By Foday Moriba Conteh
In fulfilling their customary mandate to inaugurate/induct leaders into offices for which they have been elected or selected to serve, the Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone (BCSL) on the 24th October 2021, inaugurated Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Fornah as Executive President & Head of Mission and Rev. Titus A.S. Kamara as Vice President of the Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone on the theme: “Vessels for Honorable Service” during an auspicious event held at the Loko Baptist Church on Circular Road in Freetown.
In his declaration of purpose address, the Executive Secretary of the Baptist Convention Sierra Leone, Deacon Abu-Bakr B. Turay, informed the audience that in line with the BCSL Revised Constitution of 2021, an Evaluation Report on the performance of the Executive President was presented by the BCSL Executive Committee during a special delegates convention held on Saturday, 16th January 2021 at the Loko Baptist Church Circular Road in Freetown of which he noted that the Delegates from all BCSL constituted local Churches and Fellowships who were in session unanimously approved the recommendation from the Executive Committee for the current Executive President and Head of Mission Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Fornah to continue his second term of office for another 5 years period instantly.
On behalf of the BCSL Executive Committee and entire Convention, he however submit for presentation to all the Right Rev Dr. Joseph S Fornah as duly re-elected Executive President & Head of Mission on his second term in office and also Rev. Titus A.S. Kamara as the newly elected substantive Vice President of the BCSL.
Delivering his Inaugural address, the Executive President & Head of Mission of theBaptist Convention Sierra Leone, Rev Dr. Joseph S Fornah described the gathering as another red letter day in the history of the BCSL as they witnessed a well-planned and organized inaugural service for the President and Vice President of the Convention.
On behalf of his able Vice President, he noted that they whole heartedly accept the confidence and responsibility reposed in them to provide both spiritual and administrative leadership for the BCSL within the next five years of their leadership, God being their helper.
“I want to take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the Executive Committee, the Search Committee and the entire BCSL membership for giving us such great responsibilities and privileges to serve you .I pray that we will not disappoint you but will perform beyond your expectations by the special grace of God,” he expressed appreciation.
He continued that during his first time in office as Executive President, he saw the mighty hand of God moving and doing marvelous things in the BCSL, adding that irrespective of the many challenges they went through as a Convention they were able to achieve the following things which include:Nine churches which existed for years without pastoral leadership were supplied with pastors through what they called negotiated transfer, over 50 pastors, teachers and leaders were capacitated with education awarding them certificates, diplomas, some at the baccalaureate and postgraduate levels through the BTS, TECT, CCMP and Teacher training colleges right across the country, two new mission fields were established in Kailuhun and Kamakwie and more to come, the BCSL administrative office in Freetown was well refurbished with modern facilities and equipment that aided the effectiveness and efficiency of the BCSL work, the BCSL headquarter land in Lunsar, 21.8 acres was redeemed on freehold.
Other properties of BCSL have also been secured in other parts of the country and that the three fourth of the perimeter fencing of the 21.8 acre land in Lunsar almost done, Forty KVA generator presently installed in Lunsar and two more big generators on their way to Sierra Leone etc.
He revealed that all these achievements emanated as a result of the support and cooperation of BCSL local Churches, Area Associations, Pastors, partners, friends and supporters of the BSCL who gave their time, talents, and resources generously towards the growth of the BCSL of which he used the opportunity to applaud them for their support and also called on them to continue their support to the BCSL whenever the need arises so that they can take the Convention to the next level.
He disclosed that the returning of the Headquarters to Lunsar by 2024 when BCSL will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee by the grace of God will play a dominate role in his second term in office, furthering that a design has already been put in place to erect a three-story multipurpose building which will host the office and other facilities and that the Project will be launched early next year January 2022 God willing.
“Your unflinching support, cooperation and prayers are needed for this great project. BCSL should celebrate her Golden Jubilee in that building God willing. I therefore, want to grave your indulgence to give us your untainted, unflinching, unwavering, undisputable support to achieve these dreams for the BCSL. It is either now or never,” he concluded.
