Graduation in Warri, Nigeria
REPORT OF BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE NIGERIA, WARRI, DELTA STATE
Introduction
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
It is my pleasure to present this report on the activities of Bear Valley Bible Institute Nigeria, Warri, Delta State. The report highlights the activities carried out at the two Warri centres; the courses taught during the period, student participation, and the evangelistic effort undertaken during the quarter.
Period covered
This report covers the activities of Bear Valley Bible Institute Nigeria, Warri, from June through August 2026. During this period, instruction was conducted at the two established centres in Warri:
DSC Centre
PTI Centre
Both centres continued their regular academic activities throughout the reporting period.
DSC Centre
The DSC Centre had a total of 10 students during the period under review. The students continued their studies through the scheduled weekly classes.
Courses Taught
June: Christian Ethics
Instructor: Onoriode Okugbe
The June course focused on Christian Ethics, examining the principles that should guide the conduct and decisions of Christians. Attention was given to the responsibility of Christians to live in accordance with biblical principles and to reflect Christ in their relationships, choices, and daily conduct.
July: Biblical Interpretation
Instructor: Bright Enyi
The July course dealt with Biblical Interpretation. The students were introduced to principles that help the Bible student properly understand and apply the Scriptures. Emphasis was placed on responsible handling of the biblical text and avoiding interpretations that are inconsistent with the context and teaching of Scripture.
August: 1 & 2 Thessalonians
Instructor: Creed Iduh
In August, the students studied the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The study provided an opportunity to examine the historical and doctrinal teachings of these letters, including Christian living, the second coming of Christ, perseverance in the faith, and the responsibilities of Christians while awaiting the Lord.
The DSC Centre therefore maintained a consistent programme of biblical studies throughout the three months.
PTI Centre
The PTI Centre had a total of 11 students during the period under review. Like the DSC Centre, classes were conducted weekly with different instructors handling the scheduled courses.
Courses Taught
June: Excellence in Leadership
Instructor: Creed Iduh
The June course examined the biblical principles of effective and godly leadership. The students were encouraged to understand leadership not merely as a position of authority but as an opportunity to serve others and advance the purposes of God.
July: Prison Epistles
Instructor: Abiola Ojoade
The July course focused on the Prison Epistles. The students studied the letters traditionally associated with Paul's imprisonment and considered their teachings concerning Christ, the church, Christian relationships, Christian conduct, and perseverance in difficult circumstances.
August: How We Got the Bible
Instructor: Onoriode Okugbe
The August course examined the transmission and preservation of the biblical text. The study helped the students understand how the Scriptures have been transmitted and preserved and why Christians can have confidence in the reliability of the Bible.
Evangelism
One of the significant activities during the period was an evangelism outing conducted on August 22, 2026, in conjunction with the Church of Christ at Ekakpamre, in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. The evangelism effort provided an opportunity for students and brethren to participate in the practical work of taking the gospel to others. This is an important aspect of the Bible Institute's mission because biblical education should not end with classroom knowledge. Students should also be encouraged and equipped to put what they learn into practice through evangelism and other forms of Christian service. The outing was therefore a valuable opportunity to connect classroom instruction with practical gospel work. A picture from the evangelism outing is attached to this report.
Convocation
A major event during the period under review was the convocation ceremony held at the PTI Centre on June 6, 2026. The ceremony marked an important milestone in the lives of the students who had successfully completed their programme of study. A total of eight (8) students graduated.
The convocation was also an opportunity to draw attention to the importance of sustaining and strengthening the work of Bear Valley Bible Institute in the Warri area. We were particularly honoured by the presence of Tim Iwe and Solomon Usim, who both participated in the ceremony and addressed those present.
In their respective remarks, they spoke glowing about the importance of sustaining the two Bear Valley centres at DSC and PTI. They emphasized the value of having a Bible school within the reach of congregations and brethren in the Warri area and encouraged those present, especially preachers, to take an active role in ensuring that the centres continue to thrive.
One of the specific appeals made was for preachers to encourage and, where possible, sponsor brethren from their respective congregations to enroll in the programme. This is important because the strength and continuity of the centres depend significantly on having a steady stream of students who are willing to commit themselves to biblical education. The convocation therefore served not only as a celebration of the students who had completed their studies but also as a means of renewing awareness of the work of Bear Valley Bible Institute and encouraging greater participation in the programme.
Following the PTI convocation, and with the assistance of Solomon Usim, we visited several congregations in an effort to speak directly with brethren about the opportunities available at Bear Valley Bible Institute. During these visits, we encouraged brethren to take advantage of the proximity of the school and enrol for biblical studies. The visits provided an opportunity to explain that students do not necessarily need to travel far from home to receive sound Bible training. Since the DSC and PTI centres are located within the Warri area, brethren from surrounding congregations can pursue their studies while continuing their normal responsibilities.
More Students
One of the major areas of focus during this period was the effort to increase student enrollment at both centres. We recognize that the number of students is critical to the continued viability and sustainability of each centre. Consequently, considerable effort has been made to encourage more brethren to take advantage of the opportunity provided by Bear Valley Bible Institute. These efforts have produced some encouraging results, although the number of new students obtained is still below what we consider satisfactory.
The DSC Centre, which had seven (7) students during the March–May 2026 period, increased to ten (10) students during June–August 2026. This represents an increase of three students.
The PTI Centre experienced an even more significant increase. The centre moved from five (5) students during March–May 2026 to eleven (11) students during June–August 2026, representing an increase of six students.
Consequently, the combined student population of the two centres increased from twelve (12) students in the previous three-month period to twenty-one (21) students during the period covered by this report. This increase is encouraging and demonstrates that continued personal contact, appeals through preachers, congregational visits, and other forms of promotion can produce results.
Why attendance is low on Saturdays (challenges)
Although the two centres have a combined enrollment of twenty-one students, it should be noted that not all enrolled students are present in class every Saturday. The number of students present on a particular Saturday may therefore be lower than the total number enrolled. There are several reasons for this situation.
First, some students have previously completed a particular course and may therefore not attend when that course is offered again. Since the programme operates with courses offered at different times, a student may have already taken a course being taught during a particular month.
Second, students sometimes face personal challenges that prevent them from attending classes for a particular month. These challenges may arise unexpectedly and may affect their ability to participate consistently.
Another challenge is fare. Some students experience difficulty in raising the fare required to come to the centre for classes. Where I am made aware of such difficulty early enough, I make effort to assist by taking care of the student's fare. This has been necessary in some cases because we do not want financial difficulties to become the reason a willing student abandons his or her studies.
Some students also face challenges arising from their employment. An employer may require a student to be at work on a Saturday, making it impossible for the student to attend class. This is particularly challenging for students whose employment schedules are not flexible.
In addition, some students are enrolled in other higher institutions and may occasionally have examinations or other academic commitments scheduled on Saturdays. When this happens, they are unable to attend the Bible Institute class even though they remain interested in the programme.
These factors explain why the number of students present on a particular Saturday may not correspond with the total number enrolled. Nevertheless, we continue to encourage students to give priority to their Bible education and to communicate their difficulties early so that reasonable assistance can be considered where possible.
Continued effort to encourage enrollment
We recognize that the number of students enrolled at each centre is essential to the viability, growth, and long-term sustainability of the programme. For this reason, the effort to recruit additional students has not been abandoned.
One of the avenues through which we continue to pursue this objective is our engagement with preachers through the preachers' forum. The forum provides an important opportunity to speak with men who have direct influence in their congregations and who can encourage members to pursue biblical education.
During our last gathering, flyers were distributed to create greater awareness of the programme and to encourage brethren to consider enrolment. The intention is not simply to advertise the school but to remind preachers and congregations of the responsibility to prepare Christians for more effective service in the Lord's church.
The Bear Valley alumni have also been brought into the effort to recruit additional students. Their involvement is important because alumni have personally experienced the value of the programme and are therefore in a good position to encourage others to participate.
In my previous report, I noted that the alumni had already helped us obtain two students. We remain hopeful that our continued conversations with them will result in additional students in the coming months.
Fare Subsidy
Another practical measure being taken to retain the students already enrolled is the subsidization of fare for students who are clearly struggling financially to maintain their academic participation. We understand that it is not enough to recruit students; we must also make reasonable efforts to help willing students remain in the programme when circumstances beyond their control threaten their participation.
Transportation is a real challenge for some students, particularly when they have to travel from a considerable distance to attend Saturday classes. Where a student has demonstrated commitment to the programme but is unable to attend because of transportation costs, assistance is provided where possible.
This intervention is intended to ensure that financial hardship does not unnecessarily become a barrier to biblical education. While the subsidy cannot be extended indiscriminately, it has proved useful in helping some students continue with their studies. We will continue to assess this need and provide assistance where it is genuinely necessary and within our capacity.
Baptisms
We also give thanks to God for the opportunity to participate in the salvation of souls during the period covered by this report. To the glory of God, six (6) souls were baptized during the period under review. These baptisms are an important part of the work because the purpose of biblical education and evangelistic activity ultimately includes taking the gospel to those who have not yet obeyed it. The baptisms also demonstrate the importance of combining classroom training with practical evangelistic efforts. As students and instructors become more involved in teaching others, opportunities arise to present the gospel and encourage those who hear it to respond in obedience. We are grateful to God for each of these souls and for the opportunity to participate in the preaching of the gospel. We pray that those who have been baptized will continue to grow in their knowledge of God's Word and remain faithful in their service to the Lord. Available pictures of the baptisms are attached to this report.
Overall Assessment
The period under review has been one of continued activity, modest growth, and renewed effort for Bear Valley Bible Institute Nigeria, Warri. We remain committed to doing what we can to strengthen both the DSC and PTI centres and to make the opportunities provided by Bear Valley Bible Institute known to more congregations and brethren in the region.
Conclusion
It is our prayer that the work of Bear Valley Bible Institute in Warri will continue to grow and adequately equip brethren to teach the Word, serve the church, and take the gospel to others.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
Respectfully submitted,
Onoriode Okugbe
Director, BVBIN (Warri)