Graduation in Paraguay

January 28, 2017 was a special day at the Asuncion Bible Academy, in Asuncion, Paraguay, as another graduation was observed and I was blessed to be there for it. These students have dedicated themselves for the better part of two years and have learned so much bible in that time. As with all of the Bear Valley extensions, the purpose is to train people, in their own language, to reach their own people, in their own country. We are confident this goal has been achieved there.

It was also a bit of a sad day, as it also marked the official closing of the school. Missionary Troy Spradlin has served as the Director of the school for it's entire four year history, but when he moves back to the States in February, it will live the school without a Director and one it's primary teachers. For now, the best decision is to close the school with the possibility of it reopening at another time. 

To God be the glory!

Keith Kasarjian

Death and life in Liberia

We bring you greetings from Liberia- Bear Valley Bible Institute, hoping all is well with you in Jesus name.

We started this new year and our academic year very sad with the death of one of our students. Anthony J. Wesseh died after a short illness, in Ganta Methodist hospital on January 9,2017. Brother Wesseh didn't leave for the break (vacation) because he said he never had money to go, so he stayed on campus and felt seriously sick right about when we were about to reopen. We had to rush him to the hospital where he spent six days under critical conditions and died on the 9th of this month.

When we started trying to get in touch with his family, before and after his death, later did we know that he never had any caring family behind him besides his two children, who later came on the day he was to be buried. So the whole burden was on the school. We did our best and have him buried. The church here also did very very well in standing with us (the school). 

The students also brought great news as they had eight (8) baptism and nineteen (19) person restored.

While on the vacation break also, I started a radio preaching program on January 1. This radio preaching program is also intended to train our student to public speaking. 

Our Third Quarter Lessons:

Old Testament II- By Robert Dahn

Life of Christ II-By Fester Lee

Old Testament III- By Robert Dahn

World Religion – By O.D.K.Zakamah

Prison Epistles- By Roberft Dahn (SC)

I Corinthians Agriculture – By. Meantor Bembo

With all that has happened this month (Bad and Good), we give God the glory- IThess. 5:18 We also want to thank you so much for all your prayers and support.

Your brother,

Robert P. Dahn, Jr. 

A fantastic end to 2016 in Togo!

The school in Togo wrapped up their year in a most exciting way!! I think you will be as excited and impressed as I was when you read the latest update HERE. 

Evangelism in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus, 
Greetings from your fellow labourers in Christ ' vineyard. As the Lord would have it, more souls were added to the Lord 's Church as the results of our end of the year"s program in Ogun and Ekiti State. 

Bro. Abiodun Lawrence of Owode Yewa reports the additional 4 souls and Bro. Emmanuel Godwin, who is now assisting the Lord 's Church in Igbara -Odo in Ekiti state with Bro. Mbenga Ilori, reports the conversion of another soul. Also, Bro. Matthew Adeyemi reports the conversion of additional 2 souls in his station at Igbesa in this month of January 2017.
Man proposed but God disposed. We plan to plant a Lord 's Church this month of January, but God made it 2!

One of our graduates, with the help of Bro. Dario Joseph, and some of our students in Lagos campus evangelized Alapoti village near Ado -Odo last week. As the Lord would have it, they started worshiping today in a brother's house at Alapoti village with 15 people.

Also, we evangelized Oyero town, Ogun State with Bro. Samuel Ishola and the Meiran brethren and some of our students on Friday and Saturday and then start the first worship on a brother's nursery school today. We are 19 in attendance with total collection of N6,000 . I taught on Individual responsibility to the Church while Bro. Chuk admonished the young Congregation on Commitment. The church Oyero consist of three families. 

Brethren, we appreciate you all for your partnership and contribution to the spread of the Lord 's Church in Africa most especially in Nigeria. May the Lord continue to bless our work together in Jesus name, amen. 

I remain yours in His Grace as a servant....

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi

(Director of Studies and Chairman of Administrative Council -BVBIN AND SWSE, IBADAN)

The first campaign in NZ is a success!

Our regular readers know that one of the newest Bear Valley extensions is in New Zealand and that school has just completed its first campaign. Lance Mosher has sent us a very encouraging report that can be seen HERE. 

Fantastic news from Chimala!

We started our new school year yesterday (January 16) here at Chimala, Tanzania.  We have 33 students – 22 returning second year Swahili students, 5 first year English students in the Bear Valley program, and 6 first year Swahili students. Three of the returning second year students are women. 

Today in chapel we were excited to hear about what some of the second year students have done during the break.  We heard from about a third of the men and they already reported over 40 baptisms, a number of restorations, and 3 new congregations started.  By the end of the week we should have a full report and I will try to include it in our next update. 

One of the things we are doing this year is starting two farming projects to both provide food for the students and also to teach them how they can support themselves and their families once they graduate.  The two projects are raising meat chickens and a garden. 

Our hearts will be saddened as Chad Wagner and his family are leaving this weekend to move back to the States to begin a new work in Tennessee.

Your brother,

Richard Rogers

The Maynards are back in Tanzania

I was able to see Justin and Anna twice on their recent furlough and I can tell you they couldn't wait to get back to Tanzania! Well, they are back now and you will enjoy their most recent update by clicking HERE. 

A great start in Kenya

Greetings from Kenya School of Preaching, we pray you all are doing well in the Lord. We are off to a good start of the year at the school with 19 students coming back safely and are in class.

One student requested to quit the training to attend to pressing family matters and apply a fresh during the next intake God willing. It is very unfortunate to lose Lameck, he was a great student in class and we trust he will overcome the challenge and keep the faith.

During the December holiday the faculty and the students were actively involved in the Lord's service and great things were accomplished. We are compiling the reports from the students and will send it separately.

Elias and I joined a gospel meeting in Ndhiwa as speakers where 7 souls obeyed the gospel. During the meeting, we had 8 former graduates of KSOP also participating actively in door to door evangelism. We were happy to be reunited with the former KSOP graduates and above all to see them rightly dividing the word of truth. David and I joined youths from Kisii region teaching the foundation of the church, In Kisii we also joined one former KSOP graduate and current student.

This quarter, Elias is teaching Pentateuch II and Homiletics II , David Wasonga takes the book of Job while I Gospel according to Mark and Hermeneutics. Millicent the school secretary is training them on basic computer knowledge. All the classes are going on smoothly and the zeal from the students to know the truth is exciting. 

Thanks to all who make this work possible, God bless you more.

His servant,

Charles Ogutu.

Starting the new year off right!

Happy new year 2017. We are grateful to be counted among the living this 2017. Special greetings from Mary who is right beside me as Iam writing to you this Sunday on my first report for this year.

Our worship today was grandiose with the presence of some backsliders who decided to begin their year in the presence of God. Our small worship house today could not accommodate all our members and we had an overflow along the door. Everything went on smoothly with some very powerful lessons on sermons and bible study.

We also appreciate the hand work of God upon our lives for God added to us one precious soul this first week of the year 2017. What a nice start. We pray for many more souls to be added into His vineyard, for evangelism is our mission and our mission is evangelism. We preach the gospel to every creature on this planet.

Students of the school of preaching safely returned home in a calm atmosphere. The two who went to North finally came back on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively and we allowed them to rest for these few days and that we begin classes tomorrow Monday.

We also had our staff meeting last Friday and we were blessed to have all our staff members in the meeting, which ended with the visit to our site so as to see how the work is advancing. We had some pertinent points to discuss, such as the future of the school, preparation for our next intake and the upcoming graduation on March 29-30th.

We are also happy to inform you of the development of the construction of the dormitory. work is going on well and the workers are doing their best to see that on or before graduation.

                       REMAIN BLESSED AND HAVE A PROSPEROUS YEAR. 

Your brother, 

Ititi

Excitement and challenge in Ukraine

Many of you are aware of the challenges the school in Ukraine has faced in the past 2 years. Due to the war and fighting in eastern Ukraine, our building was stolen (literally at gunpoint) and the school was forced to move to the other side of the country. By the time another move was needed, both enrollment and funding support had dwindled. 

However, due to the diligent work of Denis Sopelnik (Director) and the stability of a better location, enrollment has increased from 3 to 17! The sudden growth is both exciting and challenging, as we now find ourselves with a serious monthly shortfall. If you can help in any way, whether by a one-time contribution or with regular support, please contact me by email (kkasarjian@wetrainpreachers.com) or by phone. 334.306.1573

To see the latest report, click HERE and you will see that the future is bright! 

The progress continues in Fiji

Rocco and Debbie Pierce have made all the arrangements necessary and are all set to move to Fiji this month. You will be interested to read their report HERE. 

Evangelism in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus, 

Greetings from BVBIN & SWSE, Ibadan. Below is the summary of our end of the year"s report. 

MASS EVANGELISM AND GOSPEL CAMPAIGNS AND OPEN AIR BIBLE LECTURESHIP:

December 22-25 end of the years program in Oro, Kwara state where Bro. Emmanuel Godwin, one of our students, spoke on my behalf during the evening Open Air of December 22-24 and other students were actively involved in morning mass evangelism and were blessed with a convert and two restorations. 
December 26-29 programs in three congregations in Osun State (Asejire, Baleayo and Alapata Ikoyi) was blessed with five converts and three restorations. 
December 29-31 Lectureship at Otunolode near Onikokoro -Ibadan was blessed with a convert. Our last daughter, Victoria Omobolanle Makinde got baptized in the first day of the program. TO GOD BE THE GLORY AND HONOR. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES : I taught on Redeeming Time on December 25 while Bro. Samson Alabi admonished the church at Onikokoro /Gbongudu congregation and on January 1st 2017 admonished the church on The Power of Praises (Acts 16:20-30).We were 54 in attendance with total collection of N12,000=

OUR FIRST OUTREACH IN YEAR 2017: Lord's willing, we shall be working in Olayemi Oyero area of Ogun State with one of the foundation members of BVBIN & SWSE, Ibadan, Bro. Samuel Ishola and the church of Christ, Meiran -Lagos in evangelizing and planting of the Lord 's Church between January 13-15,2017.

IN CONCLUSION : Brethren, your thoughtfulness, trust and supports in year 2016 are very much appreciated. May you be continually blessed with all the good things of year 2017. May every day of the New Year glow with good cheer and happiness for you and your family and friends. Happy New Year. 

Yours in His Grace as a servant, 
Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (Director of Studies and Chairman of Administrative Council -BVBIN AND SWSE, IBADAN)

The new batch starts in Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings to you and family and our compliments of the season. We do hope this season brought lots of joy and smiles to you and the work you are doing for the Lord. On our part the season met us busy with the things entrusted in our hands .

After the graduation, I thought I will have some time to rest and refresh after the graduation and annual Bible lectureship, but the work cannot allow me to rest as we prepare to welcome 21 freshmen into the college. I am supposed to make sure I prepare the field for weekend and other evangelism and I was also visiting some of ther congregations that we established with the former students who are now preparing to take full time ministry. I was bound to go and keep those congregations alive.

The DELTA btach of students are expected on campus on January 1 and their studies begin on the January 3, 2017.

Thanks very much for your unfailing love and support, because they are the wheels that make this work move ahead. God bless you and keep you strong as we start up another year. We wish you the best of the year 2017 and we pray that 2017 will bring you surprises and making your dreams comes true.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

A busy time in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus, 

Greetings from BVBIN and SWSE, Butubutu village, Ibadan and from my CO-WBSFUWin Western states of Nigeria. 

CHURCH PLANTING IN IGBOBINI: The preachers & WBSFUW in Ondo state and our students gathered together for mass evangelism in the morning of Dec.16&17 and open -air Bible lectureship in the evening of December 16 & 17. Bro.Emmanuel Godwin, one of our students, spoke on my behalf on Christ mission in the evening of December 16,2016 during the first Open Air Bible lectureship in Igbobini town -Ondo state. And on December 18,they all gathered together for the first worship. The Lord blessed their joint efforts with three souls.

BVBIN AND SWSE, IBADAN FIRST WORKSHOP IN IKORODU -LAGOS: We the staff, foundation members and the Ikorodu Lagos campus of the BVBIN AND SWSE gathered together with over 250 brethren from twenty-five congregations in Lagos state for the first Workshop organized by our Lagos campus on December 17,2016 where Bro. Linus Agada spoke on the Bible School and It's Value while I spoke on Preaching Methods in 21st century. 

And on Sunday, I worship with Mile -12 congregation where I taught on What makes a strong church. We are 159 in attendance with total collection of N45,000=.
Lord ''s willing, I shall be speaking on The Home as God planned it on Saturday, December 24 in the marriage ceremony of the last born of Bro. Samuel Ishola in Meiran congregation, Lagos State. 

DECEMBER 22-30,2016: Our students shall be working Lord 's willing in Oro town, Kwara State with Bro. David Akinola from December 22-25. On December 26-28, we shall be working in Felelearea of Ibadan with Bro .Dele Shotola in mass evangelism and Gospel Campaign and on December 29-30,we shall be working in Otunolode area of Lagelu L. G. A of Oyo State with Onikokoro / Gbongudu congregation in Gospel Campaign .

MATERIALS USED :Over 1,000 copies of VOTI vol. 90, Mission Printing materials, TFT materials and our local tracts are used and set aside for all this program. 

CLOSING REMARKS : We give praises and thanks to Almighty God for His mercies, love and grace which He bestowed on us through out year 2016.
Our special thanks go to our honourable patron -Bro. Doug Wheeler ,The BVBI West Africa coordinator -Bro. Steven Ashcraft, WBSTC Director -Bro. Joel Coppinger, VP ACSF -bro. Bill Pennell and you all for making year 2016 more meaningful for us in Africa most especially in Nigeria. With God and you in our sides we hope for better year 2017.
Your co-labourer in Christ Jesus, 
Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi
Director of studies -BVBIN AND SWSE, IBADAN& Chairman of administrative Council

Growth in Cambodia

Dear brothers and sisters, 

Merry Christmas to you and family and to your loved ones from us at Siem Reap church of Christ.

I would like to share with you and include of the things we have done so far of the Siem Reap church of Chrtist for the year of 2016.

We had some big events in the year 2016,

Our regular service

In the year of 2016, I can see we have grown to have love and compassion to people by going to them every week to teach them the gospel of Christ, currently we have 8 different places such as, 1. Takam village, a way from siem reap about 25 kilometers, 2. Kok Khnang 35 kilometers, 3. Sombu 30 kilometers, 4.Tropeang svay 15 kilometers, Somroung 17 kilometers, 5. Kvean 10 kilometers, 6. Leang Dai 14 kilometers and 7. Kompong kleang about 50 kilometers, 8. Bos krolanh about 10 kilometers.

Nutrition Program

The local governor is very pleased with this program, because it has really helped a lot to people in their area, and it really help a lot to especially for children and pregnancy women. We are so blessed to partner with two congregations who faithfully supporting for this program, Lavender COC and Portal Way COC.

Funeral

We had one funeral of a young lady who killed by motorcycle accident, and we had a great opportunity to share God word to many people who came for the funeral.

Cambodia Church camp

We have cambodia church camp once a year in November, with many churches from all over the country coming to this event. We share experiences being a christian, have lessons, and have fun together.

Baptism

The number of Baptism we have for the year 2016 from four churches 23

Takam 9, Sumbu1, Leangdai 5, siem reap 8.

Please keep praying for us and the work we are doing .

May God bless you all for a new year that will come soon.

In Him

Chann Lork minister

address Sala komreuk, Siem reap

Progress in Fiji

Very soon, both Rocco and Jason Pierce (and their families) will be moving to Fiji to operate the school of preaching there, that will serve the brotherhood in the South Pacific. You can see Jason's exciting report HERE. 

Camps in Tanzania

It has been a great pleasure to write to you about the great things that God has done in His kingdom here in this part of the world. There are many things but just to highlight few, Tanzania Christian Camp started immediately after Future Preacher Training Camp ended. 

We were eagerly anticipating the arrival of John Rice. He conducts Tanzania Christian Camp (TCC). This is a "much-looked-forward-to" yearly event where young folks are saturated with Bible teaching, inspired by spiritual songs and greatly encouraged by the fellowship of other Christians.

This year a total number of 157 boys and girls have attended this camp, leading to an addition of 5 more souls into Christ through baptism. God made it possible, the glory is to Him. Amen. Thanks for making all this possible!

Every child of God is very important in the kingdom but there are some who really need to be appreciated for they have sacrificed their whole life in service to the Lord. One who can be mentioned is brother, Cy Stafford, and his family. Please remember this fellow servant in your daily prayers as he is now undergoing various treatments for the sake of his physical health.        

      We wish you a wonderful holiday season in which to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends.  Time spent with family is worth more than all the gifts money can buy.

With Love From East Africa,

Losotwa Michael’

ACSOP, dean of academics.

It has been a great year in Cambodia!

In many ways, 2016 has been the best year (so far) in the extension in Cambodia. The Coordinator, Wes Autrey, has complied an insightful year-end report that can be seen HERE. 

Graduation in Arusha

I greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s my hope that everyone is doing well in the Lord’s work. Now, I would like to share with you a short report concerning graduation this year. It is a good time that God has given us to see another group of students starting a new page in the big task given by our Lord, Jesus Christ – that is to go and preach the Gospel without forgetting the task of teaching all: “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.Joshua 1:8 

The School had three different levels of graduates. We had two students from the masters program: Wililiam R. Korio and Duncan Henry. We also had eleven from the bachelors program From Kenya we had: Abraham Tanui, Harrison Kirui, John Nduati, Nathan Oloumu, Philip Kipsang, and Pius Ngetich. From Tanzania we had: Daudi Daniel, Martin Tluway, and Stephano Tluway, and Jeremiah Mahu. We also had one from the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Bahati Rene. The Tanzania 2000 Mission has two sisters schools, which were also involved in this graduation. They are the Arusha Bible School and the Kilimanjaro Bible School. The Arusha Bible School under the administration of brother Desdery Massawe, had four students who graduated with a certificate of completeion, and the Kilimanjaro Bible school also had four graduates by the leadership of brother Josephat Massawe. In this case we witnessed Twenty-one students graduating, ready to serve our Lord. This was great privilege in the kingdom.

It’s my great hope that these men have all the skills needed to reach lost souls. This has been realized by the performance in the class and outside in the field while they were still students. These ACSOP students were involved in the Arusha campaign, which led over sixty people to Christ. God is being glorified to the gentiles through this school.

First we thank God and our Lord Jesus for these wonderful events. Likewise we want to thank our brother Ralph Williams for being with us, for teaching last course for the graduates,  and also for being our keynote speaker in the graduation. Also ACSOP thanks all brothers and sisters who are not sleepingin order to look for ways that they can fund the school so it can operate. Again these all would not be done without your efforts, also ACSOP faculty and the best missionary team we have. God is blessing the church abundantly on this side because of your efforts. Please continue to pray for us as we serve Him together.

In His service,

Ahimidiwe Kimaro

Director, Andrew Connally School of Preaching

A Bear Valley Bible Institute International extension school

Arusha, Tanzania

An update from Chimala

EVANGELISM REPORT NOV 22 – DEC 6, 2016

Greetings, We thank God for all.  On behalf of CBI team, I’m taking this opportunity to thank you also for your prayer and support for the Lord’s work here at Chimala, Tanzania.

It was one of those Sundays when we arrived at the border with Xavier and other Local preachers. We met with two families who have been attending more than six months in the Church service but they were claiming that they are Christian because they were baptized in their denominations. In fact, one of them was very open that he had never heard the sound doctrine like what the church of Christ teaching.  When we explained to them about the church, salvation, and the work of baptism, three of them obeyed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was born again. That moment was very great and wonderful to the church and to us all.

Secondly, we also had a wonderful trip and good fellowship worship at Sumbawanga. Attendance was twelve. The amazing thing was the joy we witnessed among the Christians! It was greater than at any time we have been there before.  We talked with the church and encouraged them not give up because of the decision of their preacher, who attended CBI Swahili program 2012-2013, to leave the church and try to join with a denomination four times. But at the end, the preacher said, “he doesn’t see any right doctrine except the Church of Christ.” Another good thing there is that one of our CBI graduates is living at Sumbawanga. He is helping them with one Secondary teacher from Forest Church of Christ-Mbeya and they are doing great job.

Third, it was a great week at Imezu church when eleven soul added to the Lord’s Church. They are doing well and they are still giving thanks for the great help of roofing the building. God bless you all for this great preaching action.

Last Sunday, we had great fellowship at Uyole. All congregations from around Mbeya and Usafwa was there -- about 9 Congregation.  Really, it was a wonderful and encouraging time with great edification.  Brother Peter Kamatula explained very well about the Bible school at Mbeya and how it differs from CBI. Some Christians were confused and had a misunderstanding of the program from some people who do not know well about those programs.  Also, I have received word that one soul was added to the Lord’s church in that program.  This makes the total number of baptisms to 15 souls!  According to what is going on around Mbeya, I have received request of staring Radio program if the funds will allow.

Lastly it was sad day yesterday at Mbozi – Vwawa congregation when an old man named Kamendu past away.  He was one of those who attended school of preaching at Kitekelo and was still worshiping with the church at Vwawa those several years.  I, Joshua Mwakyasima (Chimala Mission Hospital Chaplain/Evangelist) and Peter Kamatula (CBI teacher) went to the burial with preachers from Mbozi. We had an opportunity to preach about death, sin and false teachers.  We are very thankful for brother Chad for his love heart to enable us to be there and his willing desire to go with us although the time was hard for him to get prepared because we received very late the information.  The church at Mbozi were very thankful for us being there.

We still working for yearly report and getting preparing for the new year school in January 2017, by looking from you for those best students whom we interviewed them.

Thank God be with you all.

Joseph Haonga on behalf CBI Team