Work Accomplished By TIBS Students And Graduates...

Greetings from Tamale! This report will focus on some of the work being accomplished by the graduates and students of the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies (TIBS). 

Work in the Salaga Area
Current TIBS student Matthew Donker comes from the village of Mbauwndo, located near the city of Salaga, here in the Northern Region. During the break between terms in August Matthew returned to Mbauwndo to do personal evangelism work in the village. Matthew reports that four souls were taught the gospel and added to the church through baptism for the remission of sins. Matthew will be returning to Mbauwndo after he graduates to continue teaching the gospel in the Salaga area. 

Work in the Saboba Area
TIBS graduate Bisaan Tibei Richard visited the Institute this past week with a report on the work that is going on in the Saboba area. We were extremely happy to see Richard as the school had been expecting to hear from him for some time. Richard’s report reads as follows:

I am very sorry for delaying in giving my report to you. It is not because I have had a chance but did not come, but because of sickness and other problems. This sickness and problems did not mean that I forgot the school or that I am putting aside God’s work which had been given to me by His grace. I am very seriously working, and others as well. On 9^th June 2011 by God’s grace I have been able to establish one church at Buegmal, which now has 29 members. I was also able to renew the congregation at Tunbu in November of 2011. This year I baptized four additional people in Tunbu, raising their number from 32 to 36 members. 

We are especially thankful to hear about the renewal of the church in Tunbu. Throughout the Northern region there are a great number of villages where the church had been planted by short term missionary workers, but the members stopped meeting because there were no leaders or teachers once the mission team left. Villages like Tunbu are one of the main reasons for TIBS to continue training local men to become the leaders and teachers these congregations need. 

This year, in addition to his work in Buegmal and Tunbu, Richard also reported that he has been working with the church that meets in Sanguli, a village near Saboba of about 1000 people. He reports that the church there has 81 members and is involved with house to house evangelism work in order to continue growing the church.  

Work in the Bimbila Area
The TIBS student body will be headed to the town of Bimbila for a school campaign during the last week of October. In preparation for the campaign one of our current students from that area, Kwame Lot, went to Bimbila last weekend to make arrangements for sleeping rooms and a meeting place. 

To make a long story short, Lot was two days late returning from his trip. While looking for rooms Lot made a number of contacts with people who were interested in learning more about the church. The two extra days Lot stayed in Bimbila teaching resulted in a total of 10 baptisms! Arrangements are being made to have a teacher who will work in Bimbila until Lot graduates and can return to work there full time. With this type of initial response we are excited to return in October with all of our students.  

Closing Thoughts
This is just some of the work being done by the students and graduates of TIBS. However, there are many more villages which need preachers and leaders. That’s why the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies is here. Your support is making a difference in northern Ghana! 

In His service,
Tony Johnson

anthonyjohnson2010@gmail.com

Two Souls Added In Tamale Campaign...

Greetings from Tamale! Here is the latest news from the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies (TIBS). 

School Update
The seventh term is well under way at TIBS with students beginning to take mid-term exams during the coming week. We were extremely happy that all students were able to arrive safely for the beginning of this term, including the students that missed the previous term due to illness. Unfortunately, the happiness has been interrupted with many of the students and their families continuing to struggle with illnesses. Last week we had to have one student admitted to the hospital after he fell ill and became unresponsive. After 3 days of IV antibiotics he finally began to respond to the treatment, although he remains extremely weak. In meeting with him and his family it was decided that the best thing for his health would be to return to his home village in order to rest and regain his strength. It is our prayer that he will be able to rejoin the school at a later date should his health permit. Other students have also been dealing with health issues, including trips to the hospital for treatment. In addition to this, two students had to leave classes on Friday to return to their villages in order to take care of sick children. As difficult as it is to leave their families for six weeks at a time in order to be students, it is so much more difficult when they also have to deal with sickness and worry for their loved ones. We continue to pray with the students and for the students as they strive to better prepare themselves to preach and teach God’s Word despite the difficulties. 

Evangelism Update
We received good news this past week as two more precious souls were added to the kingdom during follow up work from a recent TIBS supported campaign. The Kpatringa church of Christ reported that Mrs. Elizabeth and Mrs. Magnan put on Christ in baptism. We rejoice with the angels at this most wonderful news. We have also received word that the recently planted church in Cinkasse had an attendance of eight for this past week’s worship service. We continue to pray for this new church in a predominately Muslim area of Togo, and rejoice in their growth.

Planning is under way for the next student campaign which will take place at the end of the current term. There has been much discussion about where to go, and if we should work at planting a new church or assist some of the existing village congregations with personal evangelism. While planting new churches is an exciting and rewarding experience, we have a rule that there must be a plan in place to support and edify the congregation as part of the planting process. To that end we have decided that this campaign will be in the Bimbila area. While there are a number of churches of Christ in the villages surrounding the city of Bimbila, the city itself lacks a congregation. We are currently seeking to identify men who would be willing to work in Bimbila when a congregation is established, while making plans to help strengthen the surrounding congregations during this campaign.    

Closing Thoughts
In closing we continue to thank those who support TIBS with your prayers and financial support. We are still looking for congregations or individuals who would be interested in helping support a student ($100 per month takes care of one student) or an evangelistic campaign (each campaign costs between $750 and $1000).There is much work that can be done with your help! 

In His service,
Tony Johnson

anthonyjohnson2010@gmail.com

Back In Africa...

On July 4 I made it back to Africa, landing at the Kotoka Airport in Accra, Ghana after a 23 hour journey. Joining me on the trip was Jack Dodgen, a student at Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver who is scheduled to graduate in December of this year. Jack, who is a member of the North MacArthur church of Christ in Oklahoma City, came for the month of July in order to teach two classes at the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies. Upon arriving we were greeted by Steven Ashcraft, Bear Valley Coordinator for West Africa, who would be our ride and our guide until we reached Tamale.

Our first full day in Ghana was spent getting supplies, changing US dollars for Ghana cedis, and trying to set up a Ghana bank account. With the exception of the bank account, the day was successful. I found out I cannot get a bank account without having a local utility bill in my name, so I will have to figure out a different way to manage finances while I am here. Fortunately I brought enough cash that it will not be an issue for a while.

After a day in Accra we headed up the coast to visit with some of the preachers working in the Central and Western Regions, as we worked our way toward the West Coast School of Preaching in Takoradi. We also took the opportunity to teach classes and preach at local congregations on Sunday morning. After visiting with the staff and students in Takoradi we headed north to the city of Kumasi.

Our main purpose in Kumasi was to look for a vehicle for me, thanks to generous donations from the Wilkie family, Front Range church of Christ, H. & Betty Henderson Foundation, and many members of the Greenbrier church of Christ. After discussing the matter with Steven we made a deal, if he left his 4 wheel drive with me when he was out of the country (which is most of the time now) than I would use the money raised for a vehicle to buy a “mini-bus”, the local name for a 15 passenger van, that we could use at the school to transport students on campaigns and visiting teachers from Accra to Tamale. We spent a day in Kumasi checking all the car lots we could find, but failed to find an acceptable bus in our price range. Rather than buy something that was less than we needed we will continue to look for the right vehicle. It may take a couple of months, but it should not be an issue until Steven returns for a visit next January.

We finally arrived in Tamale on our sixth day in Ghana. It is good to be back at the school again and to get reacquainted with both the staff and students. There were some changes of course, as three of the students I remembered have left the school for various reasons, but the 12 returning students were excited to get started on their second year of studies. One additional student was expected, but the beginning of the term found him suffering from a very bad case of malaria. He attempted to come back during the third week of classes, only to have a relapse. It is our prayer that he will be able to rejoin his class during the next term in September.

Once arriving at the school, Jack and I began our teaching assignments. Normally an instructor will teach one four hour class two to three days a week. However, since Jack and I were going to be the only teachers for this term it meant we had to double up our workload. To further complicate matters, Jack had to be leave for Accra to catch his flight back to the U.S. in 16 days, giving him just 11 school days to teach over 80 hours of material. So, for nine of the 11 days Jack taught both morning and evening classes in order to get everything completed before he headed back to the U.S.

It was great to have Jack here, and his help was greatly appreciated. Once he left it was just me, so I got to experience teaching double classes every day for the remainder of the quarter. I can assure you that I will not take on teaching three classes in the same term again! Despite the workload, all is going well and I am looking forward to the end of the term this Friday, when the students will head home for a couple weeks and I will catch my breath!

Evangelism Report: During the break between terms Stephen Ashcraft will be returning to Tamale and will join me and two of our students for an evangelistic campaign in Sinkasse, Togo. The students, Joseph Molsak and Nichema Jacob, are from villages on the Ghana side of the border near Sinkasse, and belong to tribes that are closely related to those who live on the Togo side of the border. Since Togo is a French speaking country the campaign will also be relying on help from preachers in Togo, especially from a preacher named Fidele who is working in a recently planted congregation in the city of Dapaong. The goals for this campaign include bringing the church to Sinkasse with the planting of a congregation, and to encourage the cooperation between Christians in evangelistic work on both sides of the border.

A second campaign is being planned for October in the Bimbila area of Ghana. Two of our students are originally from this area, where there is no church of Christ. This campaign will be for the purpose of planting a congregation in the area, which the students will go to work at after their graduation.

Evangelism also happens at the school on a regular basis. I recently met a young man at the market, who after finding out I was teaching at a Bible school expressed an interest to learn more, and a study has been set up. Another young man has been studying with the school’s assistant, Jacob Yeboah, which resulted in his baptism this past Sunday. With your help we are making a difference in this part of the world. Please keep our efforts in your prayers.

Thank You!
Whatever I am able to do, it is only because of the many people who make it possible. While I am the one who gets to see the results of the work, it truly belongs to each and every one of the following congregations and individuals who have offered their support or encouragement for the work in Ghana during the past two months.

Greenbrier church of Christ (overseeing congregation); Colony church of Christ, Harding Street church of Christ, Sue Shumate, Bobby and Jackie Sims, Aubrey and Donna Allensworth; Mildred Priest; White Oak church of Christ; Front Range church of Christ; H. & Betty Henderson Foundation; Virginia Heilen; Brian and DeAnn Wilkie; Rachel Wilkie; Jack Wilkie, Anna Wilkie, Joe Wilkie, Glen and Colleen Elliott; Ron and Joann Boatwright; David and Beverly Woody; Wade and Gary Maverty; Verple Baker; Kevin, Amy, Cody and Cassidy Barley; Carol Shadell; Jim and Martha Bell; Ratis and Dorothy Yeager; Judy Williams; Herb and Dorothy Tatum; Mary Mix, Jimmy and Floyma Sutterfield; Larry and Linda Harness; Linda Ray; Rod and Cindy Wilson; Del and Love Hines. And special thanks to Foster for lending me his bed when I get to visit Greenbrier!

Did you know?
As a non-resident of Ghana I can only stay in the country for 60 days at a time? For this reason I will also be working in Togo and Burkina Faso until I can arrange for a resident alien permit (which allows a person to stay for one year at a time.)

That it is estimated that only 20% of the homes in Ghana have private toilet facilities? Fortunately, I am one of the 20%!

Contact Information

Mailing Address:
Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies P.O. Box TL 925
Tamale, Northern Region
Ghana

Ghana Phone - 011-233-0248216622 

E-Mail - anthonyjohnson2010@gmail.com

Tony Johnson

To see Tony’s report with pictures, please click here.

Summer Classes Come To An End...

Greetings from Tamale! Here is the latest news from the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies.

Today the students were let out of their morning class early in order to watch the television coverage of the funeral for Ghana’s president John Evans Atta Mills, who died unexpectedly two weeks ago. It is a reminder to all of us of the uncertainty of life, and the need to do the work God has given us while we have the opportunity. We are especially thankful that the change in leadership here has gone smoothly and peacefully, and that we continue to enjoy the freedom to preach and teach the gospel.  

School Update 
The summer term at the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies is coming to a close, with final exams for Church History scheduled for August 14, and for Romans on August 17. Students have been focusing on some of the practical applications we can learn from both studies. In many areas that the students will go to work they will be facing the same issues we learn about in church history, people who want to make small changes to doctrine or worship. It is our prayer that the lessons learned in the classroom will help our students as they diligently seek to be workers who are rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Evangelism Update
During the break between terms Stephen Ashcraft and I will join two of the students for an evangelistic campaign in Sinkasse, Togo. The students, Joseph Molsak and Nichema Jacob, are from villages on the Ghana side of the border near Sinkasse, and belong to tribes that are closely related to those who live on the Togo side of the border. Since Togo is a French speaking country the campaign will also be relying on help from preachers in Togo, especially from a preacher named Fidele who is working in a recently planted congregation in the city of Dapaong. The goals for this campaign include bringing the church to Sinkasse with the planting of a congregation, and to encourage the cooperation between Christians in evangelistic work on both sides of the border. Please pray that this work will be fruitful for the kingdom.

In addition to planned campaigns during the break weeks between terms, there are a number of other evangelistic efforts being performed by members of the staff and the students of the Institute. One example is the work being done by student Timothy Niligrine, who travels every weekend to different villages in the Yendi area to preach the gospel for congregations that do not have full time preachers. Another example is seen in the weekly personal Bible studies being conducted by Jacob Yeboah, a member of the Institute’s staff. Yeboah is also involved with two other staff members, Director Joseph Baah and Dean of Students Adjei Mensah, in hosting a weekly call in radio show that provides gospel preaching and Bible answers. It is our prayer that these types of works will continue to grow in the Northern Region of Ghana. 

Building Update
Progress continues to be made on the new classrooms and dormitories for the Institute. During the past weeks the building has been plastered, concrete floors laid, and window and door frames installed. There is a great deal of work still necessary before students and staff can think about moving in, but we can now see the end in sight concerning this project, which has been in progress since 2008.

In addition to the new building we have also set aside land for vocational training in farming techniques and raising food animals. This effort has a two-fold purpose, to help provide food for the students while they are at the school while also providing the students with skills to help take care of themselves and their families once they begin preaching in villages that cannot provide full time support. We are looking forward to being able to start on this phase of development in the coming weeks. 

Closing Thoughts
In closing we continue to thank all of those who are supporting the Institute through your prayers and with your financial support. You are a blessing to us and to the church in Northern Ghana and the surrounding countries. 

In His service,

Tony Johnson
Coordinator

Tony Johnson Arrives In Tamale...

Greetings from Tamale! Here is the latest news from the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies.  

Class Schedule
The summer term at the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies began on July 10^th with five classes on the schedule for the returning students. The summer term marks the beginning of the students second year at the institute for the twelve students. Classes and instructors for this term are:

1^st Corinthians, 2^nd Corinthians, taught by Jack Dodgen

Church History, two sessions on Romans, taught by Tony Johnson.

The Institutes regular teachers, Baah Okyere Joseph, Daniel Agyei Mensah, and Jaminja Ndakar will return to their teaching duties during the fall term beginning in September. 

Guest Instructor 
The Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies was blessed to have Jack Dodgen join the staff as a guest instructor for the summer term. Jack is a member of the North MacArthur church of Christ in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and student at the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver where he is scheduled to graduate in December of this year. 

Jack had a busy schedule, teaching 22 class sessions (a total of 82.5 classroom hours) in a three week period. During his stay Jack has also been involved with teaching at the Tamale West congregation, and with preaching in the villages of Tijo and Jimla. The Institute would like to thank Jack for his willingness to raise the necessary funds to travel to Tamale and for all of his work while here, and encourage any other teachers who are interested in serving to contact Tony Johnson at anthonyjohnson2010@gmail.com.  

New Staff Member
Tony Johnson has joined the staff at the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies and will assist the school as the Bear Valley coordinator and as a classroom instructor. Tony had previously worked at the Institute for six weeks in June and July 2011 as a guest instructor. 

Tony is a member of the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, Arkansas, and works under the oversight of the elders of that congregation. He is a graduate of the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver and has also assisted in short term mission works in Matamoros, Mexico, and Iringa, Tanzania.  

Building Update
Work continues on the new home for the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies with plumbing work and concrete plastering scheduled to be done during the last weeks of July, followed by installation of doors and louvers (windows) in August. Current plans are to have the facility ready for students to occupy the dormitory rooms and classroom when they return from their Christmas break in January 2013, but there is much work that must be completed prior to then, including the running of both electricity and water lines to the property. The move will also require a great deal of logistical planning since all of the equipment in use at the current leased school location will have to be moved to the new location, including student and staff furniture, classroom equipment, and water storage tanks. It will be a busy fall as we plan and execute the move. 

Evangelism
Plans are currently being made for two evangelistic campaigns in the coming months. During the last week of August members of the Tamale staff along with some current students will be conducting a campaign in the Sinkasse area, which is located on the border area where Ghana, Togo, and Burkina Faso meet. The purpose of this campaign will be to encourage the Ghanaian Christians in evangelizing and growing the church in Togo. The second campaign is being planned for October and will be for the purpose of planting a church in the Bimbila area of Ghana. This campaign will make use of current students, graduates, and staff members. Look for more information about these campaigns in the coming weeks and months as plans are finalized.

In closing the staff at the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies wishes to thank all of those who are supporting the Institute through your prayers and with your financial support. You are making a difference in Northern Ghana and the surrounding countries.

In His service,
Tony Johnson
Coordinator 

To view Tony’s report with pictures, click here.