Professor Zacharias Tanee Fomum
Early Life and Family Background
- Born: June 20, 1945, in Wumnembug, Cameroon.
- Parents: Solomon Fomum Tanee (a Presbyterian minister overseeing 80+ congregations) and Rebecca Angum (leader of the church’s women’s group and choir).
- Siblings: He was one of six children—four boys and two girls.
- Raised in a devout Christian home, he was instilled with discipline, hard work, and a deep reverence for God from an early age. As a child, he sold peanuts and doughnuts to support the family and was known for his honesty and diligence.
Education and Academic Career
- 1951–1959: Attended Wumnembug Presbyterian Primary School.
- 1969: Graduated with a B.A. in Science (First Class Honors) from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
- 1973: Earned a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Makerere University, Uganda.
- 2005: Awarded the prestigious Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) by Durham University, UK, for his groundbreaking research in organic chemistry.
As a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon:
Supervised over 100 Master’s and Ph.D. theses.
- Published 160+ scientific papers in international journals.
- Became a global authority on the Erythrina plant genus.
Spiritual Journey and Ministry
- June 13, 1956: Became a born-again Christian at age 11.
- October 1, 1966: Fully consecrated his life to Jesus Christ.
- October 24, 1970: Experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
- 1975: Founded the Christian Missionary Fellowship International (CMFI), a global missionary movement.
Ministry Highlights
- 700+ missionary journeys within Cameroon.
- 500+ international missions to over 70 countries.
- Planted 1,300+ churches globally.
- Witnessed over 10,000 healing miracles.
- Authored 150+ Christian books, translated into 100+ languages, with over 10 million copies in circulation.
- Distributed 16 million gospel tracts in 17 languages.
- Known for his intense prayer life—often spending 6+ hours daily in prayer and fasting.
Family Life
- Wife: He was married to Prisca Fomum, a devoted Christian woman who co-founded his ministry.
- Children: Together, they had seven children. His family was deeply involved in his ministry and shared his commitment to a life of simplicity, service, and spiritual discipline.
Final Years and Legacy
- March 14, 2009: Passed away at the age of 63. Left behind a thriving global ministry (CMFI) with churches in over 65 nations. His writings, teachings, and discipleship model continue to influence millions worldwide.
