The organization of training and awareness-raising seminars for young Baptist Christians on safeguarding biodiversity and combating desertification in Yaoundé, followed by a concrete tree-planting project in the Far North of Cameroon. 

Title: "Gardons la Création: Jeunes Baptistes Engagés pour la Biodiversité et la Lutte contre la Désertification" (Let's Keep Creation: Young Baptists Committed to Biodiversity and the Fight against Desertification)

1. Motivation 

God's creation is a precious gift, and every human being has a responsibility to protect it. However, biodiversity is threatened by deforestation, pollution and climate change. Desertification, particularly in the north of Cameroon, is having disastrous consequences for the environment and people. As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of creation and to act to safeguard it.

Biblical responsibility Genesis 1:28, 2:15 call us to " fill the earth and subdue it "and Genesis 2:15 " the Lord God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it ". This means caring for creation and preserving it for future generations.

Impact of climate change Young people are particularly concerned by the consequences of climate change. It is essential to raise their awareness and involve them in concrete actions to combat this phenomenon.

Youth solidarity in North Cameroon The populations of North Cameroon are hard hit by desertification. It's our duty to support them and help restore their environment.

2. Objectives 

Raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and the challenges of desertification among young people from all walks of life, regardless of denomination or religion. 

Train young people in environmentally-friendly practices and techniques to combat desertification. 

Mobilize young people for a concrete tree-planting project in North Cameroon. 

Create a network of young Christians committed to saving biodiversity. 

Involve religious, political and traditional authorities in the program. 

3. Date of activity 

Training and awareness seminars in Yaoundé for young people: Saturday April 13, 2024 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at UPAC. Three speakers: Dr Marcel NGIRINSHUTI, Pierre YOUGOUDA and Samuel Noël NYAME BEYIKE. 

Training and awareness seminars in Yaoundé for women: Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at UPAC. Two speakers: Pierre YOUGOUDA and Elisabeth MAKITAHAR. 

Tree planting in the Far North of Cameroon by young people from the Maroua B District: Saturday, July 22, 2024. 

Tree planting in the Far North of Cameroon by the UEBC Jerusalem Moho Church: August 2024. 

Tree planting in the Far North of Cameroon by the UEBC Nazareth Salak Church: in September 2024. 

4. Number of seminar participants. 

Seminars in Yaoundé : 68 participants (43 from JCBC and 25 from UFBC)

Tree planting : 

5. Summary of the training and awareness seminar 

Genesis 2:15 " the Lord took the man, and placed him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it."

According to Psalms 148:1-14 and Psalms 150:6, everything that breathes praises the Lord. So even animals and plants praise the Lord. It's a fact. For Martin Luther said, "When a man is converted, even the animals bear witness. 

The church should be involved in environmental issues, but it isn't on a day-to-day basis. We don't see the church's involvement in this area. 

Bio-inspiration: Drawing inspiration from biology (plants and animals). People have drawn a lot of their inspiration from plants and animals to make things in this world. For example, the umbrella is inspired by mushrooms. Push-ups and bodybuilding are inspired by lizards.

The essential questions to ask : 

What's happening today on the environmental front?

To find out more, read Dr Marcel NGIRINSHUTI's book " Comment vivre dans un monde inquiétant, la force de l'espérance ". Hope implies faith, patience and perseverance. There are two types of environment: human and non-human.

What does the Bible say?

The Bible asks us to care for and cultivate the earth. Breaking the commandment of Genesis 2:15 brings disorder to the Garden of Eden and a curse to the land. 

Romans 12:2; Proverbs 1:10; Psalms 1:1. The real problem is " being like "We tend to look like. You have to work hard, work when people are working and work when people are sleeping. We mustn't have a Plan B. The plan is the plan: we go for it.

What does the church (Christians) do?

We notice that the church forgets the environmental side. Christians need to know that there can be no human ecology without the environment. 

What should we do as Christians?

According to Romans 12:2 the Christian must not be conformed to the present age. This principle implies the Christian's mission on earth. How can we keep the garden that God has placed at man's disposal?

Il must promote its identity as a Christian. 

Il must return to the source, i.e. the word of God. 

Il must allow time for inspiration and revelation. 

Il Don't think that God no longer speaks. 

Dieu is alive and kicking. 

Le Christians must always have revelation and inspiration. 

Notre mission on earth is to cultivate and guard it. Prayer has its place in our mission on earth. 

Difficulties Difficulties: difficulties linked to institutions, individuals, fear, selfishness, prohibitions.

Steps to keep the creation : 

a)The ridiculous 

b)The dangerous 

c) The obvious 

Christians and the environment. 

What do I do here and now with what I have (my word, my arm and my heart)? 

Il You have to be willing to listen to nature. 

Il we need to know how to act 

Il must be added to the evening, know-how and interpersonal skills to achieve our mission on earth. 

Finally, we visited the green garden and the environmental education research center at UPAC. The huts were built from recycled Heineken beer bottles. It was a very beneficial day. 

6. Participants' impressions 

Testimonials : Several testimonials have been collected:

" I've become aware of the importance of protecting the environment. I'm motivated to take concrete action. "President of JCBC II Espérance Yaoundé.

"Planting trees was a great experience. I felt I was contributing to a better future." Pierre YOUGOUDA 

"I was touched by the situation of the people of the Far North of Cameroon. I am determined to support them." Rev Pasteur Théophile TEBOUBE of UEBC Nazareth Salak 

Interviews : 

"This project has strengthened my faith and commitment to creation." Isaac SINANG 

"I hope this project will be the start of a movement of young Christians committed to the environment. Pierre YOUGOUDA 

"I'm grateful to the organizers for this initiative. It was very enriching." Daniel SADJO K. 

7. Creating a network : 

We have created a network of departments within the UEBC that will henceforth deal with environmental issues called : Reseau de Luagainst Desertification-UEBC (RELUDE-UEBC). This proposal for the creation of RELUDE-UEBC will be submitted to the Executive Board for validation.

8. Future projects : 

Nursery: We are currently working on the creation of a tree nursery that will be operational from July to September. This initiative aims to produce tree seedlings for future planting on UEBC land and to support the sustainability of reforestation efforts.

This initiative is part of a global approach to preserving the environment and promoting sustainable practices. We firmly believe that these actions will have a positive impact on biodiversity and contribute to improving the quality of life of local populations. We will continue to connect and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the success of our initiatives, despite the difficulties encountered due to the reality on the ground and the crises facing our Union of Churches. 

This project also aims to mobilize young Baptist Christians first, and then all young people in Cameroon, to safeguard biodiversity and combat desertification. This is a concrete action that will raise awareness, train and involve young people and religious, traditional and political authorities in environmental protection. We hope that this project will have a lasting impact on the environment and local populations.

Pierre YOUGOUDA