West Africa Happenings: March - April 2013

Greetings from Africa to all those who have a love for the truth and a longing to spend eternity with our merciful God. It is our prayer that our Lord is blessing you during the current year. It is also our prayer that you are holding fast to the truth found in the word of God. As the world seems to be drifting farther and farther away from God, we pray that you are walking in the light, and seeking His guidance in all that you do.

All Over West Africa in 2013
Another blink of our eyes, and we are now moving through the year 2013 at lightning speed. There are so many throughout the world who need to hear the Good News about Jesus Christ, and especially what they MUST DO to be washed by HIS BLOOD! The beginning of 2013 was spent visiting six of the schools of preaching throughout West Africa where we are training leaders. My travels took me through Liberia, Ghana, Togo, Cameroon and Nigeria as we discussed and planned how to best utilize the resources we have available through your support to bring as many to Christ as possible during the current year. There is much happening at all of the schools, and regular up to date reports are continually being posted to the Bear Valley Bible Institute extension school website. You can read about the evangelistic campaigns, the congregations that are being planted, and the souls that are being saved. You can read about the challenges of the work, and how God is helping our brethren throughout the world to overcome these trials. You can read about how we are implementing programs to train preachers, elders, deacons, and other church leaders throughout West Africa. In this newsletter, I will give a brief recap of some of the happenings.

Liberia Bible College – My journey began in Monrovia where we met with the staff and students at the Liberia Bible College as they continue to train leaders to labor in our Lord’s kingdom. Brother Richard Renfro with Mission Printing in Texas was traveling with me to Liberia and Ghana to discuss sending ship containers of Bible tracts to help build up the church in West Africa. All of your brothers and sisters send their greetings. The brethren said they are in dire need of books to build up their library and are requesting special assistance in this area. May our Lord continue to bless this school!

Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies – From Liberia, we moved to Tamale Ghana. The brethren are excited about the recent move to their new premises which are now nearing completion. Plans were being made for the different ways the facilities can be used to build up the church in northern Ghana. In addition to preacher training, they are discussing indigenous leadership training, programs for women and youth, and special lectureships and seminars to deal with specific topics and problems. Funds will need to be raised to assist our brethren with some of these programs. We thank God for the sacrifice of all those involved with this work!

West Coast School of Preaching – Our journey then moved us to southern Ghana where our brethren are training men to preach in the area around Takoradi. There was much elation over the recent renovations to their administration building which included a new roof, an expanded library, and an enlarged classroom. With the increase in their student body the facilities are being fully utilized at the present time. There is presently a need for additional computer equipment to assist in the training. Please keep this work in your prayers!

Center for Biblical Studies - From Ghana, I moved across the border to Togo where I had the opportunity to meet with our brethren in the city of Kpalime. I participated with the brethren in an evangelistic campaign, and also spent time with the staff planning the activities for the upcoming year. The school has been very instrumental in building up the church in this area of Togo. Congregations have been planted and many denominational leaders have come to understand the Bible more perfectly. With your support, fifteen students will graduate this fall, and we are actively recruiting for their next class. May our Lord continue His wonderful work in this area of Togo!

Cameroon Bible Institute of Wotutu – My journey continued into the country of Cameroon where I had the opportunity to visit the wonderful work taking place there. Each morning began at five a.m. with a morning devotional and public preaching through their open air radio program. I spent time interacting with the students, instructors, and staff as we discussed the way forward for the rest of the year. There are numerous needs at the present time to facilitate the training of preachers in this West African country. We pray that God will provide all of these needs!

Southwest School of Evangelism - My journey finally took me to the country of Nigeria where I had the opportunity to visit our school in Ibadan. We are currently training 32 men at this evangelistic Institute. With your help, we were able to assist with the purchase of some computers and other equipment that will facilitate their training program. The brethren are excited to move into their new facilities even though they are still in the construction process. Funds need to be raised to finish their auditorium and classroom facilities so they can fully utilize the new premises. We know that God will provide for their needs!

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Need for Coordinators
Are you a preacher who would like to become involved on a part-time basis in training church leaders throughout the world? We have a need for short course teachers at our schools in West Africa! Can you make a short term trip for one or two weeks per year to teach? We are also in need of those to work part-time to help coordinate some of our schools in West Africa. Can you spend a few hours a week in communication (i.e. emails, Skype, telephone) in addition to an annual one or two week trip? If so, you could help us coordinate one of our preaching schools. Working together we can do even more than we could ever imagine. Please let me know if you can help in this way!

Financial Support
We want to thank all of the supporters for their contributions to this exciting work in West Africa. Without you, this effort would not be possible.

Contributions by check need to be made payable to: Mountain Home church of Christ

For: West Africa Mission

Mailed to:

Mountain Home church of Christ 380 North College Street Mountain Home, AR 72653

Any questions can be directed to the church office at 870-425-4330.

Or you can contact Steven at:
Email: samtnhome@yahoo.com

USA Phone: 971-270-8535

Please email Steven if you would like to receive this newsletter by email.

Thanks So Much, With Christian Love
Steven Ashcraft

To see Steven’s report with all the pictures attached, please click here.

West Africa Happenings: January - February 2013

Greetings to all those throughout the world who have a desire to spend eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We pray that our Lord is continuing to bless you as we attempt to faithfully follow our Master. The Good News is that through the shedding of His blood, we have the opportunity to stand “Holy and Blameless” before God forever and ever. The choice is ours! With your help, we are attempting to bring this message to many throughout West Africa! In this newsletter, we would like to recapture some of the major events of 2012. A photo gallery that includes many of our favorite photos for the year is included at the end of the email version of this report.

Another Year Has Passed By
We blinked and another year passed in front of our eyes. However, God has truly blessed the work during 2012. Many preachers were trained, many souls were brought to Christ, and our Lord’s body was edified throughout West Africa. We continue with evangelistic efforts in numerous areas as I also fulfill my role as Regional Director of Extensions in West Africa for Bear Valley Bible Institute. This position requires a lot of travel as I have just returned to the USA after visiting six schools of preaching in five different countries over the past six weeks. You can read all about this trip through the individual reports of the schools that are placed on the Bear Valley Bible Institute website. I would like to spend a few minutes now recapping some of the major events that have taken place throughout 2012 at each of the schools in West Africa where we are working. Please keep all of these works in your prayers!

TIBS – Tamale, Ghana
The Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies had an exciting year during 2012. Brother Tony Johnson graduated from Bear Valley Bible Institute and moved to Ghana to become part of the team who is operating this school. His leadership, Biblical knowledge, and administrative skills have been a wonderful blessing, and we are certain that many will spend eternity in heaven due to his efforts. We are already seeing results through the students and staff in Tamale who were responsible for planting two new congregations during 2012 and over fifty baptisms. Our Lord is certainly blessing this work! At the end of 2012 there were 12 students who were studying God’s word at the school as we prepare for a new class in 2013. The work on the new building was continuing at the end of the year and the move has now been scheduled for February of 2013. It has been a long project that is nearing completion! Please keep all the Christians in this part of the world in your prayers.

WCSOP – Takoradi, Ghana
The West Coast School of Preaching has also had a thrilling year during 2012. Dozens have come to Christ as the students, graduates, and teachers continue to proclaim the gospel to all those who will listen. The school reached a major milestone during 2012 with six students who graduated with Bear Valley Master’s degrees in November of 2012. This was a first for the school! Bear Valley has been taking an active role in edifying the instructors so they can build up their students even more. These six graduates were accompanied by two who graduated with Bear Valley Bachelor’s Degrees and six who received Bear Valley Certificates. There are currently twenty students at the school who are studying God’s word as we move into 2013. Through your support, we were also able to put a much needed new roof on the administration building at the end of the year. We thank God for all those who are sacrificing to make this work possible.

CBS – Kpalime, Togo
The Center for Biblical Studies in Togo is continuing to labor in this French speaking country. At the end of 2012, there were 15 students in this unique full time program. We say unique because this school has been built upon an evangelistic design. Not only are the graduates preaching the gospel, baptizing souls into Christ, and planting churches, but the school itself is designed to bring leaders to Christ. Many of our students were pastors in the denominational world who came to learn the truth at the school and became members of our Lord’s body. These faithful Christians are now studying God’s word so they can preach the truth throughout western Togo. We thank God for giving us this wonderful opportunity!

CBIW – Wotutu, Cameroon
The work in Cameroon is flourishing! The numbers speak for themselves with over 170 baptisms and 120 restorations during 2012 through the evangelistic efforts of the school. Four new congregations were planted, and many heard the word of God preached through their daily radio program. They are not only studying and learning the Bible. They are applying what they learn! Seventeen students graduated from this full time program in December of 2012 as twenty nine new students were preparing to begin in early 2013. The impact that this school is having upon the church in Cameroon is amazing! We thank all those who are sacrificing throughout the world to make this work possible. May God have the glory!

SWSE – Ibadan, Nigeria
If you want to see an example of self-sacrifice for our Lord then you need look no farther than the Southwest School of Evangelism in Ibadan Nigeria. This school became the dream of the local brethren in 2003, and they have been laboring diligently since that time to create a quality school. During 2012, Bear Valley Bible Institute joined hands with our Nigerian brethren to help build up their program. This is another school that spends a lot of their time applying what they learn outside of the classroom. Over 110 souls were immersed into Christ during the year 2012 as a result of their efforts. At the end of 2012, there were 32 students who were enrolled in the full time program in Ibadan, and another ten students were studying at a part time extension school in Lagos. All of these faithful Christians have the ability to make a significant difference in this troubled part of the world. We thank you for your fellowship in the gospel in Nigeria!

LBC – Monrovia, Liberia
The Liberia Bible College in Monrovia received a wonderful boost during 2012 when it became involved with the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver. This full time program which had trained many of the preachers who are working in Liberia today was resurrected from the dead! Fifteen students started classes in September of the year after significant renovations were made to the building. This was all made possible through the benevolence of a brother from Texas who perceived the potential impact the school could have on the church in Liberia and acted upon those convictions. We are already seeing results as the students are continually involved in personal and public evangelism during their studies. There are plans to start a new class in September of 2013 with the hope of bringing the total enrollment up to 35 students. Please keep this wonderful work in your prayers!

Financial Support
We want to thank all of the supporters for their contributions to this exciting work in West Africa. Without you, this effort would not be possible.

Contributions by check need to be made payable to: Mountain Home church of Christ

For: West Africa Mission

Mailed to:

Mountain Home church of Christ
380 North College Street
Mountain Home, AR 72653

Any questions can be directed to the church office at 870-425-4330.

Or you can contact Steven at:

Email: samtnhome@yahoo.com
USA Phone: 971-270-8535

Please email Steven if you would like to receive this newsletter by email.

Thanks So Much, With Christian Love
Steven Ashcraft

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

West Africa Happenings: November - December 2012

Greetings from West Africa! We pray that this newsletter once again finds you in good health and sprits. We pray that God grants you the courage and the boldness to speak up for our Lord as we encounter a world that seems to be turning away from the truth. We face many challenges in West Africa as we empower men and women to speak up but with your help the work is flourishing throughout this part of the world. We thank you for your fellowship in the gospel! In this newsletter, we will bring you up to date on some of the happenings during this period.

Working with the Graduates
We love Good News and it keeps coming! Precious souls are baptized into Christ and new congregations are established as a result of evangelistic campaigns at our Bible colleges. As our schools impart Biblical knowledge to the students, they put this knowledge into action! Personal evangelism and public preaching are the norm rather than the exception at our schools. We want our graduates to continue to evangelize and reach their full potential after they complete the program. We are developing methods to track our graduates’ progress and evaluate their needs as they enter into the field. Many are working with minimal support and resources. With your help, we are offering assistance by providing them with preaching equipment, tracts, transportation, Bible study material and Bibles. At times we can travel to their villages or cities to help them achieve their evangelistic goals. During the present reporting period, we had the opportunity to personally work with graduates of our schools on evangelistic campaigns in both Togo and Ghana.

A New Congregation in Cinkasse Togo
We thank God that a new congregation is now worshiping in the city of Cinkasse in northern Togo! Surrounded by mosques and Muslims this small group of Christians are attempting to worship our Lord in Spirit and in Truth. The gospel light is shining bright, and we pray that many others will come to know and obey the truth. In some parts of the world, it is not easy to become a Christian. There is significant pressure from family, friends, and other members of the community to follow Islam or their traditional religion.. Those who do decide to obey our Lord will often suffer economic, social, and even physical persecution.

With your assistance over the years, we have planted numerous congregations of the Lord’s church in northern Togo. In our last report we highlighted the birth of a congregation in Basaar Togo, and we have now moved further north to the Burkina Faso border. The campaign in Cinkasse was a joint effort between the Togolese and Ghanaian brethren with both graduates and current students of the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies joining forces with their Togolese counterparts. We worked in this predominantly Islamic trading city by sharing the word of God from house to house and preaching the Gospel publicly at night as we showed films about Abraham and Jesus. We had large crowds each evening as many heard the truth about Jesus, and were given the opportunity to learn more. We have teachers from both Ghana and Togo who are traveling to Cinkasse regularly to edify this new group of Christians. The latest reports indicate that this congregation is continuing to grow in numbers and maturity. Please keep the work in Cinkasse in your prayers!

Five Baptized in Apam Campaign
Karen and I visited, encouraged, and edified many congregations and Christians as we traveled through Ghana and Togo over this period. We were blessed with the opportunity to work with graduates from the West Coast School of Preaching while we were in southern Ghana. Five precious souls were baptized into Christ during a short campaign in the city of Apam in the month of September. During the day, we moved from house to house to study the word of God with all who would listen. It is easy to begin a Bible Study in Ghana. Many times after you sit down to study with one person, others will join you before the study is complete. In the evenings, we showed films to draw a crowd and then preached the word of God to those who had gathered. Numerous studies were set up during this campaign, and the Lord’s Kingdom was expanded. The graduates from our schools of preaching are having a significant impact on the church throughout West Africa!

Tidbits from the Schools
The Cameroon Bible Institute evangelistic campaigns during the period resulted in 15 souls being baptized into Christ and 53 restorations in one week, and another 17 baptisms during another week. A new congregation was established in Ntesah village with plans to plant another new congregation soon in a nearby village. The fifteen students at the Center for Biblical Studies in Kpalime Togo are continuing to evangelize. They have recently planted a new congregation and have 32 prospects with whom they are studying. They are looking forward to their upcoming graduation in 2013. The Liberia Bible College in Monrovia Liberia began classes in September with 15 full time students. These students have been actively involved in evangelism through personal Bible studies, and radio preaching. As a result of these efforts, 7 Christians were restored and 3 new souls were baptized into Christ during the month of October. In October, the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies planted a new congregation in the city of Bimbila in northern Ghana. Twelve precious souls were baptized into Christ with others continuing to study God’s word. The first worship service of the Bimbila church of Christ had 35 in attendance. The Southwest School of Evangelism in Nigeria has been busy during the period with a number of evangelistic campaigns and a youth lectureship that was attended by over 400. The gospel is being preached and our Lord’s Kingdom expanded. The West Coast school of Preaching student body has increased significantly. Seventeen full time students have been attending classes, and they are expecting three more full time students at this evangelistic school.

Bear Valley Website
I would like to remind you that more frequent reports for the schools of preaching where we are working are now being posted to the Bear Valley website. You can see these reports at this web address:

http://www.wetrainpreachers.com/why-extension-schools/

If you go to this web address, you will find links on the right side of the page for all of the schools in West Africa. You will also find specific links for each school on the left side of the page along with a link for my previous reports.

Financial Support
We want to thank all the supporters for their contributions to this exciting work in West Africa. Without you, this effort would not be possible.

Contributions by check need to be made payable to: Mountain Home church of Christ

For: West Africa Mission

Mailed to:

Mountain Home church of Christ
380 North College Street
Mountain Home, AR 72653

Any questions can be directed to the church office at 870-425-4330.

Or you can contact Steven at:

Email: samtnhome@yahoo.com
USA Phone: 971-270-8535

Please email Steven if you would like to receive this newsletter by email.

Thanks So Much, 

With Christian Love
Steven Ashcraft

West Africa Happenings: July - August 2012...

Greetings from all of your brothers and sisters throughout West Africa. The gospel light is shining bright as the workers continue to labor in the vineyard of our Lord. In this report, we will outline some of the happenings over the period. 

The Church Expands in Togo
I love the song “Soldiers of Christ Arise!” Whether we realize it or not, Christians are at war throughout the world. We are fighting this war in West Africa where Satan is attempting to prevail through Islam, idolatry, and false teachers. A battle was recently waged in the town of Basaar in northern Togo. Ghanaian and Togolese evangelists came together to preach the gospel publicly and house to house. We preached over the radio airwaves, as the call to prayers echoed from the mosques throughout this predominantly Islamic city. We sat down and studied with the residents as others attempted to divert their attentions away from the truth. We showed Bible films and preached publicly in the evenings as many gathered to hear more about the true doctrine of Christ. Before we left, five souls were baptized into Christ, others had promised to study, and a new congregation was worshiping in Spirit and in Truth. A battle has been won, but the war wages on. Islam is pressing down from the north, false teachers are sprouting up everywhere you look, and many are becoming so confused that they look towards the animistic religion of their fathers to satisfy their spiritual needs. We must continue to preach the Good News if the war will be won in West Africa. We are ready for the fight! Many are hearing the words of truth that can save their souls. We thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement, and support!

Tidbits from the Schools
With your help, the gospel is being proclaimed throughout West Africa, and dozens of leaders are being trained at the Bible schools to prepare them to build up the church in this part of the world. We want to tell you a little about each location in this Newsletter. The best place to get complete up-to- date information for the schools is on the Bear Valley website at this address: http://www.wetrainpreachers.com/why-extension- schools/

The work is moving forward at the Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies in Tamale, Ghana. The building construction is continuing with windows, doors, plastering, water, and electricity moving towards completion in anticipation of a move from the rented premises during the month of December. The school in Tamale has realized a wonderful addition to their staff with the arrival of brother Tony Johnson from the USA. He will be teaching at the school and helping coordinate the work with Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver. He is already making a positive impact on the work!

The Southwest School of Evangelism in Ibadan Nigeria continues a wonderful work in their training of faithful preachers in the cities of Ibadan and Lagos. Recently, the staff and students’ evangelistic efforts resulted in sixty baptisms, forty restorations, and the establishment of a new congregation! Twenty-eight students graduated during the SWSE’s ninth graduation ceremony in August. The 2012/2013 year then began with thirty-eight students studying at the two SWSE campuses. A great work is taking place in Nigeria!

The Center for Biblical Studies in Kpalime Togo is continuing their labors to train preachers in French speaking West Africa. Twenty souls were recently baptized into Christ and a new congregation was planted in Keve Togo. Four graduates are now working with new congregations that have been planted during the year. We were able to purchase Thompson Chain Reference Bibles for all the present and past students to help them with their studies, teaching, and preaching. We were also able to acquire a new copier to provide handouts for the students. CBS is truly making an impact on the strength of the church in this area!

During July and August, the Liberia Bible College in Monrovia Liberia moved forward towards their desire to train preachers in this war torn country. Brother Glen Addison from Texas and I took the time to visit Monrovia in August and assist in their building renovations, acquisition of furniture and equipment, and the planning necessary to put this training program in place. Twenty students were scheduled to begin classes at the end of August. Bear Valley is also in the process of beginning a Master’s program at this school to train the instructors. We thank God for all those faithful men who are sacrificing to make this work possible!

Brothers Bill Dillon from Arkansas, and Mike Kiser from Alabama traveled to the West Coast School of Preaching in Takoradi Ghana to teach short courses during the month of August. Max Robertson from the overseeing congregation in Howe, Texas also visited during August to discuss the renovation of the building, revision of the budget, and plans for an increase in the student body for the upcoming enrollment in September. Precious souls are being brought to Christ through the evangelistic efforts of the staff and students at this school!

The Cameroon Bible Institute of Wotutu is another Bear Valley Bible school in West Africa that I have not mentioned in my previous newsletters. I hope you will take the time to review their reports on the Bear Valley website. Many great things are taking place in Cameroon, and I hope to be able to visit this school in early 2013.

Year End Reporting
I will be scheduling time over the next couple of months to visit many of you and report on the work in West Africa. The primary objective of this ministry is to fulfill the Great Commission through empowering the indigenous Christians to fulfill their complete potential. With your help, we are achieving this goal by equipping the local brethren with Bible knowledge and providing them with evangelistic assistance. Together, we can do even more in the future than we have accomplished in the past. Let us continue to labor together is this fruitful field!

Financial Support
We want to thank all of the supporters for their contributions to this exciting work in West Africa. Without you, this effort would not be possible.

Contributions by check need to be made payable to: Mountain Home church of Christ
For: West Africa Mission

Mailed to: Mountain Home church of Christ 380 North College Street Mountain Home, AR 72653

Any questions can be directed to the church office at 870-425-4330.

Or you can contact Steven at:
Email: samtnhome@yahoo.com

USA Phone: 971-270-8535
Please email Steven if you would like to receive this newsletter by email.

Thanks So Much, With Christian Love

Steven Ashcraft

To see Steven’s report with pictures of the work throughout West Africa, click here.

West Africa Mission Happenings: May-June 2012

Greetings from West Africa to all of our sacrificial brethren throughout the world. The Lord’s Kingdom has no boundaries and even though we are separated from many of you by a great ocean, we know that we are one! As we prepare for our Lord’s return, we pray that all of you are continuing to labor in His vineyard and are standing fast in the truth! The work is continuing throughout West Africa as we expand our efforts into new areas, and attempt to revitalize our previous efforts. Bear Valley is now helping to train preachers in Monrovia Liberia which was outlined in our last report. In this report, we will detail our new efforts to train leaders in Ibadan and Lagos Nigeria. We will also try to give you a brief feel of the schools that are operating in other areas of West Africa. As usual there will be some photos at the end. Please be aware that the latest up to date information can always be found for all of the Bear Valley schools on their website.

A Nigerian Partnership
Crowded and noisy streets, blaring horns, and a feeling of unrest were what Ralph Williams and I encountered when we traveled to Ibadan Nigeria recently. Nigeria is a country with over 160 million people that has been blessed with some of the greatest oil reserves in the world. Unfortunately their resources have been mismanaged and rampant corruption has caused many problems. They are dealing with ethnic and religious conflict in the northern states, piracy off their coasts, kidnappings and rebel activity in their oil fields, and widespread crime in their major cities. All of this conflict does not negate the fact that God wants these people to hear the true gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Millions and millions of people in Nigeria need to hear and learn the truth if they are going to enjoy a heavenly home. We must work together to help them get that message!

The Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE) is a preacher training program in southwestern Nigeria that was founded in 2003 with the help of brethren associated with World Bible School. Doug Wheeler with the Westside church of Christ in Norman Oklahoma has been a great supporter of this school. The need is great for preachers, church leaders, evangelists, and teachers throughout Nigeria, and the SWSE is helping to train leaders to expand and edify our Lord’s church in this part of the world. The Southwest School of Evangelism approached Bear Valley Bible Institute in 2011 with a request for assistance in their endeavors to train preachers. It was for this reason that Ralph and I traveled to this volatile nation.

As a result of our trip, we feel that Bear Valley has much to offer this school in southwestern Nigeria. We hope to offer assistance in the development of their curriculum and broaden the materials that are available for their library, instructors, and students. We have a desire to send American brethren to the school to help train the instructors and help them with their teaching methods. We would also like to assist the school and graduates in becoming more self-sufficient by providing ideas and assistance in developing programs to feed the current students, and give the graduating students skills that may help them support their families. Working together we can build up this training program in Nigeria! Preachers will be trained, and souls will be saved! May the Lord bless our Nigerian brethren and multiply their efforts as they diligently labor in HIS vineyard.

Other Schools of Preaching
As we begin to work in new places throughout the world, we are not ignoring the schools that are already in existence. Preachers are continuing to be trained, congregations are being planted, and precious souls are being placed in the hands of our beloved Savior. Here are a few of the events that have taken place throughout West Africa during the months of May and June:

Kpalime, Togo – (Center for Biblical Studies) –
Doyle Kee, a missionary from Geneva Switzerland taught an evangelism class at the school in Kpalime during the month of June. An evangelistic campaign with brother Kee and brethren from the U.S., Ghana, and Togo resulted in 54 Baptisms and five new congregations. Recent graduates from the school in Kpalime will be helping to work with these new Christians. We thank God for this effort.

Tamale, Ghana – (Tamale Institute of Biblical Studies) – 
The students at TIBS are allowed time during the year to spend on their farms planting their crops to help feed their families. However, the school is not idle during this time. The instructors take advantage of this time out of classes to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Brother Adjei Mensah, the Dean of Students, has been working in northern Ghana where 13 souls have recently been baptized into Christ. Brother Baah, the director of the school, has also been working with recent graduates to edify and encourage them with their work.

Takoradi, Ghana (West Coast School of Preaching) – 
The instructors and students in Takoradi are also continuing their evangelistic efforts. Instructor Joshua Aidoo recently led a campaign where 12 precious souls were baptized into Christ as a result of public preaching and house to house evangelism. All of our schools are actively involved in teaching and preaching those words that are necessary to save men’s souls.

Monrovia, Liberia (Liberia Bible College) – 
All of the preparations are now in place for the Liberia Bible College to resume classes with twenty students at the end of August. The building has been renovated, the library is being updated, and the teachers are prepared. It is time to train more preachers to enter the white fields of this country!

Bear Valley Website
I would like to remind you that more frequent reports for the schools of preaching where I am working are now being posted to the Bear Valley website. You can see these reports at this web address: http://www.wetrainpreachers.com/extension-news/

If you go to this web address, you will find links on the right side of the page for the schools in Tamale, Takoradi, and Togo in West Africa. You will also find specific links for each school on the left side of the page along with a link for my previous reports.

Financial Support
We want to thank all of the supporters for their contributions to this exciting work in West Africa. Without you, this effort would not be possible.

Contributions by check need to be made payable to: Mountain Home church of Christ 
For: West Africa Mission

Mailed to:
Mountain Home church of Christ 
380 North College Street 
Mountain Home, AR 72653

Any questions can be directed to the church office at 870-425-4330.

Or you can contact Steven at: 

Email: samtnhome@yahoo.com
USA Phone: 971-270-8535

Please email Steven if you would like to receive this newsletter by email.

Thanks So Much, With Christian Love
Steven Ashcraft

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