Living The Gospel Of Peace: 1,000 Voices To Enrapture Yaounde At NACOMEC 2026

In a resounding testament to the power of faith and choral discipline, the National Combined English Language Choir, NACOMEC of the Cameroon Baptist Convention, CBC is preparing to descend upon Cameroon’s capital city this weekend. On April 25, 2026, the Etoug-Ebe Baptist Church, Yaounde will play host to nearly 1,000 choristers for a grand concert themed “Living The Gospel Of Peace.”
The event, which begins at 3:00 PM, is more than just a musical performance; it is the culmination of a three-day General Assembly and a decade of explosive growth under the leadership of National Coordinator, Mr. Henry Yoniwo.

11 Years Ago
Since taking the baton from the pioneer Coordinator, Hon. Etombi Gladys Ikome, in April 2015, Henry Yoniwo has overseen a period of unprecedented expansion. What began in 2003 with a modest group of 60 voices has blossomed into a national powerhouse with nearly 2,000 registered members.
“In 2015, our membership was about 600,” Yoniwo shared during an interview with Cameroon Tribune. “Today, we have close to 2,000 committed choristers nationwide. For the Yaounde event, we expect about 1,000 to be present, as many are travelling from across the country to participate in both the concert and our legislative General Assembly.”

The Music Literacy Initiative
One of the most significant shifts, started by Hon. Etombi Gladys Ikome and continued under Yoniwo’s 11-year tenure, has been the professionalization of church music. NACOMEC has moved beyond simple rehearsals to become a training ground for music literacy. Over the last decade, the organization has trained approximately 1,000 choristers - not just from the CBC, but from other denominations in Cameroon.
This training is centralized at the NACOMEC Music Centre in Buea, managed in partnership with Ebenezer Baptist Church, Great Soppo. The centre serves as a hub for:
•    Vocal Training: Refining the "instrument" of the voice for higher quality praise.
•    Instrumental Mastery: Professional instruction in guitar and piano specifically for liturgical settings.
•    Music Theory: Ensuring choristers can read and interpret hymns as they were originally composed.

“Church worship is different from the secular world,” Yoniwo explained. “In church, we sing to worship and adore God. We sing hymns the way they were written, while worshippers are ministered to by the Holy Spirit. In the secular world, music often serves the ego or emotions; in the church, it serves the Almighty.”

The Gospel In Action
The 2026 gathering is not confined to the walls of Etoug-Ebe Baptist Church, Yaounde - where NACOMEC has been rehearsing. On April 23 and 24, 2026, the choir engages in extensive community outreach, embodying their theme of "Peace." The itinerary includes a visit to the Cardinal Paul Émile Léger National Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Etoug-Ebe, as well as visits to an orphanage , some elderly sick Christians and Internally Displaced Persons of Etoug-Ebe Baptist, Church, Yaounde.

Towards The Silver Jubilee
As the choir prepares for the 2026 concert, the General Assembly will also turn its eyes toward the future. Discussions are set to begin regarding the Silver Jubilee celebration in 2028, marking 25 years since the choir's inception.
“We are thinking well ahead,” says Yoniwo. “Each time we meet, we socialize and fellowship, but we also strategize. The concert is the proof of the work we do behind the scenes.”

Event Details And Patronage
The concert, which is free to the public, will be held under the high patronage of Prof. Linda Yang and the husband, His Excellency Philemon Yang. Organizers have emphasized that the event will conclude promptly by 6:30 PM to allow choristers - many of whom have travelled from distant regions - to return home in time for Sunday morning services in their local congregations.
As the voices of 1,000 choristers rise in unison this Saturday, the message of NACOMEC remains clear: through quality music and a commitment to peace, the Gospel continues to find a vibrant, melodic home in the heart of Cameroon.

The Music ...