Beloved in Christ ,
Happy Lord's day to you all. It is just about 6:28 pm in our country - Nigeria
I admonished the church at Onikokoro / Gbongudu from Matthew 20:1-16 on “Working in the Lord’s Vineyard” this morning before we went out for evangelism between 9:45-11:30 a.m. and we recorded a restoration.
From the students in the field, brother Raphael Adeyehun, one of SWSE-2 students reported the conversion of two souls and restoration of a brother at Ayede, Ondo state and brother Tsado Jonathan and brother Festus Ayoo reported the conversion of a soul each. While brother Adekunle Emmanuel Olanrewaju reported the restoration and conversion of a soul respectively and brother Gabriel Ishom reported the conversion of two boys today at Kotangora in Niger state. To God be the glory!
Brethren, we thank you all for your partnership. May The Lord of blessing continue to bless all your undertaking in Jesus Christ 's name. Amen.
Sincerely in Christ,
Makinde E. Olufemi (Director of studies)
Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE) Ibadan & Lagos Campus, Nigeria
SWSE History
The SWSE-Ibadan and the satellite campus at the Agege-Lagos State has been organized by members of the church of Christ since 2003 for the training of gospel ministers in Nigeria and extension of the Lord’s kingdom in the Southwest states of Nigeria.
Today SWSE is the fulfillment of my dream in 1989 when I was a student at the ministerial department of Nigeria Christian institutes, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The pioneering instructors of the School are: myself (brother Makinde E. Olufemi), brother Okon S. Udoh, brother Dairo Abiodun Joseph, late brother Ebenezer Aiyela, brother Emmanuel Olu Adediran, brother Philip Okome and brother Stephen Okesami while the present instructors are myself, brother Olaniyan Isaac, brother Abiola Joseph Olusoji, brother Matthew Idowu, brother Kayode Solomon Eniafe, brother Ezekiel Okorougo, brother Emmanuel Olu Adediran, brother Abraham Idu Yeje (Campus minister) and Miss. Esther Oyenuga (Computer instructor)
Brethren, my case with the church of Christ and SWSE is just like that man that happen to find a treasure hidden in the field and he goes and sells all he has to buy that field! I sold all my land possession between 2003 till the date we built what is now known as SWSE in line with 2 Tim.2:2 and Matt.13:44.
The school that begins operation from a classroom situated at the World Bible School office, Onikokoro-Ibadan, with five students on August 2003 now happily occupies about three and half blocks of her own at Butubutu village via Badeku/Jago, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria
Our conviction is that we expect to pass through this world but once: therefore, whatever good things that we can do, let us do it now!
Late brother A. E. Aiyela was the first SWSE foundation Chairman. After his death in 2008, Brother David Akinola was appointed as the new foundation Chairman while brother Emmanuel Olu Adediran became the Vice-foundation Chairman. An elder from Church of Christ, Isheri Oshun, Lagos State named brother Ayobami Akanji, and a graduate of African College of Theology, has been the SWSE Board Chairman since year 2004. Brother Matthew Idowu, one of the graduates of the SWSE is the Board secretary since year 2007. The School has a Satellite campus in Lagos State at the auditorium of Agege Church of Christ, No. 17/19, Awori Street Agege Lagos State.
Brethren, it costs the school $600 annually for a student’s feeding allowance at the Ibadan campus, between $1,500 to $2,000 annually for our weekend campaign/evangelism, $7,000 for all of the instructors’ allowances, $600 to $1,000 van maintenance,$2,000 for electrification, between $500 to $1,000 for postage, paper for computer and photo copier. As Yoruba people always say “Obe to dun, Owo Lopa,” Nothing good can happen without money!
Aim of the SCHOOL:
Our aim is not to compete with any Bible School in the brotherhood or to run a high School but:
i. To indoctrinate the youth, for the safety of the church depends on her youth being indoctrinated lest they are carried away by every wind of doctrine (1 Tim. 4:11,6:9-16).
ii. Training tomorrow’s leaders today (2 Tim. 2:2; Rom. 10:14f)
iii. To prepare God’s people for service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Eph 4:12-16)
iv. To make our graduates not a heavy burden in the congregations that engage their services as an evangelist. Therefore, we added vocational studies to the school’s curriculum.
It is also our aim to teach students to love each other, always remain in the teaching of Christ and to bear much fruit for Christ.
The training is normally one year for Diploma courses and two years full time for a Diploma and Certificate from BVBID at the Ibadan campus and three years for part-time in Lagos campus. However, the number of years of studies may be longer depending on the student’s maturity in the faith and performances both in the field and in the class.
The SWSE-Ibadan has been involved in the planting of over 50 congregations in the Southwest states of Nigeria and one in Kwara state and one in Kogi state since her inception. Over 100 men have graduated from the school and more than 80% of them are serving as an evangelist in the Lord’s church in Nigeria and other African countries.
We place an emphasis on: Sound doctrine that avoids the extremes of legalism and liberalism. Evangelism - Training church Leaders and New Testament evangelists and our motto is : Saved To Serve .
The SWSE-Ibadan, with the help of brother Chad Wagner of the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, CO, USA (BVBI) and SWSE patron/special adviser, brother Doug M. Wheeler of Westside congregation, McGee, Oklahoma, affiliated with the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, CO, USA in May 2012 in order to upgrade the knowledge of the instructors and promoting the students level.
Among the visiting Missionaries to the SWSE-Ibadan are brother Doug M. Wheeler, brother Ron Pottberg, sister Ruth Orr, brother Joel & sister Pat Coppinger, brother Bill Pennell, brother Stephen Ashcraft, brother Ralph Williams, brother Denton C. Landon Jr., brother Bill Stewart, brother Gary A. Fallis, brother Richard L. Renfro and brother Jerry Bates
The SWSE will graduate 23 men and a woman on August 23, 2014 and 32 men across the country are now admitted for a diploma in Theology and a certificate of Biblical studiesfrom Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, CO, USA in 2014/2015 academic session.
About the director: Brother Ebenezer Olaniyi Olufemi Inaolaji is a native of Ibadan, Oyo State capital. Born to the family of Makinde in April 22, 1964, converted to the Lord’s Church through the World Bible School Correspondence Courses in care of brother Clifford Barker, 524 Hill view Drive, Hurst, Texas 76054, USA in 1984.
Happily married to sister Esther Oluwaseun nee (Olowe) on April 23, 1994. The marriage is blessed with four children: Two boys (Emmanuel & John) and two girls (Glory and Victoria).
Enter the ministry of preaching in August 1989 as a student preacher at Use Ikot Amama congregation, Ibiono Ibom, Akwa Ibom State.
He was trained as an evangelist at the Nigeria Christian Institute’s ministerial department, under the leadership of brother Okon Effiong Mkpong in Uyo Akwa Ibom State from January 1989 to December 1990 where I graduated as one of the best students of the ministerial department.
Also, a graduate of International School of Biblical Studies, Cape town, South Africa.
Trained as a cabinet maker at the Government Technical College, Oyo and Washington Technical College, Mokola Barrack, Ibadan between 1984 to 1987. served as one of the pioneering lecturers at West Nigeria Christian College and School of Biblical Studies, Abeokuta, Ogun State from year 2000-2003.
Served for 8 years as a gospel minister at Isheri-Oshun congregation, Lagos State from early 1994 to late 2001 and at Egbeda Okunola congregation, Lagos State from early 2002 to late 2003 and now serving as one of the ministers at Onikokoro/Gbongudu congregation, Ibadan, Oyo State.
In 2001, I started the Lord’s church in my village, Onikokoro via Akobo/Ojunrin, Ibadan with the help of God and the full support of Isheri-Oshun congregation and that of brother Doug M. Wheeler (minister of the Dewey congregation by then, but now ministers at the Westside congregation, McGee, Oklahoma, USA.
Beloved, to know more about this work in the city of Ibadan and Oyo state as a whole, I humbly refer you to our able patron & special adviser (brother Doug M .Wheeler), brother Steven Ashcraft and brother Bill Pennell.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
I owe the Almighty God the greatest appreciation for counting me worthy to be one of His servants.
My gratitude goes to my sweetheart, sister Esther Oluwaseun Makinde and our four kids for their love, sacrifices, understanding and supports during the building projects.
My special thanks goes to brother & sister Joel Coppinger; brother & sister Doug M .Wheeler; the Wilmette congregation; West Olive congregation-Peoria, AZ; North street congregation-Georgia; Oceanside congregation/FL-007; sister Era Pennell; sister Kathleen Withers; brother John Branard; brother Steven Ashcraft and the BVBI; brother Bob Turner, Dorman & Donna Lough, brother Ron Pottberg, brother Ken Heflin, sister Lella Holley and you all for contributing in one way or the other in making my dream a reality! Big thanks, for you didn’t allow me to die without fulfilling my dream for my people. In fact, if I die today, the Lord will welcome me home (cf. Luke 2:29 – 32 Rev. 14: 13).
In Conclusion: The SWSE appreciates the great commitment of our American and Canadian brethren toward the growth of the Lord’s church in Africa, especially Nigeria and the SWSE.”He that waters shall himself be watered.” You can also partner with us in this training program. Only God can count the number of lives your gift will touch.
Your fellow worker in Christ’s vineyard,
Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (Director of studies)
Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan & Lagos state, Nigeria.