Not too long ago, Cameroon had about 80 Charis churches with only four pastors. That’s a big reason why Jason and Christy Carmean moved there in 2014. 

In 2015, they founded the Cameroon Bible Institute, and Jason became its first director. The first graduating class produced 31 new pastors, and the second graduated 19 more. Thanks to the Bible Institute’s presence, Cameroon now has about 100 churches with over 60 pastors, which is a much healthier church-to-pastor ratio than before.

All of the Charis Alliance’s top leaders in Cameroon have graduated from the program, providing them with a more unified mindset across the country.

While the Bible Institute has trained new leaders for a decade, they were doing so without a permanent facility. But in late 2023, they started construction on a $375,000 Center for Training and Ministry in Yaounde, the country’s capital. Charis churches all around Cameroon banded together to finance the project with the help of global churches through Encompass World Partners. Construction progressed, and in the spring of 2025, the Bible Institute was able to hold its first class in the new facility. 

Having the new ministry center is exciting for both the Bible Institute as well as Charis churches throughout the country. Jason says, “Having a space of our own is going to be really helpful—not just for the Bible Institute, but also for our greater union of churches.” Charis Alliance churches in the region have waited 11 years for this facility which is a testament to all the work God is doing there. 

To celebrate this momentous occasion, a dedication ceremony was held on May 31, 2025. Encompass’s Executive Director, Mike Yoder, and his wife, Letitia, were in attendance as well as Florent Varak (Director of Encompass’s Church Equipping Network). On that same day, the Bible Institute graduated a class of 10 accomplished students at the new ministry center. 

Jason, who is now becoming Encompass’s Africa Director says, “The Lord gave us a perfect day for the graduation and building dedication ceremony. It really honored our students to have the Yoders here along with Florent.” It was also the perfect way for us to wrap up Jason and Christy’s time in Cameroon, now that they’ve spent 11 years there accomplishing the mission God gave them to do.

We’re so thankful for God’s provision and are excited for all the ways He’ll use this facility for His purpose in the years to come! If you want to be a part of this investment, $30,000 is still needed to fund the construction of the new facility.