Graduation in Kenema, Sierra Leone
Bear Valley Bible Institute Sierra Leone
ACTIVITY OPERATION REPORT FOR APRIL 2026
Full Time and the Extended Programs
INTRODUCTION
When we were concluding our March 2026 report, we were hopeful to share with you the April 2026 report of what is going on here at KBVBI. And now we can thankfully write and appreciate God because He has kept us alive and strong to share with you the good news of what is happening or has happened here. We hope that you would be very patient to go through this report and as you do that, we pray that the good Lord will be with you always as He has been with us. As the academic year unfolds, the school continues to make progressive strides in achieving its aims and objectives in terms of equipping the saints. The students continue to receive qualitative Christian education, followed by character development and service to humanity through vigorous evangelistic efforts.
The month of April was a busy and important month for us. This is because in it, we had our 4th graduation; we also matriculated another set of students for both of our programs. We as well had a series of converts and our graduates and evangelism teams on the field excelled in their efforts. Our West African Coordinator, Steven Ashcraft visited and encouraged us. Beloved brethren, we encourage you to keep on reading for more information on the highlighted activities.
LECTURESHIP AND THE GRADUATION CEREMONY
For almost three months, we kept informing you that our 4th graduation and our 3rd Graduation Lectureship were scheduled to be held from April 16-18, 2023. And by the grace of God, the program came and passed successfully. The lectureship was held on the first two days (16th and 17th April, 2026), and the theme for the lectureship was, “The Necessity of Sound Christian Education: Educated to Win Souls.” Under this theme, various topics were handled by various speakers. We were blessed by seasoned speakers in Sierra Leone here and other parts of the world. We had two external speakers, Brothers Steve Ashcraft (The West African Coordinator) and Arthur David (Liberian preacher). The program brought together many attendees from various congregations of Churches of Christ in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. Many of our graduates were also present and took active part in all the activities. We invited some non-Christians too and they came. The symposium was held and many issues were handled. The lectureship was followed by a football match between the Bear Valley staff and the graduating students. The match ended 2:1 in favor of the staff. We believe that if our West African coordinator and the other Bear Valley directors in Guinea and Liberia that were present had played the match, maybe the scores would have been like 5:1 in favor of the staff. Meanwhile, as the match was going on, spectators came and some of the brethren who were not playing were engaged in sharing tracts and preaching to them individually. We thank God that a social occasion like that could as well be used to share the Gospel with the perishing souls. After the whole lectureship and the other activities, on the 18th April 2026, the graduation exercise was held. We had our first graduation for the extended program and the 4th for the full time program. Altogether, 20 students graduated. They were charged by our coordinator and sent out to turn the world upside down with the Gospel. We thank God for the successful program.
THE PRESENT STUDENTS AND THE FRESHMEN
Currently, we have 14 students who will be starting their 4th quarter year one when we resume on May 24, 2026 Lord willing. On April 13, another set of students came to write the early entrance examination in order to be enrolled in the school. Therefore, during the graduation those freshmen (15 full time and 12 extended) who came to write the entrance examination were matriculated and were prayed for as they excitedly looked forward to being part of the Bear Valley family. We had students came from different places across Sierra Leone. Not only that, but we also had students from other countries like Liberia and Gambia. Before the resumption, the school administration will follow up on others who desire to come to study. The number of students is expected to rise by the grace of God.
THE WEST AFRICAN COORDINATOR VISITED THE SCHOOL
Plans were made for Brother Steve to come to visit us and indeed everything worked well; he came and had fellowship with us. His coming was very impactful and rewarding. During his visit, he taught a Bible lesson at our lectureship and also charged the graduates. He contributed greatly in developing the lectureship manual, the convocation program schedule and many other things. Moreover, he held meetings with Bear Valley staff from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. He and the school director were involved in missionary journeys to Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Liberia and Guinea-Conakry. He was as well encouraged by what he saw happening in the school and appreciated the staff here. We had a great fellowship indeed. We appreciate his coming and we are hopeful that he keeps on visiting us.
SUMMARY OF CONVERSIONS FOR APRIL 2026
A. The graduates had ten conversions
B. The evangelistic teams had fourteen conversions
TOTAL CONVERSIONS WERE 24
STUDENT’S PROFILE: Emmanuel Slocum Jr.
Emmanuel Slocum Jr. 22, is one of our international students from Liberia that was born on the 1st December, 2004 to Emmanuel Slocum and Benita Kpingbah. He is the first born with three siblings, one brother and two sisters. Emmanuel’s parents are small business owners (small biscuit and cold water shop), and as the first born, he helped his parents to sell around the streets of Monrovia to survive.
Road to Christ: He lived with his uncle Wilmot Slocum who was a preacher. So from that early stage he was exposed to the faith. However, in 2021, he was preached to by a preacher, William Cassel, of the Duazon Church of Christ, Lower Margibi County, Monrovia, Liberia, after which he gave his life to Christ by being baptized that same year. Since his baptism, he has been actively involved in handling some leadership roles at the youth department in his Smythe Road congregation in Monrovia.
Road to Bear Valley Bible Institute in Kenema, Sierra Leone: In a bid to make our school attractive, relevant and to train brethren in the West African sub-region, the school Director, Peter Sahr Makundu, has been encouraging the enrollment of international students. Thus, the scholarship was extended to the churches of Christ in Liberia. Emmanuel, due to his commitment and hard work in his congregation, was recommended by his leaders to come here and study seeing that quality is being offered. The school director has been working closely with Brother Arthur David to help train men in Liberia as well. Therefore, upon Brother Arthur’s guidance, Emmanuel was admitted and wrote his entrance examination during the just-concluded convocation program.
“When I heard of the scholarship to come to Sierra Leone and study I was excited because I have heard a lot of the great work the school is doing in this country. I was very happy to come. On the 10th of April, 2026, my preacher and sponsor Brother Arthur David escorted me to the border with one other Brother to come for the studies. When we crossed the border, I was received by Brother Joseph Missailie, the Student Dean who took us to the campus in Kenema. When I arrived I was amazed at the student hostel and the set which I met. This impression made me feel at home” he said.
How Do You See the Environment? The environment is okay. I love the setting of the school. The students I have come to meet are very friendly and welcoming. This is making me feel very safe and welcomed. The place is not too different from my home country Liberia. The only slight difference is the way the foods are prepared. But that is not a big challenge for me.
Likes: Emmanuel said he likes to be by himself either reading or talking to friends. He also likes playing football when he feels like exercising.
Dislikes: He said provocation makes him annoyed but usually he controls himself and avoids someone that troubles him. He was quick to point out that he does not get angry easily.
Favorite food: He commented on the foods we have here in Sierra Leone. He said most of the things we eat here are also delicacies in Liberia. “The only thing I noticed is that the way we cook beans in Liberia is slightly different from the way it is processed here. I love to eat vegetables, rice and potato leaves.”
We are grateful to God for a brother like Emmanuel. We have a lot of confidence in him that he would be a great vessel for the church in Liberia when he completes his studies and returns. Please keep him in your regular prayers.
GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION
The entire one body family of Bear Valley Bible Institute Kenema Sierra Leone continues to express her deepest appreciation to her supporters, sponsors and all our well-wishers for your financial and the spiritual support you continue to demonstrate toward her. Your involvement in the work here is truly acknowledged. Brethren, we are really appreciative. May the Lord bless and uphold you and may your works follow you. May God bless all of you!
CONCLUSION
In summation, we pray that the Lord keeps us all to witness what will unfold in the fifth month of the year, May. Thank you, our patient readers!
Your brother,
Peter Sahr Makundu,
Director,
Sierra Leone Bear Valley Bible Institute