The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC has officially installed Rev. Mrs. Uso Theresa Bendzeh as its new National Secretary for Women’s Work, with the church leadership charging her to use her new office to strengthen unity, deepen faith and expand the impact of women’s ministry across the denomination.
The institution and induction ceremony, held during a divine service on April 26 at PC Ntamulung in Bamenda, drew a large congregation that included senior church leaders, departmental heads, national, regional and presbytery executives, civil and traditional authorities, alongside hundreds of worshippers and well wishers from across Cameroon and the diaspora.
Presiding over the service, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Rt. Rev. Miki Hans Abia, centred his sermon on the theme, “In a Little While: Making the Most of Our Time.”
Using John 16 as his scriptural anchor, the Moderator said leadership is a temporary assignment that must be approached with urgency, discipline and purpose.
“Time is one of the most important gifts in our possession and it is also the most irrevocable,” he told the congregation. “When time is past, time is gone.”
He warned church workers against wasting seasons of opportunity, noting that difficult moments should not become excuses for inaction.
“Do not waste your season because it is difficult. Do not abandon your responsibility because it is demanding. Do not despise your moment because it is imperfect,” he said.
Directly addressing Rev. Mrs. Uso Bendzeh, the Moderator described her appointment as a sacred responsibility rather than a ceremonial title.
“This office is not simply a title. It is a season. It is not merely a recognition. It is stewardship,” he said.
He urged her to use the office to strengthen women in faith, promote unity among women in the church, mentor younger women and support older members of the Christian Women Fellowship.
“Use it prayerfully, use it humbly, use it wisely, use it courageously and above all use it in a way that will bring glory to God,” the Moderator charged.
He also used the occasion to commend women in the church for what he described as their often unseen sacrifices.
“The women continue to carry a great part of the life and witness of our church,” he said, describing them as the backbone of the denomination through prayer, service, organisation and giving.
The Moderator further praised the Women’s Work Department for its ongoing national secretariat project, describing it as a symbol of discipline, vision and sacrifice.
“That building shows that you are not only praying women, but you are working women,” he said.
The formal induction followed after Rev. Mrs. Uso Bendzeh’s biography was read by the Synod Clerk of the PCC, Rev. Ayuk Solomon Eta.
Her career journey reflects years of service across several PCC institutions. She served as chaplain at Acha Bafoussam Health Complex and associate pastor in the West Presbytery District in 2019 before moving to PC Simeyong in East Mungo North Presbytery. She later srved as parish pastor at PC Buea Station, and Presbytery Secretary for Mezam South Presbytery. In June 2024, she was appointed National Secretary for Women’s Work and in June 2025 was named support pastor of PC Ntaghem.
She has also represented the PCC at international forums including programmes organised by the All Africa Conference of Churches, UN Women workshops in Uganda and Kenya, and church meetings in Ghana.
During the induction rite, Rev. Theresa Bendzeh raised her right hand and pledged to carry out her ministry “faithfully and responsibly” before receiving the right hand of fellowship from the Moderator, officially marking her assumption of office as the seventh National Secretary of the Women’s Work Department.
She succeeds a line of leaders including Sr. Maria Schlenker, Ma Grace Eneme, Ma Elizabeth Lena Gana, Ma Ngeh Beatrice, Rev. Mrs. Mary Ekinde Salle and Rev. Geraldine Fobang.
In an emotional thanksgiving speech, Rev. Mrs. Uso Bendzeh reflected on her journey and described the appointment as deeply humbling.
“See how far God has brought us,” she said. “Only Yahweh could have made it possible.”
She paid tribute to former leaders of the department, saying her task was to build on foundations already laid.
“Leadership is simply continuity. We are just trying to add our quota,” she said.
She also acknowledged family members, church leaders and international guests who travelled from the United States, Europe, South Africa and other countries to witness the occasion.
Closing the service, Rt. Rev. Miki Hans Abia thanked worshippers for their endurance through what he described as a demanding week of church activities in the North West Region and urged Presbyterians to remain committed to the church.
“Let us support the church. Let us defend our church,” he said.
The ceremony formally handed Rev. Mrs. Uso Theresa Bendzeh the responsibility of leading one of the PCC’s most influential departments at a time when the church says women remain central to its spiritual and institutional growth.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web
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