Gweru, Zimbabwe celebrates 10th year of training preachers
AUGUST 2026 NARRATIVE REPORT
1.0 NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
BVBIZ rejoices in every achievement made by its students and graduates. This month, the school celebrates and extends its congratulations to two students who graduated from different institutions. Both have since joined the BVBIZ 2026-2028 class while awaiting their graduation. The first is Descent Maheu, who graduated with a Higher National Diploma in Environmental Health from Kwekwe Polytechnic College. The second is Misheck Hamandishe, who graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Audit and Risk Management from Midlands State University. As they continue their studies with BVBIZ, the school wishes them well in their future endeavours.
2.0 FIELD PROGRAM/INTERNSHIP UPDATES
The 2024-2026 class continued its practicum during the month of August. Prospects were reached with the Word, the sick were visited in hospitals, the troubled received counselling, Christian homes were visited for strengthening, devotions were carried out at school assemblies, sermons were preached in churches and at funerals, literature was distributed, and Bible classes were taught, among many other activities. These efforts resulted in 11 restorations and thirty conversions. Sincere appreciation goes to the congregations and individuals who continue to provide accommodation and food to students during their practicum. Appreciation is also extended to the experienced preachers who work alongside the students
3.0 CLASSROOM AND OFFICE BLOCK PROGRESS
This August, several developments took place on the classroom and office block. The following stages were completed successfully: beam filling, installation of air vents, construction of steps to the doors, plastering of the box, and plastering of the ring beam. Skirting, work on the gables, and the window seals ended the month partially complete. We are hopeful that these will be completed in September. Sincere appreciation goes to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for contributing funds toward this stage. The next stage is to complete the electrification of the building, with a target of finishing before the end of October. After this, the remaining stages include plumbing, ceiling installation, main door installation, tiling, skimming and painting, glazing, and the purchase of classroom and office furniture.
4.0 PROJECTS
4.1 LAYERS PROJECT
A truck fund, run by an independent committee and set up in September 2026, has been mobilising contributions each month, but it became necessary to use the available funds to start a project in order to grow the fund. On the 27th of August, BVBIZ received 150 point-of-lay birds, marking the beginning of the project. Progress of this project will be reported in subsequent reports
4.2 ROAD RUNNERS
BVBIZ introduced free-range (road runner) chickens five years ago, and these have roamed around the school premises ever since. While the school maintained only a small number at a time, it has become necessary to turn these birds into a project, at the same time giving students an opportunity to learn survival skills for life after graduation. To achieve this goal, a 45m x 25m breeding area was chosen and fenced, and a simple fowl run made of treated poles and iron sheets was put up. Other improvements, including extension of the area, will be made in future. The project officially started with 41 birds. To boost this project, an incubator that can hatch over 500 eggs at a time is greatly needed.
5.0 AUGUST MEETINGS
Three major national gospel meetings were held during the month: the Men’s Lectureship, the Youth Lectureship, and the Women’s Lectureship. A presentation about the school was made by Sister L. Gonzo at the Women’s Lectureship, held at Nhowe Mission in Mashonaland East. At the Men’s National Lectureship, held at Amazon Christian Academy in Filabusi, Matabeleland South, the school set up a table to promote its programmes. These national meetings, together with district and provincial meetings, now stand as a testament to BVBIZ’s existence and contribution, as its graduates have become a constant feature at most of these events.
6.0 UPCOMING EVENTS
6.1 PREACHERS RETREAT
The school, in conjunction with its ambassadors, will hold a Preachers Retreat from the 13th to the 15th of October. The theme of the event is Celebrating the Past: Commissioned for the Future. Preachers are invited to attend this important programme. Each attendee is asked to pay $22, which covers accommodation, food, and activities at Whitewaters Resort.
6.2 HYBRID AGM AND TENTH ANNIVERSARY
The year 2026 marks ten years since the school’s establishment. This is a significant milestone worth celebrating. During the occasion, the school will honour those who have played a part in bringing it to where it is today. All partners, funders, BVBIZ alumni, community members, past and present board members, past and present staff, and organizations are invited to attend the celebration, which will take place on the 16th of October from 1400 hours. During this event, the school board will also present brief reports for the year 2025.
6.3 GRADUATION
BVBIZ warmly invites all stakeholders, church leaders, church members, and the friends and family of the 2024–2026 class to its 5th graduation ceremony, scheduled for the 17th of October 2026. The ceremony will be held on the school's campus, beginning at 9 a.m. A graduation lecture titled the Isaiah Suwari Memorial Graduation Lecture will take place on the 16th of October 2026. As usual, the school invites individuals, churches, and organisations to sponsor awards. These can be shields, money, bicycles, blankets, suits, project money, and scholarships, among other options. The following awards will be given:
1 Barnabas Award-The student who most encouraged others (recipient chosen by fellow students)
2 Homiletics Award The best pulpit speaker
3 Languages Award Person with the highest grade in languages (Greek & Hebrew)
4 Young Timothy Award The best evangelist
6 Valedictorian Award Student with the highest grades
7 Leadership Award-The student who showed the best leadership qualities
8 Best Female Student -Female student with the highest average grade
9 Isaiah Suwari Memorial Award-Given to the student with great vision
10 Melchizedek Award -Given to the oldest student among the group who showed dedication and commitment to his studies
11 Entrepreneurship Award- Student who showed the greatest skill and enthusiasm for life-survival skills.
12 Entrepreneurship Award II -For those wishing to go into full time ministry but need seed money to begin a project. This is a revolving fund; the beneficiary(ies) must return the money before the next graduation ceremony. This award requires an average of $350, and qualifying students must first submit a project proposal.
13 Gamaliel Award-Best Bible Class Teacher
14 Best Song Leader Award-The student showing greatest comprehension and skills in song leading
15 Missionary Award-Student who showed the greatest zeal in rural mission work
16 Smartness Award-The smartest student
17 Sign Language Award-Student who demonstrated the greatest understanding, comprehension and skills in sign language
CONCLUSION
August was a productive month for BVBIZ, marked by the achievements of its students and graduates, sustained evangelistic outreach across its districts, and steady progress on the classroom and office block. The launch of the layers project and the growth of the road runners initiative also reflect the school's continued efforts to build sustainable income streams and equip students with practical life-survival skills. As the school looks ahead to October's Preachers Retreat, Tenth Anniversary celebration, and graduation ceremony. BVBIZ remains grateful to its partners, congregations, and individuals whose continued support makes this work possible.