Full swing in Malawi!

Bear Valley Bible Institute

Ekwendeni – Malawi

October, 2020 Report

Introduction

It is always great joy to be part of the team that wins souls to Christ. The government commanded the schools to be reopened on the 7th of September, 2020. So, we did reopen the following week after the 7th which was on the 14th. Since then, we have finished teaching 6 courses. We also had a preaching campaign at the end of the month of October to the beginning of November. God has brought into the Kingdom of His son many souls! This month of November our students will be gone for a rainy season holiday, to give them the opportunity to cultivate their subsistence farming fields.

Teaching and Preaching

The pandemic has brought in a big threat throughout the world, but the report of the souls saved during the holiday we had from March to August, 2020 is outstanding. We have just recently received reports from the 19 congregations where our students, individually, are coming from. After adding the totals of the souls saved during the pandemic holiday, the total number has reached 166 baptisms, and 26 souls restored! We, the teachers of BV Ekwendeni school were shocked when we received the reports, but this has encouraged us greatly that our students are really attending the school for the purpose of winning souls and becoming faithful servants of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Despite our program this year being distracted with the Covid – 19, but the teaching work has been well achieved. We wish we could do more, but we accept the challenge. We have managed to finish 11 courses this year. The courses completed are as follows; Acts, Writing skills, Scheme of Redemption, Godhead, Pentateuch 1, Isaiah, Person Evangelism, Church Planting and Development, Homiletics and the Gospel of John.

Practical work for the students within the school campus!

The students have shown great zeal! They have been preaching every Wednesday and on Saturday. Because of this effort, the Lord has saved 3 souls! We thank God that the reputation of the school is beyond Ekwendeni. We thank God that we have such hard working students. Keep praying for them and their families.

We are very grateful to the Bear Valley Bible Institute International for the support they are giving us, which makes this mission possible. We pray that God bless and be with all who support this great work. Eternity Is Forever, Think Souls!

Your fellow workers in Christ,

Ephron and Clergynton

A new intake in Zambia

October 2020

Report

It is a great privilege once again to report to you concerning the activities of the school during the month of October, 2020. We are truly thankful to God for according us this rare opportunity of working in His Vineyard.

The month of October has been a month of sad and good news. Prior to the reopening of the school thieves broke in twice. They stole the water pump system, school television, and other electrical appliances. They broke and came through the perimeter wall.

The new intake started on 5th October 2020. There have been some anxieties of receiving new students and starting a new class. We also expected to have eight (8) foreign students but due to some Covid -19 restrictions from the government still in place we opted to cautiously start this new in-take with the locals only. We are thankful to God that the new students have started reporting we currently have ten students in class. When all have reported we are so glad that they will represent almost all the Provinces of Zambia. In the meantime we have told those brothers from other countries who wanted to come to hold on until the next in-take. We expected foreign students from Namibia, Angola, Congo DRC, Malawi and Tanzania who would want to come and study with us Zambia.

The 2020 graduating class was expected to have its graduation ceremony during the month of October 2020. But due to restrictions of Covid-19, the school deferred the ceremony to a later date in February of 2021. According to how Covid-19 evolves, it would be a good time for us to have Brother Donnie Estep come over. We would want him to “kill two birds with one stone”. That is teaching one of his short courses and be the Guest of Honor during the convocation of the graduation. If God allows we would love to see one or two brethren from our supporting congregation Woodland Oaks Church of Christ to come and grace the occasion also.

As always our new students have started on a positive note with Brother Cephas Mwamba involving them in evangelism and so far we have witnessed two souls (Muntinta and Museka) put on Christ on 17th and 24th of October respectively. We also on Wednesday 28th had Brother Kennedy Mukuka and Cephas Mwamba travelled to Chingola on a mission strip and had Andrew Longa baptized on this day.

On the other hand we have maintained our contact and preaching through our alumni, they have schedules full of activities in fulfilling the great commission. Five (5) people were baptized on 10th and 11th through Austin Musonda and eight (8) were restored back to the Lord during the Sunday service and Saturday Bible study on the dates above. A week hardly passes without hearing someone obeying the Gospel. Hornbye Mupengu is stationed in Ndola and on 25th October we had 6 people put on Christ through baptism and 4 were restored to the fellowship of the Lord. So far we have had 13 souls added and 12 souls restored back to the sheepfold.
Indeed the institute is well represented in this proclamation of the word of God. Nelson Sikazindu is in Mpongwe District working with a new and old congregations and is calling on the Institute to help him with a bicycle to help him in his movements. He is doing a great work there.

With this good tidings we keep thanking God.

We are truly grateful to Woodland Oaks for the financial support given each month to the school. We are also thankful to you, brethren, for all your prayers and every encouraging word given for the work here in Zambia.

May God richly bless all of you and please stay safe and healthy!

Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred

Much good done in Nigeria

OCTOBER 2020 FIELD REPORT

Dear fellow ministers of God.

Grace and mercy be multiplied unto you all from God our Father and from our Lord and Field Commander, Christ Jesus.

Here is our October 2020 field report:

i- First Semester classes and tests concluded

ii- Students now in four weeks Vocational Studies and....

iii- Weekend Evangelism in progress

iv- Report from fellow WBSFUW

FIRST SEMESTER CLASSES & TESTS CONCLUDED:

As scheduled, our first session classes and tests came to an end on October 16,2020 with fifteen students in year one and thirteen in year two.

The evening chapel of October 16 was led by Bro. Andrew Adeolu while Bro. Kayode Eniafe gave a 20 minutes words of encouragement to the students. The announcement and closing prayer was led by me, Bro.Makinde Ebens.

STUDENTS NOW IN FOUR WEEKS VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PREACHING TRIP:

All our year one students are now in four weeks Vocational Studies in Oyo,Osun, Lagos and Ogun States of Nigeria. The four weeks Vocational Studies commenced on October 17 through November 13,2020. They are expected to assist the local churches nearest to their training centers during this four weeks.

As for the year two students, they have all embarked on a four weeks preaching trips to Oyo, Osun,Ogun,Kwara, Ekiti,Abia and Akwa Ibom States. The year two students are expected to return to school on November 16,2020.

WEEKEND EVANGELISM/CAMPAIGN:

The staff and students evangelized the following towns/villages: Ajia,Egbeda, Jago, Elewura,Fasade,Asejire and Butubutu on October 1,2020 and weekends of October 3 , 10,17 & 24 and our joint effort was blessed with two souls. Bro. Andrew Adeolu and Bro. Dele Shotola baptized a Muslim priest, Alfa Kasimu Wahab in Fasade and Adebayo Ayodele was baptized in Butubutu village by Bro.Kayode Eniafe on October 1,2020.

In spite of the short Vocational Studies/ preaching trips, our weekend Evangelism/campaign in the six centers continue. Bro.Andrew Adeolu and Bro. Peter Orterga are working with the brethren in Jago and Butubutu village for weekend Evangelism. Bro. Dele Shotola and Bro.Adedoyin Rotimi are working with two of our year two students in Ajia,Badeku and  Fasade. I, Bro.Makinde and one of our graduates,Bro.Denis Okpachui are working with Egbeda congregation while Bro.Kayode Eniafe is working with two of the students in his area ,Asejire -Osun State.

REROPT FROM FELLOW WBSFUW:

i- Bro. Kayode Eniafe and Bro.Dele Shotola visited five schools in Ikoyi ,Osun State  and a guest house to share the WBS correspondence course and also collect the completed lessons from the  students of Precious International College,Pillar of Destiny,Anthony College, Vine Model Schools, Immaculate College and Fortress Hotel & Guest House in this month of October.

ii- Bro.Adedoyin Sola Rotimi visited Ola David Compressive College, Badeku and City of Peace College, Oluwa -Ibadan for recruitment.

iii- Bro.Godwin Emmanuel visited Methodist Compressive High School, Aye-Ekiti,Ekiti State and Anglican Girls College, Iludun-Oro in Kwara State to recruit and collect the completed WBS correspondence lessons from students.

iv- Bro. Olorode Samuel visited two schools in Ajagba and Irele of Ondo State, while

v- Bro. Andrew Adeolu extends the preaching of the gospel to Iju-Jago Community Junior School and Ogidi Community Junior High School, Ona-Ara Local Government Area,Oyo State .He was able to recruit over 100 students from this two schools for free Bible Correspondence Courses.

ABOUT A STUDENT:

Bro. Ajayi Oluwafunmiso Jeremiah is one of our year two students. A native of Omun-Aran in Kwara State. Converted in 2016 during a WBS seminar held in Omun-Aran congregation. Born to Bro. & Sister Jeremiah in the year 2002. His mission is to become one of the missionaries in the Northern part of Nigeria and beyond after his tertiary education.

SPECIAL ACCOMPLI SHMENT:

With the help of the Almighty God coupled with the partnership of our American brethren, we were able to embark on molding of 1,800 blocks for the construction of the auditorium of the Church of Christ in Ajia town, Ibadan on October 24,2020.

CONCLUSION:

We are very grateful to you all for your great contribution toward the growth of the Lord's Church in Africa, Nigeria in particular.

May the Lord keep on blessing our work together in Jesus Christ name, amen.

Sincerely His & yours,

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (The Chief servant of BVBIN & SWSE,Ibadan And  WBSFUW)

School resumes in Kenya

This is KSOP students' report as from March__ October 2020, during Corona Virus Pandemic. We are back to the school with nineteen students who have reported already. This is second year, quarter 3 of 4th intake students 2019__ 2021. Only one quarter remains after this to their graduation, for they could have graduated this August of 2020, had it not been for the Covid 19 infection. Prayers on their behalf as they strive to complete the remaining required training.

This time, local instructors will both teach regular and short courses. These facilitators are Charles, Elias, David and Nixon. Charles is teaching Greek III and Denominational Doctrines. Elias is teaching Minor Prophets I, Minor Prophets II, and the book of Revelation while Nixon the Scheme of Redemption. David will teach, in the last week of the quarter, 1&2Timothy and Titus.

Even though Covid 19 has made it difficult at times to perform church and school activities, much good has been done by the current students at their home congregations and beyond. They had preached at local and sister congregations, had evangelized in gospel campaigns, had converted believers, edified the saved, restored many souls/congregations back to Christ and planted new churches as well. 49 souls have been baptized, 4 new local churches planted, two congregations restored  to the sound doctrine of Christ and 31 individuals restored to fellowship with the Lord and the churches.

Three current students have been involved especially in the said restoration, Koskey, Korir and Atema. Koskey had invited Atema to go help him teach, for 5 days, in his home congregation. After he had finished his given theme John4:23-24, some few members who clung to hand clapping and women leading prayers in the assemblies stopped.

Korir being affected badly by tribal land clashes, had escaped with his family to a safer place far away from the fights and rented a house close to a church building of a liberal congregation. He attended that church, introduced himself and family and later was allowed to teach and preach, which he did patiently for Sundays, correcting the errors he saw (2Tim.2:24-26). They accepted the sound teachings. Now, the members have allowed him to live in a house within the church compound instead of renting one outside. Atema from Western Kenya, had visited with Korir and had witnessed the restoration of this congregation. They had stopped partaking Lord's Supper, claiming that it had ended with the cross.  Thanks to Dr. Michael Reese for the monetary support he has  been giving to Korir and his family which has enabled him to move for his safety from Nakuru county to Kericho. Korir is both relieved and  encouraged by his (Reese) help.

Former students work:

We would like to bring also to your attention reports of labor of some KSOP former students, especially those in Bomet, Kericho and Nakuru counties (regions). These graduands have restored 6 liberal congregations to sound ones as from March to October this year 2020. These are; Jeremiah Bor, Philip Langat, Tonui William, Bett Simon, and Sammy Langat. Two instances of such work happened when two preachers from liberal congregations invited these former students to go speak in their seminars. They went and spoke in such a manner that the host preachers were convinced and refused apostasy that was evident in their assemblies. But this did not please all members. Majority opposed the host preachers and disfellowshipped them disfellowshipped for their stand against liberalism. Therefore the host preachers together with their respective minority members who responded positively,  had to plant 2 (two) new sound congregations. One of them being Michira Central Church of Christ and Kipseonoi congregation. In these two new congregations 17 (seventeen) souls had been baptised and added to them. (The two host preachers will join KSOP in next intake). In this manner, 4 other new churches have been planted by these sound active KSOP former students totaling 6. It is good to remind you brethren that in these regions from where these former students come, are very many unsound churches(of Christ) and much effort should be employed here for restoration of some. Other former students in Western Kenya (Joseph Omondi and John Paul) had as well conducted 5 (five) baptisms. In summary, work by former students had been 6 restored churches, 22 baptisms and 6 newly planted congregations!

Thanks for your continued prayers and support for the Lord's work in Kenya Africa. May He bless you all,

Your brother and fellow worker,

Elias

Classes continue in Cambodia

Cambodia Update

School

We continue to study God’s word without dangers of COVID-19. Our country has not suffered as much as the rest of the world and so we are taking advantage of that and continuing to meet and grow in God’s word.

Some of our students have had to go home and help out with their families during this time, but we hope they will be able to return soon. One of our young lady students had her motorbike stolen right here at the school, but the church and staff and student body has helped her to pay for the lost bike - she owed over $2,000. We are a family so we help out one another in everything.

Our school classes currently involve the Major Prophets and Lesson Development. We also have special classes taught in the evenings for the new students who need some foundational building blocks before taking the more advanced classes.

Zoom chapels continue on Wednesday mornings with the Bible School at Battambang. Brother Wes and both staffs rotate speaking lessons to the men while sister Teri teaches the ladies on Women of the Bible. On Friday mornings we zoom with Brother Wes for another chapel lesson.

The staff meets on Friday evenings with brother Wes and we discuss interesting Bible questions and pray for our families and the students and their needs.

We are involved in Service Days where we go and help the other small churches and their neighbors with anything they might need. Encouraging, feeding and praying for them. It is a good thing for us to be involved as it shows us how to serve and it show the Buddhist people how Christians act.

Church

As the ministry of Religion has banned all the churches in Cambodia worship in small groups during COVID-19, we decided to meet up in two groups. After the pandemic decreased in spreading, we decided to meet up in the church building with all the church members.

The nutritional program has been put on pause since COVID-19 has happened, so the organizers decided to save three months budget to buy some food such as rice bags, noodles, hygiene products, and also some cooking ingredients. Most of the church members and IBISR families have joined this special charity event. We not only provided this food for Christians but also for the unbelievers. We have worked with the village chiefs to coordinate and so far we have helped out about 120 families.

Prayers

We need your prayers for these things:

• Recently we have had terrible flooding throughout our country and it has taken lives, food, and jobs away from the people.

• Our students who have many questions about God, the Bible and their souls.

• Our school and church leaders who must take care of all our needs and lead in a Godly way.

Appreciation

We could do nothing without your support. We have the same Lord who always strengthens us.

Servants of Christ in Cambodia,

Piseth - Co-Director

Darat - Co Director

Pros - Staff

Back in full swing in Wotutu

Dearest in Christ,

 Greetings from this end. Thanks for your prayers we are praying for you and we do know you are praying for us.

COVID-19 is very much present in the world but we are thankful to God that no single case has ever been to Wotutu. Activities are back to normal and schools have all resumed for the past two weeks. Please keep our students and staff in your prayers. We now do a lot of washing of hands and hand sanitizer. Face- masks are now in use all the time and we do maintain social distancing. We shall also start using the electronic thermometer in all of our campuses in the weeks ahead.

Our students are busy with weekend evangelism. They are not leaving any stone unturned as they prepare for full time ministry. I was impressed when I paid a visit to the YATO congregation. It is a congregation we revived. It was almost dead as the congregation was characterized with Nigerian brethren who decided to go back to their homes. The few Cameroonians who were left could not handle the congregation, so we are sending students there now. They worship around 18 souls.

PLANS

We are on the move and we are not looking behind but looking forward to our weekend evangelism. The Mudeka congregation has invited the entire Bible Institute for a three-day house to house evangelism and indoor lectureship. They have asked me to present three different lessons. Pray for us as we shall be there this Friday October the 22nd.

OUR 5TH GRADUATION CEREMONY COMES UP ON THE 10TH OF DECEMBER 2020. THIS WILL HAVE MADE TEN SUCCESSFUL YEARS OF TRAINING PREACHERS FOR US. PLEASE COME CELEBRATE WITH US IF YOU CAN.

APPRECIATIONS

Many thanks to you for all your help and prayers. Please continue and do not faint because your reward will be given to you when the Lord returns to pay His people. Please, a sister through a brother, has donated 15 of the megaphones for our upcoming graduates.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

Safety protocols in place in Accra

END OF 3RD QUARTER REPORT

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE, NSAWAM

JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 

OUR APPRECIATION

Praise be the Lord God who has demonstrated His lovingkindness for the entire quarter. Throughout this period, we say to the Glory of God that we have not recorded a case for this COVID. We continue to pray that none of us and all brethren should be affected. We thank the Lord for this great protection. It is our prayer that this disease will end.

The Director and the entire students express their profound gratitude for all the brethren who have been supporting the school in prayer and in giving. Stay bless.

SCHOOL RESUMED AFTER PRESIDENT’S ORDER

The students of Nsawam school with her Instructors are doing well. As I reported in my previous report, the Lockdown order, the school went on brake. God willing, we resumed in July and classes began. Everyone is doing well.

CHALLENGES ON TURNOUT

During the classes we had challenges on the attendance. Few were attending class for the fear of the virus. Other contemplate on why school resuming so early, we ought to have waited for some time. Further explanations were given and the necessary measures we have put in place for our safety. However, as time go on the number keep increasing.

CLASS ACTIVITIES

Classes are ongoing with the total number of students. In this quarter (July, August, September), three courses where completed as assigned to Instructors. In July, Sammy taught Bible Geography, August and September, E.O. Larbi taught Counselling, the Epistle to the Romans by Emmanuel Amoo-Gyimah.

PESONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT RECEIVED

The following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s) were received: Veronica Bucket with Stand, Hand Towel, Thermometer Gun, Liquid Soap, Hand Sanitizer, Nose Masks and Fumigation exercise taken place respectively. We were also grateful to receiving Hand Sanitizer from one of the students, who works with this Sanitizer Factory, one for each other, to help curb the spread of the virus.

PROTOCOLS OBSERVED FOR THE PROTECTION OF OUR STUDENTS

As per the order of the government, the director of the school saw to it that all protocols be observed to prevent the spread of the virus. As we carry on safety measures and piece of advice, students and instructors wash their hands, Social Distancing and temperature is taken and recorded for future reference.

CONCLUSION

The above activities as per the quarter, were completed by the grace of God.

Glory be unto Him. Forever and ever. Amen

New books in Ghana

3RD QUARTER REPORT

 BEAR VALLEY SCHOOL OF PREACHING,  KOFORIDUA

( JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER )

We have to continue to be grateful unto our creator for all the blessings He bestows unto us to be able to serve in His Kingdom and to obey the Great commission of bringing the whole world into His kingdom. May He continue to bless us with all the blessing to be able to do just that!

We had most of the students attending class with Bro Emmanuel Ammo-Gyimah teaching the Life of Christ 1 – 4. There was no class for September 4 and 5. We went to bury Brother Solomon Adjei at his hometown of Akaa Buem in the Oti Region of Ghana. He left five children.

We have taken delivery of the books (The life of Christ 1 and 2) and we are going to put them to good use. We pray and hope such tools could be sent to enable the students to begin to build their library for use. Also the school is grateful to you for sending us the laptop that we requested for. It will be put to good use.

We have planned to go back to preach the second time at where we preached last year. There is a very small congregation there that we want to help with their evangelistic programme.  We plan doing it in the second week of December.

It is our prayers that our sponsors would be blessed so as to continue to support us do more in the kingdom.

Kwabena Gyan-Mante

20 students in Kasoa, Ghana

KASOA

3rd Quarter Report

July August September 2020

The Lord has been good to us. None of us nor anyone who is nearer to us in relationship has been affected by the virus. We are keeping ourselves safe by obeying the protocols.  May the Good Lord richly bless you, your work and that for Him.

KASOA

Kasoa is a big village, it is highly populated. It houses people from all over Ghana. It is nearer to Accra, the capital city of Ghana. Because it is nearer to Accra and the land there is cheaper as compare to Accra, many people rush there to buy land, build houses and stay there. It is growing to be the town with the highest number of the Church of Christ. Currently, there are over forty (40) congregations there.

SCHOOL IN KASOA

The school meets in the church premises of Papaase Number 2 congregation where their average attendance is 200. The church pays for the light bill and gives us free use of its facilities. We are most grateful to the church there.

STUDENTS

Currently we have 19 students. We have one lady who is a Sunday school teacher for the Children. She also teaches in the Ladies’ Bible Class. Averagely, we have 17 students attending weekly. All are leaders in their congregations and they all preach as fill in, whereas 10 of them are working as preachers in their congregations.

ACADEMICAL WORK

All the students participated and all have so far passed all the exams. Whereas Kojo Acquah Beenyi is the director, Roger Asante is the other instructor and he has done much work in the School. He comes from Eastern Region, takes three different transportation in one and half hours on the road to get there weekly to teach. He is the product of the School in Accra and is currently doing his Masters. He is graduating in January, 2021.

CAMPAIGN/EVANGELISM

Because of the prohibition of mass gathering, the students did two-one week house to house teaching and preaching in two villages. Many tracts were distributed and many heard the Gospel. It resulted in 11 baptisms.

Thanking and Praying that God will continue to be kind to us, guard us, guide us, bless us, protect us and keep us safe for His Use in this hard times which is messing our lives.

New students in Sunyani (Ghana)

REPORT FOR THIRD QUARTER OF 2020

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE - SUNYANI CAMPUS

(BRONG AHAFO COLLEGE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES)

DATE: 9TH OCTOBER, 2020

I)           TEACHING STAFF AT SUNYANI SCHOOL CAMPUS: 

1)   DANIEL KYEREH-MENSAH (LOCAL DIRECTOR AND BIBLE INSTRUCTOR)

2)   THOMAS GYABAA (BIBLE INSTRUCTOR)

3)   REXFORD AGYARE-MINTA (BIBLE INSTRUCTOR)

II)        INTRODUCTION:

The third quarter of 2020 started with the continuation of studies on the following courses:

1)   The preacher and his work

2)   The New Testament Survey

3)   Homiletics

III)     CHALLENGES

The post covid period raised some apprehension in our students but with prayerful counseling and orientation classes started effectively on Saturday 7th July 2020.

IV)       NAME OF CONTINOUS STUDENTS AT SUNYANI SCHOOL CAMPUS

1.   Joseph Kyereh Mensah – Sunyani

2.   Samuel Effa – Berekum - Gyamdede

3.   Kannor Emmanuel – Goaso

4.   Stephen Ohen Gyan – Nsoko

5.   Akumfi Ameyaw – Sunyani

6.   Jacob Osei – Nkaseim

7.   Anthony Owusu – Wamfie

8.   Amo Joseph– Berekum - Biadan

9.   Nicholas Korang – Berekum - Biadan

10.  Yeboah Gideon – Berekum - Biadan

11.  Isaac Serwonu – Goaso

12.  Samuel Appiah  -  Sunyani

13.  Twum Kwarteng – Abesim

14.  Ben Obeng Nyarko – Sunyani

15.  Kyereh John – Nkonsia (Drobo) 

V)          FRESH OR NEW ADMISSIONS:

1.   FrancIs Adjei Kwasi – Goaso

2.   Frank Adu – Sunyani

3.   Takyi Isaac – Sankore

4.   Maxwell Yeboah – Derma

5.   Nicholas Boaffa – Goaso

6.   Daniel Anyabas – Goaso

VI)       ADDING OF ANOTHER BIBLE INSTURCTOR:

As a result of the new admission there was a need to add one Bible instructor to teach the course we have almost completed. We have therefore added Mr. Rexford Agyare-Minta who has already started teaching the Old Testament Survey.

VII)    SECOND SEMESTER, FIRST YEAR EXAMINATIONS:

Examinations were held on the preacher and his work and on the New Testament Survey on 19th September, 2020.

Teaching on Homiletics is ongoing. We will start teaching “Denominational/Dogma (Doctrines) on 17th October, 2020”.

SENT BY:   Daniel Kyereh Mensah

Local Director

Sunyani Campus

Soul-winning in Cameroon

We wish blessings to you all as we send you this report from Mbanga Balong. Shalom to our fellow workers in the vineyard of the Lord. We hope God has given you all his grace this day as you read this report.  It is great to tell you that we are doing our best through Christ who strengthens us.

Our students went out for field work and on a soul saving mission for about two weeks to various places in our country. "We think souls." We ended our last short-course on the 5th of September 2020 and everyone was set for mission including the director and his wife. It was not very easy as some students had to travel for about 2 days on tarred road. Most of them went to the extreme distances of our mission. 

Firstly, two of our students travelled to Kiosy with our school bus and brother Idriss who is a graduate from Wotutu who is ready to serve there permanently. It was a very long and costly trip but the gospel is calling on us to save the lost. Some also went to Bayomen were we are still worshiping in open air and in Banjock were the work is still very timid with only sisters as the worshipers. Work in French Cameroon is taking a new turn even though there is still a very long way to go.

Brother Prince went to Azimotel Street in Kumba and God blessed the church with 2 souls after a very long work along-side the minister and some members of the assembly. I was also fortunate to have a day to work with brother Prince. Keep these sisters in your prayers. They are still passing through some temptation in their homes. God bless you all.

It is good to be on the side of the Lord. These souls needs to be shepherded. Our weekend evangelism team is doing their best, even though they have a very long distance to cover. Sometimes they will arrive on a Sunday morning and continue with classes immediately. Lord, we always thank you for according a safe journey to us, our students, and many others along the line.

 The same scenario went on in Mbanga as 2 souls were also added into his vineyard during this end of semester field trip. God added 9 souls into his vineyard and restored 2. Glory be to God ALMIGHTY.

We thought it wise that our students could get a little knowledge on counselling before graduation. This is our first year of doing this in Mbanga. We develop the idea and translated it to French. It was very impressive for everyone, and now we have a course for it even though it is not the best yet. But we believe that in the near future we are going to be able to develop it into its best.

This first week of full studies came with another experience with brother Kunda from Wotutu who took the students out for a hands on experience in vocational training, especially on agriculture. This study was to help then to see and to know the various products to use during farming. He also took them to the delegation of agriculture in Mbanga to explain to them the realities of the benefits from the soil. The lady you see in the photo is the sub- divisional delegate for agriculture in Mbanga. BVBIC-Mbanga is continuing to grow to full maturity. 

Weekend evangelism continues with our brothers as they too are growing. Door to door evangelism is going on every weekend both in Mbanga and to other areas of work. Our students are continually talking to people, giving out tracks, and at times giving Bibles to some serious prospects. God is richly blessing us.
We praise God for his mercy. God bless you all my beloved. Your beloved partner in the work. The slave in Mbanga.

Ititi Benedict

Harvest time in Tamale

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE, TAMALE

POST OFFICE BOX TL 925

TAMALE, GHANA

God’s unmerited favor and Grace continues to guide us through the journey of life. We pray and hope He continue to bless you all for your continuing support for the course of God across Africa and Northern.

STUDENTS IN SCHOOL

The teaching is still ongoing with four courses taught remaining one course to end the term. Brother Albert Malir treated Life of Christ four, Brother Anthony Antumwini world religion, Brother James Legend, Denominational Doctrine, and Brother Thomas Donzie Christian Leadership. All things are folding up successfully as activities for the year is progression in the midst of Covid 19 outbreak. The remaining course Bible geography is also in session with Brother Steven Ashcraft to bring the term to an end. We praise God for how far He has brought us.

ADMINISTRATIVE WORK

The school management is committed to the ultimate principles and doctrines of the School. We are doing our best to impact these doctrines into the students, hoping they will be well equipped, ready to defend the truth in the midst of false teachers and preachers. We are also contacting and encouraging the next batch of prospects, anticipating to campaign for students after break, we have also deliberated with students to help campaign when they get back home. We hope to reach some of these students in their homes. We are constantly communicating and working with our able Coordinator (Kojo Acquah Beenyi) in getting things in order. We appreciate God for the efforts of Brother Kojo for his assistance in making all things run effectively.

SCHOOL FARM

We have got about two bags of maize from the first harvest we have made. Next harvest would be done in November, and we hope that this produce will help in the cost of feeding our students.

God bless us all,

Albert and James

Full class schedule in Takoradi

Dear Brethren,

Greetings to you our beloved brethren and fellow workers in the Lord’s vineyard. God has been kind to us here as we are trying to stay balanced between His work and covid-19. We pray and hope that He spreads His mighty wings on you as well.

Here is the report for the month of August. By God’s help and your kind contribution, we were able to handle all the affairs of the school. We say thank you, and God bless you. We appreciate you very much.

1.      CLASSROOM WORK

Classes for both the regular and the part-time were carried out successfully until the last of the month (28th) when we gave the regular students a three-week recess. The weekend classes for the part-time session continued without any break.

2.      EVANGELISM

As we all are aware, the covid-19 is still on going, and so we are still under certain restriction regarding activities that involve human contacts. Yet some of us tried to take advantage of the little opportunity we had to spread the Word.

 Some few men who are also past students of our school and have formed a team, organized a three-day house to house evangelism. Below is a picture to that effect.

3. BAPTISM

There were two baptisms recorded, one at Mpintsin Church of Christ where I preach, and the other one from one of our past student’s congregation.

Thank you for your assistance.

Yours for the Master’s service.

Joshua Aidoo

A new congregation in Ghana

END OF SEPTEMBER REPORT, 2020

Thanks be to God once again for His protection, victory through our Lord Jesus Christ and has given us the necessary care throughout the month. We are victorious because none of us is tested positive for the covid-19. Amen.

We shall not forget our brethren’s cheerful giving both past and present in support of the progress of the school. Glory be to God for His safeguarding our dear brother, Steven Ashcraft for his arrival in Ghana. May we all be blessed in the Name of our Lord!

The following were activities for the month:

CLASSES

According to the school’s calendar and her time table, all instructors are actively teaching as assigned to each one for the quarter. Currently, brother E. O. Larbi is teaching two courses a week (Monday and Thursday) on Book of Acts and Old Testament 3, Roger Asante for New Testament Church 2 (Worship), Gyan Mante for Personal Evangelism 2, Sammy and George for ICT and English. Kojo and Amoo Gyimah will teach (4) four short courses next month. Both Instructors and non-teaching staff are doing very well.

INTERNAL ACTIVITY

Staff Meeting

There was a staff meeting to discuss the oncoming graduation and its relevant activities. It was concluded that there will be no lectureship prior to the graduation because of covid-19. Few people will be invited and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) will be provided for all invitees. 

Study Books for the Bear Valley Schools

We were grateful to receive the study books on Life of Christ 1 and 2 packages, to be distributed among the Bear Valley Schools in Ghana. Currently, distribution is ongoing in various schools in the regions. Glory be to God for this wonderful study material.

Baptisms

Our student baptized (1) one person (a female) during school area Evangelism this month and is attending the church at campus.

EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES

Doryumu Brethren

This is to report on one of our students by name, Philip Abuquah (the school prefect and evangelist of the host church) who is starting a new church building project on a piece of land, invited the school to assist in exhortation for the support of the work. Brother Amoo Gyimah with the students were present in the service. Our students sang to cheer the programme and funds were raised for the project. We were all happy for this event.

Staff Visits to Past and Present Students

A programme to visit all our past and present students on the field is ongoing. Instructors have been assigned to visit all students according to the administrative structure for the visitation. Amoo Gyimah visited New Ningo where Boye Larye is the evangelist. Bro. E. O. Larbi visited Achimota, Accra where Antwi Augustin is the evangelist. We hope to do this to strengthen both the churches and the preachers.

Students Visit to Churches

The school has started its visitation to assigned churches for practical teaching and preaching programme which was abandoned due to the covid-19. We are privileged to have “smaller” and newly planted churches seeking our support in reviving them.

Some of these are: Krabokese, Pakro Road, Panpanso No.1, all in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Our students have started working with these congregations including the Papase-Kotoku congregation this month.

CONCLUSION

Thanks be to the Almighty God who saw us through all activities with Joy. We appreciate your support, prayer, and love.

Keep praying with us.

God bless us all.

21 more converted in Guinea

Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report for September 2020

It is time again to share briefings of the activities taking place here at the Gueckedou BVBI with our dear supporters and well-wishers. The month of September has covered several activities including classroom work, evangelism, gospel campaign and the construction of a temporal worship/ceremony shelter. On the overall it was successful and we want to thank and appreciate you all for the spiritual and material support. Now here below in sub-headings are the details of the activities for the month under review.

Classroom: During the second quarter which started in July we were able to cover a lot of courses including Hermeneutics 1, Christian Evidence 1, the Godhead and the New Testament Church. For the most part the results were good with the exception of a few needing to do extra assignments to meet requirement. All 17 students reported since August are still on roll. Classes have stopped and our second quarter breaks for 3 weeks started on October the 5th.

Evangelism: As part of our regular routine, we did go out around town and in the villages to preach the word. Responses were only appreciations. Some have promised to try to pay visit to the church in the coming days and weeks. Nevertheless 2 persons were converted to Christ.

Gospel Campaign: Just before the close of the second quarter, we organized a 3 days gospel campaign dividing the students along with a few of the previous graduates in 3 groups to attend 3 quarters of the town. This campaign was not as the usual ones when we made public proclamation of the word. Rather, a type of evangelism, a house to house preaching. Again, 1 soul was converted with others promising to visit the church. Then by the close of the month, we resumed the preaching campaign - this time in the villages. A total of 19 souls resulted to another 3 days of work to mark the beginning of 1 new congregation in the village of Bouliedou.

Worship/Ceremony Shelter Construction: Even though the Covid-19 barn was lifted to allow public worship, the announcement came along with strict restrictions of health measures such as distancing between worshipers. And with the increase of membership of the congregation meeting in the classroom of the school building, the need arose for a wider space. For this reason our request for a temporal, but durable shelter was granted. It will henceforth serve not only for the congregation’s meeting or the Covid-19 distancing, but for any eventual gatherings such as for seminars and graduation ceremonies. So far we have planted and roofed the 12 meter by 7.5 meter structure on iron poles. The church members are now gathering local materials – gravel and sand so that we can finish up – lay the floor with cement.

Purchase of EPSON Printer: The small size printer which was in the list of “Start Up Materials” purchased in early February 2018 had required too much maintenance and repairs and therefore ineffective to satisfy our needs. For this reason, a high quality printer, EPSON was purchased to replace it.

Mini Office: In order to protect certain secretarial materials and especially the EPSON printer we thought to make a closure of what was meant to be a dining room in the upper apartment of the house. This room will also server as an office for the school secretary where certain stationary materials are also safeguarded. The cost is far more less than the purpose it serves!

Proposal for Temporal Training: We are experiencing problems for the upkeep of the newly planted congregations especially during our break periods when we, the staff and all students are on holidays. Gospel Campaigns are usually conducted at the close of the quarter followed by a 2 to 3 weeks break period. Now when new congregations are planted at that time we often have the problem of who takes care or make the follow up while we are on holidays. Therefore we are planning if permission is given to conduct a temporal training and or offer certain essential courses to certain ones of the new congregations who will eventually satisfy that need. Financial requirement proposal for whatever number of such persons will be detailed to the Bear Valley Administration when we return from our second quarter breaks in the last week of October.

Conclusion: The month of September was another successful month for the activities at the Gueckedou BVBI. Courses for the second quarter were completed. Our evangelism efforts resulted to the planting of 1 new congregation with a total of 21 persons converted. We have gotten the needed office or printing material. Also, the need for additional space and mini-office are being satisfied. We are grateful to the Bear Valley Administration and to all of you who support this work in any way.

Photos attached

Wishing us all good health                                                                                               

Francis 

Full speed ahead in Liberia

GREETINGS:

We bring you greetings from from the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Ganta Nimba county, Liberia. Hoping all is very well with you all and your families. We want you know that you all have been in our prayers because of the hard hit of the pandemic in the United States of America as we continued to followed on the news and social medias. Thank God that you made it through.

GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR REOPENNING

For many reasons, we are grateful to God our loving and faithful father for all His blessings and protections that had kept us through this COVID period. We are very thankful especially for the reopening of schools fully and other public facilities. Now we can continue with our studies in peace.

CLASSES RESUMED FULLY

The past few months have been very challenging because of the corona virus, but we thank God so much that finally, the Government has given the go ahead for schools to reopen or operate. Our students are fully back in school except for two who have not joint their mates yet because of some family problems.

2nd YEAR 2 QUARTER CONTINUE:

As you all know, we were in the middle of the 2nd quarter of the 2nd year activities when the COVID erupted our classes, created some very serious delayed in our school calendar. But thankful we are continuing from where we stopped with the following activities:

• Life of Christ – Bro. Nathan Tears

• Advance Hermeneutics- Bro. Robert P. Dahn, Jr

• Advance Homiletic- Bro. Robert P. Dahn, Jr.

• The Book of James- Bro. Joel Weah

• Church History – O.D.K. Zakamah

• Old Testament IV (Major Prophets)-Bro. Robert P. Dahn, r.

OUR STUDENTS DURING THE COVID 19 AT HOME

With the exception of the cities congregations where Government watchful eyes and restrictions were focused, lot of the congregations in Liberia's towns and villages met continually for worship on Sunday and even their mid week activities. This made our students busy at their home towns in evangelism and visitation. Information have it that eight precious souls were won to the Lord's kingdom through these efforts.

CONCLUSION:

We thank you all for your great contributions toward the growth of the Lord's church in Africa, particularly in a very poor country like Liberia. We might be poor physically, but rich with the undiluted word of God because of your supports. May the Lord of blessing continue to bless all our joint efforts together in Christ Jesus, amen. Stay Bless.

In Him,

Robert P. Dahn, Jr

Direction- BVBI-Liberia

Towards sustainability in Zimbabwe

SEPTEMBER 2020 NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

Lockdown measures that had been put up by the government to combat the spread of Covid19 are slowly being eased. Life is slowly going back to the “old normal.” Lessons (for the third intake) continued using the online platforms.  The second intake continued preaching “in season and out of season.”  Furthermore, the foundation is being laid for projects whilst infrastructure development took another step in the month. Some of these are reported hereunder.

1.0 PROJECTS

Sustainable projects are key to the development of BVBIZ. Some of the key targets is to produce graduates who are multi- skilled and resourced to transform their lives and those of their communities. Some of the key projects on the school’s wish-list of the school include poultry (broilers, road runners and layers), fishery, market gardening, rabbit keeping, goat production, piggery, bee keeping amongst others.   Eventually, BVBIZ should be able to meet part of her own budget locally and empower the students in a way.  The greatest limitation will be the financial resources to get some of the projects up and running. However, this month we can begin to report on the following;

1.1 Maize and Beans

The size of our land is 8 hectares. A lot of work needs to be done to make a section of the land ready for the next planting season which is set to begin in a few weeks’ time. However, some members of the community have availed to us a total of almost 10 hectares of land to use this coming season. The plan will be to plant maize (5-6 hectares) and beans (3 hectares).  Within these hectares we shall also plant pumpkin, sweet potatoes and water melons. The main focus will, however, be on maize and beans. Whilst these will lower our food budget, maize will also be critical for the poultry project.  The maize project requires $490/hectare whilst beans requires $610/hectare. The total needed is $4770 if the school is to make maximum use of the available land. All this remain as a dream since much of the school’s resources have been dedicated to construction. Any assistance towards this endeavour will be greatly appreciated.

1.2 Broilers

One of the targeted projects to be undertaken is the raising of broilers. The first batch of 50 came on the 4th of September. Once the market is established, we hope to slowly increase the batches.

1.3 Garden

One of the essential projects to be undertaken is market gardening. A small portion has been cleared to cater for this effort. The produce shall be for local consumption whilst the excess will be sold to add to the school’s income. More information shall be shared in the subsequent reports. The vision will be to put the garden under drip irrigation. About $1310 is needed for the drip system in this garden.

2.0 EVANGELISM

Evangelism continued in the month of September. The major focus is on the efforts of our graduating class. These are scattered all over but have remained effective in the field. Some of them are working with their local preachers. The congregations concerned include Rimuka, Plasworth, Sipaba, Maware, Manyame, Sharara, Mashayamvura, Alaska, Shackleton, and Redcliff.  From the students’ report, a total of 21 souls were baptized in the month.

CONCLUSION

We praise God for what we were able to achieve in September. More activities shall start in as the country opens up after the lockdown. Thank you for your financial and the moral support we continue receiving. To God be the glory!

Back in class in India

Reporting letter for the month of September-2020

Respected beloved brother Keith Kasarjian the director of International Bible studies and Mr. Mark Reynolds the coordinator of Bear Valley Bible Institute and all the supports and prayer partners of our BVBI-Tirupati-India we humbly convey our warmest greetings to you. We are ever grateful to you for your continual prayers and encouragement. We hope that this mail may find you good health.

By the grace of God all the students, teaching staff and non-teaching staff and my family members are doing well. We convey many thanks for your loving and most precious and valuable help for the smooth function of the spiritual educational project of BVBI-Tirupati. We are really grateful to you for your love and generosity . I am Certain that God is working through BVBI, as our good father in heaven expects every one must be saved regarding less of his color, caste, country and  language he belongs. This is possible only by preaching the gospel of Christ which can eradicate all the spiritual problems and save the souls for eternal life by the precious blood of Christ.

As  Apostle Paul tells in Rom 10:14-b”…..how will they hear without a preacher (NKJV),the main goal of BVBI-Tirupati is to prepare the young men to proclaim the gospel of Christ . According to 2Timothy 2:2 we have selected faithful men to train them up who can teach others also. In the month of September third week the class room work was began after relieving from the covid-19 restrictions , soon the students had  arrived they were put in quarantine for five days in our own campus and then they were allowed for  the classes. Regarding the calendar all students and teachers agreed to continue the classes without giving the break in between the semesters.  According to our new plan the syllabus will be completed by the third week of April-2021. The month of May would be horrible and hot summer in India, generally all the educational departments get summer vacations in the month of May. 

Lord willing we want to begin the fresh batch in the month of June-2021. We are happy to report you that all our students before they come for this semester they have seriously involved in their local church activities, most of the students were sent by the local churches where young preachers are mostly wanted.

We are thankful to some of the workers who come and assist in several ways without expecting material help in order to run this project in better way more effectively. We are thankful to Healing Hands International for their great assistance for the establishment of Agricultural kitchen garden. We appreciate all the guests who came and visited from outside of our nation in 2019 and 2020 .We pray that the vaccine may be invented soon for the covid-19 so that this virus may not hinders  for the travelling of my beloved brothers and sisters. We are thankful to our international director Mr. Keith Kasarjian for supplying all the  study material for two years ,  we also thankful for to Dr.Damon Vincent and Mr.John R.Vaughan and Mr.Jerry Bates for sending wonderful additional bible material by mail.

We once again thankful to you for all your prayers and encouragements, we treat you as blessing of God. We love you and sincerely appreciate your love for the spiritual educational program in India. We continue to pray for you and humbly request your continual prayers  for  BVBI-Tiurpati-India.

Thanking you all.

Yours brother and sister in Christ.

Vijay&Swarupa. Behalf of BVBI-Tirupati-India.

Ready for a new intake in Zambia

September 2020

Report

Warm greetings to you all brothers and sisters!! We give honor and glory to God who has given us the opportunity to work in His Kingdom and report about the events during the month of September 2020.

We continue to record good progress with our alumni, all our students are very busy spreading the gospel of Christ. In spite of the hardships brought to bear by the advert of Covid-19, more baptisms and more restorations have continued to be registered during this period. In Kabwe central province of Zambia Clive has continued to work with two congregations and we can gladly report two of the souls added to the sheepfold on 23/09/20 and he currently have thirty (30) candidates for baptism his Bible class. Hornbye, currently working with North rise Church of Christ in Ndola has restored 19 members.

Wusakile church of Christ congregation is blessed to have one of our students, Simon Khazi, working with them. We just received good report from the leadership on how he is conducting Bible studies and preaching, We have no doubt that many will be saved and indeed many will live faithfully for Christ because of the efforts that Simon is putting in.

In Mpongwe district of the Copper Belt province, we have established a congregation were Nelson Sikazindu is working and helping his elder brother with farm work he has enough time to evangelize in his area. Together with other brethren there, we believe this congregation will be one of the vibrate in the area.  

Vincent Simwanza, Terence Phiri and Stembiso Magawa have continued working with Luanshya Central Church Christ. They are engaged in evangelism on a daily basis and have so far set up many Bible studies. A week hardly passes without witnessing any baptism at Luanshya Central. After completing his studies Vincent has baptized six people and had five restorations during the same time. We thank God that these men proved to be very enthusiastic about the work of our Lord. Vincent has also found work at Zambia Telecommunication company through preaching to them.

We are geared to start a new intake which will begin in the first week of October 2020. The Covid-19 cases have drastically gone down in the past two weeks here in Zambia. We pray that this continues to be the case even as we begin our next intake. We had accepted some brethren from neighboring countries but we don’t think they will make it during the first quarter. Zambia travel is now open to foreign nationals, however the Zambian government has suspended all tourist visas until further notice. We continue to pray that this pandemic ends so that normality of doing things could return.  

 Our hearts are truly and forever indebted to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for financial support and all the encouragement in this good work. You are always in our prayers. Please stay safe and healthy!

Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred

10 more saved in Malawi

Bear Valley Bible Institute – Ekwendeni

Malawi – September Report 2020

Introduction

We hope this finds everyone doing well. We are very grateful to God that the government has lifted the burden by allowing schools to reopen. We started the classes on the 14th of September, 2020. All the students are in and classes are in progress. The Covid pandemic has brought in a big negative impact on our school calendar, but we are much happy that many souls have been added to the church, even in the midst of the pandemic. This month of September the Lord has added 10 souls to the church. We are also blessed to have Brother Navie Theu who is teaching the short course on the doctrine of “Godhead” from the 28th of September to the 2nd of October, 2020.

Preaching

As the students were on holiday this time of the pandemic, we as teachers have been travelling in various congregations preaching and teaching. This way of doing things has helped about 33 souls to be added to the church since the month of March. We have also been conducting lectureships which has helped most of the churches have the sound teaching of Christ. On the 27th we taught and preached at Mwenelondo church of Christ where one of our fellow graduates of Chimala; Lyton Mhango, is preaching. We really enjoyed congregating with them. They have asked us to go with the students next year for a preaching campaign and lectureship to be organised.

Teaching  

As we have said in the introduction, the schools have been reopened and everything is back to normal but under serious Covid precautions. Students are in to continue their studies. We hope coming November we may have lots of courses covered before we let the students go for the holiday and have the opportunity to cultivate their fields as everyone here depends on subsistence farming to feed the family.

School project

Now as we have a school site to build, we are planning to put the foundations down by December the Lord willing. This is going to be a challenging work without funds to do the work, but we trust in God who provides. Our aim is to have our own facilities rather than renting, and also to allow our students to have gardens and other handy training to help them be self-supporting after school.

We thank God for His hand to provide us with all the necessary care through the Bear Valley Bible International for the school to keep running. We pray for your families as this work still needs your support. We really appreciate your love, kindness and many prayers! Stay blessed as you Think Souls!

Yours fellow servants in the Lord,

Ephron and Clergynton