Born in 1935, Rev. Dr. Paul Ewome, a native of Mamou village in Fako Division, stands today at 91 years of age as one of the most towering patriarchs of the Pentecotal Movement in Cameroon. He is not only counted among its earliest pioneers but is uniquely distinguished as the first recorded convert of the German missionary Apostle Werner Knorr, through whom FGM was birthed in Cameroon.
In June 1961, the Full Gospel Mission was officially established in Cameroon by Apostle Werner Knorr and his wife Helga,.That same year, unusually heavy rains delayed the launch of public evangelistic campaigns. As a result, Apostle Knorr embarked on extensive exploratory journeys in his Land Rover, travelling across villages, observing the terrain, and intentionally building relationships with local communities.
It was during one such providential visit to Mamou village that Apostle Knorr encountered young Ewome Paul in his office. Between July and August 1961, the missionary invited him to Buanda Camp, where he ministered the Word. That encounter marked the beginning of a historic spiritual journey, not only for Ewome Paul, but for the future of FGM Cameroon itself.
In December 1961, Apostle Knorr organised an evangelistic campaign in Mamou village. After three days of intense meetings, a baptism was held on the fourth day, a Saturday, during which over thirty people were baptised. Even before this baptism, Ewome Paul had already taken responsibility by securing a house where the church could meet, demonstrating early leadership initiative and spiritual foresight.
In the months that followed, Ewome Paul was among those who united to plan and work towards building a permanent church structure. In those formative days, there were no formally appointed pastors, so he naturally filled the gap, serving as the preacher of the Mamou Church, while maintaining accountability by submitting financial reports to the supervising pastor in Ekona.
This arrangement continued until he was formally ordained as an elder, although the people already referred to him as “Pastor” long before the title was officially conferred. In 1968, in clear response to the call of God, he resigned from his secular employment at the Ekona Research Centre and entered full-time ministry. He was officially sent to serve in Bakundu Foe, marking the beginning of decades of sacrificial pastoral labour.
Over the course of more than four decades, Rev. Dr. Paul Ewome served faithfully within the ranks of the Full Gospel Mission, functioning in multiple capacities, as a pastor, district leader, mentor, and administrator. He later became especially noted for his service as a District Pastor in Buea, where he oversaw multiple congregations. His ministry became widely respected for its fatherly wisdom, emphasis on sound doctrine, and commitment to unity within the Body of Christ.
Beyond FGM, he also participated in interdenominational ministerial unity efforts, including early involvement in the formation of the Gospel Ministers’ Forum (GMF) in the Buea area, reflecting his heart for cooperation rather than competition among church leaders.
Today, though long retired from active pastoral administration, Rev. Dr. Paul Ewome continues to serve quietly yet weightily as a member of the Council of the Wise, a body made up of pioneering fathers of FGM entrusted with doctrinal, moral, and spiritual oversight of the mission.
He currently resides in Buea, where he is lovingly cared for by another FGM veteran, Rev. Ngalle, whose story will also be told in due course. To the younger generation, his life reminds the Church that before structures, titles, and expansion, God looks for men who will say yes at the beginning, and remain faithful to the end.
Rev Bobbs Lyonga Elive
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