A new school campaign

BVBI, NIGERIA-WARRI EVANGELISM REPORT, OCTOBER, 2021

With gratitude to our father the Almighty, and to the Bear Valley Bible Institute International for giving us this great platform to be of service to the Lord, we use this opportunity to give a brief report of the maiden evangelism outreach carried out by the students of the Bear Valley Bible Institute, Nigeria-Warri.

On Saturday, 9th October, 2021 the Bear Valley Bible Institute, Nigeria-Warri students, went for their maiden evangelism outreach at Ovwor-Olomu in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. After the preaching exercise, we worshipped with the very small rural congregation on Sunday 10th October, 2021 and three (3) souls were baptized to the glory of God. Please commit the students, the very small congregation and the young converts to God in prayer.

Osita Daniel Onuora Director

Improvement in Peru

Greetings from Lima, Peru

We hope that all of you are doing well with God´s favor. May the grace of our Lord be always with you.

Last month we have finished the life of Christ IV with brother Abraham the students were very encouraged and asked for titles of the books to continue learning about Jesus' last days. They were given a list of textbooks for them to buy and they were shared some pdf articles.
We had a webinar as we always do to present the new course, Hebrews, in charge of brother Juan Abanto.

Churches are starting to gather together and as part of that, some of our students are doing some evangelistic work as well as some preaching and teaching in their local congregations while some others are still attending church meetings through zoom or Facebook.

As you all know we have been facing difficult times here the good news is that nowadays most of the adults and young people are already vaccinated which makes people more receptive to get involved in activities for that reason we have decided to return to our face to face class starting in January. We have great expectations for next year. We will have a couple of meetings this Saturday and the next one to talk about the school, the students, new prospects, and the goals for next year. We will inform you about the plans for next year.

Keep us in your prayers

Student activities in Zimbabwe

SEPTEMBER 2021 NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This commission remains alive at BVBIZ as all efforts are geared towards equipping faithful men and women for this cause. In the month of September, BVBIZ continued to advance this agenda in a variety ways. These are covered below;

1.0 TERM BEGINS

A new term began on the 13th of September. All students came back from the short break that they had. This term marks the second year for this intake. The following subjects are going to be taught this term

Sign Language

Church History

Computer Studies

Marriage and Family Life

Community Development and Poverty Alleviation

Church Leadership

Homiletics II (Advanced Homiletics)

1, 2,3 John

Christian Spiritual Formation

Research Methods

Greek 1

Following the purchase of some laptops and desktops for students in August, computer studies commenced in September. Great appreciation to one of our board members, Hailey Mhlangeni for working flat out so that this subject becomes a reality. He blessed the school with Nathan Kuchena, the Technician at Amazon in Filabusi to take students through part of the subject for a whole week.

2.0 GRADUATION AND OFFICIAL OPENING UPDATE

BVBIZ’s 2018 class shall be graduating on the 16th of October. This class was supposed to graduate last year in October but the Covid pandemic derailed all plans. This class will be joined in their pass out by the students who were in the school’s parallel program (part time). These had reached their 4th year of study.

The festivities shall commence with a brief Annual General Meeting at 9am and then followed by an official opening of the site and finally the graduation ceremony.

3.0 FIELD PROGRAM STATISTICS

The field program has come and gone. Students worked under difficult conditions induced by the covid pandemic. A lot of creativity was demanded from the students in the various areas that they were posted to. Great appreciation goes to the various congregation that accommodated, transported and fed our students. Great appreciation also goes to Nashville church of Christ for chipping in with foodstuffs and toiletries for the students who were at  Plasworth and Lot 64.

3.1 What they said

Whilst we greatly appreciate the sacrifices made by the hosting congregations in feeding, some meeting transport costs and providing accommodation, a lot of feedback came to the school. In this report we include only three;

Much thanks to the school for the job well done through what we witnessed in the students who were attached at the Mashava congregation. They are well equipped for the work and we appreciate. We will be happy to have them again (by Isheanesu Masvaya, the preacher at Mashava).

Marenga church of Christ would like to thank you for the services provided by the two student preachers, Thomas Musongora and Carlos Chandipa. They did evangelism, baptized and even moulded bricks for the church building. We liked their stay and also hope that they learnt and enjoyed (from Wellington Makumbe Matsveru, a deacon at Marenga).

We are deeply grateful and indebted for the sterling work done by the student preachers during their 40 day attachment. They achieved so much and made impact within this short period (From Tawanda Chimedza, the preacher at Chiware church of Christ).

4.0 APRRECIATION TO A WORTHY SERVANT

Since May 2020 when the school moved from its rented facility to the permanent site, there is one man, a 2018 student, among others, who worked hard for BVBIZ. He moved to the site even when some basic amenities were not there. His vision was to be a preacher cum farmer. We allowed him to stay as long as he wished till his desire to enrol in an agricultural college is fulfilled.  He became the man on ground since there are no houses to accommodate the teachers. Everything that needed to be done, he was a call away. His was a sacrifice for what he believes and  for the school he loves. When the Plasworth congregation began at the school site, he became its minister. He was not being paid for his services. It was for God.  Furthermore, he ran the schools poultry project since its inception last year to the present together with general maintenance of the site. In this report, we give him tribute. His name is Gray Ndoro. He left for Rio Tinto Agricultural College on the 19th of September whilst the school and church made a farewell ceremony for him on the 18th. BVBIZ wishes him well.

5.0 PROJECTS

BVBIZ continues to advance itself in projects. The intention being to gradually resource the school and at the same time empower and inculcate life survival skills in students.

5.1 POULTRY

Currently, there are three batches of broilers in the school.  Two students are allocated a batch to work with.  This is done on a rotational bases. This method is intended to inculcate life survival skills within them. Together with other life  survival skills being made, each student will, therefore, graduate with hands on experience in many areas.

5.2 LAND PREPARATION FOR PLANTING SEASON

Preparation for this coming planting season is underway. Almost a hectare of land at the school’s site was worked on. Disking will be  done soon. This is was a virgin area full of rocks and trees. This brings the total tilled land to two and half hectares. The hope is to plant maize, beans, sweet potatoes and a bit of sunflower. Great appreciation to brother Donnie Estep for providing the funds to work on this virgin land.

6.0 LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

One of BVBIZ’s greatest strengths is leadership training and development. The school welcomes congregations who wish to benefit from this. Kadoma congregation took the step and came for a training workshop on the 17th of September. Several topics that impact on the leader and leadership were covered in the workshop.

CONCLUSION

BVBIZ remains grateful to our partners far and wide for their unwavering support. With this support, students continue to be trained and souls won to Christ whilst efforts continue to be put in to keep the saved saved.  The next report you shall be reading from us shall be focusing on the graduation, AGM and official opening ceremonies that shall take place on the 16th of October 2021. To God be the glory.

New students in India

Reporting Letter for the month of September-2021

Respected International Director of Bible Studies Mr. Keith Kasarjian and our Coordinator Mr. Mark Reynolds and all the prayer partners we extend our greetings to you in the most holy and precious name of Jesus Christ. We pray that this reporting letter finds you good health.

Students Field work:- In the month of September our students were in the field for the practical work learning. India church leaders just admire the BVBI system in sending the students  from the  class room learning into the filed work learning for every two months (each semester). For the sake of field work we have connected the students with different local preachers in different places for their out door field work , we instructed the students to submit their filed reports when they come back to the college.

New Souls:- We are happy to report you that from January to September 38 souls were baptized, in the month of September 9 souls were baptized . The old student Mr. Ramanapadal has reported that he has baptized one soul , he lives in hills side and working among the tribal people, the other  student Mr.Kranthikumar has converted two souls. we request you to pray for the new souls that they may grow in the image of His son Jesus Christ

Bible Camp for the Blind People:- In the month of September 18th  we have conducted a special camp for the visually challenged people.  By the grace of God we have provided 50 audio bible to 50 visually challenged people. Two blind people were baptized and added to the body of Christ.

Teachers day:- We are happy to report you that KGBV Girls school has invited us for the teachers day on September  5th . We have encouraged them to train up the children and cultivate  school children with quality of character . We have distributed small gifts to the school staff and encouraged them.

Preachers meetings:- In the Month of September 25th we have conducted local preachers leadership class. We encouraged them to reach unreached souls and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Vidyanagar Church has provided afternoon lunch to all the preachers.

Visiting Prakasam District:- We have travelled about 900 K.M and visited other district on September 13th,  one of the local preacher  has invited  for his son’s marriage. I was given opportunity to lead the wedding event, our students could able to lead few songs, on the way we have visited Kavali and preached in their thanks giving meeting.

Newly planted local church :- we have conducted five days back to the bible classes in the village called Poolathotamitta, this is the native place of my wife Swarupa.  In this village we have planted local church, each Sunday 30 to 35 people are gathering for the worship service.

Women Bible Seminar:-  We  are praying and planning for organizing Christian Growth Bible Seminar for Women on 15th and 16th of this month . We have invited 12 sisters who are preachers wives for this seminar to preach the word of God. We have selected The Theme from Galatians 5:22 “Fruit of the Spirit”. We are thankful to Dr. Damon Vincent for his encouragement and generosity to provide the material freely. We expect 150 ladies for this two days Bible Seminar. We request you to pray for the seminar.

Second semester for the second Batch students:- We have began our second semester for this second batch students. We have prepared every things for the smooth and success of the their class room work.

A.G.Gardens:- We have established Agricultural Gardens at BVBI, Poolathota-Village, KGBV-School. One more will be under construction at D.V.Sathram.

Covid-19 situation :- The Covid-19 problem is still hunting the Indian people, there are  few children in the KGBV-school have been infected , many more people have been infected in our city. We request you to pray for our students, teaching faculty, non-teaching faculty and members of our local church.

We are thankful to our International director and coordinator for their dedication  for the establishment of BVBI-extension centre in India. We praise God for the great opportunity given to us to serve for the cultivation of young people India for purpose of   great commission of Jesus Christ. We express our gratitude and sincerely thankful for all their efforts and encouragement.

Thanking you.

Yours brother and sister in Christ.

Vijay&Swarupa, Behalf of BVB-extension Centre , Tirupati-India

Alumni doing well in Zambia

Introduction

We send greetings to you brothers and sisters in the lord, we wish you God’s blessing as you labor in His vineyard. We are as delighted as we send this report for the activities in the month of September.

As the students continue learning from the courses that given to them at Bear Valley Bible Institute- Zambia, we can see the evidence of their spiritual growth. The fourth quarter’s courses include the one on “Personal Evangelism 2” which is being taught by Cephas Mwamba. In the first quarter they were taught “Personal evangelism 1” which had an emphasis on how to conduct a Bible study one on one. This quarter the emphasis is placed on church planting. Hence, courses like these become vitally important because they will eventually help them in their life of preaching once they graduate.

I.        Major Activities

A.      Evangelism

i. The students have continued with their personal evangelism practical. They have paired themselves to do door knocking and reach out to people on the street and the surrounding communities. These practical are only done during the weekends because during the weekdays they are busy with studies and other school assignments.

ii.       Bible studies

We are very happy to report that that each pair of these students have managed to set up some Bible studies with some people they have preached to.

Boyd Kalaba and Daniel Kapata, students of BVBI-Zambia have continued conducting Bible studies on Thursday afternoons at one of the members of the church near the campus.

B.      Baptisms

i. We have recorded twenty-one (21) baptisms in the month of October and one (01) congregation established. We are working extra hard to establish another new congregation next month in Masaiti district on the Copperbelt province.

C.      Restorations

i.  We have also recorded seventeen (17) restorations, six on the Copperbelt Churches of Christ, three in the Luapula province, and four in Lusaka’s Mtendere where Simon Nkhazi our former student is currently preaching. We have also recorded two in Kabwe Central province.

II.  Statement on covid-19 in Zambia

i.  We have a very encouraging report on covid-19 status by the Africa center for Disease control and prevention. Their report implies that Zambia is experiencing low covid-19 transmission. Encouragingly, Zambia has also been removed from high risk status by some countries and we are confident that soon others will follow suit.

ii.  Following the reduced transmission of covid-19 in Zambia, government has decided to lift the restrictions for the next one month which started on 2nd October 2021.

iii. With the situation above, we will continue to do more evangelism whenever we have opportunity. We will always adhere to the prescribed covid-19 public health measures.

III.   Goals for the upcoming month

As we knock the doors, preach on the streets and reach out in our communities our goal is to reach out to as many people as possible. We believe that the “world” Jesus Christ was talking about starts next door. We have planned to go for a four days gospel campaign trip at Chibwe Church of Christ. This place is about 18 km (11 miles) from Luanshya town. We have also received invitation to go the Northern Province and North-western province where brother Cephas Mwamba recently visited in the village to lay the foundation for our preaching. We have continued to have quarterly leadership meetings at BVBI- Zambia in Luanshya district to coordinate the work

IV.   Reports from our alumni

We continue to receive very impressive reports from all our former students.

A.  Clive Kabika (2017 graduate) reports that he is working with Mwanshi church of Christ in Kabwe district of Central Province of Zambia.  He regularly preaches on Sundays and also teaches adult Bible studies on Wednesdays and Sundays. He also features on Kabwe FM radio with a religious program every week. This radio station covers most of the areas in Kabwe district and some of the areas of Chibombo and Kapiri Mposhi districts of Central Province of Zambia.

12 people have so been baptized and two souls have been restored back to the Lord because of the efforts that this brother doing. And numerous people have been accorded an opportunity to hear the gospel and respond to it.

B.   Hornbye Mupengu (2019) working hand in hand with our Institute here in Zambia, he is being helped to establish a new congregation in Masaiti district of the Copperbelt Province. His native home happens to be Ndola district but he spends most of his time at the farm in Masaiti district. He has reached out to other farmers in the area with the gospel. Together with his dad, Hornbye Mupengu senior, they regularly conduct Bible studies and church services at their farm. They have planned to have an evangelistic campaign on October 31st, 2021 around Masaiti district. Hornbye’s efforts and that of his father have really made tremendous impact in Masaiti.

We have no doubt that Hornbye, Clive and other former students are men who are dedicated to preaching and teaching others how to live the word.

Our hearts are truly and forever indebted to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for financial support and indeed to everyone supporting this good work in any way. You are always in our prayers!

Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred

Many activities in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus.

Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the hope and the spirit of the saints. Below is the summary of our activities in the Lord in this month of September 2021.

OVERVIEW

i- First Semester Classes and Instructors

ii- Weekend Evangelism

iii- World Bible School Follow Up Team

iv- Next preaching Trip

v- Covid help from World Evangelism Team

FIRST SEMESTER CLASSES AND INSTRUCTORS

This session began on August 16 ,2021 and will come to an end Lord's willing on November 15 followed by a month Vocational Training for our year-1-students while the year-2-students will embark on preaching trip within and outside the Western States of Nigeria.

Bro. Isaac Olaniyan is handling Life of Christ-1(Matthew), 1,2 & 3 John and Church Problems; Bro. Kayode Eniafe is incharge of Scheme of Redemption, OT & NT Survey and OT History; Bro. Andrew Adeolu is handling Godhead and The Pentateauch; Bro. John Makinde is handling Research and Writing-1 and NT Church-1; Bro. Silas Guda Mazi is handling Denominational Doctrines and OT Wisdom-1(Job & Ecclesiastes) while I (Bro.Makinde Ebens)is incharge of Evangelism-1(Personal Evangelism), Prison Epistles and Systematic Theology.

WEEKEND EVANGELISM

As scheduled, the year-1 Students and staff of the BVBIN & SWSE IBADAN embarked on what they love most, that is, weekend outreach in all the Saturdays and Sundays in the month of September. We were divided into five groups while our year-2 Students now attached with some young congregations within the Western States of Nigeria.

WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL FOLLOW UP TEAM

Our WBSFUW team continue in reaching more souls with the gospel of Christ through the WBS Correspondence Courses.

Bro. Kayode Eniafe and Bro.Dele Shotola visited four Schools in Osun State (Community High School, Ayepe; Orile-Owu Grammar School; Field Street and Smammah Comprehensive College, Apomu) and 114 enrollment was recorded.

Bro. Matthew Rowland visited two High School in Akure,Ondo State ( Fiwasoye Grammar School and Oba-Ile Junior High School) and 555 Introduction collected out of 600 distributed in the first week of September. And Bro. Akilapa Samuel enrolled 155 people for WBS Correspondence program in the city of Ondo in Ondo State.

All these were part of the parcel posted this month to World Bible School Tulare County, California under the directorship of Bro. Joel Coppinger.

NEXT PREACHING TRIP

Lord's willing, the Instructors of BVBIN-Schools in the Western States of Nigeria (Ibadan, Lagos and Ondo State) will be re-visiting the young congregation in Aramoko-Ekiti ,Ekiti State from October 19-24,2021.

The BVBIN & SWSE IBADAN will be represented by myself (Bro.Makinde) Bro.Kayode Eniafe and Seven of our year-2-Students. And on October 23, I will be visiting the Church of Christ in Oro, Kwara State with Bro.Kayode Eniafe to encourage the Church planted there by our foundation chairman (Bro.David Akinola) during his active service in Kwara State. One of our graduates (Bro.Akindele Joseph)is now ministering in Oro congregation.

COVID HELP FROM WORLD EVANGELISM TEAM

The one time Covid help from World Evangelism % Sister Betty Choate and associate will be shared with twelve brethren from ten congregations in Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun and Lagos States and for feeding over fifty children of the less privileged people in our South West Kiddies Academy located in Butubutu village, Ibadan from September through December 2021.

We deeply appreciate the kind-gesture extended by the World Evangelism Team,USA to those who are badly affected by this global pandemic. May the Lord of blessing continue to bless all you do for His name is our fervent prayers. Amen.

ABOUT ONE OF OUR STUDENTS

Bro. Daniel Salvation hail from Ogbe, Edo State, Nigeria. Born in the year 1996 to the family of Bro. and Sister Daniel Ayomide Goodness. His father is from Ogbe, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State and mother from Otuo in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State. He was added to the Lord's Church in January 2010 through the effort of Bro. Paul Ajeh (Minister of Church of Christ, Ogbe).

At the age of ten, he had his First School Leaving Certificate from Orukpa Primary School in Ogbe in the year 2006. He began his secondary school education in 2007 at age eleven. Due to the death of his grandparents In 2006,his family relocated to Igarra (a town in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State) where he started school at Universal Group of Schools. In 2009 his father took him to another school (Saint Paul's Anglican Grammar School also in Igarra town) where he obtained West African Examination Council (WAEC) results in the year 2012. During this time, he worshipped with Idiba Church of Christ Igarra. He was admitted into BVBIN & SWSE IBADAN in year 2020. His greatest desire in life is to serve God and win souls for His kingdom after his tertiary education.

CONCLUSION

We deeply appreciate you all for your moral and financial supports toward the growth of the Lord's Church in Africa most especially in Nigeria. May the great God keep on blessings all you do for His name is our fervent prayers.

I remain your fellow servant of God,

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi

For & On behalf of the BVBIN & SWSE IBADAN

Meeting the challenge in Lagos, Nigeria

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE

AGEGE WEEK-END SCHOOL

LAGOS NIGERIA

QUARTERLY REPORT

PREAMBLE:

To God Almighty be all the glory for the successful completion of the activities of the third quarter of July to September 2021. We are very indebted to the Almighty God, and very thankful to you in the United States of America for your prayers, financial and moral support that had brought about the success recorded by the Agege Weekend School during the quarter under review. May God Almighty continue to bless you abundantly, in Jesus name.

CLASS ACTIVITIES:

The class activities progressed smoothly and as planned during the quarter, not minding the political instability experienced in Nigeria in resent time. The quarter started with the book of Hebrews taught by Mfon Etim in the month of June 2021.The class activities continued in the month of August, with Growing a local church which was taught by Samuel Oladokun. This was followed by Minor Prophets, which was also taught by Okoro Chinyere.

ADMISSION:

The door of the school is always open for new enrolment. During the third quarter of the year, 2021, the school at Agege admitted three new students in the persons of John Elijah, Gabriel Innocent and Victor Samuel David.

CAMPAIGN/EVANGELISM:

During the quarter, the Agege Weekend School organized campaign/evangelism outing within the Agege environment. The campaign was a combination of both open air and door-to –door methods. As a result, two souls (one is now a student- Gabriel Innocent) were added to the Lord’s Church.

STUDENT PROFILE:

May we present at this point our dear brother in the Lord, Nwoyi Azubuike. Brother Azubuike hails from Ebonyi State, Nigeria. He is single. He is currently worshipping with the Church of Christ, Ojodu. He recently completed the programme for diploma, and is currently studying for the advanced diploma here at the Bear Valley Bible Institute, Agege Weekend School, Lagos.

CONCLUSION:

We sincerely appreciate the efforts of Steven Ashcraft, Keith Kasarjian, the management of Bear Valley Bible Institute, the supporting congregations, members of staff of the school, and any other individual or group who contribute in sustaining this noble and divine work. We thank the Almighty God through whom all blessings flow. May He continue to endow you with more recourses and knowledge. On our part, we promise to continuously put concerted efforts in making sure that the good work is sustained, by the grace of God.

Emmanuel Chukwuka Odo; Bearvalley Bible Institude, Agege, Lagos, Nigeria

Evangelism in Liberia

It cannot be over emphasized how grateful we are to you all continually for your partnership with us in this great soul saving work given to all of us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-20). Many thanks and appreciation for all your Prayers and supports that is keeping us going here in Liberia.

GOSPEL CAMPAIGNS IN THE MONTH OF JULY AND AUGUST

CAMPAIGNS:

I am always happy to announce the wonderful work that is being done by the students and staffs when it comes to Campaigns evangelism. Their zeal for gospel campaigns continued to sent out the good news and make the Lord's church known in the community and beyond. In the month of July and August, the middle of the rainy season where our roads in Liberia are very terrible and movements becomes difficulty, we still carried out two very successful campaigns supported by brother Steven Aschaft in the Beatuo and Ganaglay areas in Nimba county, were we had through the special grace of God the total of twenty nine (29) person accepting the gospel of Christ through water baptism. This campaign also resulted in the restoring of a falling congregation, brought back backsliding members and planted the gospel seed in the hearts of many people who never knew the truth in Beatuo Town.

We are happy to announced to you that another new congregation was started in Ganaglay Town through the help of an old member of the church who badly wanted the church in his home town. We spent four days on house to house evangelism and public preaching there and 19 persons responded to the gospel called in Ganaglay beginning and new congregation there. We had a great worship in both towns with an amazing attendence from the community. We are sincerely thankful to Brother Steven and to everyone who continue to supports our campaigns efforts with every dollar you continued to sacrifice. May our God bless you with refund.

WEEKEND EVANGELISM AND PREACHING ASSIGNMENTS

We are never giving up on our weekend campaigns in Ganta and other villages where we have new congregations established. Our students continued to engaged the communities in every weekends in house to house evangelism and preaching for practical, since it has been made a requirement from the school to enable our students practice personal evangelism and working with local congregations for their future as trained gospel preachers. Meanwhile, to be able to accomplish these weekly task in the face of very serious rain falls and terrible road conditions in our country, provisions are made to sent out the students to their practical preaching points on Saturday morning so that there won't be any problem getting there on Sunday. We came up with this decision because they might have breakdown in the mud if leaving on Sunday morning to their assigned areas and this has been working very well for the passed two months, because when they get there on Saturday, they can used the evening hours to visit members and and people who are back from their farms encouraging them for church service the following day.

In these two months (July and August), their works in those different locations has tremendously help the work in Liberia especially in Nimba County. Sixteen (16) baptism was recorded from nine (9) congregations visited by our students and many falling brethren restored. This effort is not only making the church known or have great impart on prospects they come across, but helping the individual students with great experiences on field work and what to expect in the future of their own ministry. Please keep them in your daily prayers as the make these all important weekly trips on our very bad roads.

OUR DECISIONS TO DO MORE GOSPEL CAMPAIGNS

For the year 2021 we have planed to carried out ten additional campaigns with our four regular campaigns that is supported by the Bear Valley Bible institute, making them foueteen (14) campaigns in all. We (the students and staffs) have agreed to cut down our quarterly break from two weeks to one week so that we can use the one week for campaigns. This will help us do about fourteen campaigns a year. And not just that, it will help our students with all the practical experiences they will need in the future work for the Lord. But this can not be accomplished without your prayers financial help. Please help us rescue the perishing in this part of the word. If you cannot go, you can support us to go. It cost $500 to $600 to effect one successful gospel campaign. Anyone willing to help can kindly contact brother Steven Ashcraft on his Email- (samtnhome@yahoo.com). He is the regional coordinator for the Bear Valley Schools in West Africa. Thank you so much in advance for being part of this soul saving mission. May God richly bless you.

FIRE INCIDENT AT THE SCHOOL

On August 23, 2021, we experienced a very unfortunate situation at the school whiles classed was on going. One of the students room caught fire while we were in class and cause a lot of damage to the school and the students in that room belongings. The four beds, mattresses, flood mat in that room and lots of the students personal things got destroyed in the fire. If it was not by the special grace of God who took one of the student outside to use the bathroom and saw the smoke from the dormitory and shorted fire, then by this time, we would be in serious problem with the Landlord. The good thing is that the fire did not touch the zinc.

Meanwhile, we called on the electricity people and the came and found out that it was a short circuit caused by an extension coil left plug in the socket. We thank God this did not happen in the night.

PROFILE OF A STUDENT: Student Thomas B. Jimmy

I am very happy to introduced to you now, Brother Thomas B. Jimmy, once a denominational preacher who became a member of the Lord's church through the Radio preaching Program. Thomas followed the teaching on the radio for about two years and accepted the teachings of the one true church and started telling his denomination ( Spiritual Life Soul Stirring Ministry) about what he has heard and the need for them to change to the truth. Brother Jimmy was able to convinced most of his leaders to finally accept the truth and decided to turn the church to the church of Christ. Before the church got changed to the Lord's church, we were invited to teach their denomination for three days and by God's grace, 43 of them believed and got baptized into Christ including brother Thomas Jimmy who was the preacher, resulting in the change from Spiritual Life Soul Stirring Ministry to the Church of Christ!

Brother Thomas, so passionate to know and learn more about the Lord Church decided to leave his secular profession as a classroom teacher and and other benefits to attend the Bear Valley Bible Institute-Liberia. During the interview after the school's entrance examination, he said having suddenly come to Christ with his denominational congregation, they will be expecting more from him in terms of teaching the truth that he has made them come to. Therefore, to be able to do so, he wants to attend the Bible school(BVBI-L) so as to be prepared to teach and preach the truth of the one true church.

Brother Jimmy is married and he and his wife has four children. He was born and raised in unification town, lower Margibi county Liberia. The wife alone has to now take care of the children whiles he come to school. Your prayers, encouragement and support is seriously needed to keep this brother's family up to enable him focus on his Biblical education.

CONCLUSION:

We thank you so much for your continued supports for the work here in Liberia. We won't have gotten to where are if you have not partner with us in this great work of our Lord. Thank you so much very much. God bless you.

Your brother and co-worker in the Lord

Robert P. Dahn, Jr.

Lectureship in Tamale

OPERATING REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST, 2021

Greetings to all in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We pray the Grace and Mercies of Elohim that kept us through the month of August continue to be upon you all in Jesus’ name, Amen. The month of August has been a busy month for us in the Bear Valley Bible Institute, Tamale campus. It was a full academic month for us as our students were in school through into the month of September, 2021.

COORDINATOR

As part of his activities, apart from teaching and preaching for the Lord’s church and many other duties, he also oversees the smooth running of Bear Valley Schools across Ghana. Brother Kojo Acquah Beenyi, our Coordinator took time out of his busy schedules to visit us in Tamale in the tail end of July into August to help us put things in order. His presence was very inspiring to us, the staff and the students as well. He also came along with some edible trees to plant in the compound. We foresee that, some years to come, our compound will be filled with productive trees and flowers all over. The Lord Bless Him Greatly.

TEACHINGS / LECTURESHIP

The first course to be taught in the month of August was the Book of Acts, which was done by brother James Legend. This course was treated from the 2nd to the 6th of August, 2021. Brother Daniel Adjei came in to teach the Prisons Epistles from the 9th to the 14th of August, 2021. A visiting lecturer was supposed to handle the Book of James After the Prison Epistles, but due to some challenges, he couldn’t make it. This calls for the need for a resident instructor to come in. Brother James Legend, who was the immediate lecturer available, took it up and taught the Book of James. Brother James Continued after the Book of James, to teach Research Work. In all, four (4) causes were taught in the month of August.

EVANGELISM UPDATE

The South Kpalsi Church of Christ (The local Congregation in the School) is planning to organize a four days public preaching and door to door evangelistic campaign to support our consistent studies which we have been having within the community and its environs. We are leasing with the West Congregation and possibly with some of the congregations in town to join in this public preaching and door to door evangelism we intend to host.

Updates on the Denugu Congregation that was restored in the Upper East Region is very encouraging.  There are more baptisms which has brought a great numerical growth of the church. We pray and hope they grow spiritually as well.

SCHOOL LAND DOCUMENTS

The documentation work for the site which the school is built on has fully been done. We went for the completed documents this month which brought finality to the challenges we have been having since the purchase of the land. We give the glory to God for taking us through this difficult process successfully.

PERSONALITY PROFILE

We settled on one of our preachers who completed our sister school in Accra, but is working in the North. He happens to be one of the persons who benefitted from the motor Bicycles that were purchased to aid two preachers in the North. He is in the person of Francis Mbugri.

Francis Mbugri is 38 years old, from an idols family but grew to become a preacher of the Lord’s Church today. He was born at Poyamire in the Upper East Region, under the Binduri District.

He attended the Bazua R/C Primary school from the year 1994-2000. While in primary school, at the age of 16, the Gospel was preached to him by brother Jacob Arok, who was then preaching for the Poyamire congregation where Francis was born. He accepted the Gospel and got baptized into the church. He continued his Junior High School in the same school from the year 2000 to 2004. As it was the custom in Northern Ghana, they never saw the importance of education until now. Francis had to stop his education after the Junior High to help his father with his farming work.  He resurrected his educational journey when he managed to relocate himself to the city (Bolgatanga town) to live with his uncle. He went back to school in 2007 at Bolga senior High School. He completed his senior high school in 2009. Due to financial constraints, he had to drop out from school entirely. He returned back to Poyamire, and was worshipping with the congregation. Brother Jacob who had baptized him, in 2014 inspired him to get enrolled into the Bible School in Accra (SIBS). Francis went through the two years Diploma Course and graduated in the year 2016.

Francis came back to the North and got married to Steller Abaga in 2020. They currently have one daughter to the glory of God. He is currently the Preacher for the Poyamire congregation which has a membership of about 70 in number. Praise God.

These are the majority of the vital things that took place in the month of August, 2021.

God Bless us,

Bear Valley, Tamale

Great improvement in Sierra Leone

ACTIVITY OPERATION REPORT FOR AUGUST, 2021

To God be the glory that our infinite and merciful God has granted us another opportunity to meet again in proxy. Though we stay far away from one another, yet we are closer in the Spirit. This is another opportunity for us to share with you the report of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Sierra Leone for the past month of August, 2021. The month of August was a fruitful one for us. The school’s academic activities continued without any hindrance; some souls were being converted to the Lord’s church; Agriculture was as well embarked upon, and other exciting activities occurred as well. May you read with us through as we share the report based on the following subheadings:  

WEEKEND EVANGELISM AND CONVERSIONS

We have always informed you that we usually go out for evangelism (both staff and students) during weekends. And for the month of August, the Lord opened the hearts of six people and were baptized for the remission of their sins. Please may we pray for their spiritual growth.

AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

KBVBI has created the Agricultural program in order to help her students learn some good farming skills so that even after their graduation, they would be able to put the skills into practice and produce certain foods for their consumption. Moreover, those who can produce a large quantity can sell and use it as a means of livelihood. Thus, in the month of August, we began to clear our farm land (basically on our school land) to be able to plant cassava. Some staff and the students were actively involved in the work.

STUDENT’S AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Steven Sahr Ansumana

Steven is one of our newly admitted students who was born in Kono, Kono District in 2000. He was baptized into the Lord’s body in 2016. Brother Steve is a committed student who is so much desirous to preach the Gospel. Before coming to Bear Valley, he had been leading songs and sometimes teaching teenagers in his congregation in Kono.

CONCLUSION

On the whole, we continue to be grateful to God, our sponsors and all of you who are praying for us. Please continue to remember the work of God in Sierra Leone in your prayers. We look forward to sharing with you again our anticipated September report. 

Salvation for many in Guinea

Gueckedou BVBI Activity Operations Report for August 2021

Precious greetings to you all, our supporters and those of you who always wish us well at the Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute in Gueckedou. As part of our responsibility, we have come again to report the events and or activities that transpired during the last month, August 2021 which were comparatively few, but especially successful in terms of soul winning.

Classroom: In addition to the permanent staff courses such as Hermeneutics II by Antione Fassa Tolno, short course instructors, Mr. Nestor Tonguino and Emmanuel Kamano also completed their lessons on “Marriage and Family Life and the Major Prophets of Isiah and Jeremiah respectively. These courses were started in the previous month, but assignments and other requirements could not be completed until August.  The final results of all these were good as all 14 students came up successfully.

Evangelism: Except that hearts are hardened by the enemy who most often than not “taketh away the word …lest they should believe and be saved”, evangelism – gospel proclamation is our business. In many of the areas where our students are stationed for weekend gospel work, preaching by different methods is being done and with some fruitful results. The month of August registered a total of 8 baptisms 3 of which were in the village of Fassaba.

Repair of Old Vehicle: While it is true that the first mission vehicle was worn off and that we had ask for a replacement and the request honored by a few benevolent hands as detailed in our previous report, we had not still completely given up with the old vehicle. It was at “such a time as this” when some ‘’special needs” were granted so that the request to at least once more repair the old vehicle was honored. Through our Coordinator, Mr. Ashcraft the minimum needed funds to upgrade it were provided and the repairs effected so that it is now available to satisfy certain rough road missions and transport of fire wood for the Institute’s kitchen.

Conclusion: We are truly thankful to God and grateful to you all for the tireless spiritual and material support which has kept the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute going. God is to be glorified for the men being trained and for the regular conversions here at Gueckedou and around.

Thanks

More souls saved in Cameroon

The joy of the Lord is upon His own. We bring greetings from Mbanga Balong. It's another back to school season and all the kids are busy going to school. Among those who took part in the public examinations this past year from the local assembly in Mbanga, all had a successful result. We want to really thank God on their behalf as they have done well. We took a moment to give thanks in the assembly.

Our work in the BVBIC-Mbanga and in the church is going on well. We want to use this media to appreciate all those who are in the support team for their marvelous contribution both spiritual and physical.

Time is flying and our students are growing. After a first class in homiletics, the presentations of students changed immediately. We could experience a new way and a more mature presentation from a good number of our students who are serious in their studies.

Growth is our goal. We have to attend maturity. We believe before the end of this batch, we are going to be proud of these men who will be ablet to preach the gospel. We expect to have men who are going to be serious in evangelism and men that God is going to use to add more souls into his kingdom. We give all glories back to God.

Weekend evangelism is in going very well and for the past 3 weeks we have been doing evangelism in another dimension. We now get into strategic places with the aid of a mobile speaker. One of our graduates brought his own while we were preparing for mission work to establish a new assembly in the locality of Bafia. 

Evangelism is our mission and our mission is evangelism. It was a good strategy that was implemented in Mbanga by brother Nanfack Pierre as he was here to teach the sisters and also to accompany our team to Bafia for a new mission ground. With this method, we could speak from our end and many people could listen from their very position and choose to come nearer if they really interested. It was a kind of public preaching without having organized a lectureship. We are bend on evangelizing the town of Mbanga. God, please help us. It's high time we invent modern ways of preaching. If Mbanga Balong could have a community radio program, it could be a great use in filling a need, by using all dimensions of preaching available in this modern world to reach lost souls. 

Our short courses went great with minister Simon Parfait from the Ngousso assembly in Yaounde taking the preaching students and minister Nanfack Pierre, one of our graduates from last batch, taking the women’s class.

It was really great to have these great men of God in our midst. A week of studies was excellent, and it was a blessing for them to be a part of our team in the BVBIC-Mbanga.  After this short course, it was time for mission work. Our students travel into 11 different areas.

They were ready to go and preach the gospel to other areas of duty where we have heard the Macedonian call. They went with beautiful smile on their faces as “we think souls” and accept the commission to " go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." We are still waiting for the s which will come in the next two or three weeks. God is showing the way.

Our graduates are also doing great work in the field but most of them are still having difficulty with a place of worship and also other difficulties in being able to maximize the work. The new assembly for example, that started some months ago in Koumra in Chad, is having difficulty to have a place for worship so far and thus are worshipping only where they can.

Even to get a place for baptism is really difficult and it is expensive to get there even with a bike as only bikes can easily go there. Also, the work is richly growing both in Chad and in French Cameroon. A new assembly at Balgong is also in need of a place of worship, in the hinterland, in Yaounde, and also in Banjock. We have been helping them to pay rent but most of the time we have been disturb by some landlords and neighbors. 

Upcoming events:

The congregation in Mbanga will be hosting the Francophone Zonal Sister’s Seminar, that will take place in the month of October. This seminar will help the wives of the student preachers that are in the school presently.

The annual seminar for the churches of Christ in Cameroon will take place in the month of November in Limbe South West Region of Cameroon.

Our evangelism campaign in the Moungo Zone also is at hand as well as the Western Region Lectureship this October. The students are requested to be a part of these activities.

Remain bless as we pray for the work in French Cameroon and French Africa in general. 

Yours faithful: the servant Ititi Benedict

More conversions in Lesotho

JUNE-AUGUST REPORT (Maseru, Lesotho)

Greetings brothers and sisters in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We would like to thank God for His love and mercies He continuously showers upon us. We are jubilant to report the following:

The School is still in the right direction of training competent and doctrinally sound preachers. We currently have 14 students who are dedicated to learn and spread the gospel. Despite the economic challenges the country is experiencing, these men and women commit themselves to study His Word and spreading the gospel. Out of their initiatives, the students are evangelising in Maputsoe about 100 km from Maseru and HaMmamathe approximately 55km from Maseru.

Maputsoe is the second largest town after Maseru, which used to have a congregation in the early 80s. BVBIL students are doing their best to evangelise the area with the hope of restoring the church in that town. Evangelism in HaMmamathe was fruitful, 4 people were baptised and as a result, a congregation was established. Some brothers are helping this new congregation with ministering every Sunday. The school long term plan is to establish a congregation in every town of Lesotho. Out of ten towns in this kingdom, only three towns have a single congregation each. Of all the eleven congregations in the entire kingdom, seven of them are in Maseru. Therefore, the school’s mission of training preachers is to equip them with Bible knowledge so that they can be labourers in the vineyard.

In June the students were equipped with Bible knowledge from First Corinthians which was taught by Tawanda. In July and August, Tawanda taught Life of Christ and First and Second Peter respectively. As of now, the students have covered more than half of their syllabus. Keep praying for the school, economic and political stability of Lesotho as polls will be cast next year. 

The school would like to thank you for the monthly financial support we get. This money helps to cater for administrative and evangelism purposes.

In His arms,

Tawanda

A new school in Nigeria

BVBI, NIGERIA-WARRI

MAIDEN REPORT, APRIL TO AUGUST, 2021

*OPENING*

All glory be given to our father the Almighty for His overwhelming grace and mercy. We also express our profound gratitude to Bear Valley Bible Institute International for the opportunity granted us to have a center in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.

*COMMENCEMENT*

Our center commenced academic work in April 2021 with thirty (30) students. The venue for our lectures is the meeting place of the church at DSC Express Road, while the work is locally overseen by the Eldership of the Church at 6 Okoh Street, Iyara, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.

*ABOUT OUR STUDENTS*

Our students are mostly preachers of local congregations who prior to this time, had no formal bible school training. It is therefore a thing of great joy and indeed a great privilege to them that they are taught the way of the Lord more accurately.

*ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES*

The following courses have been taken within the period of this report:

April, 2021 - Bible Origin

May, 2021 - Writing, Language and Research

June, 2021 - Old Testament Survey 1

July, 2021 - Christian Evidences

August, 2021 - Public Speaking

September, 2021 - Biblical Interpretation

*MATRICULATION CEREMONY*

A very colourful matriculation ceremony was organized and held on Saturday, 22nd May, 2021. Our workaholic and very amiable director of International Studies, Keith Kasarjian honoured us with his presence at the ceremony for which we are very grateful.

*THE NEED FOR A SECOND CENTER*

Whereas we started with thirty (30) students, we currently have thirty two (32) students. It therefore becomes imperative to have a second center for effective learning. We are currently working on the modalities for the second center.

*CLOSING*

At this juncture, we say a superlative "thank you" to all the sponsors of the Bear Valley project, without you, there would have been no us. God bless you all.

Osita Daniel Onuora, LLM, ACArb

Director, BVBIN-Warri

New students in Ukraine

Good day, dear brothers, sisters, congregations and families, 

It is a great blessing to be a part of the God's plan. Only in the beginning of summer we were unsure of the future because there were no potential students for our Bible Institute program. The ones who had been promising and even applied backed off. We were considering taking some time off and looking into other ways of our Ministry. But the Lord had a different plan and in the end of August we had 4 students for the first year program. Yes, it's very difficult to search for the new recruits in Ukraine.

I wrote some time ago that the European values have a tremendous impact on our traditional culture. People are looking for more comfortable lifestyle and more material gain. And a lot of times we can't meet their expectations. However, there are still people willing to sacrifice a lot to become leaders of the God's people in Ukraine.  

So, I'd like to introduce our new students.  

Matvei (Matthew) Bogomolov is from Kramatorsk. He is 19 and he is single. He was raised in a Christian family. The men's meeting of their local congregation gave him good references. He would like to serve as a youth minister.  

Alexander Radkevich is from the city of Kyiv, 19, single. He is a very active Christian, regularly involved in different activities for the young people. He competes in speed cubing. He takes distant learning courses from the Institute of the Informational Technologies.  

Anton Sanzhura is from Kramatorsk, raised by a Christian family. He is 18. He graduated from a school specializing in cyber security. He wants to improve his knowledge of the Word and use it in the youth ministry.  

Dennis Sirotenko is from Kharkiv. He has already taken some courses with us. He has a desire to serve people with addictions. He is a veteran, served in the Ukrainian army in 2015 during Russian-Ukranian military conflict. He had been a self-taught student of the Word long before he found the Church of Christ. Currently he serves people with social problems.  

Also in the end of August we established youth group meetings on Thursdays. It's an interesting and important project of our congregation.  As of right now we have our students and the children of our Christians attending but we want to invite young people from the streets. I hope it will work and will involve our students better. 

Now we have first year students' classes in session. They have started with Homiletics I by Stanislav Kuropyatnikov. And we are looking forward to the arrival of Terry Harmon and Jim Sherman. Please pray for their safe travels.  

In the end of September, we plan on hosting a grand event for our graduates, instructors and preachers. We want to host a seminar on Growth and Foundations of the Church. About 30 graduates of different years along with their families have registered already. People were missing the fellowship and personal interactions during the long months of quarantine and we'd like to help everyone get together while we can since there are no strict restrictions at the moment.  

We deeply appreciate your prayers and your support. Some people are impressed by the level of trust in us and your generosity to us.  

May God keep you safe! 

Your brother,  Dennis Sopelnik 

Doing good in Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from this part of the globe. We are up and we are grateful for another new month. We all glory to God. We trust that you are good and things are well with you. Keep praying for us, as we pray for you also, concerning the issue of COVID which is ravaging people and making the world unstable.

Last week in Wotutu was good, as we were preparing students in BVBIC-Wotutu to go for their third mission work for the year while families were preparing their children to go back to school. Back to school, school fee time is always a big challenge for many families here because of the low income. Also, many are working on their farms and back to school time is always the time for planting (expense time) not harvesting (income time) where parents might have extra funds to be able to send their children to school. Keep the academic year 2021-2022 in your prayers that things will run smoothly until the end.

Our students were blessed to learn from one of our graduates, Minister Njume Marcelus, who was invited to come back to Wotutu to teach a short course. He taught I and II Peter and Jude to the students. It was wonderful! It was another good moment for me, as I sat in the class and watched him teach and to prepare men and their families for ministry. We are training faithful men who are also training faithful men as well. II Timothy 2:2

A week in Wotutu was refreshing to him again, as the weather in Wotutu is good as compared to the harsh (very hot) weather conditions in Kumba. It was great to have him with us and also to take a family picture with him with the sign, “WE ARE NOT ALONE AND WE SHALL NEVER BE ALONE.”

The sisters were on the other side, in the congregation’s worship building, learning from the book, “THE FAMILY GOD’S WAY.” It was also good to have them, along with one extra sister who joined the group because one of our students, Lyambe Francis, got married during the last period of field work and vacation in his hometown.

This year’s friends and family day in Wotutu was a great success. We had more than 70 friends, family members, and visitors who were a part of our worship. Soft juices and finger foods were served. Keep our dreams in your prayers and come and join us!

PLANS

Students are off from Wotutu to different locations for evangelism and nurturing. Keep them in your prayers as our roads are not the best right now.

APPRECIATIONS

Thank you very much for all you do. Thanks for all your prayers and support for this work. Because of you, we are making the progress we are making. God is watching and will bless and reward those in due season who remain faithful. Please share our report with others. Maybe someone, somewhere, will be used by God to get our dream to the light.

God bless you!

Elangwe and family,

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

The Lord is not locked down in Uganda

Brethren,

Grace to you and peace from our father and lord Jesus Christ be with you. I thank God always and making mention of you in prayers because of the love you have for the work and the commitment that is beyond imagination, travelling this world for the noble cause of winning souls. And I pray that your fellowship of your faith with us and those who are to be added to the Lord's church become more and more effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake. Amen.

The lockdown has affected Uganda and the entire household of the lord. But to mention, the first lockdown at the congregation where I worship, we were able to record 30 baptisms. During this lockdown we have recorded 19 souls.

On the side of students to those who are able to share with me their work . They have reported 22 baptisms, making it clear that the Lord's work is not locked. Continue praying for the work here and the students wherever they are , pray for Uganda and our leaders.

From rumors', it has been said that schools will open soon, we are also prepared to begin. All students are set for this. We are told that there will be mass vaccination for all students and teachers before schools begin. The anticipation was mid this month but we are still waiting to hear the call for that.

We continue pray that may the world be healed and that peace may prevail.

Be blessed in the lord

Until all have heard

Raymond

Practical experience in Accra

BVBI, ACCRA

End of August Report

Prologue

May the name of our Lord be glorified and adored. We appreciate the many things He has accomplished in our lives.

Class Activities

The ending of this month, August in this third (3rd) quarter marks the ending of all most regular courses, writing of exams and beginning of new short courses. Kojo taught Preacher and His Work. Brother Amoo-Gyimah began his short course on the Epistles to the Galatians. Brother E. O. Larbi will begin his course next month on Counselling.

Practical Activities

As we usually do in our practical works on visiting churches, all the students are effective in this field. All the visiting churches have expressed their appreciation for the benefits of our students for the work of God.

Visit to the Bunsu Plant Research Centre

This department is into researching plants and nurseries. We visited this place to see the kinds of plants this department has been producing and purchase some plants for our school land and Tamale school. We always enjoy visiting this place because there we see and learn new plants name and their purpose to our consumption and the environmental health benefits. Kojo and I (Sammy) together with the students made this visit.

Drilling of the Borehole

We will always appreciate the good work done by our brethren who is helping massively for the wellbeing of the students and the community.

Successfully, the borehole has been drilled. Also, as I reported in my previous report on the benefit to all the communities around, it will also relieve us from difficulties in getting water. We are most grateful for this giving.

Student’s Personal Evangelism

As part of our daily activities on the part of our students, personal evangelism has been what they do at their congregation and when there is no class. On our records this month, we had some baptisms by our student, brother Bua at Sege congregation where four (4) men and a lady gave themselves to baptism. Let’s all remember them in our prayer for their faith in the Lord.

Student’s Profile

On our list, is Paa George Buah, an old energetic man of 68 years, who comes far from the school to study the word of God. We can all testify some challenges in studying when you become old. Brother Buah has married a beautiful woman by the name of Victoria Buah and is being blessed with six (6) children. Buah is an evangelistic brother. He loves to evangelize all the time. We are grateful for having such a brother and student in the ministry.

He has been with us in most of our evangelistic activities. He is doing well in all class activities. Our brother is an evangelist at Sege with faithful members of fifteen (15). Buah appreciates the school’s Christ-centered doctrine and the needed support our brethren everywhere, is providing for the progress of the school.

It is his prayer that the school will exist and train more men for the ministry. Peace is unto us all.

Conclusion

This is how far the Lord has brought us, throughout various activities until now. We thank God for His care and control of all things in harmony. We appreciate all the services provided on behalf of the school and praying that all live well in the Lord’s vineyard.

Pray with us.

The sheep and the goats in Zimbabwe

AUGUST 2021 NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

Our students spent the month of August in the field doing their practical. This report shall centre on their activities in the field. Whilst they were away from campus, other activities we also happening on ground. These and more are contained hereunder.  

1.0 FIELD PROGRAM

BVBIZ students were  out for their 40 days field program. Covid19 has caused a reduction of the time frame. Lost days will be compensated next during next year’s practicum. This year’s program was one with a difference as students creativity was of outmost importance amidst the Covid scourge. The Word of God still had to be given in season and out of season. Rural settings were preferred that urban areas. Among the results, there were 28 baptisms.

2.0 STRATEGIC PLAN (2021-2025)

The school board and management have come up with a new strategic plan which shall act as a blueprint from the school from now till 2025. This is based on inputs that came from various stakeholders. Great appreciation also goes to SPED (Pvt) (Ltd) for volunteering their services in the production of this plan. The last strategic plan expired in December 2020. BVBIZ management shall judiciously follow the plan whilst the board maintains oversight thereof.

3.0 GRADUATION

3.1 Date and Activities

The graduation of the 2018-2020 class shall take place on the 16th of October. This is in the hope that the Covid situation in Zimbabwe would have changed for the better.  On the same day, there shall be an Annual General Meeting and official opening of the site.

4.0 PROJECTS

There is good news in terms of school projects. Besides the success that the school registered with its small broiler project, this month we can report on the goat and maize project.

4.1 GOAT PROJECT

One of the projects that has been on the BVBIZ radar for some time was goat production. The vision saw the light of day when Bear Valley Bible Institute International donated $400 for the purchase of 10 goats. With the money we succeeded to buy 10 goats from one person at $330. The school is currently running around hunting for a male goat so that the project can begin at a better footing. Great appreciation to BVBII for this gesture.

4.2 MAIZE PROJECT

During the last planting season, BVBIZ planted maize and from the shelling that was done, BVBIZ reaped almost 3 tonnes. Though this is lower than what the school initially targeted, the maize is enough to feed students till the end of the next season in May 2022.  About 15 bags will reserved as feed for the broiler project. The school is already working on the possibility of planting another maize crop this coming season. The target is 3 hectares of maize, one hectare of beans and an acre of sunflower.

5.0 WEBSITE

BVBIZ now has a functional website www.bvbiz.co.zw . Both existing and potential stakeholders are encouraged to visit and use the website.

6.0 COMPUTERS

One of the school’s strategic objectives is “To have an effective and efficient ICT processes compatible with current technological changes so as to ensure the achievement of the school’s objectives.” To achieve this, computers are a prerequisite. We want to thank Bear Valley Bible Institute International again for chipping in to buy a few computers which will be used by students. We successfully bought 4 laptops, 3 desktops and repaired 2 more. It is the school’s target that every student at BVBIZ should graduate being computer literate.

CONCLUSION

We thank God for the development we keep witnessing in our students. We also appreciate the sacrifices congregations have been making for the upkeep of our students as they do their practicum.. To you all for you spiritual, moral, material and financial support we remain grateful. To God be the glory!

19 souls saved in Malawi!

Bear Valley Bible Institute

Ekwendeni – Malawi

August, 2021 Report

Introduction

When we study in the Epistles of Paul to Timothy, we learn about the charges that Timothy received from Paul. These charges are of great importance to every evangelist today! We, the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Malawi are committed to teaching men to be faithful preachers of the “Health Doctrine” – Sound teaching. Therefore, it is our work too to follow the same pattern of Paul’s charges to Timothy – 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 4:2. We are always ready when people are ready to hear even when they are not ready to hear, but the gospel shall always be preached. We have recently come from a preaching campaign to the area called “Thandeka”. Interestingly Thandeka is a name of a person and this same person was ordained as a senior chief and called the area by his name Thandeka (Thandeka area). He has about 11 chiefs who report to him. This man and his wife (now the deceased) have been members of the Church of Christ since the 1970s. They have been walking at a distance of about 7km to worship. Now when the wife of Brother Thandeka died, Christians went in large numbers to bury our faithful sister in Christ.

Now when the eleven junior chiefs saw the love the Christians showed to Brother Thandeka, they asked if they could organize the preaching campaign to plant a congregation in the area. So, they wrote us (BV) a letter asking us to help them organize it and allow our school to go with the students. God is able and has shown kindness to this area. As we speak, after the campaign for four days, 19 souls have been saved and a new baby is born – Church established!

Teaching and Preaching!

Teaching is the work we are doing, since this semester started in August after a break, 3 courses have been done. Now the students are having a long course in Major Prophets. As indicated in the introduction, 19 souls were baptized in the last week of August, but also we had 2 more souls restored. This means the new congregation has started with 21 people. Praise God! We still got lots of promises from many people who are willing to be added to the Lord’s church, but they want to see the progress of the church since it's new, they said. But if the Lord may come today they don’t have an excuse we told them.

Construction

We are very excited that the construction work has started well, the foundation has been put down. This is phase one. Phase 2 is the super structure which will begin soon the Lord willing.

Water Brings Joy!

There is great joy at the school construction site as the villagers express their joy after seeing water being drilled by the Healing Hands International! A lady in her late 70s said she came to the area in 1983, since then the water she knew was for drinking and domestic purposes was from the river and wells where even animals drank from. She said the waterborne diseases will be history because they suffered a lot with lots of sickness after using the dirty water. She sang a song praising God for the water in the area. At school, the gardening work which will produce food for the students in the near future is simplified. And also the work of construction will be faster than how we thought it would be because they were drawing water from quite a distance.

We are thankful to Bear Valley Bible Institute International and all who help in supporting this great work with a great reward hereafter! God bless your families as we still need your help and involvement. Many souls are still not saved! Eternity Is Forever, Think Souls!

Yours fellow soldiers for Christ,

Ephron and Clergynton