Classes resume in Abia State, Nigeria

It is another opportunity to tell you about the activity of the month of April. The job of training preachers in NIATS is a huge task. We are thankful to the Bear Valley Family for all the support. We give thanks to God Almighty for His sufficient grace.

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

The school resumed activities on Saturday the 12th of April, 2025. By Monday, the 15th students were already on campus. The beautiful thing was the lecturers were ready to kick off activities. Beginning with the graduating class, project topics were assigned. The teachers were mandated to make sure the students are introduced to proper writing and research work. Term papers were assigned too. On the other hand, the vast and serene NIATS compound was already experiencing grown green grasses. Clearing and cleaning exercises were embarked upon by both students and gardeners. The beauty has emerged again. Moreover, a football was bought for the student to commence sporting activities. As it is said, "all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy."

LIBRARY

The students were reoriented on the use of the Library. It was a fulfilling sight because they were made to go through the books in the library. The commentaries: pulpit commentary and others were among the good commentaries in the library. The year one students have term papers to write in all the subjects that they are taking. This semester is a very different one for them because they have a lot of reading and writing to do. In fact, one of the students noted that he has never written a term paper before. Another student noted that the grammar in the commentaries was hard to understand. So, we encouraged them to keep working at it. From the above, it may be concluded that one of the reasons why some of the graduates from the school became prayer warriors and song ministers was as a result of inadequate research-oriented studies. Thus, the library has good materials and the school hopes to update the library. The more research the students make, the more materials they would have to use in their preaching work. One challenge is that a few of the students have computers and android phones to access the digital library. It is important that they have and make use of computers especially in this digital age.

EVANGELISM

The projection for evangelism is weekend evangelism. The students are required to go out on Fridays and or Saturdays for a door-to-door evangelism. While they learn to preach from the pulpit, they will also learn to make one-on-one contact and sustain discussion over a period of time as they try to make converts. Moreover, since many of them live around, they usually go home to their home congregation to help out.

HOSPITAL MINISTRY

The students are required to visit the Nigerian Christian Hospital, Nlagu on Tuesdays for hospital administration. This is also another opportunity for them to reach out to the unbelieving world by caring for the sick.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR NEW STUDENTS

The School Director and his crew visited the Okpuala church of Christ to sensitize them about the benefits of preacher training. The church gave a warm welcome and talks continued. Currently, an advertisement is out in relation to the intake exam that will take place on the 13th of June 2025. Prayers are hereby solicited for God’s intervention for a fruitful outing on that day.

 CHALLENGES

 It is the case that every thriving endeavour must have a challenge. However, the beautiful thing is that challenges are meant to be surmounted. 

CONCLUSION

It’s been an interesting month with mixed feelings as the students are excited about new ways of doing things as well as the much work they have to do. We are grateful to God almighty for keeping everyone healthy and hearty. Our constant prayer goes for the sick and for all our sponsors.