REMAIN FOCUSED ON MISSION, VISION, AND STRATEGY – PASTOR UDOH

 

 

By Ekpor Temple

Just hours after his historic election as president of the West-Central Africa Division (WAD), Pastor (Prof.) Bassey E. O. Udoh delivered a pointed and passionate message to members across the division that set the tone for a focused, united, and purposeful administration under his leadership.

Speaking during his first official interview at the ongoing General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, the clergy encouraged members to remain steadfast on the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the church. He made it clear that his presidency would be one driven by purpose, discipline, and focus on God’s mandate.

“Sincerely, I wasn’t expecting to be elected as the president, but God has a designed purpose for His church. God has brought us to this point in time to realign the church in West Central Africa with His divine mission.

He called on members across the 22-country WAD territory: Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Mali, etc, to recommit to the church’s vision of proclaiming the everlasting gospel with power and relevance.

 “This is not the time for distractions or detours; we must return to the blueprint, the 2025-2030 strategic plans that God has given us through His remnant church. Our focus must be clear: total membership involvement, intentional discipleship, and mission advancement,” Pastor Udoh stated.

The newly elected leader, the first from Eastern Nigeria to occupy the WAD presidency, is seen by many as a symbol of spiritual depth, academic excellence, and mission passion. A native of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Pastor (Prof.) Bassey E. O. Udoh is widely esteemed for his profound theological insight, mission-centered leadership, and a lifelong legacy of mentoring and ministry.

His journey of service within the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been marked by humility, vision, and excellence. Prior to his election as president of the West-Central Africa Division, he served with distinction as president of the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference. His previous roles include executive secretary of the union and Eket District leader at the Akwa-Ibom Conference, among other strategic leadership assignments that have shaped his reputation as a transformational leader.

Members from across Nigeria and the broader WAD territory have taken to various platforms to express joy and gratitude for what is being celebrated as a prophetic fulfillment.

“We rejoice in this historic development. God has remembered His church in the East. This is not just a win for Nigeria, but for mission advancement across Africa, a spokesperson from the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference.

 “This is God’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Nigeria has given birth to a leader for the continent, a jubilant delegate from the region opines.

“I think Pastor Udoh's presidency will bring a fresh wave of revival, evangelistic energy, and institutional development within the Adventist Church in West Africa. This is envisioned because of his intellectual humility, pastoral heart, and clarity of vision; many believe his leadership will elevate mission collaboration across the continent, a top world leader avers.

His leadership comes with great expectations, as the church enters a new quinquennium marked by an urgent call to broaden its frontiers of influence, deepen spiritual growth, and confront socio-political and economic realities across the territory of the West-Central Africa Division.