Pastor Rick E. McEdward, General Conference Executive Secretary, praised Cameroon’s protection of religious freedom during a visit linked to the Secretariat Council held in Yaoundé from May 24 to 31, 2026. The meeting gathered the 13 Union Executive Secretaries of the West-Central Africa Division, coordinated by Pastor Vincent-Roger Samé.
The protection of Religious Freedom by the Cameroonian government was one of the major points that drew the attention of Pastor Rick E. McEdward, Executive Secretary of the General Conference. He made this observation during a visit to Cameroon in connection with the Secretariat Council held in Yaoundé from May 24 to 31, 2026. The meeting brought together the 13 Executive Secretaries of the Unions within the West-Central Africa Division (WAD), under the coordination of Pastor Vincent-Roger Samé, Executive Secretary of the WAD.
Pastor Rick E. McEdward receives honors
During his stay in Cameroon, Pastor Rick E. McEdward was received by several government authorities, including Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Secretary-General of the Presidency, a close collaborator of the President of the Republic; Martin Mbarga Nguelé, Delegate General for National Security (Chief of Police); and the Technical Adviser No. 2 of the Ministry of Finance, representing the Minister who was unavailable.
In his discussions with these officials, Pastor Rick E. McEdward highlighted the contribution of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to the development of Cameroon since 1926 when the first evangelists arrived in this country. As the Church celebrates its centennial, the Executive Secretary of the General Conference encouraged members to use their personal influence at home, within their communities, and in their workplaces to share the message of Jesus.
