Student evangelism in Cameroon

Calvary greetings from this part of the globe. We do hope you are fearing well. By God’s grace all is well with the work in Cameroon. Our country, Cameroon, is still undergoing her crisis in the English-speaking regions. Some divisions are out of it completely. We strongly commit our nation into God's hands. Accept salutations from our congregation in Mbanga. This is how our work in the school of preaching had been going all this while.

We are preaching in the congregation and in our communities. A family was baptized in Mbanga before traveling back to Douala. They came for a brief meeting with brother Evaristus, one of our students in school. This created an opportunity for them to fulfill the scriptures. Two of these visitors were baptized and they are worshipping in Douala. May God be praised for their souls.

We also assisted brother Agbor James during his baptism campaign in the Kumba central prison were God added some souls in the church. The prison ministry in Mbanga is also growing with the help of the students, brother Giresse, and Philippe who are assisting brother Nicholas in this work, most especially lately during his bike accident. Let us continue to pray for this work.

We also ended our ladies class successfully. The course for this quarter was "The Holy Women of God." I took plenty of time to explain to the sisters because this was to uplift their spiritual growth. Most of them had good knowledge about it. It all went well as we ended it with a women’s day celebration. Brother Konglang Patrick, a graduate from Wotutu taught the book of James to our students as one of the short course instructors. He did pretty good. Students are out on mission work and they have traveled to eight assemblies in the French speaking regions. We are praying for their safe return come April 2nd to resume with classes.

Mission work to other places.

We started traveling with the students immediately. Some we went to the same destinations as in the past while were left them along the line. I started my mission on the same day as the students. We attended a lectureship in Kake in the Littoral Region were brother Evaristus and Memvi helped in evangelism for four days before leaving for Bafoussam and Compenia respectively. I continued in my village in a newly created assembly. And, on that faithful Sunday after worship, God added these 3 souls. I spent 10 days with the van visiting some students and congregations together with bro Émile the driver. We recorded 5 souls for this trip. God is great. Our school van took us to very far places. We appreciate the donors.

We thanks God for this trip to our French speaking regions. We really still need a lot of work in our country. By his grace we shall keep on working until the Lords returns.

From Bénédict thé Évangéliste with the school of preaching in Mbanga

Good news from Takoradi!

Dear Brethren,

We thank God for taking us through another working month successfully, and also for His mercies upon you our supporters and also upon us as students and instructors. It is our fervent hope and prayer that He grants us all His rich blessings to be able to continue in our quest to teach those faithful men to go and teach others as well.

CLASSROOM WORK

Our classroom work for both the regular and part time students went on successfully. Both teachers and students were in attendance and on time for effective teaching and learning.

EVANGELISM/BAPTISM

The students continued evangelizing in the villages around the school. Their efforts and that of the teachers resulted in baptism of 15 souls. The students also continue to teach and preach in the villages Information Center. Prospects who have questions and invite the students are contacted for further studies

HHI SUPPORTED POULTRY PROJECT

We are glad to report to you that the project is going on successfully. As reported to you in our last report, we sold all the birds and placed an order for 300 birds. We took delivery of them last week Friday. 

WEDDING INVITATION

Brother Emmanuel Gyasi-Quansah, one of our regular students invited the school to his wedding ceremony in the Central Region. A delegation comprising both teachers and students represented the school. 

SPECIAL STUDENT PROFILE – ARTHUR MENSAH FRANK

NAME: -                                       Arthur Mensah Frank

AGE: -                                          36

MARITAL STATUS: -                Married

NUMBER OF CHILDREN: -      3

CONGREGATION:                     Akim-Manso/Oda – Eastern Region

DATE OF BAPTISM: -               December 15, 2005

SUPPORT FROM CONGREGATION: - No Support

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE: -    100

REASON FOR ATTENDING PREACHING SCHOOL: - To win souls for Christ. To help the church abide in the sound doctrine of Christ.

WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO AFTER COMPLETING SCHOOL: - To help or assist the weak churches in my community, and to save souls through personal and public evangelism. I wish to become a missionary.

God bless you all.

CHARLES

Fruitful activity in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus,

Greetings from Nigeria. We decided ourselves into two groups on weekend to evangelized Badeku town and Butubutu village and two conversion were recorded in each of this group on Sunday.

CAMPUS CHURCH: Bro. Moses Ajibade led the church in songs, Bro. Abraham Idu Yeje taught on The Punishment of God while Bro. Sunday Umoh admonished the Church and Bro.Waleola James dismissed the Church with prayer.

MY OTHER ACTIVITY: I introduced a three months lessons in Onikokoro-Ibadan congregation titled Abiding in Christ on March 11 with first lesson on Who is Christ? and admonished the church on What it mean to abide in Christ on March 18, 2018.

WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL PROGRAM: Our WBSFUW is rounding up their activity before the schools in Nigeria closed for this term on April 6. We shall be printing another ten thousand introduction lessons for the recruitment of students for free Bible correspondence courses on April  2018 Lord's willing.

Makinde Ebens, Director BVBI-N

Short course in Liberia

We bring you greetings from the Bear Valley Bible Institute Liberia, hoping all is very well with you all by the special grace of God our loving and faithful father in heaven.

February was a very busy month for both the students and the instructors in that there were lots to be done in the class room. The students are doing very well and are all working very hard to become good workers in the Lord's kingdom.

Short Course

We were privilege again to have  Brother Nathan Tears from Bong mines for the short course in February . He took the students through the book of 1 Corinthians and they all were happy for the level of work He did with them.

I also had the privilege to teach a short course in Sierra Leone for the second time. I took the students through Marriage and Family life and I am so happy that I have been part of the lives and training of those students in that part of the world. As the assistant coordinator for this region, I also had the privilege to meet with the instructors and the Administration both in Sierra Leone and Guinea and encouraged them to do the same things as Bear Valley required from all of us. Giving out the rules and regulations that we all need to follow to make all of us better both the students and all of us instructors.

Brother Steven met me in Sierra Leone and together we traveled to Guinea where we had the opening ceremony of the newest Bear Valley school in West  Africa.

Appreciation

We thank you so much for making it possible through your sacrifices for the sake of the kingdom for the Lord's work in this part of the world to go on. May God richly bless you.

 In Him,

Robert P. Dahn Jr.

Director- BVBI-Liberia

Classes in full swing in Arusha

ACSOP March  Update 2018: 

When God is the center and theme of the faith, regardless of any circumstances, everything will work out well. In this manner I would like to greet you all brothers and sisters, knowing that our faith is centered in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ our savior. (Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible  and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you).

The ACSOP teaching schedule is now moving to the second quarter, from this Monday. We had four good teachers in last two weeks teaching short courses, Desidery Masawe, Mason Norman, Charle Herherth and John Hall. Now as I said we are going to have six weeks of long quarter which is second quarter for each class this year. We thank brother John Hall from Texas sacrificing his time to train preachers last week. 

On the other hand when John was teaching in ACSOP his friend from Texas also was doing evangelism at Kwamrombo along with Kenned Ngetich from Kenya ( Kennedy is graduate from ACSOP). Regardless of the big rain that God blessed us with last week, they reached many lost souls in Kwamrombo.  Through this big effort one soul added to Christ. So we thank God for this people as they are travelling back to US.

Finally we give thanks to our God for making all these possible, through many who love His work and sacrifice for training preachers. As you may be aware that the school is having four students from South Sudan and four from Ethiopia which makes the total of forty students. These nations are some the African countries that are tough to reach with Gospel. But through your prayers and supports now we are able to reach that far.

In His service, Ahimidiwe Kimaro

Director, Andrew Connally School of Preaching 

A Bear Valley Bible Institute International extension school

Arusha, Tanzania

Doing good in Malawi

BEAR VALLEY BIBBLE INSTITUTE MALAWI – MARCH REPORT

Introduction

We are in the second month since the school started this year! Lot of subjects have been taught like; writing skills, Introduction course, Scheme of redemption, the book of Acts, How we got the Bible and Hermeneutics. It is always encouraging to see great zeal in students wanting to learn.

Teaching work

Every teacher is busy with the notes, looking forward to teaching when his turn comes. It was an interesting week from 12th to 16th when Marc Veary (the overall Director) was teaching Hermeneutics. The class was full of laughter as the students came a cross to lots of passage of scriptures they have been misinterpreting for a long time. They have realized that it is easy to miss what the context mean, but it is always good to look to the context and explain it Exegetically. We still ask for library books if possible. We are lacking some very important books that could help the students in their research work. 

Students preaching

As you are aware that we have planned to conduct several campaigns this year, as part of the student’s practical work, still we take them out on Sundays to help the young congregations like Lupaso, Chankhombo and Chisangano. We are glad that some of the students have been preaching in their home congregations for more than 5 years. Therefore, it is very helpful to use them every Sunday in these small congregations mentioned above as they are still babies in Christ.

Good News

Brother Saliwa Nkosi a former graduate, always share with us good news of saved souls! The man can preach and lead many souls to Christ. Since he graduated in October last year, he has baptized more than ten people. We were happy to see Takesure Nkhoma retaking Hermeneutics class, he shared with us again the good news about the congregation he established end of last year after graduating. He said, he was with his fellow 9 starting the congregation, and now they are 39 in total. We praise God for the wonderful job these graduates are doing.

Thanks to a generous donation we have also managed to buy some more sewing machines for the tailoring vocational training. Most of the students enjoy the vocational training.

Thankfulness

We are always thankful to all who support the work of Bear Valley. Lots of good work for the Lord’s church is being done because of you.

By: Ephron Vincent Mbano (Local Director), on-behalf of the staffs. 

New Alumni Encouragement Plan in Accra

Praise is Him for the end of another month, February. The staff and the students are grateful to the Lord and to the Bear Valley Bible Institute for the kind and prayer all days to the growth of the school and the propagation of the gospel.

Regular Class

Classes are highly in session with all students and instructors. To our surprise, we had 9 students report at early start while gradually 3 men also have reported. We now have in sum of 13 men under training for the studies.

Staff Meeting

As part of the progressive report for the proper management of the school, the staff body; E. O. Larbi, Kwabena Gyan-Mante, Amo-Gyimah E., Kojo Acquah Beenyi and Samuel Ntim Sasu) has met on 28th February, 2018 to discuss the Dinner and Graduation Ceremony which is nearly to take place in April 13th and 14th.

Having met, the following conclusions were made on the programme for the day:

·         Guest of Honour: Steven Ashcraft

·         Chairman for the occasion: Adu Anane Antwi (Dr)

·         Guest Speaker for the graduation: Gary Fallis

·         Lectures on the day for the Dinner: Gary Fallis

·         M.C.: Yaw Amo Gyimah

·         Address: Emmanuel Odeng Larbi, the current Director of SIBS, Accra

Staff Visit to recent and past students

Also, the staff has added up to occasionally visit the past students in their congregation to check on the effectiveness and the growth of the church. A few days now, the director and his administrator visited one his students congregation thus Asuaba in the Eastern Region of Ghana. This student is by the name Afum Kwame Botwe who has just completed his two years course in Accra.

On his visit, he (Director) encouraged the church to pray and support their preacher in all means to enable him work hard and to instruct according to the gospel upon which they were called. Also, they should endeavor to abstain from all manner of life that does not bring fruit to the Holy Spirit.

Chapel Hour

On the curriculum of the school as the school’s chapel time, students and instructors participate effectively as in exhortation, songs leading, prayer and reading of the scripture. Having done, assessment is carried out to check on vocal, style of presentation, clarity, etc.

This period has improved the students in their boldness before audience and in their outing programmes.

Conclusion

We are always glad for your concern for remembering us in your prayers as we do here.

Keep praying with us.

Southwest Institute of Biblical Studies

Mass evangelism in New Zealand

Last month, BVBINZ had our third door-knocking campaign, which was organised by John Jones. We worked in the Wellington Region in Wellington city, Petone, Carterton, and Masterton to drum up some contacts for Bible study for the local Christians. We had about a dozen participants, including guests from the USA, Brittany and Scott Simpson. Unfortunately, we were all so busy with the campaign and fellowship, we forgot to take a group photo. The statistics from the campaign are:

• Days worked: 4
• Doors knocked: 1,132
• Conversations: 487
• Bible study contacts: 23

The BVBINZ students are over halfway finished with their Personal Evangelism 1 course, which is being fulfilled through the Make Disciples Training Program. You can read about the latest news at this link.

Thank you to everyone who is involved in making anything related to Bear Valley possible. To God be all the glory!
 
Lance Mosher, BVBINZ Director

Progress in Togo

TOGO MISSION FEBRUARY, 2018 GOD GIVES THE INCREASE It is always a joy to see people respond to the gospel invitation through baptism. During the month under consideration the Lord blessed our efforts with eight (8) baptisms. These conversions have been made possible through radio programs, church activities, personal work, public morning devotions using the Chariot, tract distributions and World Bible school correspondence course.

I was personally glad to witness one of such conversions after my preaching at Akata church of Christ, while there to inspect the newly constructed meeting place. BVBI IN KPALIME Front view of Bear Valley Bible Institute We thank the almighty God that all the twenty students continue to attend classes regularly. We had one incidence of sickness but the school took him to see a doctor. The principal and the staff spent time to read out and explain the rules and regulations governing activities of students in the school.

STUDENTS ASSIST THE AKATA CHURCH OF CHRIST All the men in this picture are students of BVBI who have come to assist the Akata Church complete work on the place of worship. On Wednesdays, classes end at noon to prepare for midweek bible class. 

RESOURCE CENTER During the month under review, the resource center’s record indicates that 1,047 tracts were handed out and 47 bible studies held. WEEKLY RADIO PROGRAM Attah Piere an instructor at the BVBI is also the presenter for this first quarter of the year. He has been teaching on the subject of worship. MONTHLY PREACHERS MEETING Unity of the preachers is very vital to the growth of the church in the region. This unity has been sustained over the years through the monthly meetings which ended with a meal fellowship. The recent graduates were inducted into this group recently.

Report by: H. WILLIE GLEY

Leadership Seminar in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus.
Greetings from BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan and fellow WBSFUW in South West States of Nigeria. 
Below is the summary of the 15th annual leadership  Seminar held at Doug Wheeler Event Hall, Butubutu village from March 12 through 16,2018 .

The participants trooped in on Sunday evening and the class took off on Monday morning immediately after the welcome speech by me, the Director of Bear Valley Bible Institute Nigeria and Southwest School of Evangelism, Ibadan.

The class was divided into two session, the diploma and advanced diploma between 8:00am and 11:00am followed by an hour break and classes continue from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm and general class by 4:00pm to 6:00pm and 7:30pm to 9:00pm daily. 

The theme of our five days lectures is How to study, interprets and preach The Bible. Our speakers are :Bro.. Isaac Olaniyan, Bro. Abiola Joseph Olusoji, Bro. Kayode Solomon Eniafe, Bro. Ezekiel Okorougo, Bro. Mfon Etim and myself, Bro. Makinde Ebens. 

The program was attended by about 95 brethren from the Lord 's church in Oyo, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Delta and Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria. The remaining 3,500 VOTI volume 95 from World Evangelism / Voice of Truth International, USA and Bibles from Bro. Doug Wheeler and associates was freely distributed to 88 church leaders .

Brethren, we thank you all for your partnership and love toward the growth of the Lord 's church in Africa. May the Lord keep on using you and us for His glory in Jesus Christ name, amen. 

Your fellow soldier of Christ, 
Bro. Makinde Ebens (Director of Studies and Chairman of Administrative Council, BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan and fellow WBSFUW)

Good news in Ghana

The beginning of the year 2018 saw 23 preachers meeting in a village called Agona Namanwura. The church in this village was established a year ago with an average attendance of 18 adults. The week-long stay in the village saw dawn preaching, where the loud speakers were used. There was daily house to house preaching and distribution of tracts. There was a nightly street preaching which most time ends at 12 midnight, those evangelistic activities resulted in 22 baptisms and 3 restorations. This congregation was highly blessed and pleaded with us to make it a yearly program to the church there.

Bible School

The beginning of the year 2018 marked the beginning of another school year of the Accra Bible School. It is a 2-year program. Over 20 brethren were interviewed but 12 have now reported. This is a boarding department and the students stay in the school for a term of 3 months and then go home for a month holiday. About 6 of the 12 are already preaching for congregations. I am teaching the “The Cost of Discipleship.

The part-time department is having 38 students, whereas the regular program is two years, this part-time program is for 4 years and currently we are in the third year. Classes are held on Friday from 4 pm to 8 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm. As the moment, I am teaching “The Scheme of Redemption.” The Tamale School has students’ population of 18 and currently they are on holidays for a month. This holiday is for the students who are mostly farmers to prepare their lands for planting. They are coming back on March 19, 2018.

Children – School: The re-opening of the school in January is the second of the three terms in a year. Currently, the children are using three of the six classrooms, down-stirs of the story building. We are yet to put a stir-guard on the steps as a guide to the three top floor classrooms. We have gotten new students since the re-opening of the school in January, 2018.

Baptisms: Our Mission congregations reported 6 baptisms and the Campus Ministry also recorded 4 baptisms.

We are blessed to have brother Travis Hardesty, Minister of Oak Street Church of Christ visiting the school in March. Oak Street Church is instrumental in helping the school get permanent building. We wish him a blessed stay in Ghana.

We are planting a new congregation in March in a village call Immuna on the coast, south of Mankessim.

Please pray with us, we really need it. Thanks.

Kojo Acquah Beenyi,    Minister,   Church of Christ,   Agona Swedru,  C/R,  Ghana,  West Africa

Upcoming courses in Myanmar

Dear brethren,

Greetings. I hope and pray that you are doing well and has been busy in the work of the Lord.

I am happy to inform you that our school begins on March 19 and ends on April 20, for five weeks in this session. The students are coming and we will have ten students. Five subjects will be taught in this session by three visiting instructors: NT Church and Life of Christ I by Dr. Steve Christian, Acts and Personal Evangelism II - Church Planting by Jerry Bates and The Godhead by John Lucius.

We are expecting and praying to have a good school again and covet your prayers.

After this school session, we plan for campings again with the students who can join and those who cannot join, they may have their own plan of evangelism.

Yours in His service

Philip Van Biak Lian

Director, BVBI-Myanmar

A guest teacher in Sierra Leone

Hello Brethren in Christ,

We salute you in the name of our lord and savior Jesus Christ Amen.

We are pleased to send pictures of our activities undertaken for the month of February this year in which a lot has happened. Students sharing the undiluted word of God to the people in the community where we are planning to take our next campaign. Students holding group studies from house to house as they reason together with community members about Jesus.

Learning in the classroom ended with a short course conducted by Bro Robert Dahn Jr of Bear Valley Bible Institute of Liberia who is also acting on behalf of Bro Steven to see that there is uniformity in the three schools: Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea in terms of teachings, comportment and spreading of the gospel in these schools

Bro, Steven held a brief meeting with students and staff of Bear Valley in Sierra Leone with Bro, Robert Dahn who reiterated on the teachings and method to be used by all the Bear Valley Schools in order to be on the same standard of learning the undiluted word of the gospel.

He also reemphasized the importance of Bear Valley Bible Institute certificate requirements for the course. The meeting ended with a review of the Budget and setting up of a proper filling system for the school by recording all properties of the school and works to be done by individuals for a proper book-keeping record of the school assets.

Thank you,

Submitted: Bro, Ishmael S. Bangura

Good work in Malawi!

The Bear Valley school started here at Mzuzu Bible College in February 2016.  We have two full time teachers, Clegynton Harawa and Patrick Nsalira, who was interviewed to take over from Francisco Wabuda Phiri, (though we don’t tell that these are special for BV and these for MSOP, as we all work together as a team. All teachers can teach in both departments),and two voluntary staff which includes the school’s director.

 First Graduation 2016-2017

 At the end of October 2017 our first Bear Valley class graduated.  We are proud of what they achieved and thankful to all of the Bear Valley sponsors for making this happen.  Since the graduation, two new congregations have been established by some of these students.  Indeed, one student who failed his first year and was not going to continue, then made a real turnaround in his attitude and dedication.  He caught up with his studies and assignments; he is one of the students who has, after graduating, has gone out and established a thriving new congregation of the Lord’s church! This congregation is in the Mzuzu city and is called Mzuzu airport Church of Christ.

The 2018-2019 Student Intake

The new academic years started at the beginning of February 2018.  We have a class of 15 new students from up and down Malawi, and two of them are in their late 60s which shows people are having zeal and eagerness to study and learn God’s word.

The next few months up to the end of May, the students will proceed with academic work only.  We ensure that they have a basic solid foundation before we take them out into the field with gospel preaching work.

Gospel Preaching

During 2018 the students will be involved in 6 gospel preaching campaigns in all three regions of Malawi.  Last year (2017) the BV students were involved in baptizing over 276 souls and the establishment of three new congregations of the Lord’s church.  We were facing some problems with transport for gospel preaching work during 2017 as the Malawi government refused to allow us to continue transporting students using our truck.  This significantly increased the costs of doing this work to the point that we were thinking to cut back the number of campaigns. 

However, the Lord helped us in our need and a generous donor purchased a bus for us so we could continue this vital work.  All of us here are committed to training preachers and while the academic side of this is important; it is also important that practical experience be gained by these students.  Fear is the great weapon which Satan uses to shut the mouths of Christians, the only way to help students not having this fear is to send them into a practical work, after almost four months of theory work in class.

We are thankful to be part of this work! We also do appreciate those who support the school financially. Special thanks should also go to Brother Donnie and his family for the work they are doing in Africa (Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia). They are few people of his heart that can sacrifice themselves to come and help in the work of training preachers in a far distanced place from home like this. We hope that we shall all be rewarded when our Lord appears on that day, if we indeed remain faithful, steadfast and unmovable.

Students regards!

Ephron Vincent Mbano (Local Director, BVBI-Malawi)

(On behalf of the BVBIM - staff) 

Big news in Ukraine!

In Bila Tserkva, Ukraine to school continues to do very well. This month's report contains some especially good news that now a Ukrainian congregation has begun supporting the school! This is an important step and these brethren are to be commended. You will enjoy reading the rest of the update HERE. 

38 students in Arusha

It’s my hope that things are going well with each one of you, and that you are all working hard in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope that the gospel is being preached and taught by the faithful servants all over the World. This is only possible because of the ability that our God supplies through His faithful sons.

At ACSOP things are going well. We started our first quarter on February 5, and it will conclude on March 9, 2018. The total number of students in ACSOP this year is 38, and includes men from Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

We started teaching them the book of Genesis and Life of Christ 1, taught by Desdery Massawe, “How We Got the Bible” and “Intertestamental Period” taught by Godfrey Mngoma, “Biblical Interpretation (Introduction to Hermeneutics)” and “Public Speaking 2” taught by Ahimidiwe Kimaro, “Spiritual Disciplines” and “Godhead” taught by Charles Herbeth.

My fellow teachers and I are working hard to mold and strengthen these students by imparting to them the skills of the Word of God.  We really appreciate this great effort which is being undertaken here in this part of the world because of your prayers, and great financial support which helps make these things possible. May our God of our Lord Jesus Christ supply all your needs as you do to us. Amen.

Your servant in Christ Jesus,

Losotwa Michael
Dean of Academics,

Andrew Connally School of Preaching

A Bear Valley Bible Institute International extension school

Arusha, TZ.

Plans for the future in Zimbabwe

INTRODUCTION

Many exciting things are happening at BVBIZ. God’s favour continues to be seen with the passing of each month. February had her share of these. Space may not permit to detail all. This report is a summary of what transpired in February together with some upcoming future activities and programs.  

CLASSES CONTINUE

Classes at BVBIZ are progressing well. All short courses have so far been completed. These includes; Geography of the Bible, Foundation of Missions and Community Development and Poverty Alleviation. The following courses are still in progress;

·         Revelation

·         Minor Prophets

·         Christian Evaluation of Contemporary Ethics

·         Preacher’s Life and Work

·         Elementary Hebrew

LAUNCH OF STRATEGIC DOCUMENT

BVBIZ now has its blueprint. This strategic plan document was commissioned on the 24th of February 2018. This was done during a board meeting that took place on the same day. This document was produced after many hours of intensive work by the board, management and other stakeholders in the period from December 2017 to January 2018. Keith Kasarjian, the Bear Valley Bible Institute International Director was there to witness the commissioning. The following pictures show what transpired.

KEITH VISITS BVBIZ

BVBIZ was blessed to have Keith Kasarjian from the 24th -27th of February. He last came into the country 2 years ago to survey the possibility of having a school in Zimbabwe. It was a blessing seeing him back to see the school for the first time and assess its progress. He had an opportunity to meet the students and teachers. On the 24th he was part of the Board meeting, that saw the commissioning of BVBIZ’s strategic plan. On Sunday, the 25th, he preached at Nashville church of Christ. On the 26th he taught students, preached in chapel and had a meeting with the teachers.  BVBIZ was indeed blessed by this visit. 

APPRECIATION

Our appreciation goes to Brother Noel Nyemba in East London, South Africa for donating a projector to the school. This has been one of our needs for a long time. Thank you Noel for standing in the gap.

FIELD PROGRAM

BVBIZ emphasizes on practical. This has been done through a number of ways which include weekend evangelism and field program. The first filed program was done for eight weeks in 2017 from 10 July-10 September. During last year’s eight week program, there were 40 restorations, 56 baptisms, 1223 prospects reached with the gospel one on one besides other methods used. This year’s program shall take place in April and May. Applications from congregations are already in for the program.

GRADUATION

This month we repeat a notice which was in our January report. The proposed graduation date for our current class is the 2nd of June 2018. Details regarding this ceremony shall be furnished as time progresses. This first batch of students will be ready to work anywhere (in existing congregations or starting new ones) starting in June 2018. If there is a congregation in need of a preacher (either married or single) please contact the school.

CONCLUSION

We thank God for what He has been able to do for the school in February. We look back and see God’s favour following us. This would not have been possible without your financial, moral and spiritual support.To the partners and sponsors, may God continue to bless you.  We always look to the future with hope that indeed, through these efforts, the gates of hades will not prevail against the church (Mt 16.18).  To God be the glory!

Your brother,

Mathew Muchingam, Director BVBI-Z

Another new school!

Dear brethren,

We are glad to inform you that Bear Valley has officially established another extension school in Guinea. The opening ceremony was successfully held on last Sunday, 25th February 2018 after the regular worship service in the town of Gueckedou.

Besides the Bear Valley personnel – Steven of America, Robert of Liberia and Peter of Sierra Leone, various government personalities including the head of the prefecture, the city major and his assistant, the press and a large number of invited guests and other religious leaders all attended this historic program. 16 of the 18 students and 7 of the 9 staff present at the ceremony.

Steven, Robert and Peter assisted us in designating the facilities for the various work areas such as the class-room, the dormitory, the library, visiting instructors' room and the director' office.

Other preparations are being made to ensure the start of classes on Monday, the 5th of March. We are grateful to the US administration of Bear Valley. Our appreciation equally go to Steven and his able men from Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Brotherly,

Francis Sahr Musa, Director, BVBI-G

My visit to Zimbabwe

It has been my pleasure to be with the staff and students at Bear Valley Bible Institute - Zimbabwe. I first began working on this new school in 2015, made the survey trip in January 2016, and the school began June 2016. It has impressed and excelled every step of the way. 

Director Mathew Muchingami and his team of Howard Suwari, Ishmael Mutichu, and Hope Karigoka are doing an outstanding job of making this school reach its fullest potential. They are hard-working, driven, and have a great vision for the future of this school and how it will benefit the church in this country.

I was also able to sit in on a school board meeting and was so impressed by the seven men who came from different parts of the country to attend the meeting, because they believe in the value of the school and what we are doing. 

The students are set to graduate in early June, after finishing a 2 month (April and May) practicum. I was able to share encouragement and admonition with them, as they will soon be beginning their respective ministries. 

Please continue to pray for these good brethren, this school, and the new group of students that will soon begin their journey

See the video of the students and staff singing in the local language of Shona.

From Gweru,

Keith Kasarjian

The Great Workshop in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus, 
Greetings from BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan and fellow WBSFUW in South West States of Nigeria. 
Our two weeks break / vocational training weeks end on Friday, February 9,2018. The two weeks break and vocational training results in to conversion of 13 souls and restoration of 15 erring brothers. Bro. Anana Abasiama Effiong and Bro. Emmanuel Godwin recorded three conversions each while Bro. Ukori Godwin Johnson and Bro. Agbefa Dickson recorded the highest restoration of five each. TO GOD BE THE GLORY AND HONOR !

Brethren, this year Great Workshop 2018 held in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State between February 6-10 witnessed the present of over 600 brethren across the country, Nigeria. Our guest speaker, Bro. Chad Wagner was another blessing to the Workshop and he spoke on REPOSITIONING THE CHURCH TO BUILD RELATIONSHIP AMONGST OURSELVES...... while our elderly brother, Bro. Monday John Akpakpan admonished the brethren on PREACH THE WORD on February 8 before we went out to fished for the souls of men and women for the Lord. 

On Thursday evening, the remaining 4,000 copies of VOTI volume 94 and 3,000 three powerful doctrinal books written by one of our best friends in Africa, Bro. Jerry Bates (Worship, Bible Covenants and Godhead),over 1,000 WBS correspondence courses and 400 BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan 2018 Calendar were freely distributed to all the participants while all the participants went home with copies of Bible, books and the Workshop materials sponsored by Bro. Doug Wheeler and associates and The Bill Pennell family at the end of the programs. 

Beloved, we thank the Almighty God for granting us safety to and from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Also, we appreciate you all for your moral and prayers supports. May the Lord keep on using all of us for His glory in Jesus Christ name, amen. 

I remain your fellow soldier of Christ.....

Bro. Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (Director of Studies  Chairman of Administrative Council, BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan and fellow WBSFUW)