Highlights From The Past Quarter...

All Aboard For India and Southeast Asia

Jerry & Paula Bates

No two trips are the same. We make plans; then we have to adapt along the way. Yes, it is an adventure and a great way to learn to trust God and also develop patience. We have made a mission trip to India many times now, but we are still amazed at the time required to transverse this great earth, some trips taking as much as 30 hours flying time one way. As missionaries we work with the World Evangelism team in Winona, MS, an effort begun by JC and Betty Choate, and we are sponsored by the Strickland Church near Corinth, MS. Since there are restrictions in India that make it difficult for missionaries to live there, we try to make at least three trips a year. As you might expect, this makes for a busy schedule. When we are in the U. S., both of us help with the day-to-day operations at the World Evangelism office. This year begins our sixth year as missionaries to India and Southeast Asia.

India has a population of 1.2 billion and speaks about 22 different languages. Early on, the Choates decided that some form of mass evangelism was necessary. So, they began their printing work in many languages and later preached on radio and television. Many know their work from reading the Voice of Truth International which is now in its 21st year of publication,. Through our literature distribution we are able to help mission efforts all around the world. Every year World Evangelism ships tens of thousands of books to preachers and other Christians, most of whom have no access to study books. In addition, about 20,000 English copies of the Voice of Truth International are distributed quarterly to many countries. The publication is also translated into four India languages— Hindi, Tamil, Telegu, and Paite. Several copies have been translated into Spanish, and recently into the language of Nepal.

World Evangelism also funds several weekly TV and radio programs. Thousands requests Bible correspondence courses, which results in many baptisms into Christ. Native men and women do all the follow up work.

As the church grows, the need for trained preachers and leaders also grows. Therefore, our association with the Extension Program of the Bear Valley Bible Institute is an important part of our work. We work closely with two schools in India. The Visakha Valley Bible College in Visakhapatnam and the North India Bible College in Chandigarh. Jerry has also taught in other Bear Valley Extension Schools including Honduras and Tanzania. One may wonder how we can work with both organizations. Actually, it works very well together. For example, as we go to teach, we can also talk to them about their need for literature and how we can help them in that regard. We feel that it is a good use of our time and resources to combine both ministries, although it does keep us very busy.

We work hand in hand with the native brethren, since they understand their culture and speak the language. However, rarely do they have the funds for schools, literature, or television. So we still need to help them, but we do not need to do for them what they can do for themselves. All through the year we communicate with our contacts and preachers through e-mail and telephone. Our best times are when we go in person and listen to their problems and discuss ideas. It also helps us understand the people better because we have been to their churches and their homes.

A typical trip starts in the country of Sri Lanka, a small island off the southern coast of India. We also travel in the spring of each year to Myanmar to teach in a Bible school in the city of Yangon. Both of us teach every day to students from all around the country, some of them traveling as much as two days. It is always very hot, but when we start teaching we forget the temperature. The church in Myanmar has grown tremendously over the last ten years, even though the government does not allow any public teaching or advertising. Hopefully, one day we will see this change. Actually, great changes are already taking place.

India, on the other hand, allows TV programs, church buildings, literature distribution, and open air meetings. There is some persecution, since this is a Hindu country, but it is mostly confined to local areas. We have had no problems with preaching and teaching anywhere.

Our travels in India take us from East to West and North to South. We normally teach in Visakhapatnam and Kakinada in the state of Andra Pradesh on the East Coast. We also visit Delhi, the capital of India and travel one hour north to Chandigarh, the home of one of the Bear Valley Extensions.

Nepal, a separate country, is only a two hour flight northeast of Delhi. Jerry has taught several times in the city of Kathmandu, where a Bear Valley Extension is located. He and Gary Fallis first taught there in 2011.

We feel blessed to be able to go and take the gospel to a lost and dying world. God gave “some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). We cannot all go, but we are blessed that we can all help and do our part.

Graduation Of The First Master’s Class In Visakhapatnam, India
Nine students from the Visakha Valley Bible College received their Master of Biblical Studies degree from the Bear Valley Bible Institute February 1, 2013. The graduation exercise took place on the flat roof of the school building. A tent was erected for the approximate seventy-five visitors from as far away as New Zealand.

John Dean Muppidi, co-director, served as the master of ceremonies. Jerry Bates, who serves as the Bear Valley Coordinator, and I were the guest speakers. Because of our flight later that morning, we had to abbreviate our remarks. That is hard for long-winded preachers to do!

The graduates included Samuel Muppidi, the director of the Visakha Valley Bible School. More than twenty years ago, Samuel purchased the property in Visakhapatnam with the dream of beginning a school of preaching there. This dream materialized in 2009. His foresight has been validated because the price of the land has soared since that time.

Most of the graduates are teachers in the Visakha Valley Bible College in Visakhapatnam and the Skinner’s Garden School of Preaching, which is located three hours away in the state of Andra Pradesh. Some teach in both locations; others only in one.

Each one also preaches full-time in one or more congregations and has years of experience in preaching the gospel. Though all live in the state of Visakhapatnam, they must travel long distance to study and teach in the school.

G. Vamsee Bhushanam, the director’s on-in-law, was the valedictorian. Vamsee, an exceptional student, also has a doctor’s degree in Hindi, the national language of India. Having Vamsee and Samuel in class was like having two co-teachers.

You can see that I think highly of these men. During the five trips that I have made to Visakhapatnam, I have come to know them well. The graduates and I have a mutual admiration society. They also have deep appreciation and love for Jerry Bates and Denton Landon who contributed to their education on both the bachelor and master’s degree level.

—Gary Fallis

Christianity In India 
India has the second largest population in the world next to China. However with 1.2 billion people, it is the largest democratic country in the world. Growing at the rate of two children per second, India will soon overtake China in population.

The strength and the weakness of India is its diversity in religion, community, caste, culture, language, etc. There are 18 official language accepted by the government of India, and people follow many religions. The three main religions in India are Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Other religions include Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.

The Lord’s work in the cities of Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram was small when compared to the Coastal Belt of Andra Pradesh. Churches of Christ were few. Converting people and planting congregation is necessary, but this effort takes a long time. The Visakh Valley Bible College was established to provide trained preachers for that area. For this reason M. Samuel Raju purchased property and completed the first floor of a building inn Visakhapatnam to be used for teaching men to preach God’s Word. Later American brethren of the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, Colorado came forward to work with Samuel at Visakhapatnam. Indian preachers who wanted to learn the Word of God in depth and strengthen their own congregations came forward to become the first class in 2009.

Steadily the work among the Churches of Christ in Visakhapatnam started to grow. Students who composed the first class were already working with eleven congregations. Three new congregations have been planted as a result of the school. Visakha Valley students have reached many villages by means of tract distribution and Bible studies. Efforts are regularly being made to plant new congregations during the regular campaigns weeks which are part of the school’s schedule. Sixty-one have been baptized into Christ by students in the first class, and thirty-five in last six months. (This is just the record of the students while in school and not the record of the faculty nor of the working staff in the VVBC). Because of the amount of time required for their studies, the students’ time is limited to some part of the weekend. After graduation, they will be among the people where they can devote their lives to winning souls for Christ and planting new vineyard for our God. Without doubt the Visakha Valley Bible College will be a Sunbeam for Jesus for years to come. Just as the Lord commanded Paul and Barnabas, we are now today the light of the Gentiles, “'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'" Acts 13:47.

We desire the same thing for our students as the apostle Paul desired from the saints at Philippi. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling...Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless....children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life... (Phil 2:12-16

—G. Vamsee Bhushanam, Valedictorian of the Master’s Class

Tale Of Two Schools...

We had a dream in northern Tanzania—a dream of training faithful men in their own country, in their own language and in their own culture. In keeping with Paul’s statement in 2 Tim. 2:2, our purpose was to teach men that they may teach others also. This has been proven to be one of the most effective means in evangelizing the world.

We realized this dream in 2001 when the first students arrived at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching (ACSOP) in Arusha, Tanzania. Their lives were filled with long nights of reading, writing and memorizing of Scripture and their weekends with teaching and helping the Arusha congregation. After two years of intense study of every book of the Bible along with many topical studies, they graduated in 2003 and began teaching the gospel of Christ in East Africa. This first class began planting churches that now stretch throughout Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

More than 150 congregations of the Lord’s body have begun throughout East Africa and neighboring countries. The Tanzania 2000 mission team and the Andrew Connally School of Preaching in cooperation with the Bear Valley Bible Institute along with hundreds of faithful friends and supporters have contributed to this work of God. The Andrew Connally School of Preaching has been the key to the growth of the church. American and African teachers have prepared 125 evangelists with a head filled with the knowledge of God’s word and a heart filled with love and zeal to preach it to others.

Charles Ogutu, an example of many ACSOP graduates, went back home to preach the gospel in Kenya. He began six different congregations. He also saw the need to train others to teach just as he had been taught. Therefore, he began a small preacher training school in Kenya to meet the needs of this rapid church growth.

During this same time, African and American brethren saw the need for a school of preaching on a larger scale that could train preachers in Kenya just as ACSOP had done in Tanzania. The Bear Valley Bible Institute agreed to be a part of this worthy work as it had done in Tanzania. The Kenya School of Preaching met its first class Oct. 1, 2012. Charles Ogutu was selected as the director of the school. Elias Omolo, another graduate of ACSOP, is serving as Dean of Academics. Other faculty members are graduates of ACSOP, having received both their Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Bible from BVBID.

In the beginning, the dream was to train men who in turn would teach and train others. The Lord now has a “second generation” school of preaching being led by men from ACSOP in East Africa.

To witness this and to be a part of this amazing growth is a true joy and blessing.

How has all this been made possible? As our late brother V.P. Black once said, “what God controls, grows.” This is God’s work, working through a united team of men and women toward a common goal. Thanks be to God. He alone is worthy to be praised. 

Cy Stafford

FIFTEENTH TRIP TO TANZANIA
When I began with the Bear Valley Bible Institute in 2002, I was responsible as Coordinator of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching in Arusha, Tanzania. Though I now serve as Coordinator of the Master’s Program and travel more widely, I have probably taught more than half of the 125 ACSOP students who have graduated, both on the undergraduate and graduate level.

I am always happy to return to my first home away from home. On this occasion I taught the Scheme of Redemption to the English speaking class. ACSOP now has a two-year course of study for English and Swahali speaking students. Four ACSOP students who completed the Master’s Program teach the Swahali students.

In addition, I delivered the commencement address for the graduating classes. Nine students graduated from the Master’s class and six students from the undergraduate English program. Public meetings do not move fast or on time in Africa. People in Africa are not as time conscious we are. The program featured speakers representing the school as well as the community. The village chief and the local government administrator each spoke. These men of varying faiths or no faith were impressed with the quality of the spiritual training as well as the impact for good it has on the country of Tanzania. The valedictorian of the Master’s class and Bachelor’s class had their turn. The Directors of the Swahali and English programs then made presentations. Chad Wagner, who is the director of the Chimala Mission in southern Tanzania, had an opportunity to say a few words. I heard a lot of people before I finally got up to speak. However, I didn’t cut my lesson short since none of the others did. My subject was “Your Purpose,” from the book of Ephesians.

I preached in the Arusha congregation on the first Sunday and was thrilled to be present for the baptism of a man and his wife. I later had the opportunity to go to their home and study with them regarding the significance of their faith in the Lord. We all sat in their home—one room of clay construction where five people slept. The house had no conveniences such as indoor plumbing or electricity—things that we often take for granted. Their possessions were meager, but what they did possess in abundance was faith in God and joy in their salvation. This couple had been studying their Bible for a long time, knew a lot of Scripture, and had been worshipping according to what they knew. Like Apollos (Acts 18:24-28), when they learned the word of God more perfectly or accurately, they quickly and happily obeyed the Lord. They are an example of seekers—people of a “good and honest heart” (Luke 8:15) all over the world, who believe that Jesus is the source of eternal salvation who all who obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9).

I was there over Thanksgiving, the fourth time I have been there at that time. I did not have warthog and wildebeest as before, but an American feast of ham and turkey. The meal was at Cy Stafford’s house. He had invited two men who guide him when he hunts and shoots his own food. My big game hunting would probably be chicken.

Tanzania has been a peaceful country and is good ground for the gospel. As with any country, there are traditional primitive religions, the religion of Islam and various forms of “Christianity.” Some need to know the true God is not to be identified with the spirit in an ancestor, a tree, or a mountain. Those of the Muslim religion need to know there is truly one God, and that He is worshipped only through Jesus Christ according to His word, the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Still others who follow some aspect of Christianity need to know the whole truth of God and the gospel (Acts 20:27; Gal. 1:6-9).

In the land of the spectacular Mt. Kilimanjaro, God has a spiritual mountain, a symbol for His Kingdom or church that is even more spectacular (Isa. 2:1-4; Heb. 12:22-23). While we admire the beauty and grandeur of God’s physical creation that towers almost 20,000 feet into the air, may we remember even more His eternal creation that will remain when the physical is no longer (Eph. 3:20-21).

HOME BIBLE STUDIES
Bible study in the homes of people has been has been a major avenue of conversion since Jesus and the apostles walked the earth. Jesus frequently taught in people’s homes (Matt. 8:14, 9:10, 23). Luke says of the apostles, “Daily in the temple and in every house they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:42). The apostle Paul taught publicly and from house to house (Acts 20:20).

When the church of Christ in America was growing rapidly in the 1950-1960’s, Christ was being taught in the home. Christians were teaching their neighbors either in their homes or the homes of others.

Africans in the 21st century are doing what Americans did in the 20th century. The houses themselves are normally huts made of clay with a thatched roof, or blocks with a corrugated roof. Floors are often dirt. Space is cramped. But what is taught in the house to eager eyes, attentive ears and receptive hearts is the same as in America 50 years before or the early church 2000 years ago.

Public preaching is always necessary and important. On the first day of the week, Christ is proclaimed in the assemblies of the saints (Acts 20:7). The sermons often center on Christian living to challenge and build up the members. Some nonmembers may be present; therefore an invitation is always extended.

However, most people who need Christ in their lives do not come to the church building. This is certainly true for those who see no need. They are lost but don’t know it. Even those who have some interest or feel some need may not attend for many reasons.

This is the reason to get to know your neighbors in America or in Africa. Show an interest in their lives. Win their confidence. Then appeal to them to study the Bible. Some may resist or resent this appeal to study in your home or theirs. But far more people are converted on Monday- Saturday in the course of their daily lives than in a church building on Sunday.

One reason the African church is growing is because they search the Scriptures in the homes of others. This is generally less threatening and more personal than a public assembly.

This is the reason the Andrew Connally School of Preaching is training evangelists, not just pulpit preachers. An evangelist will preach on Sunday from the pulpit, but he will also teach in homes, on the streets or in the work place. His pulpit will be wherever he finds an audience.

—Gary Fallis

Below is the latest monthly report from Gary Fallis. See Gary’s report with pictures by clicking here.

Developing Students, Growing Churches...

A BUSY WEEK IN GUATEMALA
I left DFW Saturday, Octotber 20, to teach the Master’s Class in Guatemala. Typically the classes are taught at the school in Guatemala City. However, in order to accommodate the students, I agreed to travel four hours from the capital to the city of San Cristobal and teach there.

Hawatthia and Byron met me at the airport at noon Saturday with plans to meet my translator, Conrad Pinder, from Costa Rico, an hour later. Whatever can happen on a foreign trip often does. Conrad’s plane, which was scheduled to arrive at 1:00 PM, finally arrived at 5:30 PM. This was the time we should have gotten to San Cristobal. We finally arrived at 10:30 PM, tired, but thankful. The Park Hotel was secure, comfortable, and inexpensive, and we were ready for worship the next day, Sunday.

Hawatthia preached, and I taught the class. I give a lot of credit to Conrad, my translator, who may have to work twice as hard as I do. I present the sermon in one language, but he has to hear it, understand it in two languages and present it in the language of the people. I had first met Conrad in Panama in 2008, and he later translated for me in Guatemala City in 2011. I have learned to read the Scripture in Spanish, so Conrad permitted me to try my hand at reading the text.

I taught World Religions Monday-Friday to graduates and teachers of ITL (Institute of Theology of Latin America) This was the first time I had taught this course as it is new in the Master’s curriculum. Special emphasis was given to the religions of Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism in contrast to the Christian faith revealed in the Bible. One of these religions claims to worship one God, Allah; others worship a multiplicity of gods, yet only the religion of Jehovah God and Christ bears the witness of fulfilled prophecy and miraculous events (2 Peter 1:16-21). Although these religions are not common and certainly not dominant in Central and South America now, each student knew someone of one of these religions. The atmosphere in class was active as the students probed the subjective and philosophical background of these religions in contrast to historical Christian evidences.

Four of the students were from the immediate area. Darvin Alvarez, a teacher at ITL, lives and preaches in Coban, about twenty minutes from San Cristobal. Coban is the primary city in that district of Guatemala. Other students included Francisco Ramos, his son, Abner and Wilder Ordonez, graduates of ITL. These men, along with their families form the evangelistic team at San Cristobal. The remaining student, Anabil Ramirez, an ITL instructor, lives in Guatemala City. Anabil has served as the preacher for the Linda Vista congregation since its beginning.

We met class in a rented facility where Francisco and his family first lived. I had taught all these men before and already knew them to be serious students and good men. It is great when you can enjoy studying the Bible, and that is really the way it should be. Even with lecture, discussion, tests and assignments seven hours a day, we found time for lunch, and for me, a brief siesta. Francisco’s wife, Herminia, was our cook. I had remembered her “tasty” cooking while Francisco was in school.

Wednesday night Darvin drove Conrad and me to Coban to teach at the congregation there. I had first taught Darvin in Panama in 2008 and ate with his wife and family. In 2010 Darvin began to teach with the Latin America Theological Institute. I preached from the second chapter of Philippians with the emphasis on “Have the Mind of Christ.” The congregation meets in a building just adjacent to Darvin’s house. We found time on the way to Coban to go by a tea plantation so that I could treat Sarah with some Guatemalan tea when I returned home.

Friday afternoon, Conrad and I returned with Anabil, Abner and others to Guatemala City. In addition to their studies during the week, these men will complete a vigorous research paper as part of the requirements of the course. As many of you know, the purpose of the Master’s Program is to give students broader and deeper knowledge of God’s Word, its application, and practical ways to communicate those lessons in a multicultural society and an ever-changing world. Upon completing their studies, the ITL graduates can assist in teaching other men who desire to become gospel preachers.

MULTIPLE MINISTRIES OF ITL
The linchpin of ITL (Latin America Theological Institute) is the School of Preaching located in Guatemala City. Men, in many cases their wives, study God’s Word for two years to prepare for teaching the Word of God and Christian service. ITL’s full-time program works in tandem with the Bear Valley Bible Institute’s Extension Program.

The school works with the Linda Vista congregation in the municipal area. Three of the ITL teachers, Anabil, Hawatthia and Byron, preach in a rotation with two of the brethren in the congregation. Students frequently teach classes for all ages. A prayer meeting on Tuesday night binds the brethren together and addresses mutual needs. Periodically, members of the congregation along with ITL students and teachers offer gospel literature and home Bible studies to those in the neighborhood. These weekly activities of worship, prayer, study and fellowship enrich the two-years of the ITL students, helping develop spiritual maturity and awareness of the needs of others.

ITL also conducts a three-year Saturday Program for those who like to seriously study the Bible but are employed Monday-Friday. The first class met in a rented elementary school, but was later moved to the location where the School of Preaching meets. Saturday students now can meet in a safer environment and benefit from the modern technology (power-point, etc) which enhances their Bible learning. The regular teachers of ITL teach in the Saturday Program. Eight students are currently studying courses such as Language and Research, the Gospel and the Life of Christ and Hermeneutics.

An Annual Lectureship is an additional part of this ministry. ITL’s third lectureship on March 16-17, 2012 featured the theme: “Adequately Searching the Scriptures.” Bob Turner, BVBID Extension Director and Donnie Bates, Coordinator of Central/South American Extensions, were among the speakers. Abner Ramos, ITL graduate, taught a special teenage class. Attendance was excellent, about 300 on Saturday, and 500 on Sunday. Christians were present from 18 congregations and 4 countries.

Student Campaigns punctuate the end of the year, prior to the holiday break. In 2011 ITL students went to three different places for their three weeks of teaching and evangelism. Churches that host the students provide food and lodging. Walter and Nohelis Dardon worked with the Linda Vista congregation in Guatemala City. David Avila and Alejandro Tot served in Coban, with Darvin Alvarez. Panamanian students, Eliezer Perez and Gabriel Gonzales, traveled to La Esperanza, Quetzaltenango, and assisted the brethren there. Local congregations were very encouraged and have requested the students to return.

You get the idea! There is little “dead time” in the ministry of the Latin America Theological Institute. I have been there now on four occasion and can attest to the quality of leadership, teaching and evangelism that comes from ITL.

—Gary Fallis

NEW MISSION WORK IN SAN CRISTOBAL
The San Cristobal team is a pilot project of ITL. We provide moral, educational, evangelistic and financial help. All the help is indefinite, except the financial commitment. The financial support is not indefinite because a goal from the beginning is for these brethren to raise a work that will eventually be self-sustaining. These well trained graduates have the opportunity to work closely with Darvin Alvarez, the evangelist who works with the Coban congregation only about 30 minutes away. Coban is a church plant of the Linda Vista congregation. This proximity gives our students easy access to a reliable and faithful resource.

The team is composed of Abner Ramos, Francisco and Erminia Ramos (and Jonathan), and Wilder and Marley Ordoñez (and Julissa and Jose David). After a couple of weeks to recuperate from graduation, they began working in San Critobal. Felix Cahuece, his wife, Erlinda and their four children were the first additions. They had previously worshipped in Coban, but had to travel one to two hours by foot to attend worship.

After several more weeks of studying with various people, God gave the increase through two new spiritual births. Jose Armando Cal Caal was baptized August 27, 2011, in Coban. The team met him when they were doing visitation in the local hospital. After having a couple studies with him, Jose decided that he wanted to give his life to the Lord. Since then, two others have been baptized, several have been restored, and 20-25 children from the community have been coming consistently after the church hosted a Vacation Bible School this past December.

The new church in San Cristobal has already planted their first new work in Las Pacayas! This small village is about 30 minutes north of San Cristobal. Allow us to share the beautiful story of how this took place. In 1979, Victoriano Max was baptized by Joe E. Lee, a missionary well known to the brethren in Guatemala. Victoriano became very involved in helping in the work and in translating into the local language of Pocom. In the 80s, because of the conflict between Mexico and the guerillas, Brother Lee was not able to return to study further. Sadly, the church eventually dissipated. Many of the Christians that did not flee or stop attending completely, began to attend the denominations. Around 30 years later, while Victoriano was in San Cristobal recently, he saw the sign for the church, took down the number, and began to investigate if it was a New Testament congregation. To his great joy, after talking with the preachers, he discovered he had found his family in Christ! The very next Sunday, he attended the worship service and was restored that same day. Soon, he brought another brother, who also was restored. Then, his wife was restored. Now, there have been 8 restorations, including a 96 year-old woman, Marcela Moran, who also was baptized by Brother Lee many decades ago. Because of this wonderful response, it was decided to make the extra effort to begin the church again in Las Pacayas. On Sunday, March 15, the San Cristobal team assembled with the Las Pacavasa brethren for their first worship service after decades of having seen the church disappear. The assembly was held in the home of Brother Victoriano. Please rejoice with us and pray for this new work.

Since then, the San Cristobal team has celebrated its first year anniversary in beginning the work. We are encouraged by the faithfulness these graduates are showing and their perseverance in a tough field. We are confident that these brethren will have further good news to report in the future.

—Hawatthia Jones and Byron Benitez

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

A Team Effort...

Sarah and I returned to Ukraine for the first time since 2007, having previously visited there four times. We were delayed an hour at Chicago O’Hare, barely caught the plane in Munich, but finally arrived in Donetsk, Ukraine on schedule. Dennis Sopelnik, BVBIU Director, then drove us forty minutes to Gorlovka, where the school is located.

We arrived in time for the BVBIU graduation Saturday, May 26. I spoke to the graduates from Isaiah 6, and Howell Ferguson, Ukraine Coordinator, further challenged them to use their training wisely. Dennis Sopelnik and Andre Zhuravlev presented the diplomas to the students. Friends and relatives of the graduates then joined the congregation in a fitting celebration of their graduation.

I taught New Testament Theology and the Gospel of John to the Graduate students while the undergraduate students were on break. The two newest students had just received their B.S. in Bible the day before. The week of classes is packed with lecture, discussion, quizzes and tests. The students then have two months to do the research assignments. Albert Bagdasarian receives and grades their work.

Sarah taught Ephesians to ladies from the church at Gorlovka. When she was not teaching, she was working on a book especially for those who teach the Old Testament to children. (She should have this book in publication before the end of the year)

Sarah and I were thankful to be there with Howell Ferguson and Mary Ferguson. Howell serves as Coordinator of the Bear Valley Extensions in Ukraine and Chimala. Sarah and I had first met Howell and Mary when they were serving as missionaries in Tanzania during the time that the Andrew Connally School of Preaching began. They are a team with “the heart of missionaries.”

Sarah and I stayed in a student’s apartment about 15 minutes from the school. Many of the apartments, which date from the Kruschev era, are often uncomfortable and inefficient. However, this apartment was newly refurbished, safe, clean and comfortable. The owner of the apartment, Eugene, is one of the students in the Institute. He is fluent in Ukranian, Russian and English and was my translator when I spoke at the Bear Valley graduation. At our departure, Sarah and I got to meet Eugene’s wife and three children.

Time spent with faithful Christians is precious. After a week in Gorlovka, Sarah and I, Howell and Mary and Dennis Sopelnik, his wife and daughter visited Lynn Allison and her husband, Victor, in Donetsk. In 2007 Sarah and Lynn had spoken at a Ladies Day in Donetsk where Lynn and Victor attended. Shortly afterward, Lynn and Victor married and have been serving God faithfully since then.

Andrew Zhuravlev, BVBIU graduate, who preaches at Gorlovka and teaches in the Institute, had his 40th birthday while we were there and invited several of us to attend. Sarah and I had met Andrew while he was studying at BVBIU and preaching at the small town of Ilivisce about an hour from Gorlovka. We visited Ilivisce on three occasions with Andrew and his family. I preached; Sarah taught ladies’ and children’s classes, and we became very close to Andrew and to the congregation.

Many members in the congregation in Gorlovka remember when it was illegal to have a Bible and meet publicly for worship. They became Christians through much difficulty and have remained faithful when others have disappointed and deserted them. They know the meaning of the scripture: “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven...” (Matt. 5:12).

Two and a half weeks came too soon, but we left Ukraine with the knowledge that faithful men and women are teaching the gospel and serving Christ in the midst of great opposition. But they are not alone! Many American Christians and churches are reaching across the world in concern, prayer and commitments to strengthen and train them.

—Gary Fallis

SLAVIANSK AND BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE UKRAINE
The first Church of Christ was founded in Slaviansk in 1989 as the result of the missionary trip of Ivan M. Kolesnikow. At that time he baptized several of his close relatives. Clifford Yeldell, then made possible the beginning of the Slaviansk Bible School in 1991. Brother Yeldell, who at that time coordinated the missionary efforts in the former Soviet Union, negotiated with the officials of the Slaviansk Power Constructional Technical School for the rent of several rooms in their buildings for the school. R.C. Polk, who worked for the Southern Christian University in Alabama, was the first director. Christians from Russia, Byelorussia, Armenia and Ukraine became the first students of this school. I was one of those students, and my wife, Irene, was one of the interpreters. The school existed till August of 1993.

Students of the Slaviansk Bible School and American missionaries helped begin the church in Kramatorsk in 1993. In 1994 Gene Clemmons, also a missionary, started a school of interpreters in Slaviansk. My wife, Irene, trained the students of one of the private Language Institutes who wanted to become qualified interpreters. These students worked as interpreters during evangelism campaigns for several years after their training, and many of them became faithful Christians.

At that time there were few Churches of Christ in the Donetsk region, and their preachers had very little spiritual education. That is why experienced brethren began to offer classes for preachers in 1994 at the State Foreign Language Institute of Gorlovka. Owen Farley was one of the teachers. We became better prepared to teach the gospel to own countrymen and begin congregations where they could worship. Students had to travel to these classes by local electric trains where it was hot in summer and cold in winter. Despite all these difficulties, we regularly attended the classes in order to improve our knowledge of the Bible.

In September of 1997 the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, Colorado began a Bible School in Kramatorsk. We could now receive more extensive spiritual preparation for our work as evangelists. The first Dean of the Extension School was the late Buck Hall, followed by Terry Harmon. Terry married Marina, a Ukranian Christian, and remained as Dean for almost ten years. Terry and Marina finally had to return to the United States because of the illness of their younger son. However, Terry had wisely trained his replacement, Dennis Sopelnik, who now serves as the Director of BVBIU. Dennis is a graduate of Bear Valley Bible Institute of Ukraine.

The first class received their B.S. in Bible from Bear Valley in 2002, and the Master’s Program began the same year. All the graduates from the first class continued their study at the Master’s level. The majority of the courses in BVBIU are now taught by Ukranian graduates: Vlad Paziy, Vitally Rodichev, Victor Semikoz, Albert Bagdasarian, Andrew Zhuravlev and Dennis Sopelnik.

The Bible Institute moved to Gorlovka in 2007 where we now have a very adequate facility to train preachers for decades. The building has two class rooms, more if needed. This is accompanied by several offices, a large library, a large space where the local church meets, an apartment for visiting teachers and more. A new boiler was added to warm students in the cold winters of Ukraine. In May this year we celebrated the 10th, “jubilee”, graduation of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Ukraine.

God “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” has made it possible to teach the Bible to faithful Christians who will be able to teach others in Ukraine and other areas of the former Soviet Union. The seed that was planted in 1989-1990 in Slaviansk reminds us of Jesus’ Kingdom parable of a “mustard seed” which grew and became a tree so that many could find shade under its branches (cf. Matt. 13:21-33). I have only mentioned a few -- Americans, Ukranians, and others, past and present -- who are part of the planting and receiving of God’s Word in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. We can be thankful to them and so many others who serve the King of Kings in His eternal kingdom.

—Albert Bagdasarian

DISCOVERING THE PAST
On July 25, I preached at the Beltline congregation in Irving, Texas as part of their summer series. One of the new members whom I’d met only briefly in the past is Clifford Yeldell, whom Albert mentions in his article. Afterward, Clifford and I realized we had more connections than just the fact that his wife, Faye, is a friend from our past work at Brown Trail. I enjoyed learning more about the early work in Ukraine, and he enjoyed hearing my update, especially knowing that Albert and Irene are still faithfully serving God. As soon as I came home, I emailed Albert about meeting Clifford, and he sent me several early pictures. I’ve shared them with Clifford, and we plan to get together and “connect the dots” of the work in Gorlovka.

Gary Fallis

To see Gary's report, complete with pictures, click here.

Arusha Trip...

THE KINGDOM OF GOD GROWS
V . P . Black once said, “What God controls grows.” How true this is! Think of this as an individual Christian, a part of God’s Kingdom. Ask yourself: “Am I growing?”

The kingdom of God in Tanzania and throughout East Africa is growing. Why? Because God is in control. We started with a vision, a vision to do God’s will, God’s way, in Tanzania. We had a dream of planting 50 congregations. Because God is in control, He has planted 150 new congregations in East Africa through the ministry of Tanzania 2000. Let me illustrate:

In July, 1998, when we began this mission effort, only two small congregations existed in northern Tanzania, Arusha and Usa River. They had a combined attendance of between 25-30 in worship.

As of October, 2011, the work of God has resulted in the following:

♦5 Bible Schools in Tanzania: Arusha, Moshi, Monduli, Ushirombo and Mto wa Mbu.

♦90 gospel preachers have graduated from the Andrew Connally School of Preaching, an extension of the Bear Valley Bible Institute.

♦ 150 congregations meet throughout East Africa: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

♦25-30 Christians are trained in The Uganda School of Evangelism, which began in 2007.

♦ A Bear Valley Extension in western Kenya is to begin in 2012.

Between 10-15 congregations are being established each year by our graduates and existing congregations.

All of this and much more has been made possible by the grace of God and with the help of our faithful friends and supporter. The following activities have contributed to the growth of the church in East Africa.

♦Safari for Souls Campaigns. Each year between 50-100 Christians from America join us in Tanzania to teach thousands.

♦Tanzania Leadership Conference. Over 100 evangelists from Tanzania join in lessons on Leadership and Christian growth.

♦Future Preacher’s Training Camp. Young men between the ages of 13-25 receive training in public worship, song leading and sermon preparation.

♦Tanzania Christian Camp. The youth of Tanzania come together each year for fellowship and Christian ministry.

♦Ladies’ Seminar. Missionary wives, Christian ladies from Tanzania and America teach how to be better wives and mothers, teachers and servants of God.

♦ East Africa Gospel Meeting. Christians from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda have their own annual “Safari for Souls” which rotates among the three countries.

The doors of opportunity continue to open in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Will you join us? God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Unto Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21).

Cy Stafford - THE BENEFITS OF PARTNERSHIP
Tanzania 2000 began in 1998 to evangelize northern Tanzania. The ministry has forged partnerships with Christians in Africa and America. One of those partnership is between Tanzania 2000 and the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, CO (BVBID). I began serving as the Coordinator of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching in 2002 and served in that capacity until 2007. I now serve as the Coordinator of Master’s Studies. I have witnessed the resilience of this relationship.

Actually, my relationship with TZ 2000 started before I began working with BVBID. Cy Stafford, Coordinator of East Africa Evangelism, was one of my students at the Brown Trail School of Preaching, graduating in 1998. Duane Patton and John Baker, who previously taught at ACSOP, were also my students. Other Brown Trail students have participated in campaigns and special lessons.

In 2007 Francis Wechesa began the Uganda School of Evangelism. A native of Uganda, Francis began a Bible School in Arusha, TZ even before the Andrew Connally School of Preaching began. He yearned to begin a similar school in Uganda. In January, 2007 the Uganda School of Evangelism opened its doors to twelve students in a cramped room in a church building. Francis dream came true! But there was much more to be done. Now, this BVBID Extension has a functional building similar to ACSOP thanks to the partnership of Ugandan and American Christians. The school now teaches evangelists in English and Swahili from the countries of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya. I was the first Bear Valley teacher there in 2007 and pleased to find that most of the teachers were graduates of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching.

In Sept. 2012 native brethren will also begin a Bear Valley Extension in western Kenya. Charles Oguta, ACSOP graduate, will serve as the Director. Other ACSOP graduates will be teachers. I have taught all these men both on the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of the elders of the Kenyan congregation, which will oversee the school, is the father of Jacob Omollo, an ACSOP graduate and future teacher.

The apostle Paul, in writing to the church in Corinth where teamwork was sometime fragile, gives two excellent illustrations of those who work together with God. The first illustration is farming. He says, “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gives the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6). The second illustration is building. He describes Christ as the foundation, and how one lays the foundation and another builds on it (1 Cor. 3:10-11).

Christians from East Africa and from America are working together with God to bring souls to Christ. When we plant the word of Christ and nurture that seed, God gives the growth.  And when we build on that foundation, not caring who gets the credit and recognizing we are all servants, the Kingdom will grow and prosper. This is the benefit of a partnership.

—Gary Fallis 

A NEW BIBLE SCHOOL BEGINS IN KISONGA
The Kisonga Bible School is planned, organized and operated by Tanzanians for anyone who wants to seriously study the Word of God. The classes meet in the ACSOP facilities from 4:30-6:30 after the preaching students have finished for the day. The school is patterned after the Arusha and Moshi Bible Schools that were established in 2000 to promote Christian growth and leadership.

The Tanzanians are “stepping up to the plate” in leadership and vision. The man responsible for most of the effort is ACSOP graduate Ahimidiwe Kimaro, who serves as the preacher at Kisongo as well as Dean of Students and Office Manager/Printer for ACSOP.

Who is responsible for Ahimidiwe’s training and education? The Kensington Woods Church of Christ (Hattiesburg, MS) which made a 20 year commitment to train Africans to teach Africans. Who brought his vision and dream to the attention of the Kensington Wood elders? Cy Stafford. And upon whose work did Cy Stafford build? Andrew Connally, who began evangelizing East Africa long ago in the 1960's. And who is responsible for keeping this work alive and prospering? YOU ARE.

Many, many people have been involved in the TZ 2000 mission work including financial supporters (whether individuals or congregations), visiting American teachers and preachers, African evangelists and Tanzanian ACSOP staff (housekeepers, cooks, office workers, guards, etc) “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” (I Cor. 3:6)

—Jimmy Gee

OBSERVATIONS OF A GRADUATE FROM ACSOP
From a student’s point of view, Acts 17:26-27 could as well be the spirit behind the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. As a lost soul, I realized there is no salvation in human inventions, and I sought the true God tirelessly. I came face to face with what I had been looking for and became a member of the church of Christ. I saw a need to take that knowledge to others but realized that I did not know enough. However, brethren from far away, compelled by the love of lost souls like me, gave sacrificially to plant a preaching school in Tanzania, East Africa.

My thirst for knowledge drew me to the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. Missionaries, who also served as the faculty, worked tirelessly around the clock. At the end of a six-week quarter, they were relieved by a visiting instructor who would teach an intensive course for a week or two. We students would then have a break, completing our homework and field assignments. We became attuned to the routine, and the cycle resumed and continued for two years. We studied diligently and received knowledge and experience that would otherwise have stretched over four years.

During training, the only thing that I missed was time to sit down, undisturbed, and read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation again and again. Now I have the tools of study available to me, and I can read the word of God with a totally different light and enjoy it. But I will never forget that without the efforts of Christians from far away, I would still be groping for the truth and probably not finding it in a lifetime.

As a post graduate, I will be further trained through seminars and workshops conducted by the missionaries, so that I may teach others in congregations to be evangelists. Thus, the work becomes a chain reaction. More souls are saved and God is glorified.

Much gratitude is directed to the noble souls who are behind all this. We are sincerely aware that within the two year period at ACSOP we have gained the knowledge of truth concerning the word of God which we could never have gained in a lifetime of personal study.

It is obvious that the Andrew Connally School of Preaching, together with her sister, the Arusha Bible School, are going to attract much attention and fame from East Africa and beyond with only the slightest advertisement. We who are graduates from ACSOP, however, will continue to be the mouthpiece of the school’s reputation through our doing and teaching what we have prepared our hearts for, all to the glory of God and to the betterment of mankind. All was freely offered to us, and we need to offer it freely to others.

The School of Preaching is undoubtedly crucial in this part of the world, as false teachers from all over the globe have diabolically united to lead millions of ignorant and otherwise sincere souls to the gates of hell under the camouflage of Christianity. The work ahead of us is neckbreaking, but we must stand steadfast for the truth, knowing that we are not alone. God is with us.

A TRIBUTE TO STEVEN KIVUYO
I have reprinted this article from Steven Kivuyo, a 2004 graduate, because it sums up the purpose and value of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. Steven was one of the most outstanding students to ever graduate from ACSOP. He was scheduled to enter the first graduate program class and would likely have become director of the Arusha Bible School. He had that kind of character, maturity and ability. I heard him preach during the Leadership Conference 2004., and he easily had one of the best sermons in content and delivery that I have ever heard. However, Steven died of malaria shortly after his graduation. He has gone to his reward, but even after this man years, “his works do follow him.”  Steven Kivuyo, March 2004 Graduate, ACSOP

—Gary Fallis

To see the full report with pictures, click here.