Annual Bible Lectureship in Abia State Results in Many Baptisms
REPORT OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES/ BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE – NIGERIA
NTIGHA- ONITCHA
JANUARY 2026
INTRODUCTION
It is a thing of joy that 2026 has given us more opportunities to continue in the service of the kingdom. The year 2025 was another year of grace with many transitions. However, to God be the glory, that all the transitions ended in praise. NIATS saw the beginning of the great revival and the revival continues. The school remains eternally grateful to the brethren supporting the work in NIATS and all the extension schools. The school is also grateful to churches and individuals who have vowed that NIATS remains alive and continues the great work of training preachers. It is indeed terrible to observe that interest in preaching work is not just dwindling, but preaching work is becoming a more difficult task. Thus, imagine what would happen if the institutions that train preachers did not exist or are in a comatose state. Therefore, the school is grateful to God and to all those supporting the growth of the school financially and otherwise.
ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
The students resumed for the second semester break on the 5th of January. Cleaning and class work resumed almost immediately. The mid-semester break is slated for March 21st to 29th, 2026. Examination will be in the last week of April. Evangelism/campaign and Graduation will be in the month of May, 2026. We solicit your prayers to enable us to have a hitch-free semester.
LECTURESHIP/EVANGELISM
The 2026 edition of the Annual Bible Lectureship and Evangelism has successfully come to an end. The programme was held from the 5th to the 10th of January 2026. NIATS lecturers and students were part of the organizing committee. The Programme is usually hosted by one of the congregations within the jurisdiction. It was a beehive of activity all the way. The programme featured classes, lecture presentations, door-to-door preaching, open-air preaching, and songs parade. This year's theme is 'Living Visionary Life'. The director of NIATS, Solomon Usim, spoke on the topic, “A Visionless Minister at Old Age.” More than five hundred people were in attendance. At last, the Lord God crowned our efforts with eleven (11) baptisms to His own glory.
The Church of Christ that meets at MCC Road Aba organized the four field discipleship multiplication programme, and the director of NIATS was one of the resource persons. Moreover, the Okpuala church of Christ organized an indoor lectureship aided by the school management. So far, in the month of January, evangelism efforts have yielded. Furthermore, and in conjunction with the church of Christ Ohanze, the school participated in the baptism of another 6 persons. So far, in the month of January, evangelism efforts have yielded 18 baptisms. We solicit your prayers that these young ones in the faith remain active and dedicated to the course of Christ. In fact, this is a good way to start the year.
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
In view of the 2026 lectureships, the school embarked on some repairs and face lift of the buildings. The old student hostel was rewired, and some parts of the roofs changed. Two lecturers’ apartments were fixed, too. The director’s apartment was repaired, too. The Eastern Ngwa Women and the Annual Ladies supported the school financially. Chad Wagner also supported the school with funds as always. These funds were put to good use. The compound looks good, and transformation is taking place. While the school management is grateful for the repairs, it is still very important that the two blocks of classrooms be fixed. This block of classrooms harbors the proposed temporary library. We pray for more donations to the school for the said building.
SENSITIZATION EXERCISE
As part of the director’s effort to sensitize the church community around Aba metropolis, the director of NIATS and his crew visited nine congregations under review. This visit was the school’s way of drumming up support and sensitizing brethren about the new things happening at NIATS. It was a beautiful outing as the congregations were excited to know that NIATS is taking steps in the right direction. This is another way of rebuilding and reestablishing confidence in the people in relation to the school.
GENERAL
On a general note, we are happy to announce that one of our newest instructors, Sir Boniface Ochoche, got married on the 30th of December 2025. We are grateful for the union. We crave your prayers for the new couples for God’s guidance in their marital journey.
CONCLUSION
It is indeed clear that the month of January experienced a beehive of activities. We are grateful to God Almighty for His loving kindness. We pray for a better year and more fulfilling endeavors.
Solomon Usim,
Director NIATS