Ven. Dr. Ephraim J. Gongden was born on the 20th November, 1969 in Kopal in Mangu LGA of Plateau state, to the family of Pastor Joel & late Mrs Phoebe Gongden. He is the second of seven children of the family.

Educational Pursuits.

He started his educational pursuits at LGEA Kopal in 1981 and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Mbar in 1982, graduating in 1986. His desire for further education led him to College of Education Gindiri in Plateau state (1987-1990) and University of Jos (1991-1995. He enrolled again in the University of Jos (1997-1999) and later Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi where he graduated in 2015. In all these, he trained as an educationist, acquiring the following certificates:

1. First School Leaving Certificate, FLSC.
2. West African School Certificate – WASC.
3. Nigeria Certificate in Education, NCE (Bio/Chem).
4. Bachelor of Science Education, Second Class Upper Division, B.Sc (Chem Educ.).
5. Certificate Computer Application.
6. Master of Educ., M.Ed (Sci. Educ).
7. Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D (Sci. Educ).

Call to Ministry.

Ven E J Gongden received his call to ministry in January 1998 while teaching in St.John’s College, Jos. In order to help positioned himself properly for his new call, he enrolled at the Christian Institute, Jos and then Jos ECWA Theological Seminary, F/Gada – Jos. He was at the Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary Abeoukuta in 2012 and 2013. Certificates he acquired in this direction include:

1. Certificate in Theology, Cert.(Theo.)
2. Post Graduate Diploma in Theology, PGD(Theo.)
3. Master of Divinity, M.Div
4. Doctor of Ministry, D.Min.

Postings

Ven E J Gongden has served in quite a number of places which include:

• Catechist – St Timothy’s Ang Church, Yan Trailer – Jos (Jan – Dec 1998)
• Catechist – St Benedict’s Seminary & Convent, Pankshin (Jan – July 1999)
• Chaplain – St Benedict’s Seminary & Convent, Pankshin (Aug 1999- Dec 2007)
• Principal – St Benedict’s Seminary & Convent, Pankshin (Jan 1999 – Dec 2007).
• Vice Principal – St. John’s College, Jos (June 2007 – June 2009).
• Principal – St Piran’s High School, Zarazon – Fobur Road (July 2009 – Sept 2010).
• Asst Priest – St Piran’s Church, Jos (Oct 2010-May 2011)
• Vicar – St Piran’s Church, Jos (June 2011-June 2022)
• Vicar – Emmanuel Ang Church, Rock Haven (July 2022- date)
• Acting Principal, St. John’s College, Jos (April 2024 – date)

His services in the Diocese of Jos took him to both rural and urban areas. I’m recognition of his contributions to the work of the gospel, he was awarded the Diocese of Jos merit award and the Diocese of Pankshin award – all for meritorious services offered.

Positions Held.

a. Chaplain: Diocesan Anglican Children’s Ministry and Anglican Youth Fellowship.

b. Archdeacon: Jos South Archdeaconry and Rock Haven Archdeaconry

b. Vicar General, Diocese of Jos (2016-2022).

d. Clerical Secretary, Diocese of Jos (2008 – date).

e. Member, Board of Governors, Christian Institute Jos.

f. Member of several other committees

Teaching Career.

A trained teacher, Ven Dr Gongden started his teaching career in 1991 at St John’s College, Jos, then St Benedict’s Junior Seminary Pankshin before joining the University of Jos.

At the University, he rose to the rank of Reader (Associate Professor) in Chemistry Education. He has supervised over 60 undergraduate students’ projects and 18 Master’s students’ thesis. He has also supervised and assisted in supervising four Ph.D students. He has over thirty publications in national and international journals and books,

Services at the Provincial and National Levels.

At the Jos Provincial level, he served as the Provincial Secretary (2019- August 2024) and was the Provincial Clergy Coordinator.

At the National level, he served as the

• National PRO ACM (2002-2005)
• National Secretary General ACM (2009-2015)
• Member C.O.N Devotional Committee (from 2011 – Date),
• Member C.O.N Scholarship Board (from inception – Date),
• Member – Search Committee for Rector of Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary Abeokuta and
• Member Church of Nigeria Theological Accreditation and Regulatory Board (August 2024 – date)

Ecumenical Services.

Ven Dr Gongden served in the following capacities:

• Financial Secretary Plateau state youth CAN (2007-2009),
• Treasurer CCN Plateau state (2011-2013) and
• Member Governing Council Theological College of Northern Nigeria Bukuru, (2019-2022).

Family Life.

Ven Dr Gongden married former Miss Nanre Batur of blessed memory on October 27, 2001 and the marriage was blessed with two boys. He later married former Miss Esther Godiya Yakubu on the ninth day of February, 2013 and God blessed the marriage with two additional boys, thus bringing his children to four!

Mrs Esther Gongden holds a First School Leaving Certificate; West African Senior School Certificate; National Diploma, ND (Forestry Technology); Higher National Diploma, HND (Horticulture and Landscaping); Post Graduate Diploma in Education, PGDE; Bachelor of Science Education, B.Sc (Int. Sci. Educ) and a Master of Educ., M.Ed (Educ Tech).

His hobbies include: Reading, singing hymns, meeting new people and encouraging young people and children in the way of the Lord.

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