The General Assembly of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) has elected Rev. Dr. Jean Libom Li Likeng as its new president. The election took place during the business session of the 13th AEA General Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya.
Likeng, who previously served as AEA vice president, succeeds Rev. Dr. Goodwill Shana of Zimbabwe, who served as president for the past eight years.
Rev. Dr. Likeng is the president of the Alliance of Evangelicals in Cameroon. He also serves as moderator of the 53rd General Assembly of the Eglise Presbyterienne Camerounaise and as national representative of the African Forum on Religion and Governance. He holds the title of Officer of the National Order of Valour in Cameroon.
In the same session, Bishop Never Mparutsa, president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, was elected AEA vice president.
In comments to Christian Daily International following his election, Likeng expressed deep gratitude for the confidence placed in him by the AEA community. “I am really filled with deep emotions—for the Church who trusted in me,” he said. “I am sure that it is not something very simple.”
Likeng shared that, on the same day of his election, he met with the President of the Republic of Kenya and was encouraged by his support for the work of the Church. “It was very encouraging to see a head of state believing in what we are doing,” he said, viewing the meeting as a sign of AEA’s growing influence in both ecclesial and public life across the continent.
Reflecting on the weight of responsibility that comes with the presidency, Likeng said he is committed to leading in a spirit of teamwork. “It gives me a very large call to be president of the fellowship—but it is not my fellowship. It is teamwork. When everyone contributes, then everyone achieves more,” he said. “We follow our partners, members, and associate members, and then we can do something interesting. We will evaluate it four years later to see if we have done the job.”
Looking to Africa’s role in the global church, Likeng said that while it is often claimed that the future of Christianity lies in Africa, this cannot be taken for granted. “We must work to ensure that what we say is real. We cannot brag and not be acting,” he said. “It is the responsibility of the evangelical Church in Africa to do the task that was entrusted to us. We will be working on that call.”
When asked how others can pray for him, Likeng highlighted his health as an aging leader, both physical and spiritual, and the need for a strong team. “I also need a good team of collaborators—where we can share things as friends, brothers, and sisters—to carry this task,” he said.
The Association of Evangelicals in Africa was founded in 1966 and represents national evangelical fellowships across the continent. Its headquarters are located in Nairobi. AEA is a regional affiliate of the World Evangelical Alliance.
