06/10/2026
Meet Rev. Fongoh Godwin, a chaplain serving with the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) Health Services at Ekoumdoum Baptist Hospital in Yaounde.
Pastor Godwin as he is fondly called, was born in Jinkfuin in 1977. He has worked for the CBC Health Services since 2012 and also serves his local Baptist congregation as pastor especially Kenelare Prayer Group, in Bamenda, Ndzinji Prayer group in Kumbo and in Charis Community Baptist Church, Ntaghem, Bamenda in many church-related capacities as assigned by the Senior Pastor.
Pastor Fongoh grew up in Jinkfuin in the then North West Province and began his primary education at G.S. Jinkfuin which he ended up obtaining his FSLC in G.S. Ebubu in Tombel Sub-Division, in the South West Province at the time. He later studied at Unity Comprehensive High School, Tombel where he obtained his O’Levels in 1995. He studied Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics (S3) in CCAS Kumba and obtained his A’Levels in 1997.
“I chose to become a chaplain because I came to recognize that God was leading me toward hospital chaplaincy during the summer unit of the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in the Philippines which profoundly transformed my understanding of ministry and exposed me to the sacred privilege of accompanying patients and families through some of life’s most difficult and intimate moments” Pastor Godwin explains.
“My experiences during the CPE training and subsequent orientation at Banso Baptist Hospital confirmed this calling and helped me realize that chaplaincy allows me to combine my love for God, pastoral ministry, and compassionate care by bringing hope, comfort, and spiritual support to people in times of illness, suffering, crisis, and loss. Today, I believe I am where God has called me to be, and I am committed to serving patients, families, and healthcare staff faithfully as a hospital chaplain by providing compassionate, non-judgmental, and holistic spiritual care to all in need” he clarifies.
Following the completion of his high school studies, he served with the Organization for Sustainable Rural Infrastructure (OSRI) and RUMPI Project, he later answering God’s call to full time Pastoral Ministry and went on to Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (PBTS), Baguio, Philippines for theological training where he studied from 2009 to 2011 and graduated with a Bachelor of Theology degree.
As a chaplain and Marriage and Family Therapist, at Ekoumdoum Baptist Hospital, his role is to provide holistic care by addressing the spiritual, emotional, relational and family needs of patients, their families and healthcare staff, while collaborating with the multidisciplinary healthcare team and making appropriate referrals when specialized care is required.
Pastor Godwin says that the most satisfying part about his job as a hospital chaplain is the privilege of being present with patients in their moments of fear, pain, uncertainty, and vulnerability, and seeing how his presence, his listening, prayer and encouragement bring them comfort, hope and a renewed sense of connection with God. He finds deep fulfillment in knowing that God can use him to touch the lives of patients, families, and staff—not only through words, but simply through giving them his time, care, attention, and compassionate presence. At the same time, these encounters have transformed him personally, deepening his faith, expanding his understanding of people from different backgrounds and continually teaching him humility, empathy and the value of self-reflection. His greatest satisfaction, he explains, is knowing that through his presence and ministry, someone who is hurting does not have to face that difficult moment alone.
Pastor Godwin equally states that, as rewarding as chaplaincy services are, they can be very draining over time. He explains that one of the greatest challenges he faces is dealing with sensitive situations. He often encounters difficult conversations with patients facing critical illness, end-of-life decisions, grief and trauma, which require strong crisis intervention skills.
He further states that another challenge he faces is dealing with personal stress. He notes that chaplaincy services can, at times, lead to significant emotional strain, including burnout and compassion fatigue, thereby requiring effective self-care practices to manage these challenges.
When he is not working at the hospital, he takes pleasure in spending time with his family, reading, singing, and playing football.
Pastor Godwin has one biological daughter and has mentored hundreds of young Baptist youth in the course of his years-long career. He is a man of faith known for his humility, camaraderie and jovial spirit.
