By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Baptist Convention Sierra Leone on Sunday, April 26, 2026, held a historic inauguration ceremony at Loko Baptist Church on Circular Road in Freetown, formally installing Rev. Dr. Samuel Gerald Alimamy Kargbo as Executive President and Head of Mission, while marking the end of a decade-long tenure by outgoing President Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Fornah.
The ceremony attracted a cross-section of prominent religious leaders, including Rev. Dr. Francis A.M. Mambu, Bishop Benjamin B. Bangura, Rev. Henry A.A.S. Samuels and Rev. Dr. Samuel Reeves Jr. of Liberia, alongside church members, partners and invited guests who witnessed the formal transition of leadership within the Convention.
In a farewell address, Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Fornah expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve over a ten-year period, highlighting key milestones achieved under his leadership. Significant investments in human capacity development, pastoral training and medical support for clergy and laypersons were outlined, with over 55 rural pastors benefiting from monthly support, several receiving certificate-level training, nine sponsored for master’s degrees and others supported through partial academic assistance.
Attention was also drawn to welfare interventions that included medical assistance for pastors and lay members, disaster response support, retirement packages for church leaders and funeral assistance for bereaved families. Institutional reforms were equally emphasized, notably the securing of Convention lands, the establishment of a fixed asset register and the valuation of properties as part of efforts to strengthen governance structures.
Infrastructure development formed another pillar of the outgoing administration, with references made to construction and renovation projects, fencing of Convention lands in Lunsar, solarization of the Conference Centre, procurement of generators and the upgrading of the Baptist Eye Hospital. Strengthened local and international partnerships were also credited for enhancing operational capacity and expanding the Convention’s reach.
Spiritual growth, Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Fornah noted, remained central to leadership throughout the tenure, sustained through prayer, fasting, revival programmes and consistent biblical teaching. Appreciation was extended to church boards, committees, clergy, congregations, development partners and family members for their collective support. Reflection on leadership was described as a divine calling requiring humility, resilience and unwavering faith, alongside the announcement of a new leadership selection framework involving a Search Committee and affirmation at the Annual Convention.
Delivering the sermon, Rev. Dr. Samuel Reeves Jr., President of the Liberia Missionary Educational Convention, spoke on the theme: “The Celebration of Titles and Towels: Serving God Faithfully with the Spirit of Grace,” emphasizing that leadership is defined by sustained service and obedience rather than ceremonial recognition. A caution was issued against superficial leadership, with strong emphasis placed on the need for deep spiritual foundations to withstand pressure and maintain public trust.
Encouragement was extended to the incoming leadership to remain steadfast in faith and guided by purpose rather than popularity, while acknowledging that leadership challenges are inevitable but must not derail commitment to service. The role of grace in sustaining ministry, particularly under pressure and limited resources, was also highlighted, alongside a call for unity and support within the Convention.
In an inaugural address, Rev. Dr. Samuel Gerald Alimamy Kargbo described the new role as a divine assignment, recalling an earlier invitation to leadership more than a decade ago which was declined at the time due to a belief that the moment was not divinely appointed. Experience gained as Principal of the Evangelical College of Theology over seven years was cited as preparation for the current responsibility.
Gratitude was expressed for the confidence reposed in the new leadership, alongside a commitment to lead with integrity, humility and prayer. Recognition was also given to the support of family, particularly a spouse, in accepting the responsibility. A four-point leadership agenda centred on Consolidation, Improvement, Expansion and Sustainability was unveiled, with consolidation aimed at strengthening structures, promoting unity and ensuring doctrinal integrity across the Convention.
Tribute was paid to Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Fornah for laying a strong institutional foundation, while the improvement pillar was described as focusing on strengthening leadership capacity, restructuring systems where necessary and enhancing training for pastors and church leaders. Emphasis was placed on grassroots leadership as essential for sustainable growth, alongside a call for unity among members to advance shared goals and secure long-term stability for future generations.
Rev. Dr. Samuel Gerald Alimamy Kargbo concluded by reaffirming a commitment to faith-driven leadership and urged members to support the transformation agenda with dedication and unity. The ceremony signaled the beginning of a new chapter for the Baptist Convention Sierra Leone, with expectations of strengthened cohesion, institutional growth and expanded mission work across the country.
