Similarly, through stringent managerial and pedagogical prowess, he transformed the limping Regional Faculty of Protestant Theology in Yaoundé into a prominent and prestigious institution for training pastors at post-graduate and doctoral levels for churches of the Reformed tradition in Central, West and East Africa, leading to its development today into a full-fledged University.
He will be remembered and revered as a tireless soldier and hero of the Cross who responded not just to the compelling call of the Christian Gospel, but also to the arousing battle cry of George Duffield (1818-88), author of the famous Christian war hymn: “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus”.
The son of a pastor, himself a pastor and Professor of Systematic Theology, as well as author of numerous outstanding works on the Christian life and faith, the Reverend Bame Bame well understood that the uncompromising message of the bible inescapably draws us into conflict with the world. Consequently, he remained impervious to the reactionary onslaught of those disturbed in their comfort by his pastoral drive to comfort the disturbed.
A powerful minister of the word, he used the pulpit at a time of tumultuous social transformations to beam the searing light of the Gospel on a shaky, sneaky, sleazy society, castigating and condemning the predatory pranks of powers and principalities, be they in low or high places, within or without the church.
His sermons were always a tour de force in depth and in fearless frankness, even though he spoke ever so lowly and softly as if to say God alone must be heard loud and strong, not him. He had nothing but open disregard and disdain for anyone who showed signs of compromise or complacency towards the Gospel, and would offer no apologies for what he considered as righteous and holy indignation. Nor was he ever afraid or bothered to stand alone, as long as he was convinced he stood on the solid rock of divine truth.
For those who knew him closely, deny the Reverend Professor Michael Bame Bame all else, but his remarkable passion and courage for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And did C.S. Lewis not say “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point”?
A seasoned intellectual and theologian, trained in Ivy League Princeton University, he inspired both awe and admiration. But he will be chiefly remembered as a passionate and proverbial prince of the pulpit, arguably very Wesleyan in his penchant for purity and perfection, with a suitable touch of C.S. Lewis’ wondrous witticism and wisdom.
Such was his pulpit presence, pulpit punches and pulpit persuasion, that even those who could not fully comprehend his academically charged sermons confessed conviction and faith through the sheer melody and resonance of his captivating voice and the hallow of holiness that seemingly surrounded him. It is thus that after preaching one of his soul stirring sermons at the Ntamulung Presbyterian church, an elderly unschooled mother reportedly complimented him after the service in these words in pidgin English: “ Ma piking, I no yah one ting wei you talk, but I know sei all ting wei you talk, na true”
As we celebrate the life and legacy of this servant of the Lord, some will certainly recall with relish memories of his stature, strengths and successes; others will rush to raise the red flag on his human frailties, foibles and failings. Whatever the case, all are pedagogically profitable as pegs and pointers to the rest of us, pilgrims, on a common pathway. The sovereign God of the Ages uses the whole person, not just part, to accomplish His sovereign purposes. In his unsearchable wisdom, He puts the sharp blade of the sword on a blunt hilt, without blunting the sharpness of the sword thereof.
May the resounding echoes of Pastor Bame Bame’s voice in our hearts be transformed into the very dew of heaven, watering the seed of the Word he planted, so it may grow and flourish, enabling us to bear in our own lives the rich harvest of righteousness and love. For we must never forget that, in all our struggles and strife, true victory remains with love.
Dear Reverend Professor Michael Bame Bame, today is not your day of death. It is your day of life and light eternal; your day of rest and gladness. May the king of glory and the God of grace visit you with His salvation and sanctify all that you accomplished for His kingdom here on earth. May that same God, our Rock and Redeemer, cleanse you of all stains and shortcomings and keep you safe, as you sleep in wait for the rapture; and may He grant you the joy of rising with the wise on resurrection morning.
Glory be to Him who loved us,
Washed us from each spot and stain,
Glory be to Him who bought us,
Made us kings with Him to reign,
Glory, Glory,
To the Lamb that once was slain.
- (Horatius Bonar, 1818-89)
Solomon Azoh-Mbi
(CameroonHigh Commissioner to Canada)
This tribute is long overdue:
I was baptised by Pastor Bame Bame at the Presbyterian Church Bastos in April 1988. He was a humble and soft spoken man. A knowledgable teacher and a true servant of God.
As young as I was then (about 18 years old), I trusted his judgement enough to go to him for advice and prayers.
One day, I was restless and my soul was troubled but I mustered courage and went to him with a rather unusual request. I wanted him to pray that God should help me to leave Yaounde which according to me and my circumstances at the time was hell on earth, so I thought. He told me my prayer request was childish and ungodly. He asked why I badly wanted to leave Yaounde and what would happen with my studies? I had no answers for him but then I asked him to pray for an even more unsual prayer request "that God should speak to me". He looked at me smiled and obliged. We knelt down in his office and prayed for God to speak to me and God did! Later that night I was awoken by a firm, gentle, loving, kind and unmistaken voice that said: "Godlove, Godlove do not leave Yaounde" God had spoken to me through Pastor Bame Bame as I and most people fondly referred to him.
I obeyed and later that year, 1990, I passed my Ordinary Level Certificate through evenning classes after only 3 years of studies and left yaounde thereby cementing a firm foundation for future success.
Passing the Ordinary level as simple as it may sound was and remains the most important successful event in my life. It was my happiest and proudest Moment. I would have messed up my entire life had I not obeyed and stayed on.
Today, I am married with 3 kids, I hold a Masters in Business administration (MBA) degree from Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom and run a successful business. I have emmancipated several of my sibblings and others and contributed in building the Presbyterian Church in my village, Befang. Glory be to God.
Pastor Bame Bame's memory, his gentle and meek ways, his works and legacy will linger and endure forever. I have no doubt that he is seated at the right Hand of God the Father Almighty.
May his Soul rest in peace
____________________
Godlove Bezeng Kum
kum@envision-int.co.za
Johannesburg, South Africa
