REVIVALIST BERNARD ETTA – The Man Who Turned the City of Bamenda Upside Down
The early 2000s was a season of spiritual awakening, during which one name reverberated across Pentecostal circles in the North West Region of Cameroon and beyond, Revivalist Bernard Etta. This man, then in the formative years of his adult life, became an instrument through whom God altered the spiritual ecosystem of Bamenda.
The ministry birthed in that season, Redemption Family, drew multitudes, some of whom were not strangers to Pentecostal doctrine; yet what they had known largely in theory, they now encountered in power and practice. It was, for many, a reconversion of conviction, hunger, and consecration.
Branches spread across the city and beyond. There were daily gatherings, sustained for years, marked by discipline, sacrifice, and uncommon devotion. Miracles and testimonies accompanied the Word, confirming that this was not the labour of flesh, but a visitation of God.
As with every authentic move of the Spirit, opposition arose. Labels were applied, prosperity preacher, builder on other men’s labour, yet history has taught us that revival is rarely welcomed by religious comfort, because apostolic disruption exposes settled systems.
Dr. Bernard Etta’s apostolic journey began long before the crowds. He encountered Christ in 1984 under the True Church of God. He later served within the Full Gospel Mission, labouring as a church planter and revivalist. In 1995, he stepped fully into God’s call, and in 1996 he entered a crucial season of apostolic exposure in Nigeria for three formative years.
Upon his return, he stepped into the most visible phase of his ministry. Revivalist Bernard Etta ministered with commanding attention. The revival produced men and women who remain, to this day, burning and committed to the gospel.
In 2006, Redemption Family Church transitioned into Nation Builders International (NBI). To the carnal observer, it appeared as deviation. To the discerning, it was a shift of phase.
No revival is eternal in form. As the Lord revealed to Kenneth E. Hagin, every genuine calling unfolds in multiple seasons and expressions. This transition marked a movement from gathering crowds to building systems that influence nations.
Here lies a critical lesson for the upcoming generation: do not confuse transition with failure, and do not idolise one season of God’s work at the expense of the next. Like Philip, be willing to obey God, even when obedience costs popularity.
Today, Dr. Bernard Etta serves as President of Nation Builders International and founder of Global Faith Coalition. He holds a Doctorate in Human Resource Development and a Doctor of Divinity and Leadership, and has authored over 60 books.
His recognition as the 3rd Most Influential Anglophone Cameroonian (2003) and recipient of the Black Essence Award (2013) testifies to the societal reach of his calling.
From his life, young ministers must understand the law of transition in ministry seasons. Not every open door is a divine release, and the applause of men is not proof of approval. Remain where God has stationed you until He signals transition to a new phase.
Rev. Bobbs Lyonga Elive
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