Outstanding field reports from Nigeria

Dear fellow soldiers of Christ. Greetings from BVBIN and SWSE IBADAN and fellow WBSFUW team in southwest Nigeria. 

In the campus church at Butubutu village :Bro. Abraham Idu Yeje and five of the students that are doing modern agriculture vocational training around Badeku and Butubutu village are now speaking on What Christianity will cost you from April 23 throughout the one month vacation training. And the Lord crowned their efforts with a convert on April 30,2017 after yesterday'sservice. 

In Jago congregation, Bro. Shotola Segun, one of our graduates and Bro. Samuel Peter, one of our students and a minister of Jago congregation reported the conversion of a soul and restoration of another one a family of four. 

Bro. Emmanuel Godwin and Bro. John Serimam also reported the conversion of three souls in Igbara -Odo in Ekiti state in this month of April. Bro. Emmanuel Godwin is the minister of Igbara -Odo in Ekiti state while Bro. John Serimam was sent by the school to assist him for the period of a month. 

Bro. Festus Ayoo, one of our year two students also reported the conversion of two in Idah congregation, Kogi state and restoration of five souls in this month of April. 

Bro. Abiodun Lawrence reported the conversion of six souls as a result of their joint efforts with our Lagos campus students during the three days end of the month program at Owode -Yewa congregation in Ogun state. 

Bro. Matthew Adeyemi of Igbesa congregation in Ogun state also reported the conversion of a soul during the one day WBS seminar in his area while Bro. Matthew Rowland one of my fellow WBSFUW team in Western states of Nigeria also reported the conversion of two souls in this month of April in his station in Akure, Ondo state. 

Bro. Okoro Chinyere, one of the instructors in our Lagos campus reported the planting of a Lord's Church in Ikorodu water side by our students and instructors in the month of April 2017 .TO GOD BE THE GLORY AND HONOR. 

In conclusion, we deeply appreciate your great partnership and love towards the growth of the Lord 's Church in Africa, most especially in Nigeria and we are praying for you, your family, and associates for God to continue showering His abundant of blessings and mercies on you all in Jesus Christ name, amen. 

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

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (Director of Studies and Chairman of Administrative Council, BVBIN & SWSE IBADAN)

More baptisms in Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from your brothers and sisters here in Cameroon. We are doing okay and we thank God for all His love and protection over us and we hope He is doing same with you and the church there. All glory goes to God for He deserved all from us.

We continue to thank God for touching our authorities to restore the internet services in our area and we continue daily in our family devotions and the devotions of the church for peace in all aspect return to English speaking Cameroon and for the putting in place of equality and others.

Last week in BVBIC-Wotutu went on well. One of our instructors hospitalized for a procedure, but I taught his course the life of Christ so that they will be no deficiency to our students. Keep brother Norbert in your prayers and one of our student John Abeya who had an accident during the last campaign.

Weekend evangelism is gaining grounds to our students as they go out and return with lots of testimonies and challenges. Brother Umoh returned today and told me, "I CAN FEEL A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT APOSTLE PAUL AND OTHERS FACED WHILE DOING MISSION!" He appreciated the reality of the Bible and the good story that can perfectly transform a soul. He was almost being brutalized because of a denominational pastor who met him teaching his son, from the Bible during his house to house evangelism. The pastor was angry because he felt that our student was corrupting his son with wrong doctrines, please always pray for us as you are doing , the challenges are much.

Brother Felix baptized a soul in Kumba prison a total of 15 solid souls obeyed the truth and were baptized. Now is our responsibilities to keep them in Christ and help them grow stronger. More Bibles are needed and other congregations keep calling me for Bible for their own new converts. Please if you can help.

An invitation  to come over to Ayom village is still pending. We plan to make it in June ending. Keep me in your prayers as I travel out of Cameroon within the week.

Thank you for your time and prayers , we thank you for your support to keep the wheel of this work moving God bless you and replenish your efforts and source because without you we doubt how this work would have been possible.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-wotutu

Big plans in Togo!

The Bear Valley extension in Kpalime, Togo has had another outstanding month. In addition to the current activities, they are already making plans through the year 2020. To see the full report, click HERE

Exciting results in Tamale, Ghana!

Bear Valley Institute of Biblical Studies, Tamale, Ghana

April Report.

Students End Course of Studies

Our students finally came to the end of their two years studies in the Bear Valley Institute of Biblical Studies on the 24th of April 2017. Also, they went on a campaign  at Gunguni in the Nanumba South District, where they departed to their various communities to preach the word.

Campaign:

By His grace a one week gospel campaign at Gunguni in the Nanumba South District with the staff and the students has been very fruitful.  A week-long campaign started from Monday 17th and ended on the Sunday 23rd April2017. The gospel was preached every evening in the street and house to house evangelism during the day time throughout the week. On Sunday 23rd, 21 souls were baptized in addition to one soul that was baptized on the 19th making the total of 22. With this number, the new Church was planted at Gunguni to His glory.

Some past students from the Nanumba North and the Northern Volta played a very significant role to this achievement as they came and participated. They were fully involved in the program from the beginning to the end.

Broken Wall Is Fixed:

Fixing the part of the wall that was seriously damaged by the strong wind which has been a much worry to the management team of the school is now completed this month April 2017.

Other Repair Works Done:

The other areas of the school that needed attention and have been repaired are the following:

1 The leakage and the ceiling of the roof of the office

2 Fixing the weak students beds

3 Fixing students drawer locks

4 Fixing one of the students’ toilets which was out of use

5 Tiling the guest room

New Enrollment:

Additional two students have been interviewed making the total of 14. While we are still waiting for two more students whose forms are he submitted. The management team is till campaigning for more students from now to July 2017 when the new class will begin.

Your brother,

Alex Jabado

Tamale, Ghana

Prison ministry in Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from this part of the globe. We are doing great after a short trip to Nigeria. Please join us to thank God as the government has restored our internet as we can now bounce back to give our weekly reports and do other things .

Last week was a busy one as our students are still busy getting things done with assignments and studying to grow and evangelize communities with the gospels; nurturing and empowering congregations in the country of Cameroon.

We shall have evangelism in the Kumba prison. This prison ministry is being run by one of our graduates , Agbor James , as he preaches for a congregation near to that prison. He is a very devoted and committed brother. Within the week we shall be there with the entire student body for the evangelistic exercise to help spread the good news. TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE - please keep us in your prayers.

Ayom village evangelism is still in planning - keep praying as we plan to go there to answer the Macedonian call. Bibles are needed to many congregations and individuals please if you can help, it will be appreciated.

God bless you , thanks for the help and your prayers.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

An encouraging update from Fiji

We finished up our first full eight week term with 9 students.  Jason and I are in the process of grading assignments and final exams and hope to have a report on how well our students have done soon.  

Each year during the Easter weekend the churches of Christ in Fiji get together to have an All Fiji Workshop.  This year the workshop was hosted by the Church of Christ in Nabouwalu.  There were representatives from at least 8 out of the 17 congregations of the churches of Christ in attendance. 

Nabouwalu is a village on the northern island of Vanua Levu and required a four and one half hour journey by ferry.  The workshop was a three day event that started on Friday evening.  Jason and I were both asked to speak for this workshop. Debbie and Devan were also asked to help teach ladies’ and children’s classes.  There were a total of 17 speakers with classes for men, women, and children.  All classes were combined in the evenings and for Sunday morning and evening worship. The Lord added 3 precious souls to His kingdom on Sunday morning and one came forward requesting prayer.  Another woman was baptized into Christ on Monday morning.

Since the All Fiji Workshop fell at the end of our first term we decided that this would be a valuable experience for our students’ first evangelistic campaign. Eight of our students were able to attend the workshop and six of our students spoke at this event.  On Monday, we had a door knocking campaign in the Nabouwalu community.  We passed out tracts, conducted Bible studies, and invited people to attend worship services at the Church of Christ.

Lord willing, this morning will begin our short courses.  Semi Matalau will be teaching a class in the mornings on the History of the Church of Christ in Fiji.  Jason and I will co-teach a second class on wisdom literature.  I will be teaching on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.  Jason will take Song of Solomon. 

Vinaka vaka levu (a big thank you!)

Rocco & Debbie Pierce

Student success at ACSOP

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20). As our Lord Jesus Christ was preparing to leave this earth, He left us with this last will, that we should go and make others to be His disciples also. The charge was left to the apostles and to us all.

God through His servants, who lived in those times, granted His disciples many opportunities to be able to fulfill the command. He has blessed us with tools with which we can teach faithful men, who will in turn teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).

The Andrew Connally School of Preaching has been a great tool to fulfill the commission. It has served the church here in East Africa since 2003. Thousands of souls have been reached through the effort done by this school. Many congregations have been established throughout East Africa. Students from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Zambia and one time from Nigeria have gone through this institution and went out thoroughly furnished to every good work.

This year, we started our classes back in February. We normally send out our students every Saturday and Sunday to work with the local congregations around the Arusha area. The school started this program so as to be able to show the students how to apply what has been learned in class. We let our second year students be mentors of the fist year. Whenever they go to a congregation the second year is the one who will be asked to lead in prayer, teaching bible class, leading songs and preaching, all these things are being done under the supervision of the local preacher.

Within the past two months, our students have been able to reach more than 230 souls, 178 active bible class, all have gone through lesson 1-3 of our correspondence courses, 35 baptisms and 12 restorations. It is a great blessing to be able to work with such great group of men who seek to please our Savior everyday.

Countless, selfless donors, who have been supporting both the school, have made all this possible and it’s plans. These are men and women who know their Bible which says, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent?”(Romans 10:15). Through their donations, we are able to send men out to reach as many souls as we can. Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH. We also continue to ask them to support this work now more than ever.

May the Lord bless you all every day as you are striving to please Him.

Till all have heard!

Your servant in Him,

Charles Mwanga

Director.

Graduation in Mbanga, Cameroon

Greetings from my wife, the church in Mbanga, and also from the the second batch of students in the BVBIC-MBANGA.

I will begin by appreciating all those who supported our first batch of from April 2nd 2015 to March 30th 2017. Our first experience was accompanied with a lot of success, both from the Mbanga and also in our out station campaigns.

Our last quarter was characterized with a lot of activities such as the course on marriage and family which ended with the celebration on I choose my spouse "again" and Elder Todd Crayton from the Frisco congregation was the speaker of the day and the mentor of the course. We are glad that all went well and the married couples could enjoyed it very well.

After the course, we proceeded on our graduation and matriculation where 6  students who started last April 2015 were awarded with an advanced diplomat in Biblical studies by our Coordinator, David Ballard.

The second batch of students started classes immediately and it was on the 2nd of April 2017 with 12 students, including 3 brethren from neighboring Chad. We pray for these brothers to pick up the zeal of serving the Lord and preaching the gospel to the lost ones, as some of them are already presenting the their willingness to serve. 

Our work in the permanent side is advancing as we just finish putting our ceiling this week end and the main doors are already set up. Monday we shall begin with plastering and plumbing so that come may ending we shall get into our new side.

Your brother,

Ititi 

The 2nd quarter begin in Arusha

It is my prayer and hope that this report will find you well and active in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we all struggle to be Christ-like in this world which was never promised that all things would be easy and smooth, we all need to trust God in all things that we plan and do. For with Him all things are possible. Certainly we have seen Him doing greater things in His kingdom here and throughout this world we live. 

On the other hand, things here in ACSOP are going well as usual. Our second quarter of studies has started this week. Here are studies and teachers for this quarter for first year class; Christian Evidences – Ralph Williams, Acts – Charles Herbeth, Public Speaking 1, Old Testament 3 (Joshua – Ruth) – Desdery Massawe , Exodus – Deuteronomy – Bernard Kulanga, Personal Evangelism – Losotwa Michael . At the end of this quarter there will be a short course on May 22 – 26 for The New Testament Church (One True Church) - Jimmy Gee.

The second year are learning; Biblical Interpretation 2 [In depth study of Hermeneutics] – A. Kimaro , James – D. Massawe, Public Speaking 2 (Practical Homiletics) – G. Mngoma, Greek 2 – L. Michael, Old Testament 4 [Isaiah -  Daniel] – B. Kulanga. At the end of this quarter there will be two short courses; May 15 – 19 - Christian Ethics – G. Mngoma and May 22 – 26 - Gospel of John, – C. Herbeth. At the end of these short courses the students will home for holiday till August where by the school will be resumed.  

Finally, we really do appreciate God for you in this great work which is being done here in East Africa through your financial support. We will always remember you in our daily prayers that these greater things you are doing for us will not be in vain, but our loving God may pay you back as per His will.   

Your friend and brother in Christ Jesus,

Losotwa Michael
Dean of Academics, 

Andrew Connally School of Preaching

A Bear Valley Bible Institute International extension school

Arusha, TZ

Good news from Takoradi, Ghana

Dear Brethren,

Once again we are happy to report to you our operating for the month of March, 2017. We are thankful for God for His immense blessing during the period, and very grateful to our sponsors for keeping faith with us.

CLASSROOM WORK

Classroom work for both our regular and part time work went on successfully. All thirteen (13) regular students and thirteen (13) part time students were in attendance during the period.

We also reported in our last report that one of our regular students was admitted to the hospital. We are happy to inform you that a week after our report he was discharged from the hospital and has joined us in school. 

CAMPAIGN FOR CHRIST

By God’s grace our campaign for Christ came on successfully. We spent a total of one week in the campaign. There were no baptisms during the campaign, however, follow-ups by both instructors and students seem positive of producing some baptisms.

However, other evangelism efforts by both instructors and students around the school produced five (5) baptisms during the period. We attached, herewith, pictures of the campaign and other evangelism effort.

We thank you all for your continuous support and prayer and pray the good Lord will richly bless you and all of yours.

CHARLES 

An update from Fiji

As the students at the school in Fiji busily prepare for their first-ever final exams, we have a report from the Director. Read all about it HERE. 

The power of the Gospel!

"I NEED TO KNOW KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW!", was the response of a man who was studying the bible in Tanzania. Once he was told what the bible says, he was baptized and left the denomination he was an elder of. Read more more good news HERE.

An encouraging update from New Zealand

After a furlough to the U.S., Lance Mosher has returned to the work in New Zealand. In addition to news about the work and his family, you will especially be interested in the campaign report found HERE.

Campaign success in Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from the republic of Cameroon. We are doing fine and we do pray you are doing fine also over there where you are now.

I am writing to report what made news here in BVBIC-Wotutu. Our students were out for their ever first evangelism in 18 different locations. As I type this all of them have returned safe and sound and with great news about the power of God .

Some came to school with challenges from the resistant denominational people, some from the hurdles of bad roads that they used to go into mission fields, and one came back with wounds that he had after a motor bike accident as he was struggling to get to the village where he was suppose to evangelize. Our nurse sister Senge will handle that as he is back here. Some came with reports about many brethren in different villages who are sick of all kind of diseases, like eye problems, malaria, typhoid, epilepsy, and many others. Brother Felix, who met lots of this used up his personal money which was meant for his feeding and transit transport from the village to his home. He came back with tears how many Christians cannot fully serve God because of sicknesses. Please your support of fervent prayers is needed .

DELTA  BATCH FIRST MISSION WORK RESULTS

1 number of students ========================== 21 but one was not fully involved (weak)

2 number of villages assigned ==================== 18

3 Number of studies              =====================  approximately above 800

4 Number of baptism         ======================= 38

5 Number of restoration  =====================     22

6 Number of new congregations   ============== 1 Owe village

7 Number of revived congregations ============= 1  Lykoko village

The return of these students from the mission field always expands our work: ikle now the lyko and Owe congregations need us every week to make sure the Christians are fed, please pray for us. The sad news is that the lykoko congregations closed the doors on their permanent building because the few men who remain in that congregation don’t know how to preach and teach or pray, so they shy away from attending worship because they want to avoid the embarrassment of standing before others to lead. Please pray for us as we make sure these good brethren are nurture to grow .

God bless you , thank you very much for your priceless efforts towards this work , God will continuously blessed you and keep you strong in His vine yard , so that you will do more .Share this with others around you.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-wotutu

Excellent 1st quarter in Kenya!

Beloved of God,

Greetings from Kenya School of Preaching family, we pray and trust you are doing well. We thank God for His love and care as we labor in the Kingdom. Kisumu is still hot despite some slight rains and hope things will change during the April.

The break is over and all the 19 students are back in class for the third quarter, year one. This break was a very fruitful one, the faculty went to the field to work, the students were actively involved in the Lord’s work and the result is amazing. The excitement in the face of these students tells a lot and their daily spiritual growth is a big source of motivation to us and all that love the Lord.

Two new churches (Benongoi and Ildungiso) planted with total members of 37 by two current students, two churches (Meswondo 30 members and Sigaon 42 members) restored to true worship and stopped using instruments and hand clapping by former graduates in Bomet Rift Valley. 22 souls baptized and two restored with 51 new bibles studies established.

During the break Charles went and taught the book of 1, 2 Peter and Jude to 8 preaching students at Christians for preaching school in Sigomre for a period of five days. Later, Charles and Elias went to Nakuru for a two day gospel seminar and spoke on instrumental music and hand clapping. This is a major problem in many congregations that bear the name “church of Christ” here.

We also had another restoration plea meeting with liberal churches and denominations with over 50 attending in Homa Bay. The response was great and on April 15 they requested us to return and we will be discussing worship of the bible with them, keep us in your prayers.

This quarter the students will study Joshua-Ruth, Writing skills, Matthew, 1,2 Corinthians, Prison Epistles, Leadership and 1,2 Thessalonians. We have Charles, Elias, Mike Rowand and Ralph Williams teaching the classes.

We still keep on with the good work because of your unceasing prayers, support and encouragement. Thank you, God’s blessings be with you always.

His servant,

Charles Ogutu,

Director, Bear Valley Bible Institute extension school - Kenya.

Physical and Spiritual food in Tanzania

If you have been keeping up with Justin and Anna Maynard's work in Arusha, Tanzania you know that a recurring theme is "please pray for rain". Well, we have good news: it's raining! And even better, souls are being brought to Jesus. Read all about it HERE. 

A brief report from ACSOP

Student evangelism program –ACSOP

End of March report

Each week our students are involved in personal evangelism with 12 congregations around the Arusha area. A total of 23 students, both from first year and second year go out two by two to reach these precious souls with the truth. This program is part of their  training while are attending their studies. This week as I was reading from their report, this is what I found out.

Summary.

1. Number of Bible classes – 43

2. A total number of correspondence course – 65

3. Baptisms – 05 (only for march)

4. Restorations – 04.

Keep your prayers up for this program.

Arusha church of Christ

The Arusha congregation has been growing numerically for the past few months. As we continue to reach more with the saving Gospel of Christ, we thought it also necessary to put an internal check to the flock. We have increased more visitation and small group Bible classes during the week days in members homes. Last year we ended up having 72 souls obey the gospel, and 43 out of these are still faithful to the church. As we all know, Arusha is one of the business cities in Tanzania with a lot of tourist activities going on.  15 people who were baptized, went back to their local areas, and are still faithful. The leaders of the church have made it possible for them to be connected to the preachers in their hometowns.

The good news is that, for those who could not find the church of Christ in their places are still learning and growing in faith through listening to our radio program each week. Speaking of a radio program, for the past few week I have been receiving more calls for people who want to study with us more on the Bible. A number of people have been visiting our worship service and mid week Bible classes. Since we are aired on the second most popular radio in town, the statistics show that more than 400,000 people are listening to us each week. Please continue to keep your prayers going up for this effort.

“Until all have heard”

In Christian Love,

Godfrey Mngoma

Dean of Students - Andrew Connally School of Preaching

A Bear Valley Bible Institute International extension school

Arusha, Tanzania.

A good 1st quarter in Cambodia

Wes Autry, the Coordinator for the Bear Valley extension in Siem Reap, Cambodia, has sent us a comprehensive report on their activities and accomplishments in the first quarter of this year. I believe you will enjoy reading and seeing all the good that is being accomplished there. Simply click HERE

Good news from Ukraine

The news from Ukraine continues to improve and positive changes have been made in the school. We are happy to announce that Terry Harmon has rejoined the team and is the new Coordinator. Read about this and other news HERE. 

Graduation in India

Dear Brethren in Christ,

I bring greetings to you from Visakha Valley Bible College in the name of Lord Jesus Christ our saviour. We are so thankful to our almighty God for His great mercy and kindness. Once again we are able to send 12 equipped evangelists into the mission field, with a great anticipation of saving many souls.

Go into all the world’ this is an authoritativecommand issued to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus sentHis 12 equipped Apostles to fulfill His ministry. Like wise we now introduce our 12 Preaching Studentswho have completed their 2 Year course of study and ready to sow the seed of God’s word. These men are effectively trained both to be Evangelists and for doing every Good Work, as every man of God ought to be.              

Our association with Bear Valley Bible Institute International has been our strength.  Actually Standard of TeachingandTraining Methods are strengths of our school. But our strength had been increased as our Faculty has enhanced their Biblical knowledge by completing the MA course offered by Bear Valley Bible Institute .  Also there    was a tremendous development in our teaching system since some Teaching Aids were brought to use in the class room.  Noticeable strength is our Team Work attitude; our combined efforts with a proper guidance through the Directorof our school M. Samuel Raju, has been giving some inspiring results. Together we were able to share our ability and strengthin a great capacity to educate these young men and equip them to be effective evangelists . Ourgreatest strength of all is the output of our efforts which is the 12 graduates who successfully completed the course and are going to be the effective instruments in spreading the Good News across India.

We are so grateful to our God almighty for blessing us to accomplish this, we pray that our Lord would bless our efforts to keep sending some effective evangelists to rescue the lost millions from eternal destruction. Looks like the world is soon coming to an end, our Lord is dearly waiting in long suffering towards all the people to be repented of their sins; There is an Emergent need of evangelism in our society as the doors of opportunity are fading away due to the recent changes in power.

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent?” Rom 10:14 -15

Thanking you all brethren for sharing this exciting news, may God continue to bless you all. Please greet all the brethren that you worship with. Love you all so much.

In Christ,

Samuel Raju & John Dean Muppidi

For Visakha Valley Bible College