Joziah Townsend has officially graduated! On the first of December, we held a graduation at the Wellington church building. Todd O’Donnell came down from Foxton and delivered a lesson on the impact even one Christian can make on the world for Christ. Trevor Major from Auckland also flew down and shared in the keynote speech. In addition to Joziah, we also honored our two new full-time students: Monique Knopert and Michelle Stretch. Joziah plans to attend university next year and study psychology. Pray for him as he continues to use his knowledge and skills for the kingdom of God. Monique and Michelle hope to graduate next year.
Reaching out in Zambia
Hello brethren,
Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We victoriously report the activities that took place in the month of November with Joy in our hearts. It has been a busy month for instructors Fred, Cephas and Kennedy who dedicated some time to visit some congregations in three Provinces. Luapula, Muchinga and Northern provinces were targeted for these visits.
Fred visited Luapula Province, Kennedy went to Muchinga while Northern Province was visited by Cephas.Fred had an opportunity to visit Mansa, Samfya and Milenge districts. During this tour he also met with Joseph Musonda one of our graduates who is stationed in Mansa. Joseph has been given the opportunity to serve as a preacher at Mansa Central church of Christ. He conducts Bible studies both in the homes of Christians and also at the congregation. He is now married, well respected and has since baptized five Souls. Fred also linked up with Fredrick Mwansa one of our former students, though he only spent nine months at the Institute and went back due to his family problems. Fredrick is a vibrate Preacher and a well-respected church leader at Monokola church of Christ. He has continued to be evangelistic in the Monokola area and has converted 41 souls since his return of which two young men are now prospective students for the 2020-22 intake. It is worthy noting that Fredrick's home congregation has grown remarkably within the last twelve months. At the beginning of 2018 the congregation had 15-20 members. This number has grown to a regular membership of 80-90 brothers and sisters. He shared that sometimes the Sunday attendance exceeds 100.
Milenge District is the most southerly district in the Luapula Province, and was carved out of Mansa district. It is very rural and undeveloped. Its southern boundary is the Luapula River which divides it from DR Congo. Most of the population of the district lies along the shallow valley of the Luapula River. Gilbert Mulubwa attended BVBI-Zambia but dropped out of school due to hunger that had stricken his house during his absence; he just could not continue his training. Gilbert is a native of Milenge District. He comes from a village called Kafwanka within Milenge. He is a deacon at Milenge Central church of Christ. Milenge church of Christ has a membership of 130.
As indicated earlier, Milenge borders with the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC). We are proud to report that Gilbert has spearheaded in the establishment of six churches cross the border. These churches are within walking distances from Milenge. In fact, these six congregations in the DRC use Bemba, a popular Zambian language, as the language of communication.
Kennedy Mukuka had a great tour of duty in Zambia's Muchinga Province. His journey was targeted at visiting some churches in the province and was privileged to hook up with representatives of the churches in Isoka and Nakonde districts where we have two congregations. He shared the dreams of Bear Valley Bible Institute Zambia with them and encouraged them to partner with us by participating in our training programs. He spent three days in Nakonde and then moved to Mpika District where he spent another three days and was given the opportunity to share not only about BVBIZ but also the word of God.
The church in Muchinga is quite small numerically but vibrant spiritually. On Sunday the 24th they had two sisters baptized Eleanor Mushili and Exilda Lumba Mulenga. This also happened to be brother Kennedy's birthday. Additionally, he managed to five names of prospective 2020-22 BVBIZ students.
Cephas is still on his tour of the Northern province and he is expected to cover four districts before the end of December; his exploits will be covered in our December report.
In His Service
Cephas and Fred
Also in Fiji...
THE THIRD TERM OF THE YEAR IS FINISHED!
The third term is finally completed and in the books! We had another outstanding term at the Bible Institute of Raiwaqa. This term, I was able to teach three courses: Old Testament History 2, Hebrews, and Biblical Foundation of Ethics. I truly enjoyed teaching all three of these courses! The students seemed to relate well to all of them. In the Old Testament History course, we survey the books 2 Samuel through Esther. Much of this material is completely new to the students, because many of them have only had a very basic introduction to the study of the Old Testament books. Since teaching the course, several of our students have preached lessons from these great Old Testament books! My favorite book of the Bible to teach, however, is the book of Hebrews. I love teaching it especially because most of my students have never really studied from this book. One of the students told me after the course, “Brother Jason, before I took your class, I was not really looking forward to studying the book of Hebrews. I did not think it was relevant to us today. Now, it is one of my favorite books to study!” He confided in me that the biggest reason he was not interested in it is because he had never really been able to understand it. Since taking the course, this same student has now preached a couple of excellent lessons from the book of Hebrews.
The Ethics class is one of the most challenging courses for me to teach. This is primarily because we have so little time for it. Rather than focusing on a bunch of specific moral issues, I choose to approach the class in a more general way by giving them a better understanding of things that shape our values and understanding of morality, teaching them why we look to God as the source of our ethics, and helping them to understand the Bible’s role in teaching us ethics. In the class, students are then given a specific moral dilemma to study. They have to research the topic and write a short paper on it. Then, at the end of the course, they have to sit down with me for three minutes and try to convince me to do the proper moral thing in their assigned scenario. The students will often tell me that three minutes with me seems like an hour! But they all did an outstanding job with their assigned topics.
In addition to my three courses, Dad taught two courses this term: Paul’s Epistles and Scheme of Redemption. Brother Emosi taught a course on Denominational Doctrines. All of these classes were well received. I am truly blessed to work alongside of both of these great men!
STUDENT CAMPAIGN TO NADI
Each term, we do our best to schedule some kind of evangelistic campaign to give our students some practical experience with ministry and evangelism. This term, we were invited to host a campaign with the Nadi Church of Christ. The Nadi congregation is a smaller congregation who has recently been going through some struggles. We wanted to do something to encourage them while helping them to reach out into the community.
To encourage the local members, we decided to have a series of short lessons just with the students and the members of the Nadi congregation on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. These lessons were all taught by our students. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, we actually split up into men’s and women’s classes, so that our female students could get experience teaching a ladies’ class. Afterwards, we would all spend time having tea together and fellowshipping with the members to encourage them.
To help with evangelism, we spent Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday out making visits and door-knocking. Most of the group went door-knocking in various neighborhoods to hand out tracts. I worked with brother Jone (pronounced Johnny) Koro, who does most of the preaching for the Nadi congregation. We took a couple of students with us each day and went to visit members who had become unfaithful, were new converts, were shut-in, or were study contacts made from previous outreach efforts. Many of those visits proved to be very fruitful.
Our big evangelistic effort was to host an outreach seminar on Friday night and all day on Saturday. We handed out fliers to invite people to come to our seminar which was on the topic of the family and the home. When out visiting, we would ask people if we could pray for them. Nearly all of them asked for the same thing – please pray for my family. So, the topic we had chosen was one that we knew would be meaningful to them. All of the lessons were delivered by our students or faculty, who did an outstanding job. We had one visitor from another congregation in the area to observe, “I have been a Christian for 30 years, and this is the first time I can remember having lessons that are specifically on the topic of the home. We need more of this!” All in all, we were very pleased with the turn-out for the seminar.
One of the great things about a local evangelistic campaign is that we are close enough to help do follow-up work. One of the things that our students have been doing is going back to Nadi a couple of times each month to spend a weekend helping with the work. The students will go up on Friday, spend Saturday with some of the local members making visits, and then the male students will help with teaching and preaching at the Sunday morning worship services. A couple of weeks ago, I was in Nadi and stopped in to visit for Sunday worship. Two of our students were there. They had been out all day on Saturday making visits. On Sunday morning, one of them got up early and went to the local prison to deliver a message and study with some of the prisoners. The other student preached the morning’s sermon. The congregation also asked me to teach the Bible class. Please pray for our students as they continue to make efforts to encourage the Nadi congregation.
A new program in Fiji
Bula vinaka from the beautiful Fiji Islands,
On Monday, November 11, we started a new program at the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa. Our normal program is a day program for full time students and it consist of 48 classes over two years. Since starting this program we have had men interested in attending, but were prevented because of having jobs in the daytime. At their request we began this night program.
This program is designed as a leadership program for men and their wives. Emosi has been placed over this program and he was successfully recruited 9 students. This program consists of 12 course over three years. Each class will go for three hours on Monday evenings for eight weeks. Emosi's first class is on the Life of Christ and they just had their Mid-Term exam on Monday night December 9, 2019.
Students who score a B or better will be able to transfer those hours to our day program should they choose to enroll at a later date. We are excited about the potential for this program. Please keep it and Emosi in your prayers.
Your servant in Christ
Rocco Pierce
2 Tm 2:2 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Good news from Ukraine
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I'd like to share with you some of the latest news from the Bible Institute and a few local congregations about the events that took place during the last month.
First of all, the great news to share with you. Beginning of June next year, we are to resume the Masters' Program. It will be the first Master Students recruitment in the last few years. About 5 different people contacted me and they were looking forward to the resuming of the program. Personally, I'm extremely happy because the graduates of the program join our permanent Instructors' pool.
Secondly, one more congregation contacted me looking for a full-time preacher. There's a very high probability that one of our next year graduates will be ministering in the congregation. It demonstrates that our Bible Institute does a very valuable work training new ministers qualified to preach the Lord's truth. Looking at the map of Ukraine one will see that geographic location of the Churches of Christ with our graduates as Ministers is getting a wide spread.
And yet another great news of the last week. The Department of Education of Ukraine gave us an official permission to work with orphans at the Children's Home. It opens the door for our local congregation for active social work with the teenage orphans who reside there. Sometimes God closes one set of doors but opens a different one.
Last month the first year students had Genesis (taught by Viktor Semikoz) and Exodus - Deuteronomy (by Dmitry Galyuk). The second year students had 1 and 2 Thessalonians (Dennis Sopelnik) and The Book of Acts (Vladimir Paziy). In the end of the month our students will go back to their home congregations. The classes will resume on the second week of January.
We send our Season's greetings to all. May God bless you with wisdom in making important decisions!
Your brother in Christ and co-worker in the Lord's Vineyard,
Dennis Sopelnik.
Graduation in Arusha
For many years, the Lord has been blessing His Kingdom through your generosity and prayers. We have been able to train men from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Congo, Zambia and even this time South Sudan. Countless souls will one day be in Heaven just because people like you cared for the lost souls. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”(2 Timothy 2:2).
This is the motto of our school. It has been a blessed year here at Andrew Connally School of Preaching as we have been celebrating the graduation of 26 graduates. This year we have had graduates from Masters Class, Bachelor Degree class and Certificate of Biblical Studies from the Arusha Bible School. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to pray for all our graduates as they are starting their new journey in the ministry.
This year’s class was a Swahili Class, men and women from over twenty congregations were able to finish their studies. We thank God for both them and their families for supporting them in this journey. These are committed men and women who were ready to sacrifice their lives for two years of study. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Again, we thank you so much for your support and prayers. Please keep us in your prayers as we are beginning our youth camps this coming two weeks.
May the Lord bless you as you continue to serve Him daily.
Your servant in His Kingdom, Till all have heard,
Charles H. Mwanga
Doing much good in Tamale
NOVEMBER REPORT 2019
We give thanks to God for how far He has brought us; indeed He is the ultimate controller and protector of our lives and the daily activities we offer in His Church. We are very glad and appreciative for the financial support and prayer you offer to the need of Bear valley Bible Institute in Tamale for its survival.
STUDENTS IN SCHOOL
We continue to thank God for the lives of these brothers who have wholeheartedly committed their lives to the course of God. Fourteen have joyfully reported and have spent four weeks remaining two weeks to end the year 2019. They are healthy and sound and the teaching is ongoing with four courses treated remaining two to finish.
LECTURES
The details of classes are as follows: Brother Alex Jabado Nanpari taught “Homiletics 2”, Brother Albert Malir Tamanja taught Book of “Galatians”, Brother James Legend taught “Personal Evangelism” 2 and Brother Kojo Acquah Beenyi taught “the worship of the Church”. Tests and exams were conducted respectively and student performance encouraging.
ADMINISTRATION
The administration of the school is making a progress; there is a fluent flow of information between the administration, coordinator and extension director as we gear toward the end of year 2019. The extension director{Steven Ashcraft} our encouragement has being of good help for us, he visited us and encouraged and motivated us to remain committed and hardworking to enable the gospel meet Christ target in the Northern regions. He also updated and corrected us the activities of the school which will ease our work as administrators; he also had a fruitful deliberation with us on how the school in Tamale can create a self-sustainable mechanism to generate internal income to supplement external support. The coordinator Kojo Beenyi is always by our side to monitor the activities of the school so that the image of the school is elevated to exhibit Christ mission.
We are working to ensure that public outreach and personal evangelism becomes our priority to advertise the good work Bear Valley Denver is doing in Africa-Tamale. We would have started last week, but one of our machines developed a mechanical fault, we hope to start this week end. Our effort have yielded a positive result, sister Grace the member of Roman Catholic was happily baptized after the gospel of salvation was taught on Sunday 1st/12/2019 and added to the Church membership.
We have also started campaign for students’ enrollment for 2021 academic year and most of the prospective brothers have been contacted through phone calls when Brother Albert Malir journeyed to Bimbilla-Chamba District. We hope that with God’s help and your support and prayer we shall be through in these fruitful activities we have embarked on.
We are working hard on the irrigation project we have had in the school with the hand pump waiting for mechanization to facilitate the farming work, already we have benefited from this ‘well’ so far, for about two weeks now the city water is not supplying which resulted water crisis in Tamale township, we are relying on the well to bath, drink, wash and irrigate vegetable we farmed. We also wish to send delegates to take part in annual camp that is coming on 19th/12/2019 at Bimbilla-Chamba district so that we can sell the school to enable prospects have access to the admission forms.
We pray that God causes all these proposals come true to push the school to forge ahead in other to achieve its purpose. God will continue to strengthening you and keep you save, happy New Year in advance.
Entire denominational church converted
REPORT OF THE BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE ABUJA 2ND EVANGELISM CAMPAIGN
INTRODUCTION:
The 2nd Evangelism Campaign of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Abuja was organized as a support and follow-up exercise for the newly established congregation at Kpaduma 1, Asokoro extension, Abuja. It was a denominational church, converted and changed to Church of Christ, Asokoro, Abuja. The former pastor-turned-preacher of the church, Victor Olukayode, was a listener of the 'Let the Bible Speak' program of the Church of Christ, Kado Abuja, for over seven (7) years, which motivated his conversion in June 2019. Three instructors of the BVBI-Abuja are currently involved in his special training.
A Brief on Victor Yusuf Olukayode
Victor became a convert from Islam into denominational Christianity about ten years ago and he became very zealous for the things of God. He, however, wasn’t satisfied with the brand of Christianity he was getting and began ‘searching’ without being very overtly conscious of his search. He established his church and set it up the best way he knew and followed his heart concerning how he thought pure religion and the Christian life should be.
About seven years ago, he stumbled on our TV program, Let the Bible Speak’ and began to explore the Bible and New Testament undenominational Christianity with the team. He began to spot practices that were not in consonance with New Testament teachings and he commenced on aligning his church with what he was learning about restoration on TV. About a year ago, he said he also stumbled on the ‘Let the Bible Speak’ Radio program (LTBS) that Brothers Biodun Adegoroye, Felix Ekpeyong and David Akpata anchor every Sunday morning on Raypower, (African Independent Television –AIT) Radio Station in Abuja. It was then that Victor, like King Josiah who ‘found’ the sacred book and began a restoration of the ancient religion, took the faithful decision. You may recall that the ‘Bible’ (Book of the Law) was lost in the generation of the King but was found abandoned somewhere in the temple during repairs (2Ki 22:3-6). King Josiah undertook a massive and comprehensive restoration of the ancient religion that God gave the Israelites and he was accounted by God as a faithful leader. Victor was greatly influenced by this ideal of restoring the ancient Words and Christian religion as revealed in the book of God that was lost from the early centuries and later found by those dissatisfied with the apostasy from the Christian faith prophesied by Jesus, the Prophets and the Apostles. He began to call us at LTBS and we finally booked an appointment. He didn’t know he would be baptized that day but the Spirit of the Lord arrested him and he gave his life to Christ. He got home to explain the joy he has in his conversion and his wife also decided for Christ. Eight members of the denomination took the great decision to follow Christ in His way prescribed by faith while some in the denomination left the church, not being comfortable with the direction their former ‘Pastor’ is now taking them.
Victor has renounced ownership of the church and in his own words, he says “I have given the church over to Jesus because I know it was never mine and I do not have the right to own a church!” He stopped collecting tithes from the congregation and is no longer having all church monies belonging to him. He disposed of the mechanical musical instruments and changed the signboard of the church to read Church of Christ rather than Liberation House.
He also came to the realization that he has to start afresh unlearning and relearning to retool and become biblically effective in his love for the gospel and proclaiming Christ. He humbly left the pulpit to learn under the feet of those whom God has appointed to teach him aright. It is a joy to see his hunger and thirst for righteousness and our prayer to God is for God to sustain his faith and love for His work. A lot of challenges awaits but with God, he and family will surely overcome them all. Three BVBI instructors have begun training him and the church and we covet your prayers for strength and success in this work.
The campaign featured students and faculty of Bear Valley Bible Institute Abuja and members of the Churches of Christ, Asokoro and Kado, with a total of 51 participants, consisting of 32 students, 4 faculty, and 15 members of the Churches of Christ Asokoro and Kado. The crew of the Nigeria Gospel Chariot was around for the Open-Air evangelism in the evening.
REPORT:
Activities
The major activities for the campaign were house-to-house preaching and open-air campaign. The house-to-house preaching had over 50 prospects and follow-up. Also, the open-air campaign had one hundred and forty-three (143) participants in attendance, with seven (7) visitors from different denominational churches. Topics such as 'The plan of Salvation,' ‘The Kingdom of God versus the kingdom of men’ and 'Do you understand what you are reading' were discussed during the open-air campaign.
Successes
* Two baptisms, namely Bro Moses Segun and Sis Rejoice Simon were recorded during the worship service on Sunday
* Over 30 prospects indicated interest for further Bible study.
Recommendations:
* Student's schedules to the new congregation for capacity building.
* Immediate follow-up exercise for prospects.
CONCLUSION:
The seed of the word of God had been sown into the hearts of many through the campaign, and many hearts received but few accepted, and consequently there is the need for follow-up and study time with prospects. The good news about the campaign is that the church has come to stay in the community, and members are ready to share the good news.
We give God the glory for the opportunity to be used for His work and special thanks to the students and faculty of Bear Valley Bible Institute Abuja and the Elders of the Church of Christ, Kado for their support and participation in the open-air campaign.
Many good activities in Ibadan
Dear fellow ministers of God.
Grace, peace and mercies be multiplied unto you all from God our Father and from Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our faith. Below are report of some of our activities in the Lord from October 31 through November 30,2019.
OVERVIEW:
1. Gospel meetings, mass evangelism/ Gospel Camp.
2. Vocational Weeks / Break outcome
3.Second Semester Classes Commenced
4.Budget for 2019/20 Academic Session.
GOSPEL MEETINGS. MASS EVANGELISM/ GOSPEL CAMP IN EGBEDA TOWN : We were able to work with Omu-Aran congregation in Kwara State from October 31 through November 3, Ode-Ajagba congregation in Ondo State from November 14 through 17 and with Egbeda congregation in Ajia and Egbeda town from November 22 through 30.We thank the Almighty God for crowning our joint efforts with five conversions and restoration of ten. TO GOD BE THE GLORY !
VOCATIONALWEEKS / BREAK : Our year-1 students engaged in different Vocational training for four weeks while our final year (year -2)students helped their local church in many way such as House-to-house evangelism, open-air preaching, visitation and private indoor Bible Studies with non- members during their four weeks break.
Report reaching us from the students shows the conversion of 14 and restoration of 14 erring Christians.
SECOND SEMESTER CLASSES COMMENCED : All our students reported fully for second semester classes as scheduled on November 18,2019.
Classes for second semester begins on November 18 through December 20 and January 6 through 31,2020 Lord's willing. The students will be on two weeks break from December 21 through January 4,2020 to enable them participate actively in the end of the year programs in their congregations.
ABOUT A STUDENT: Bro.Oladejo Alabama is one of our final year students. Born in year 1996 and was converted in year 2015.His mission is to be one of the missionary after his tertiary education. He is the only Christian in the family of twelve.
WBS PROGRAM EXTENSION: Our World Bible School Follow Up team extend the recruiting of students for WBS correspondence courses to Offa in Kwara State in the month of November. Four schools were visited by our team and over 1,000 introduction lessons freely distributed and posted to WBSTC % Bro.Joel Coppinger
SPECIAL ACCOMPLISHMENT / SWSE BUILDINGS' PLAN UPGRADED : With the loan of N1,315,000($3,800) we were able to upgrade our school buildings' plan according to the directive of Oyo State Government in the month of November 2019.
UP COMING EVENT : Our 18th Annual Leadership Seminar is coming up Lord's willing on January 27-29,2020. Theme of the seminar is LEADERSHIP FOR CHRIST JESUS and our Guest Speaker is Bro.Chad Wagner
CONCLUSION : Thanks to you all for your assistance in many ways. May the Lord keep us fit in His way till death is our fervent prayers
Your fellow servant of God,
Makinde E. Olufemi
(The Chief Servant of BVBIN & SWSE, Ibadan)
26 baptisms in Guinea
Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report for October 2019
To you, our supporters, well-wishers and to those of you who have interest to know what we do here at the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible school, greetings!
The month of October has ended and though half of it was part of our 3rd quarter break a few interesting things did occur and we are glad to share such things with you. On the over all, it was another month of success both in the classroom and on the field of evangelism where the reactions were not only challenging, but dramatically interesting. On the other hand a thousand dollar donation was made to us to be used where needed in the work. Follow with me for the details outlined below.
Classroom: From our third quarter break, classes were resumed on the 14th October and we completed 2 courses – Christian Ethics and The Book of Revelation. The results were good for the 16 students left on roll. No other event was special.
Evangelism: During the 2 weeks of our evangelism, we visited 3 of the villages where the church is already planted with the aim to strengthen the new converts and to win additional souls. By His grace, the efforts resulted to 10 conversions 2 of which are in the congregation at the school premises. There was another village where we visited and evangelized and there was a good turn up to hear the gospel, but no conversions even though hopes were raised for another visit.
Campaign: Besides the regular campaigns which are on a quarterly basis, Steven, our West Africa Coordinator financed an extra campaign with the sum of $525.00 since September.
We visited and worked in 2 different villages in 7 days – 4 and 3 and converted 16 souls – 10 and 6 in Koundou-toh and Kolifa Ouende respectively.
In the latter, we found 2 members of the Lord’s church one of them was part of the 87 persons, a whole Pentecostal denomination converted in August 1995 in the town of Nongoa where the Lord had brought me (as a refugee) to plant the church and train men to help 2 years earlier.
What was really interesting in Kolifa was the dramatic challenge from 2 forces: A certain young woman was touched by the word and decided for an immediate baptism. The husband, a New Apostolic denomination leader and chief of the village who himself admitted “the message is true” would not allow his wife to make the change. It was a hot debate between them on the question of whether the woman remain his wife and stay in the NA church or accept the baptism and lose the marriage. Since he was not directly against us or the message, we intervened to help him understand the importance of obeying the truth that “now, today is the day of salvation” (2Cor 6:2) and the danger of becoming a stumbling block. Yet he would not still accept, but the woman was adamant even to the risk of losing the marriage and was urging us to baptize her. After additional effort to plead with the man we accepted the woman’s desire and baptized her. The man made further threats and refused the wife from worshiping with the church. We have since made follow-up visits and seen that no divorce took place, but sister Tewa Leno is in a very sad mood for not being allowed to worship with her brethren. She needs our prayers and encouragement!
The other challenge was from another elderly man, a Muslim who resisted 2 other women, his relatives from accepting Christ because as he put it “this mosque that I am building here is for them!” Consequently, none of them accepted the Lord. We hope God will grant them another opportunity that will be accepted.
A Special Aid: A $1,000.00 check was cashed and forwarded to me for “church building construction work or needed equipment” by brother Ken Stanley of the Florida, Niceville church. The funds were from donations by members of the 9th Ave church of Christ, Alabama for a signed book of Poems written by sister Teas (the mother), in memory of her son, Randy Green, a great World Bible School teacher who has passed on. Randy was the main evangelist though at distance for the planting of the church of Christ in Bomi Hills, Turgmanburg, Liberia through WBS program some 30 years back when we did coursed with him. The funds will be used in one of the areas indicated above. Our appreciations to the sister and the 9th Ave church as a whole.
Conclusion: We are closer to completing the course requirement for the present class. The work on the field of evangelism is tedious, but the results keep us encouraged. A total of 26 persons were baptized this October. The Lord is to be praised for enabling you to support and encourage us in this work. Our appreciations to you all.
A few photos are attached.
Francis
A new school in Lagos Island, Nigeria
REPORT OF THE BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE – LAGOS ISLAND CENTER, OCTOBER- NOVEMBER 2019.
Greetings from the staff and students of Lagos Island Center of Bear Valley Bible Institute Extension Programme.
INTRODUCTION:
We once again thank God that we are found worthy to be part of this great work in Nigeria and Africa in general. This is our second month concluded.
ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES:
Academic activities have started in our center and students have written two exams.
Writing - Language and Research coordinated by Godwin Frank and
Personal Evangelism 1 taught by James Luka.
Tim Iwe will be teaching the third course starting this Saturday 30th which is Preacher and His Work.
ACCOMPLISHMENT):
Buying of Tables/White Board and Printing of Exam Paper:
We want thank the Director and management of BV for assisting us to get tables for class and a white board. This made our class and exams last weekend very different for we did not pay for rent again. The school also printed questions for exams.
UPCOMING PROGRAM:
Lagos State churches are looking forward to hosting ‘The Gospel Chariot Evangelism’ come first quarter next year. We look forward to participating in that great programme. More details will be made known as the plan comes up.
CONCLUSION:
This is a great opportunity being trained to serve and involving in training to serve in the Lord’s kingdom. We appreciate your effort in helping churches in other parts of the world to grow and develop, Nigeria inclusive.
Thanks and God bless you.
TIM IWE
Successful alumni evangelism campaign in Malawi
Bear Valley Bible Institute – Ekwendeni
Malawi – November 2019 Report
Introduction
Bear Valley Bible Institute – Ekwendeni in Malawi is dedicated in the work of training faithful men to be preachers who can take the same saving message the apostles taught to other people – 2 Timothy 2:2. We always understand that the gospel should be shared; therefore we make sure we train as many capable men to be good vessels who can be used to carry the gospel to other people. We have this opportunity to train men since 2015.
November has been a busy month of the year and a lot have been achieved. In this report, we will be giving you a feedback of the trip Brother Ephron had and also the interviews Brother Clergynton conducted for our 2020/2021 class. We also had to visit an area called “Tumbwe” – Kasungu the central region of Malawi, where we called some of the students we trained in 2016-2019. We thought sometimes it is not good to just train men and let them go after graduation without following them up to check if they are continuing doing what they have been entrusted. We were encouraged to see the fire burning in them. We conducted a 2 days campaign and the result is outstanding.
Gweru – Zimbabwe
It was in 2017 when brother Donnie suggested that the directors of the three schools in central African have the time visiting each other at lest once in a year. Brother Matthew Muchingami visited Malawi school in June and he taught the book of Revelation. This is the time when we agreed that Ephron will also visit Gweru – Zimbabwe to teach Pastoral Epistles. We want to thank Brother Donnie for helping Ephron with the bus far to travel to Zimbabwe school and back. It was great to see the work our sister school is doing. They are doing a good job. They have good students and lot of congregations are using this opportunity for evangelism work as they call the school to help. Ephron spent one week teaching the Pastoral Epistles and came back encouraged for what the brothers are doing at the school in Zimbabwe. We pray that God will keep blessing the families of our fellow soldiers there for the good work they are doing in the Lord’s kingdom.
2020/2021 intake
Very amazing turn up! We received 40+ application forms from the applicants while we only needed to pick 20. The interviews were conducted in all the regions of Malawi and about 45 men came for the interviews. We have chosen 20, who will be coming to the school in February, 2020. The classes will begin in the second week of February, which will be the 10th of February, 2020. All the preparations are done.
Gospel campaign at Tumbwe – Kasungu (Central Malawi)
After the graduation in September this year, we decided that we start following up the students we have been training since 2015. This year we thought to start with central region of Malawi and great results have been seen in just two days of the meeting with the students. We went just to see how they were doing, but guess what? The students didn’t like seating and just discussing about what they are doing in their congregations. We ended up going in the villages preaching the gospel and the result was very excellent. We witnessed the Lord adding to His flock 5 souls and 8 other souls restored. This means, we had a number of 13 souls saved! We are thankful to God for the students as they preach the “healthy gospel”. It is our prayer that the Almighty God will bless their families as they keep staying focused and being faithful in doing the good work. God will always bless His people – Romans 8:28.
Good news from Brother Richard Wakisa and Oscar Banda
Brother Richard Wakisa is the recent graduate from our school (BVBI – Ekwendeni Malawi). Brother Richard was once a Muslim before he became a Christian. He is such a noble vessel in the Lord’s church. Only in the month of November, he has helped 7 souls be saved, and also about 15 souls restored. He is doing a wonderful job in Karonga far North of Malawi. And also, Brother Oscar Banda is a young Christian man who is looking after the church we established before the students left in September. This congregation started with 51 people and now they are 59, in a week ago he baptized a husband and his wife (2 souls saved). We hope God will continue using these brothers’, help many come to Christ. It is only when the gospel is preached; people are called to Christ – 2 Thessalonians 2:14
Challenges
In this year of 2019, we have had some challenges as we train preachers, the main challenge is “Transportation” this is very important as an institution especially when we have trips going to preaching campaigns. We have been hiring minibuses to travel to preaching campaigns but it is expensive. It would be better if we could have a van at the school. The van can be used as we take students out for preaching campaigns, taking students to hospitals if any is seriously ill and also be used to pick visiting teachers. It is our hope that God will one day remove away our challenge. God is able!
As we always say; on our own we could not reach where we are without the support the Bear Valley Bible Institute International are giving us. We thank God for you! As the door is widely open for the gospel to be preached and train as many people as we can to be faithful gospel preachers, your involvement is still needed. We pray that God will keep blessing your family for the support you give us and the school. Eternity Is Forever, Think Souls!
Your fellow soldiers of Christ,
Ephron & Clergynton
Students gain practical experience in India
We hope that this reporting letter may serve us to convey our greetings, gratitude and thanks to each one of the prayer partners and supporters of Bear Valley Bible Institute, in Tiurpati, A. P. State in India.
According to the BVBI-instruction soon after two months period of class work the students need to be sent out for the one month practical work. Therefore all the students of Bear Valley Bible Institute at Tirupati have been sent out for the field work in the month of November. This one month break is so much useful and helpful for our students to work with their local congregations and with the neighboring churches and earn good practical experience.
Our students were able to gain well experience how to organize gospel meetings, children classes, youth classes, ladies classes, home bible studies, leadership classes, holiday bible classes, family counseling, funeral services, marriage ceremonies etc. The local churches were able encourage and nourished by the preaching and teaching of young men whom we sent out from BVBI. The Third semester has began from December 2nd, 2019 Monday. All the students were able to submit the one month field report to the college. All teachers were able to make correction and given their paper for the second semester.
BVBI at Tirupati has conducted staff meeting and decided about the courses to teach in 3rd semester according the syllabus prescribed by the BVBI.
By partnership with Healing Hands International we are trying to established vegetable garden with innovative methods using raised beds, drip irrigation system, self making compost, building perfect fencing to prevent from the animals like cows, pigs, chickens etc., and cultivating organic healthy vegetables. Students are happy to work few hours in their leisure timings .
All the teachers are mostly preachers of different local churches and they have more than 25 years of preaching experience. We appreciate their dedication to serve in our BVBI.
Lord willing next month BVBI’s Coordinator Mr. Mark Reynolds and Mr. Damon Vincent are going to visit us and teach few courses.
We thank you so much for your loving cooperation and fervent prayers for the success of the spiritual educational project (Bible College). Please keep on praying for the 3rd Semester.
Thanking you.
Yours brother and sister in Christ.
B.Vijaya Kumar, Behalf of BVBI-Tirupati, India.
A new instructor in Accra
Monthly Operational Report
NOVEMBER, 2019
Praise is to the Lord God for the successful events this month.
Class Activities
Lessons were taught as according to the scheduled curriculum. We had all the seven instructors teaching a full class of 13 students. This is the last term for the students and for the vacation for the Christmas holidays. It will be the end of term as well as the end of the two years of studies for 10 of the 13 students. Their graduation is scheduled for April 18, 2020.
Short Course
We had a new instructor by name Shadrack Oppong Sika, who is currently a student of Bear Valley offering Master’s Programme. This man preaches for Nsawam Road Church of Christ. He is one of the sound preachers whom were recommended by Kojo to teach the course on the Book of Revelation for the short course. On assessment, we found his teaching for this course good and sound.
Student’s Profile
Samuel Boye Larye, a pass student of SIBS, 2016/2017 second batch. Our brother has married to Sandra Boye, both are 47years and are blessed with Seven children. Having graduated, the school planted the Lord’s church at New Ningo with 25 members. Currently, they had baptisms of 4.
Boye is doing well with the church and as part of our visiting activities, it is in the school planning scheme to visit him and the church though the administration correspond with him.
Campaign Programme
Per the school’s schedule, at the end of the quarter, thus December 9 - 15, 2019, the school will embark on follow-up, house-to-house and open-air evangelism at the Panpanso No.1 (Nsawam-Suhum Road) community.
Pray with us.
Guest instructor in Accra
OCTOBER, 2019
Glory be to God for marvelously blessing us throughout the vacation and reopening. His love had made us who we are today. Praise be unto Him forever.
The school vacated after the very campaign in Tamale on September, 2019. All the students dismissed at the end of the programme when we journey back to Accra. We were pleased with the Lord for the strength and the happiness put in our heart after a massive conversion.
Vacation Activities
During the vacation period, some of the students who remained in the school for a reason of long journey home, devoted themselves to work on the school land. This work was to spray the weeds and to tend the crops therein.
Some of the students participated in the house-to-house campaign activities in Nkawkaw in the eastern part of Ghana and some souls were won to the Lord during the holidays.
Degree Programme
Per the school’s academic calendar, 25th October, 2019, the under graduate students met with Steven Ashcraft to offer the course on Greek. The students appreciated it so much though there were minor challenges comprehending the subject as it is their first time studying such course. The class has arranged another meeting for further study and understanding of the course.
Reopening
School reopened on 20th October, 2019 by the Grace of God, and we had all the students and staff present. This is the last quarter of the school’s year 2019, which finalizes the completion of our 3rd batch students, hence their graduation. This period, they are studying the courses 1,2,3 John and Jude, Logics and the Bible, Christian Ethics, Revelation, Congregational Development, and the Preacher and His Work, Computer Studies and Communication Skills.
Instructors for these courses were Emmanuel Odeng Larbi, Kojo Acquah Beenyi, Emmanuel Amoo-Gyimah, Kwabena Gyan-Mante, Samuel Sasu Ntim, George Osafo and Shadrack Oppong Sika
Staff Meeting
The staff and the administration had met on discussing the Lectureship, Graduation and Matriculation activities which is to come off on 17th and 18th of April, 2020. The idea for the lectureship, was to invite our brother, Gary Fallis and one Ghanaian brother for the teachings.
Also, some of the students, who’s results were not meeting the Bear Valley Academic requirements for graduation, where encouraged to re-write before they are announced disqualified.
New Admission
In the previous and current staff meetings, were discussed the advertisement of new students in June, 2019. The majority of the members, specifically, men of the churches, have expressed their interest to get admitted into the full-time programme. These men are with application forms and on the process of completing them. Regularly, the administration gets in touch with them for the submission and interview by the end of December, 2019.
Our Student on field
Sah Yaw David was once a student at the Dobro school, a second batch student who was sent to the school by the mother. Formally, the mother teaches him in the home on how to lead the worship of the church. When he does mistakes, she corrects him after the worship, until she heard of the school. Having successfully completed a two-year programme, now preaches for the church of Christ in Sampa, northern part of Ghana. We always hear from him and the church as they do well in the Lord. It is our prayer and expectation that we get all these interested men for the full-time programme.
As it is our custom, Pray with us always.
Extended schools in Ghana
Bear Valley Bible Institute, Kasoa - Ghana
By the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we are doing well.
Students have completed the courses on How We Got the Bible, Old Testament I, and Hermeneutics I and currently studying the Life of Christ. The director Kojo and Roger Asante were the Instructors. Gospel campaign is planned for the next quarter.
Pray with us.
Bear Valley Bible Institute, Koforidua - Ghana
We are thankful to the Most High God for the school in Koforidua. This school is yielding fruit to the Glory of God and the brethren here.
At this quarter, we had a regular attendance of 13 students. The courses completed were Life of Christ I, Personal Evangelism I and Homiletics I. The director for this school, Gyan-Mante and Amoo-Gyimah were the instructors for these courses.
We are in good condition and enjoying our studies. We are preparing for the evangelism the next quarter at the nearby villages.
God bless you.
Bear Valley Bible Institute, Nsawam - Ghana
Thanks be to the Lord God for the wonderful achievement and its progressing ability. All the directors and instructors extend their appreciation to the brethren and the management for the heartfelt support rendered to the Schools. Also, our appreciation to the Ghanaian churches who have given out their church auditorium for the use by the school. May the Lord bless you all.
To begin with, the Nsawam school is worth with active students eagerly pursuing the diploma programme. Almost done with the work on the church at Adoagyiri for the school to move in at the beginning of the next quarter. Averagely, there was an attendance of 24 of the 25 students. This is because, one of them is preparing to attend the call of the security services (Police) to peace-keeping exercise. The courses studied during the quarters were Old Testament I, Old Testament II (History books - Joshua – Ester) and the Epistle to the Galatians. These were taught by E.O. Larbi and Amoo-Gyimah. Campaign activities are scheduled for the next quarter.
More evangelism in Wotutu
Dearest in Christ,
Calvary greetings to you all over there and happy new week from your brothers and sisters here in Cameroon. We do hope you are doing better in all that you do. We are doing our best amid all the odds politically and health wise.
Daily we see how faithful God is. Because of that, we keep trusting Him and depending on Him. We have realized that if not of Him, we doubt where we would have been with the dangerous situations that befall us daily. God will always make a way of escape for us.
The political situation of our country still needs to settle even though the dust is gradually settling down in Wotutu. Other areas are still dark and it makes our work difficult in some areas. That is why we keep soliciting that you remember us daily in your prayers.
Two cars are ready to transport 20 students and some members of the Wotutu congregation who were part of a mass evangelism in Yato village. It was good, and it is always good to have means of transportation. It eases the work entrusted in our hands. Thank you for making transportation possible.
Upon arriving in Yato village, the students, some staff, and members of the Wotutu congregation set out for house to house evangelism because it was evening and people were just returning from their farms. They gave us audience even with empty stomachs. The word is also a most necessary food. We met some preparing vegetables for the market the next day, so I was happy to help them put the vegetables together while the students were speaking out the word.
Students will always open the Bible for prospects to read the truth with their own eyes. After the studies, we leave the prospect with a tract from Mission Printing along with our mobile numbers for further help in their studies.
Soldiers of the old rugged cross are ever ready to share with someone no matter the area. They are always ready to go out, so as to distribute the bread of life free of charge to any hungry person, at any time.
PLANS
Next week is exams week.
After exams, we are moving to Mbanga for the annual Bible lectureship and that will end our first year with the Epsilon batch. Please keep us in prayers as the challenges here are too high mostly on sickness from our students.
APPRECIATIONS
God bless you and replenish all your energy, prayers, and funds you are using on this ministry. God will reward you in due season.
God bless you
Elangwe and family
By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu
Continued progress in Togo
October 2019 report:
May the love and grace of God be with each of you and, above all, health be granted to you on behalf of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for the support you each provide for the development of the Christ ministry in Togo.
BVBI-Kpalime:
Now our center has two motorcycles with which students visit the churches where they are sent every week to study or sermonize. The church in the village of Avetonou is still run by the students. Soon, the 13 students will complete their first year at the Bear Valley Institute and begin their second year in January 2020.
Our intention is to move to areas where assemblies do not exist to establish one in each zone. Students who have come from denominations and are converted during CBS course studies for one year will work with evangelists on the same church, while those who have done more than two years in the church of Christ before the training can work with the new established churches.
Agriculture and livestock:
The agriculture project began by serving students. Since the resumption of classes, POTCHOLI Koffi David, a former student of our school, has been studying in the field of agriculture and gardening, especially in organic agriculture, that is, without the use of chemicals in the production of agricultural crops. Missionary Willie Gley has provided a room that is used first by the teacher to teach the classes, then they move on to practice on the ground (field). They are the beginning of theory and practice.
Saturday's classes:
A great progress with the Saturday classes, very soon those of Kpalime will complete their one-year program with great success. There are others who come to register to attend Saturday's courses when they have completed their program. In Lomé, everything is fine almost every month I send the printed courses for the rest of the courses.
Our desire is to go far north in 2020 in Blita and Kara with Saturday's classes.
Evangelization:
Our slogan Togo for Christ worries us every day, but no longer on Fridays, we go to villages, on the roads, the market, in places of service, we distribute Bible treatises and correspondence courses. We went to AKATA to evangelize from house to house.
Conference at TEMEJA:
As they are all denominations, the questions asked and the courses they receive, the sharing of his teachings in their denominations has raised other more important questions that I must answer, not only to them (students) but also to their followers and to the women of his pastors whose pastoral ministry is already exercised by other women in their denominations. The end of October allowed me to organize a conference at TEMEJA with more than 87 people composed of women pastors and men. Some members of their denominations were also present. The theme was "Can we lose salvation", text: 1 Cor. 9:27.
Traveling
The students of Saturday's courses all attended this conference at TEMEJA. The trolley to transport students from Kpalime to TEMEJA. So the students of the Saturday classes in Kpalime and those of TEMEJA were together that day.
The conference ended with a complaint from the women: What is needed for them? The answer is: women have a very important role in the mission of the church, so from time to time there will be conferences on the role of women in a local church. When they are converted, they will attend the courses on the "Women's Ministry".
Weekend evangelism in Liberia
We remain grateful to God for all that He has been able to do for the Bear Valley Bible Institute- Liberia through your supports and love for His kingdom. As we look back in to the month of October, with all the challenges, we are still very grateful to report the following happenings here in Liberia.
WEEKEND EVANGELISM
As part of our practical requirement for the school, our students continued to progress in the weekend evangelism and house to house visitation in most part of the communities around the location of the school. Many of them continued to appreciate the field experiences as it brings to bear what is going to be expected of them in the future of their work as preachers. In total for the month of October through their efforts, six (6) person were baptized and from their report, they made 57 contacts ( People they talk to). They also restore three (3) old members.
SHORT COURSE TEACHER
Brother Joseph Brooks accepted our invitation and spent a week with the school teaching one of our short course for this quarter ( The Prison Epistles). Brother Brooks is the pulpit minister of the Forehouses Church of Christ in Bechannan City, Grand Bassa County. During his stay, he led the students in to three days fast and prayer, something many of them haven't done before and at the end, many of them appreciated the experience. We appreciate his good work done with the students.
UPCOMING CAMPAIGN
As part of the efforts by the grace of God to reach many lost souls with the Gospel of Christ, the school has scheduled to undertake another extra campaign in Saclepea City, Nimba. Saclepea is one of the major city in Nimba county with an estimated population of about 46.000 inhabitants and without the Lord's church. Through the Radio preaching program, many people who have been following the preaching from Saclepea have been calling for the establishment of the church of Christ there. Over four months ago, we promised them that we were going to come to Saclepea. The date has been set for November 11-17. Please keep us in prayer for the success of this program.
CONCLUSION:
We are truly grateful to everyone who supports the work of the Bible school here in Liberia. My are sincerely thankful for every dollar you will sacrifice for the sake of Christ in Ganta. Thank you very much.
Your brother and co-worker in the lord
Robert P. Dahn, Jr
Prayers requested for Haiti
International School of Theology – Haiti
International Extension School of Bear Valley Bible Institute
Please Continue Praying for Haiti.
Because of the violence in Haiti, the students have not been able to attend classes for over two months. It now looks like the classes will be suspended until January 2020. The people are calling for the removal of the president. The directors and teachers are in regular contact with the students, and at this time, everyone is safe. The immediate area of IST (International School of Theology) has not had any violent activity; we pray that it will continue. More than 2,000,000 children have not been able to attend regular school, several hotels have closed their doors, stores have not been able to restock their shelves; therefore, there is a food shortage. Many gas stations have not been able to get fuel. The stations that have gas and diesel continue to raise their prices. We know this will pass, and God will use it to his glory – more doors will open for the gospel. The demonstrations do not stop on Sundays; therefore, many of the Christians are not able to attend worship. In some areas, the church is meeting in homes but continue to reach out to others.
Personal Request for Prayers:
I also ask for your prayers. Recently I was diagnosed with Uveal Melanoma, a tumor on the back of my left eye. It was small, and the doctors believe they caught it at the right time. One doctor said, if it had been any smaller, it would need to grow before it could be treated properly. I received two CT scans and an MRI to see if the cancer had spread. We thank God that it hasn’t. I received Brachytherapy radiation treatment. The doctor places a device on the back of my eye for three days and then removed it. The doctor said there will be some loss of eyesight but not sure how much at this time. I have made peace with whatever happens and have put it in God’s hands. I have double vision at this time and will wear a patch until it clears. The doctors said I should be able to continue regular activity by January. If things have calmed down in Haiti at that time, I plan to return then.