A Soul Added And The First Graduation Approaches In Paraguay...

Andrea and I pray that each of you might have a very happy and prosperous 2015. A new year always brings the excitement of new horizons full of possibilities. We believe 2015 will be a great year for the Lord’s church in Paraguay and we invite you to partner with us in prayer for the work. Please pray that more souls will be added to the Lord’s kingdom, that God will lift up more leaders from among the men, and that the body of Christ (His church) will grow in spiritual maturity. Thank you and God bless! Troy and Andrea

BAPTISM!
Walter Chavez obeyed that form of doctrine which saves and put on Christ in baptism December 22. He is a close friend of Alex Vargas (remember the young man who received the flyer in his mailbox) and attended a local denomination with him for several years. Alex recently introduced him to some of his new Christian friends and one of them, William Arzamendia, engaged him in a Bible Study. At 12:30 in the morning, after going through the steps of the plan of salvation, Walter made the decision to put his life on the right path toward heaven! Praise the Lord!

DEVELOPMENTS AT AVE. SACRAMENTO CHURCH OF CHRIST
“Circles of Encouragement” - We are the family of God and we are commanded to love and encourage one another. With this in mind, the church has developed a plan to help keep every member of the congregation more informed and connected, but above all, encouraged. Seven men volunteered to be leaders of what we have named “Circles of Encouragement” who will call, message, or go to visit each of the members on their list. We pray this will help develop stronger, more personal relationships among the brethren.

End of Year Dinner - We enjoyed a lovely evening together of great fellowship and food in order to reflect on all that the Lord has done in 2014. We had all three congregations represented at the dinner. Naty Mendoza prepared a wonderful photo presentation that was very emotional to watch. There were certainly a lot of things that happened this year!

DEVELOPMENTS AT ÑEMBY CHURCH OF CHRIST
There have been many studies taking place among the brethren, visitors, and friends in Ñemby. Eliezer Perez has been busy with many of these studies. We also enjoyed seeing some of the former members who returned for the holidays to see their families.

ASUNCION BIBLE ACADEMY 
GRADUATION is drawing NEAR! Here we are in the last quarter of the two-year program and three bright eyed students are almost ready to go out into the world ready to serve. William Arzamendia, Karen Gimenez, and Ramón Paredes invite you to join them for a special graduation ceremony on Saturday, February 7. The church will be hosting a special dinner for the students that night and then they will “walk the stage” to receive their Diploma of Biblical Studies from Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver and the Academia Bíblica - Asunción. We are excited and looking forward to seeing our first graduating class honored at this special event. It is going to be an emotional night!

Quarterly Report
Be sure and look for the last Quarterly Report that was recently published! You can access it at: www.paraguaymission.com/asuncion-bible-academy/

Contacts / Bible Studies / Activities:
We were excited to have Cody Westbrook, one of my former colleagues from Southwest School of Bible Studies, teach a class for us via our new video conference system. He did a great job and the students responded really well!

Bible Studies - We’ve had some great studies this month.Valeria Suarez has returned to the church and is studying with me, and Alex Vargas and I have been studying “Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible” together. Adriana Rodriguez is continuing her study with Andrea, which is going well. After the holidays, several new studies will be starting up along with many others which will resume.

New English students – Andrea has been advertising a new English class and is thrilled with the connections she has made with three new students…Alison, Sonya, and Nelly! 

Member visit – One of our newer members, Mikaela Jara, has been struggling with some conflict lately and missing services, so we went with our sisters, Delci and Nati, to visit and encourage her. We pray that she, as well as her non-Christian family members, were able to see the love that her Christian family has for them.

Coming Up:
Interns Pablo Yuri and Italo Rocha will arrive January 8th from AME Brazil to work with us for one year. 

A Men’s Planning Retreat to discuss the desired direction of the church in Paraguay for the next five years has been scheduled for January 10th. We are calling it “Vision 2020.”

Karen Bennett will be returning to Paraguay for the Annual Ladies Retreat, January 31.

Graduation for the Asuncion Bible Academy will be held on Saturday, February 7th, 2015!

A new class of students will begin their studies at the Asuncion Bible Academy on March 2, 2015.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACTIVITIES 
Annual Christmas Tea - One of Andrea’s favorite events of the year is opening our home to all the ladies of the congregation for the Annual Christmas Tea! She makes all the food herself and just asks that the ladies bring drinks and a small gift to exchange. For the devotional portion, Andrea issued the ladies the “1000 Gifts Thankfulness Challenge,” along with little notebooks and monthly bookmarks to use for the challenge in 2015.

Las Amigas Cookie Exchange – Andrea attended the annual Las Amigas Christmas Party and it should be of no surprise that she baked DOZENS of cookies for the Cookie Exchange!

Date night – We don’t get out much to the movies, but we just couldn’t pass up the latest Hunger Games!

Birthday –We celebrated my birthday together with a night out at a new restaurant that has now become one of my local favorites!

Nutrition and Cooking Class - After more than 4 years of requests for cooking classes, and 2 years of requests for some lessons on nutrition, Andrea finally decided to combine the two and is now offering some private small-group events in our home. They are learning about having a balanced diet with a visual presentation to compare carbohydrates in various foods, how to plan ahead for success, and how to cook a meal featuring one of Andrea’s own original recipes using a local Paraguayan product... Chicken with Cocido Salsa. Then they eat a yummy, healthy, balanced lunch!!!

Christmas – We enjoyed another wonderful evening with the Vera Family in their home for Christmas Eve Dinner. However, being away from family and friends back home is especially difficult during the holidays, and this year we’ve been feeling more homesick than ever. So, we decided to spend Christmas day and night on the river at the Paraguay Yacht & Golf Club here in Asuncion. It was just the little get-away that we needed!

Personal study:
I have been reading (or, still reading): “Cover to Cover” by Johnny Ramsey, “ El Desafio del Amor” by Alex and Stephen Kendrick, “Spiritual Disciplines” by Adele Calhoun

I have also been studying and preparing lessons for an upcoming Sunday Bible study series on spiritual development and maturity. 

Preaching/teaching opportunities:
I preached one Sunday this month at Avenida Sacramento.

I finished up classes on “Revelation,” and “Catholicism,” in the Asuncion Bible Academy. I also taught one Sunday morning class over “False Ideas About The Holy Spirit.”

Discovering Paraguay: Christmas Fireworks
What are some of the biggest differences between Christmas in Paraguay and in the USA? One, lack of snow…the other, fireworks! Lots and lots of fireworks! Paraguayans have a deep love for fireworks in general as they will shoot them off at the end of a soccer game, when a political candidate wins, for the current patron saint’s day, a birthday, a quinceñera, or really, any occasion. Yet, there is no occasion quite like Christmas Eve. Right about midnight, all of a sudden, it sounds like a war broke out! It seems like thousands upon thousand of fireworks are exploded all across town from as close as your front door to as far away as you can possibly hear in every direction. It is absolutely incredible! For more information on all things Paraguay, visit this informative website: http://discoveringparaguay.com

Troy and Andrea Spradlin

To see the Spradlin’s report with pictures and an invitation to their graduation, click here.

The New Year Starts With Excitement And Joy In Tanzania...

Greetings Serving Saints,

We wish each of you, our friends, brothers, sisters in Christ and fellow laborers in the Kingdom of God a very Happy New Year. It is our hope and prayer that our God has blessed you with a very joyful holiday season with family and friends. 

The new year is bringing much excitement and joy to God’s mission work here in Tanzania. We count it a privilege to be a small part of God’s desire, that being the salvation of all mankind, here in this part of the world. We know and we believe God’s Word does not return void and that it is God alone who gives the increase. God has chosen the preaching and teaching of the gospel to save mankind and that salvation is found only in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ and through Him. 

Elly Martin, Ahimidiwe Kimaro, Charles Heberth, Godfrey Mngoma and their wives have helped John Rice and the good brothers and sisters in Dar es Salaam conduct the Dar Youth Camp. With close to 200 souls engaging in fellowship and learning of God and His ways. Eleven souls were added to the Kingdom and for this we give God the glory and we thank all who made it possible. 

God’s work through the Tanzania Mission effort has been blessed and continues to be blessed by countless souls. The Northport group of eleven, lead by Alan Middleton and Greg Dickson (one of the elders) are currently holding door to door campaigns at three different congregations in the Mto wa Mbu area. They are also putting a roof on a “Pole-Building” at a newly planted congregation. As of this writing, twelve souls have obeyed the preaching of the gospel and have been added to the Church by our God. Amen! 

Early last year a new congregation was planted at Njiro chini, here in Arusha. Maurice Gasper (a graduate of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching) reports: “We at Njiro chini are fine, though some challenges here and there, but we can do all things in Him Who strengthen me! We had four baptisms this month, door to door evangelism is going on well.”

Tomorrow begins the “Tanzania Christian Camp” hosted here at the ACSOP and by the area wide christians. Again, we thank our good brother John Rice and our brother Godfrey for leading this camp, along with all the helpers and campers. Please keep them in your prayers as they all strive to know God and HIs will better, that we might live faithfully in Him. 

Please remember Stephanie and Granny as they will be traveling back to the States this week (Thursday night). Over the next several weeks, Stephanie’s mother will be seeing several doctors to help us determine what needs to be done. We thank you for your prayers of late. Granny has had a good week after several weeks of challenges. Our God is an awesome God, Who answers the prayers of the faithful. 

Stephanie and I would like to ask for your prayers on our behalf as we face some challenging decisions in the coming weeks. We also solicit your help with our upcoming travels. I will be coming to the States the first week in February. Our ticket cost, for the two of us, is $5,095. Thank you in advance for any consideration and help with this need. 

We love you all for all you do. We beg your forgivingness for any shortcomings in our lives and we beg of you, for your prayers, as we all strive to faithfully serve the Living God of Heaven and Earth. 

In Him,
Cy, Stephanie and Granny

Biblical Discipline Yields The Fruit Of Righteousness And God's Blessings...

Dear brethren,

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus. It is my hope that you know that God is doing marvelous works through your prayers and your support of Tanzania Missions. We are thankful for the spiritual blessings which are only found in Christ Jesus, faithful brethren like you, our amazing missionary team, the ACSOP faculty and staff, and the many preachers of the gospel throughout East Africa. 

November and December were very busy months. The Kisongo congregation had the sad and unfortunate obligation to discipline some members due to sustained unfaithfulness. With valuable souls in the balance and the purity of the bride of Christ to maintain we had no choice but to act. We thank God that after so doing word spread in our community and many of the unfaithful repented and came back seeking forgiveness. We have learned a great lesson: when you do what God has required, then His blessings will follow.

At the end of November the Kisongo Bible school, which is undertaken by the Kisongo congregation, graduated five people who are now equipped to help the church. Some of these students started the school straight off the street. Later on, because of what they learned in the Bible school, they became Christians. Kisongo Bible school has also helped a number of members to grow spiritually as well. Enrollment is currently underway for the next intake. 

We are glad to report that the Kisongo congregation sent four young men to this year’s Future Preachers Training Camp held at ACSOP. This camp has been a great blessing to the church in East Africa as the young men who attend are a great encouragement to the local congregations from whence they came. We were so pleased that one of the young men from Kisongo, fourteen-year-old Baraka, was chosen as the best speaker. Baraka was chosen by the faculty from among the 43 students in attendance. Baraka taught Bible class at the Kisongo congregation the Sunday following graduation and did a marvelous job.

We continue to solicit your prayers for the church and the ACSOP. Thank you for taking the time to read this short report and may God continue to bless you in 2015.

In His service,

Ahimidiwe Kimaro
Assistant Director, Andrew Connally School of Preaching
A Bear Valley Bible Institute International extension school
Arusha, Tanzania

A Year Of Testing, Difficulties, Turmoil, And Hope In Ukraine...

Dear brethren, 

Here comes the end to the year, 2014. It was a year of testing, difficulties, turmoil, and hope for us. This year started quite positively: Ukraine got rid of its former president, Yanukovich. The whole country felt relieved, thinking we’ll have a new life from now on. However, new problems in Ukraine started in March. In the first weeks of the new and temporary government, Russia invaded Crimea and annexed it as a result. Then full-sized war in the Eastern Ukraine got started. The very same Russian troops and displeased Ukrainians who considered themselves to be Russians took arms and started proclaiming new republics. The church in Ukraine was persecuted. When you look at the map of Ukraine, you can see that 65% of the church of Christ congregations are located in the Donetsk area. It seems to be a coincidence, but I think that Satan knows whom he should be fighting against. We found ourselves in Ternopil and, with God’s help, we were able to plant a church of Christ here and continue the work of the Bible Institute. Your prayers concerning our future were heard. 

Institute Church of Christ
In December, we placed a banner above the entrance to the church building. Earlier, I was afraid that our activity in this rented place could cause aggressive actions on the side of Orthodox or Catholics. However, gradually we saw that people accepted us, and they don’t care much who will be in their area. Actually, we’ve got more visitors due to the banner. One young man, Maksim, noticed our new banner, and Bogdan, out youth minister, invited him to the Bible class. Now, Maksim attends our services often. 

Also, we were able to start another Bible class group. On Mondays, the Sergey Chubenko family hosts all those who want to study God’s word. They intend to invite their neighbors, acquaintances, and their landlords. This way we try to use every opportunity to proclaim the Good News of the gospel, and it’s the second home group formed to study the Bible. 

Mostly, the students and staff at the Bible Institute attend our services. We’ve had no baptisms yet. We try to work actively via Bible school for kids. Last time, we organized a movie event and presentation of the school. Usually kids would come with their parents, and they are interested in which church we represent. 

At the end of December, we had festive events together, exchanged presents and congratulations and summed up the passing year. Most of the students went home for the Winter Break. We are expecting their arrival in January. 

Bear Valley Bible Institute
In December, the first-year students took such courses: How We Got the Bible and Matthew-Mark (Albert Bagdasaryan teaches those); the second-year students had 1-2 Corinthians (taught by Dennis Sopelnik) and Denominational Teachings (taught by Andrew Zhuravlyov). 

We have already made the schedule for the second semester, even though we have to correct it from time to time. I’m grateful to many American brethren who are willing to come and teach. It seems that we went back to the 90s when most of the teachers were American. Seeing that many people are willing to help with teaching, I want to find a place and time for everyone to come to Ternopil. 

Another young man from the Kiev region contacted me recently. He attends the Shevchekivska church of Christ in Kiev, and right now he is thinking about moving to Ternopil and attending BVBIU. It’s really a very difficult decision for him since he has a family and a small baby. We’ll pray that his decision would be according to God’s will. 

Also, I’m urging you to pray for Ukraine, especially for the military actions to stop. I’m grateful for those brethren who help refugees and those who stayed on the occupied territories at this difficult time. 

We send you our greetings. Thank you for spiritual and financial support of the Institute and the church in Ternopil. We would not be able to train ministers and reach the lost with the gospel without your help. 

Your brother and coworker,
Dennis Sopelnik

To see Dennis' report, with pictures, please click here.

Evangelistic Campaign Results In Souls Added To The Kingdom In Nigeria...

Beloved in Christ Jesus,

Greetings from your fellow laborers in the vineyard of our Master, Jesus.

Reports just reached me from brother Augustine Odoh, one of our year 2 students, along with other year two students that are accompanying him in a two week campaign for Christ. Evangelism in his home town since December 19, 2014 through January 4, 2015 shows that the Lord's church was just planted in their village, Watuolo Utonkon, Ado Local Government of Benue state, and the two week’s evangelism was also blessed with eight converts. To God be the glory!

I taught from one of my old tracts on January 4, 2015 as I spoke on “Behold He Cometh” (Revelation 1:7; Acts 1:9-11), while brother Gabriel Ishom, one of the BVBI certificate students, admonished the church at Onikokoro / Gbongudu, Ibadan on “Remember Lot’s Wife” (Gen.19:15-26). We were 52 in today's attendance with a total collection of N4,200.

At our Cross-Over Night Program on December 31 through January 1, 2015 (from 9:30 pm on Wednesday through 12:40 am on January 1, 2015) I served as the moderator. Brother Makinde Emmanuel, my first son and one of the present BVBI certificate students, admonished the gathering on “What the Lord Requires of Thee in the New Year” from Deuteronomy 19:12-22; Brother Lawrence Olawale Dada, one of the graduates of the SWSE 2009 set, also admonished the gathering on “God’s Promses for You in the New Year” from 1 Samuel 30:1-20; while brother Adedoyin Sola Rotimi, a BVBI certificate student, spoke on “Walking with God with Faith in the New Year” from Matthew 14:22-32. We were seventy-five in attendance.

On January 1st, we gathered together to rejoice with brother Olawale Dada and his wife, Omowumi, for the naming of their second son, according to Yoruba culture.

Brethren, classes commence tomorrow (Monday) at SWSE, Ibadan’s main campus. I will pilot some students who are with me for the two week’s end-of-the-year program to the campus at Butubutu by 3:00 pm, Lord's willing.

We thank you all for your moral and financial support. May the Lord of blessing continue to bless all our joint efforts in Christ name, Amen.

Yours in Him....
Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi

Welcoming The Gamma Students At CBIW, Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from Wotutu here in Cameroon. We say happy new year to you, your family, and the entire congregation. We are thanking God He allowed us to see the dawn of a new year. We are aware that every beginning comes along with its challenges.

We are starting a new year with faith. Our theme for the year is “2015 My Year of Growth.” We are doing all on our part to help as many of our Christians to experience growth in their lives this year, that is why our lessons will be toward areas which will provoke growth.

We shall start reporting fully our work again weekly, by the grace of God, because the new students of the Gamma batch are safe in Wotutu, 22 in number, sounding well, ready and excited to study the word of God. Keep them in your prayers to keep growing daily, preparing themselves for ministry. They will be here two precious and meaningful years for the Lord’s glory.

Information getting to me shows that almost all the Beta graduates made it safe to their respective congregations to start full time ministry. A few of them who have long distances to cover from their village of origin to the village of service are still around because of lack of transport funds.

This 22 man group will start classes tomorrow without any waste of time. For this first quarter we shall transplant these courses to them: Christian Evidences, Old Testament 1, How We Got The Bible, Personal Evangelism 1, English, French, Church Music, and some vocational training in agriculture (animal rearing). Some of these courses will share the number of credit hours with some smaller courses, so that all is going on smoothly.

We ended the year 2014 in the Wotutu congregation coming together to pray and fast, seeking God’s face and thanking Him for all that He is doing in Cameroon.

We ended the prayer session by holding our hands to pray, which is a strong sign of our unity, keeping us closer to one another and to our God so that nothing will come between us to distract and to tear away the bond of our love.

Our Christians brought bananas, fruit soft drinks, biscuits and other fast food for us to enjoy fellowship with one another.

Today, the Wotutu congregation officially prayed for evangelist Vincent who will be the one to be coordinating the work in Buea central prison, as the Wotutu congregation is part of the work. We also prayed for evangelist Ngoue Thierry who graduated during the last graduation, but will be working with some villages around Wotutu where we have been reaching through our early morning program. He plans to investigate how we can start new congregations there. Keep both of them in your prayers as we expand the gospel of Christ to others through them. Brother Vincent will report now about the work in prison.

A cross section of the 22 students was introduced and prayed for today in the Wotutu congregation to welcome them to the CBIW family and the Wotutu congregation. It was great and was characterized with shouts for joy and laughter as members of our congregation could identify new students who come from the same village as them. Please keep them in your prayers as we shall be sharing their progress on a weekly basis with you, while Jesus tarries. This batch is dominated by married people. To God be the glory.

Plans 
We welcome the students into CBIW and we point them straight to our motto, which is Evangelism is our Mission and our Mission is Evangelism. This weekend we shall join with the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma batch in the village of Mofako Bekondo to revive a dead congregation there. This will be the first mission work with this new students as they will start learning from the older graduates. We have a meeting with all our graduates also. Please keep our travels in your prayers and for success.

Appreciation
We shall not stop saying, “Thank you, and thank you for all that the Lord is using you to accomplish in His kingdom here in Cameroon.” God bless and keep you strong. He alone can reward your sacrifice and efforts toward this work. God bless you as you share this report with others. We shall love to read from you.

Elangwe and family
By His grace director CBIW

2014 Best Year In Training Preachers... 2015 An Exciting Year Ahead...

The new year of training preachers internationally is set to begin and a preliminary look at the future is exciting. As we enter into the new year, we are moving forward with a new look and a new name. We are now known as the Bear Valley Bible Institute International. While this is only a slight change, it is one we believe speaks to the global nature of the work we are involved with in training preachers, both in Denver and around the world. Please visit our website at wetrainpreachers.com to see the new look. We are a global work for a global mission.

A few of the exciting plans for the new year include: 1) a new class of students preparing for their two journey at the Denver campus of the Bear Valley Bible Institute, beginning with orientation January 9th, 2) we launch the largest expansion plan in Bear Valley’s history, 3) a new school is set to open in French-speaking Cameroon the first week of April, and 4) an additional five areas are potential locations for new schools in 2015.

These are only a few of the exciting areas planned for the new year. We eagerly anticipate the ways God will bless our efforts, as He has abundantly done so in the past. We also look forward to working together with you and the greatest people on earth who love the truth of God’s word, His church, and the lost of the world. The passion for fulfilling God’s mission is the driving force behind all that we do together.

Now on to more great news in this week’s reports...

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is http://www.wetrainpreachers.com/extension-schools/

Extension Reports 

CBIW Prepares For The Gamma Batch Set To Begin In 2015: Leadership in Cameroon prepares for the next class of students to arrive and begin their two-year journey.

A Year-End Report Of Souls Saved In Nigeria: Several reports from staff and students of the Southwest School of Evangelism indicate souls added and restored to the kingdom.

Chimala Celebrates Graduation And Prepares For The Next Class: After and exciting graduation ceremony, the work in Chimala focuses on 15 new students for the next class.

Results From Reporting Graduates In Arusha, Tanzania Is Powerful: With only 30 of the 140 graduates reporting, the growth God provided over the last year is exciting and encouraging.

Final Thoughts 
Since Wednesday is the last day of the year, we want to take a moment to wish you all the very best of the New Year. The lives influenced eternally in 2014 are directly related to each one of you and all you bring to the work of training preachers. Thank you for making 2014 the best year thus far in Extension Training. We know that with God working through each of us, together we will leave an eternal footprint on 2015. Thank you.

God bless
Bob

CBIW Prepares For the Gamma Batch Set To Begin In 2015...

Dearest  in Christ,

Greetings from this end. We do hope this report meets you in good health and sound faith. I am writing to say thank you Lord for His greatness and providence to us throughout 2014. This e-mail report of the work in CBIW is the last e-mail in 2014.

The students are all off from Wotutu, except for few who are staying out of the dormitories with their wives. They are still pending with final preparations to move to their new locations for full-time ministries.

God is blessing CBIW in many ways. One of the ways is that our weekend evangelism, end of quarter campaigns, mass campaigns, Bible lectureships, and other programs in congregations help expose our students to potential congregations who will always love to employ them to start their ministry with them, even though without any support. As of now, all 23 students who graduated have congregations and they will start work in January 2015. Two of our students will be working in two congregations in Abuja, Nigeria. They are Nigerians, so they did one campaign in Abuja and now two congregations call them up because their services are needed.

Keep these young evangelists in your prayers as they face the challenges that are common with ministry, but two years in CBIW fortified and empowered them as the apostle Paul told Timothy, “Endure hardship as a true soldier of Christ. Do the work of an evangelist.” It is not easy, but God is faithful and God is the best employer. God does not owe anyone.

Some preachers in Cameroon decided to come together to see how they can better their lives as they preach. Preachers in Cameroon don’t have any social insurance benefits, so a preacher works with his local congregation with whatever that congregation will give him as a stipend for his work. If a preacher is sick no one can help if his family cannot help, and eventually when the preacher dies, his family is left like that and later thrown out of the house because they cannot longer pay rent. Preachers live a deplorable lifestyle throughout ministry.

The Wotutu congregation came together today to worship. God is blessing us as we face the persecution that is befalling us, mostly after the death of our student Assah Menge Peter.

Plans
This weekend, the GAMMA batch will make their way to Wotutu, as they will be introduced to the Wotutu congregation before they start their studies on the 5th of January 2015. Keep them in your prayers as they travel down to Wotutu. A brother is already in my house since the graduation with his wife and two children. He comes from far away in Akwaya, an enclave community that contains 99 villages. The church is not there, so we praise God for His coming because that will be our frequent mission field, to get the Lord’s church scattered everywhere there, that these souls will be rescued by the grace of God from darkness of their traditions and come to the light of the gospel that will shine in their dark world.

Request
We need to improve our public address system, which is a great evangelistic stool. This PA system has aided us a lot in our evangelistic efforts for the past 4 years daily. We need to improve the amplifier and speakers, so that the waves of our early morning program will go further and many lives will be touched by the gospel and peradventure transform to converts.

Appreciations
We shall not cease to thank you for all that you do for the work in Cameroon. We keep you in our prayers and pray that God will continue to bless you, so that you will be source of blessings to others. Thanks for all your love, sacrifice, prayers, and support. God alone will replenish it for you.

Make a great day, as we all wait to see the dawn of 2015.  Happy New Year in advance. We pray God will make your 2015 fruitful and full with the blessings He has kept for His people, of which you are one. Keep the following in your prayers and thoughts

Wotutu Congregation
Cameroon Bible Institute
Bright land Christian Academy
Buea Central Prison Ministry
Our mission trips

Do your best to share this news with other. God bless and watch over you, your family, and the entire congregation.   

Elangwe and family
By His grace director CBIW

Results From Reporting Graduates In Arusha, Tanzania Is Powerful...

Greetings Fellow Servants,

What a year the Lord has blessed us with. You made a huge difference in the lives of countless souls here in East Africa through your faithful prayers, support, and overall involvement. I share with you some facts, numbers, and, yes, results of what God will and can do when we “...entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim. 2:2). 

We are in the process of surveying 25% of our Andrew Connally School of Preaching graduates. Having now graduated 140 faithful men, we wanted to survey at least 35 men. As of this writing we have last years results from 30 (about 21%) of the brothers and congregations they serve. We asked five questions:

1.  How many souls were added to the church this year?
2.  How many new congregations did you plant this year?
3.  How many congregations where restored?
4.  How many Christians were restored?
5.  What is the average worship attendance each week?

God’s results through His faithful:

1.  458 new souls added to the Kingdom of God this year.
2.  25 new congregations established this year. 
3.  13 congregations restored to the Truth.
4.  93 children of God restored to their first love.
5.  1,384 souls worshiping God each Lord’s Day. 

Thank you for making the Andrew Connally School of Preaching all she has come to be. We pray that you will see, through these numbers, the good God is doing and that you will see in your hearts the need to continue supporting not only the ACSOP, but other such works around the world. 

The Bear Valley Bible Institute International now has 17 preacher training schools around the world, with plans for five new schools in the coming year. With your prayers, support, and Gods blessings, the BEST IS YET TO COME.

We had a remarkable year thanks to our God and thanks to you. We hope and pray you will join us in the coming year, “Helping Us, Help Them, Help Themselves.” To God be the glory, great things He is doing! Amen!

We wish you all a very Happy New Year! Come see us if you truly want to experience “First Century Christianity Alive and Well in the Twenty-First Century.”

In Him, 
Cy, Stephanie & Granny

Chimala Celebrates Graduation And Prepares For The Next Class...

Since 1958, when the first missionaries entered the country known as Tanganyika, men such as Guy Caskey, Eldred Echols, Al Horn, and Tom Dockery knew the importance of training men to preach the gospel. Later, Andrew Conley and a host of other faithful gospel preachers labored in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania to follow the motto of “training others” to preach and teach the gospel. Since that time, young men have gone out into towns and villages baptizing thousands of souls into Christ. 2014 has been no different. The faculty of the Chimala Bible Institute oversaw graduation. Representing the faculty was Boaz Kasiba who gave the address to the graduates. Joseph and Remmy, directors of both the Swahili and English programs, handed out the diplomas to the Swahili and English graduates. Our guest professor from the Bear Valley Bible Institute, Denton Landon, challenged the audience, graduates, and faculty with scriptural lessons encouraging continued faithfulness to the truth of God’s word. A host of family friends and members of the local mission church were on hand to congratulate the latest group of workers into the kingdom. There were 14 who graduated from the Bear Valley Bible Institute International in this year’s graduation.

A part of the training program we are involved in is the use of our students on weekends and on campaigns for evangelism training. While going out with our experienced teachers, the students learn hands-on “how to do Bible studies” and have opportunities to teach and preach and lead worship in various congregations. We had over 214 baptisms this year on the mission and surrounding areas. Peter Kamatula works in Mbeya and while students were mentored at his side they baptized 14 this past year. Remmy, the director of our English program, works with the students in teaching “Bible Knowledge,” a part of the curriculum in all Tanzania schools. There work has yielded 25 new souls to the kingdom of Christ. 

We have 15 new students who requested enrollment this next year. Tanzania has more than a half a million refugees, more than any other country on the continent of Africa. We were given the opportunity to train some men from both the Congo and Burundi this past year. Next year, there are five fine men who are faithful members of the church from one of these refugee camps who want to join our school to be trained to return to their war-torn countries and present the gospel message. Please continue to pray for our hard working faculty and staff as we all join together to continue the work that for over 50 years has been the hallmark of the Chimala Mission. 

Garry L. Hill
Director/Instructor
Chimala Bible Institute  
Bear Valley Bible Institute International

A Year-End Report Of Souls Saved In Nigeria...

Beloved in Christ,

Compliments of the season from staff and students of the Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan and the satellite campus in Lagos state, Nigeria, along with my fellow WBSFUW in the Southwest state of Nigeria.

Our three day open-air Bible lectureship concluded on December 26, 2015 at the Lakuru Village, Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo state, with many prospects.

I worshipped this morning at the Egbeda congregation where I taught on “Restoring the Doctrine of Christ in this Crooked Generation,” while brother Kayode Solomon Eniafe admonished the church on “Looking unto Jesus,” from Hebrews 12:1-2. We are 25 in attendance with total collection of N1,640=.

Reports from my fellow instructors and co-workers at WBSFUW shows that brother Samuel, of Idiroko, recorded two baptisms and two restorations during their end of the year program. Brother Ezekiel Okoh reported the conversion of three souls and the planting of a congregation in a neighboring village during his preaching trip to Ebonyi state. Brother Abiola Joseph Olusoji reported the restoration of a soul at the Agege congregation, while brother Isaac Olaniyan reported the conversion of a soul at the Ijoko congregation, Ogun state.

Brother Matthew Roland, one of my fellow-workers at WBSFUW in Osun state, recorded the conversion of three WBS students during the just concluded WBS seminar in Ilesha town. He (brother Matthew) is presently working with eight secondary schools in the Ilesha township, Osun state.

Brother Lawrence Peter Abiodun, one of the August 2014 graduates and the evangelist of the Owode-Yewa congregation, Ogun state, reported the conversion of two souls and brother Matthew Adeyemi, a fellow-worker at WBSFUW and the evangelist of Igbesa and Lusado villages in Ogun state, reported the restoration of three souls at Igbesa and conversion of four souls at Lusado, the second congregation where he is serving as an evangelist.

Brother Okoro Chinyere, one the graduates of the SWSE Lagos campus and presently one of the instructors at SWSE Ikorodu center, reported the restoration of two souls in the Ikorodu congregation, Lagos state and brother Matthew Idowu reported a great crowd during their house-to-house evangelism at Oke-Afa Isholo, Lagos state, while brother Dele Shotola reported the conversion of a soul at the Felele congregation, Ibadan during their end of the year program.

Brethren, we thank you all for your brotherly love and kindness which you have all expressed by your continuous support for African evangelism, Nigeria in particular which has help us to achieve our aims in life!

Thanks once more for your care and concern. May God in His abundant blessings bless you all and all yours is our fervent prayer in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Yours in His service,

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (Founder & Director of Studies)
Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan & Lagos campus, Nigeria - West Africa

One Amazing Year-End Report...

We are excited to share with you the anticipated year-end report. Below is the report from Keith Kasarjian on the results achieved by the students in the extension schools around the world. We believe you will be as excited and encouraged by the accomplishment of this work as we were when we read the news. 

It is hard to believe, but the end of 2014 is almost here and at Bear Valley, we have had an outstanding year! This year has truly been wonderful in the history of the Bear Valley Extension Program and we want to share some of the excitement with you - our friends, partners, and supporters. 

There are now 17 extensions, in 15 different countries around the world, with 301 full-time, preacher training students! This year has also witnessed 132 men graduate with their degree or certificate from Bear Valley. Just think of all the potential in those men and their families in the years to come, especially since the vast majority of them are serving in the most fertile parts of the world. This is truly exciting! 

But at Bear Valley, we know that we aren’t doing this alone. We depend on partners and supporters to help us train preachers around the world. In addition to our all-important supporters, 68 different local teachers taught in Bear Valley extensions this year and another 63 men made the journey to an extension to teach a “short course” to our students. This truly is a team effort at every level. 

In addition to teaching these men how to preach and live, we want to instill in them a passion for soul-winning. This is borne out in the many studies, campaigns, and gospel meetings that they are involved in throughout the year. As a result of these efforts, we know of at least: 

1,996 baptisms
91 new congregations
20 congregations restored
221 individual restorations
110 campaigns and gospel meetings 39 lectureships
10 youth conferences and camps
8 denominational preachers converted 

To God be the glory! 

This has truly been a remarkable year, but we are not resting on our laurels as we look to an exciting future. There are already many new students set to enter the program next year and several new extensions are in the works. 2015 promises to be the most exciting year yet! 

At Bear Valley, we thank all those who support us and partner with us to carry out the mandate of 2 Timothy 2:2. What you are doing is making a difference and we literally could not do it without you. Thank you for the confidence you have placed in us and we look forward to continuing to serve together as long as the Lord allows. 

Keith

Now on to more great news in this week’s reports...

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is http://www.wetrainpreachers.com/extension-schools/

Extension Reports 

Greetings, Gratitude, And An Appeal From Cameroon: After a successful two years at CBIW, a new class of students will begin in January. Director, Elangwe, expresses his gratitude.

Special Greetings From The Southwest School Of Evangelism: The work in Nigeria continues to be a blessing to the kingdom in Nigeria and special greetings are sent to all.

Blessing Tanzania Missions And ACSOP: Sean Hochdorf, director of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching, shares God’s blessing to the work in Tanzania.

Markers Of God’s Hand Working In Tanzania: Along with year-end results, Cy Stafford shares the amazing ways God is working in and through Christians throughout Tanzania.

Final Thoughts 
As the week ahead is filled with time for family and friends, we want to wish you all the best of the holiday season. We love and appreciate you all and pray God will continue to bless you for all your efforts in training preachers. You continue to be a blessing to us and many around the world. 

God bless
Bob

Greetings, Gratitude, And An Appeal From Cameroon...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from Cameroon. Your brothers and sisters in Christ send greetings of the season to you, your family, and the entire congregation. We are doing better in health and life after the graduation and other activities. We do hope this mail finds you all doing well in all that you are doing.

I am writing on behalf of many here to thank you all for all that you have allowed God to use you to accomplish in Cameroon. We truly lack the words to give you in appreciation of all your sacrifice to make things happen in CBIW and in our ministries here in Cameroon.

We send our sincere appreciation to you for loving the Lord and His church here in Cameroon. You made it possible for us do what the Lord called us to do in expanding the gospel of Jesus in our communities and country.

We thank you for your fervent prayers and lifting us up to God daily. We say thank you for your prayers meant a lot to us and the work we are doing.

We thank you for all the gracious words of encouragement to us as we serve. Those words were a great source of motivation and driving force for us to move ahead with the task laid for us.

We thank you for the fellowship we share physically, for those who visited us, through emails, phone calls, and otherwise.

We thank you for your financial support to help train men to preach the gospel. Your timely support help students to eat, buy personal needs, handouts, health care accommodations, and others.

We thank you for spending your time to prepare notes that were used here. Thank you for loving us.

We thank you and pray that God will bless you, keep you strong, and open more doors for you to do more for the work here. God alone will be able to replenish, repay, and bless you abundantly for all the good work you are doing for the Lord.

Please permit me make an appeal.

1) Keep praying for us and the work here.

2) Keep praying for the new work we envision as we move to 2015.

3) Please, if you want to get a report from our graduates, give me your email to give to them.

4) Please, some evangelists in newly and revived congregations pray for a small support that can help them establish their ministries.

God bless you as you prepare to increase the shores of your services in His ministry. Thank you and enjoy the few more days before 2014 goes into the annals of history.

God bless you. I will start reporting again God's willing from the 2nd of January 2015 when we shall have the next batch of students.

Elangwe and family

Special Greetings From The Southwest School Of Evangelism...

Dear fellow workers in the vineyard of the Lord Jesus,

We thank the Almighty God for His mercies and kindness over us, who in His infinite mercy made us to see the beginning and the end of this season.

We bless the name of God for all the words of encouragement, charges, motivation, etc. that He sent to us through all of you!

We also thank the Lord for great people of God like you that helped us financially.

The SWSE appreciates you all for your dedication, commitment, and financial support throughout the year 2014. We humbly and prayerfully solicit for your continuous support even beyond year 2015.

The SWSE, Ibadan main campus will close after this weekend evangelism at Egbeda town organized by the Egbeda congregation, Ibadan in preparation for the World Bible School seminar that, by God's grace, will come up at that city on January 31, 2015 where our dear brother Doug Wheeler is expected to minister the gospel of Christ to Egbeda inhabitants.

Lord's willing, classes will continue on January 5, 2015. Our two satellite campuses at Agege and Ikorodu will close for the end of the year program on Saturday, December 27, 2014.

Brethren, the SWSE Ibadan & Lagos campuses appreciate you all for your partnership! May God continue to bless you abundantly as you continue contributing to the growth of His kingdom on earth is our fervent prayer.

Our needs at the Ibadan campus include $3,000 to complete our events hall (Doug Wheeler's Hall) and $5,000 for digging a water bore hole at the school site.

Beloved, I will conclude my teaching on “Marriage and the Home” at the Onikokoro / Gbongudu congregation, Ibadan on the Lord's day before we go out for our monthly door-to-door evangelism.

In the afternoon, brother Samuel Oladokun, one of the present graduates of the SWSE Ibadan will be teaching at the youth end-of-the-year program with another SWSE year-2 student named brother Gabriel Ishom and brother Idowu Segun at the Onikokoro / Gbongudu congregation -Ibadan.

We (the Onikokoro / Gbongudu congregation) are organizing a three day open-air Bible lectureship at the Idi-Orogbo area of Lagelu Local Government Area where I will speak on “Who is Jesus Christ?” on December 24. Brother Lawrence Olawale Dada, one of the SWSE graduates will speak on “New Testament Worship,” December 25 at the same venue, and on December 26, the two of us will be speaking on the same topics at Lakuru village, Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Brother Kayode Solomon Eniafe, one of the graduates of the school and one of our present instructors will be working with the Wasimi congregation in Osun State with brother Adedoyin Rotimi and brother Samuel Olorode (SWSE year-2 students / BVBI certificate students) from December 25-27, 2014.

Beloved, we thank you all for assisting us in obeying the marching orders of our Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20.

We thank you all for your prayer, moral, and financial support. May the Almighty God continue to bless, honor, and reward you accordingly (1 Cor. 15:58).

Happy New Year To You All in advance.

Thank you and God bless! We shall all make heaven in Jesus name, Amen.

For enquiry, advice, and constructive criticism, you can contact brother Doug Wheeler (Nigerian Evangelism minister, c/o Westside church of Christ, Oklahoma) or brother Steven Ashcraft (BVBI, West Africa coordinator) or brother Bill Pennell (a close associate of brother Doug Wheeler) or brother Joel Coppinger (International Director of WBSTC, California) or you can write us directly.

Once again, we thank you for all your partnership. We wish you and all your wonderful associates a prosperous New Year.

Your fellow laborer in Christ's kingdom,

Makinde  Ebenezer  Olufemi (Founder & Director of Studies)
Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan & Lagos campus, Nigeria

Blessing Tanzania Missions And ACSOP...

As the year is winding down our team has been busy making plans, setting goals, and preparing the budget for the next year in Tanzania. The Lord has certainly blessed Tanzania Missions and the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. We are grateful for the tireless fund raising that Cy Stafford has done, and continues to do, and for so many generous congregations and benevolent individuals that have made this work possible.

In addition to our organizational goal setting and budgeting, Anita and I have been doing the same on a personal level. We are excited about our small part of this wonderful work and are looking forward to seeing how God will use us during 2015. Concerning our personal budget, we understand that a missionary's income is always in a state of flux because it all comes from contributions. There are a number of reasons that contributors, whether congregations or individuals, cease their giving. Regardless of the reasons, it happens and we need to take the necessary steps to remedy any disparity. During our furlough earlier this year we gained some support and we lost some support. Taking this into consideration we have crunched our numbers and have finalized our budget for 2015 and we find ourselves with a fairly substantial deficit; a deficit of a little more than $1200.00 per month. Utilities in Tanzania have risen by 90% in the last two years not to mention skyrocketing food cost and gas that is nearing $6.00 per gallon. I won't even go into detail about the financial hit we take because of governmental corruption. We have eliminated savings, retirement and medical insurance from the budget as well. This is a no frills, trim all the fat, do what you gotta do to get the job done, budget.

With the end of the year approaching many are considering how they might be able to make their final tax deductions for 2014. It just so happens that I have a great suggestion for where you can do that very thing! All kidding aside we would like to plead with you to consider us in your tax strategy and charitable giving. All contributions that are sent through Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver are tax-deductible (please see the check example at the bottom). Wouldn't you much rather put your funds toward the spread of the gospel than toward Uncle Sam and his 17 trillion dollar deficit?

We hope you will take the time to carefully and prayerfully consider our need and request. We love the Lord and we love His work in Tanzania and we are praying for the financial boost we need to continue doing our part during 2015.

May God continue to bless you in the upcoming year.

In His service,
Sean & Anita Hochdorf

Markers Of God's Hand Working In Tanzania...

Greetings Fellow Servants;

We thank you for your commitment to the gospel and for the lost of this world. Your response to our “Thanksgiving Challenge” was met with great enthusiasm and support. We have been blessed for the past 16 years with good friends and supporters making this mission effort of God’s one of the best on the planet. We genuinely believe 2015 will be one of, if not the, best years ever. 

Last week was one of those “markers” that we are able to witness and know God is having His way through the Tanzania mission effort and is changing lives for the better. Our good brother, Michael Losotwa, a graduate of the ACSOP, current dean of academic instructor and co-evangelist for the Kisongo congregation, was asked to direct the “Ninth Annual Future Preacher's Training Camp.”  He accepted and did a power job. 

This year’s intake of campers was 43 in number representing 16 different congregations. Today 14 year old Baraka (translated, blessing) taught an amazing lesson of “True Love,” really impressive on so many levels. 

We did a short survey of our student body that I believe illustrates the good being done through the avenue of “entrusting the Word to faithful men, that in turn they might teach others). We asked and they answered the following 8 questions:

1)     How many baptisms from their home congregations and that they taught and baptized? 176
2)     How many new congregations have they been a part of this year? 46
3)     How many congregations restored back to the truth? 14
4)     How many campaigns where they took part of this year? 27
5)     How many lectureships? 23
6)     How many youth conference and or camps? 30
7)     How many Bible studies did they conduct? 200
8)     How many denominational preachers did they teach who obeyed the gospel? 8

Yes, what God controls, GROWS! The Lord’s church in East Africa is growing day by day thanks to God’s amazing grace and love, your prayers and support, and the hard work of God’s faithful here in East Africa. Thanks be to God, great things He is doing. 

We wish you all a very happy holidays. We hope and we pray God blesses you with good friends, good Christian fellowship, and lots of good holiday food. 

Please continue to remember Granny in your prayers. She continues to have chronic bronchitis and is having to take some strong drugs and lots of breathing treatments. Stephanie is doing a great job “nursing” her along the way. Granny has several doctors’ appointments in January. We are hopeful she can make the long hard trip back to the U.S. on the 8th of January. 

Until all have heard...

In Him,
Cy, Stephanie and Granny

Finals, Stress, Graduation, Matriculation, Souls Saved, And A Break...

Finals week is always a stress-filled time for students in Denver, as we are sure it is for all other schools where we are privileged to share in the work of training preachers. We are encouraged by the men who are graduating and entering the ministry. Their effort throughout the last two years provides an example worth emulating for all other students. We pray for them and ask you to pray with us for their further growth and development as servants of the Great I Am.

Graduation for students at the Cameroon Bible Institute of Wotutu (CBIW) was held this last week. This day also served for the matriculation of a new class of students that begins their journey in January. We continue to be encouraged by the work each class does during their training at CBIW. They are all involved in personal evangelism on a weekly basis and campaigns each quarter, all to reach the lost, strengthen the church, and plant new congregations of the Lord’s people.

Other schools reporting this week share news of God’s power at work in reaching out with the gospel. Souls are brought to the Lord and the church is growing in each location. Please remember to pray for each of these works. God continues to open numerous doors and the students are diligently working to prepare themselves for greater service, all the while putting those skills into practice.

There will be a short break in Denver before the next quarter begins in January. A new class of students will also begin their journey to prepare for the work in God’s kingdom. As you read through the reports this week, we pray you are encouraged and ask you to think about how you can have a more active role in this effort in 2015. If you need more information, please send me an e-mail at bturner@wetrainpreachers.com.

Now on to the other reports...

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is http://www.wetrainpreachers.com/extension-schools/

The latest report from Donnie Bates can be read here.

The latest report from Luis Comacho about the work in Paraguay can be read here.

Extension Reports 

Graduation And A Reflection On The Past Two Years In Cameroon: After the Beta graduating class, CBIW director, Elangwe Gregory, shares results of their work for the last two years.

Five Souls Added To The Kingdom In Takoradi, Ghana: A recent evangelistic outreach in Ghana by West Coast School of Preaching students brings five souls to Christ.

Marriage And The Home - How To Get To Heaven: These lessons were taught in Nigeria and the combination reveals the need of the family in the direction of heaven.

Requesting Prayers For The Masai: The power of a flyer points people to the one true church of the Bible brought two Masai men to learn more about what the Bible teaches.

Studies Yield Fruit In Tanzania: Three reports from graduates involved in sharing the gospel show the increase given by God as souls are added to the kingdom.

Final Thoughts 
With only two weeks left in 2014, we are thankful when reflecting on the past 12 months. We can see how God has blessed His work. We will soon have a collective report to share with you about the progress in each location and the influence training preachers has around the world. Thank you for making this possible. We need you and we give thanks for you each day.

God bless
Bob

Studies Yield Fruit In Tanzania...

Greetings Fellow Servants, 

It is our hope and prayer that all is well in your life and service. We thank God for you, for your prayers, and most of all, your example and sacrifice in the Lord. One of the joys of working in Tanzania is seeing God’s mighty hand at work in the lives of the people. To witness good men and women of God, serving without complaint, serving tirelessly, brings much joy and comfort to one’s soul. Three evangelists highlight this fact:

Fariji Paul (Usa River congregation): “First, I really thank you for your prayers for the Usa River church. You have been praying for us, as a result, the church is increasing well. Second, in November, we studied with 14 people, one of them was baptized into the kingdom of Christ, named Nelson Sango. He said, that he desires to serve God in His kingdom and has just completed the Bible correspondence course. He asked us to pray for him so that may overcome the false prophets. A future church plant is to begin at Tengeru, please pray for that.”        

Mathew Laizer (Longido congregation): “Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, today is the end of our seminar efforts. One soul obeyed the gospel. The Lord is indeed good. Thanks and be blessed.”

Yusuph Mdaki: (Ushirombo congregation): “Hello brother, six souls have been added and one new congregation has been started.”

Next week in Arusha is a very special week. The “Future Preacher’s Training Camp” will be held at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching location in Kisongo. Michael Losotwa, our dean of Academics and evangelist for the Kisongo congregation, is directing the camp for the first time. This is one of those “markers” that lets us know, it is working. When responsibility can be delegated to faithful men, who in turn, glorify God through faithful service, God’s will and our goal is accomplished. We are anticipating a very good intake for this event and solicit your prayer on behalf of all the young men and those who will instruct them. 

Today was a great day. Keith Kasarjian and I were blessed to worship with Dale Kastner and his family here in Lilongwe, Malawi. We worshiped with the Chinsapo congregation in the city, 324 souls singing praises to our God. What a blessing it was to witness 22 responses to the lesson and 3 souls obeying the gospel. It has been a personal goal of mine to come to Malawi where brother Andrew Connally first began his missionary journey. 

A very special thank to Dale, Leann and Alyssa (7 years old on Jan. 3rd) for their amazing hospitality. They made our trip profitable and pleasant. This good family arrived in Malawi on July 17th of this year, committing 10 years of their life to the cause of Christ in Malawi. Dale is a graduate of the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver and based on what I have seen, he will do God proud as a faithful servant of His. 

We wish each of you a blessed week of service to the Master. Until all have heard...

In Him, 
Cy, Stephanie & Granny

Requesting Prayers For The Masai...

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…”(Matt. 28:19). It was a Sunday afternoon when two Masai men came to visit the Arusha church of Christ. The worship service had just ended a few hours earlier and the members were on their way home. Isaac and I remained behind for some church work. After introducing themselves, they told us that were there here to find the church of the Bible. When we asked how they came to find us they told us they had seen one of our advertisements attached to one of the electric poles in town. The advertisement reads,“if you want to know the truth and become a member of the one true church of the Bible visit the church of Christ nearest you.”

So, we sat down and started to answer their Bible questions. Interestingly, they wanted to know why there are so many churches today. After a long study of the scriptures they were able to realize the difference that exists in the denominational world and the church we read about in the Bible.

We continue studying with them and they have invited us to come to their home and study with their other family members, including their wives and children. It has been a blessing for us to meet these people and to be able to share with them the loving message of God.

These two men are very interested in learning the truth and it is our hope that soon they will obey the gospel. Please keep these precious souls in your prayers; they are very close to the kingdom. Please pray for Isaac and me as we continue to persuade them concerning the scriptures.

In Him,

Godfrey Mngoma
Dean of Students, Andrew Connally School of Preaching
A Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver extension school
Arusha, Tanzania

Marriage And The Home - How To Get To Heaven...

Dear fellow ministers of God,

Greetings from students and staff of the Southwest School of Evangelism (SWSE), Ibadan and Lagos campus.

The staff and students of the SWSE Ibadan main campus evangelized Panu, Eletu, and Alagbede villages on Saturday, December 13th, 2014.

We shall close for this year on December 20th after the mass evangelism at Egbeda town in Egbeda Local Government of Oyo state to enable our students to participate actively in the end of the year program in their respective congregations.

I taught on “Marriage and the Home” this morning at the Onikokoro / Gbongudu congregation, Ibadan and brother Dele Shotola, one of the graduates of the school and my co-WBSFUW in Oyo and Ogun states, taught on “How to Get to Heaven” at the Felele congregation, Ibadan and a young girl was baptized unto The Lord.

Brother Eze Mbaraoye, one of the school’s graduates, also reports the restoration of a couple at  the Alagbado congregation, Lagos where he is serving as one of the ministers.

Beloved, the school is growing and we just introduced the WBS correspondence courses to     Ila-Orangun town in Osun state through Brother Kayode Solomon Eniafe, one of the able instructors at SWSE Ibadan main campus.

Beloved, we thank you all for your partnership! Stay blessed and be strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Yours in Him....Makinde Ebens