Kasoa, Ghana school plans new church plant
BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE – PAPAASE (KASOA, GHANA)
REPORT FOR THE SECOND QUARTER (JULY TO SEPTEMBER) 2022
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ has taken us through another quarter. As a result of this, the Bear Valley Bible Institute-Papase (Kasoa-Ghana) is presenting a review for the third quarter (July to September) of the year 2022.
However, the report cannot be done without first of all expressing our gratitude to the Almighty God for His love and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to brethren who over the years, continue to sponsor the institution throughout the entire world.
I. PLANTING OF CHURCHES
Prospecting studies have already begun with the intention of planting the Lord’s church at Mankomeba , which is the next town after Papaase in the Central Region of Ghana. It was therefore welcome news when we heard that an evangelistic team had been put in place by Bear Valley USA to help in such programs.
Our plan includes the students visiting the town on the 3rd and 4th of October 2022 for data collection, and to hit the ground running for next year’s open-air gospel meeting and house-to-house evangelism.
II. CAMPAIGN FOR NEW STUDENTS
For the continuality of the Weekend School at Papaase, students continue visiting sister churches campaigning for new students. Such a move has yielded a new student.
III. OFFICE EQUIPMENT
We are glad to announce that the office in the school is taking good shape. A laptop and printer have been supplied to the office. Management and the entire body of students are grateful to those through whom such equipment is supplied.
IV. DISTINGUISH STUDENT
Our distinguished student for the quarter is Brother Frank Nyarko. The hard-working student, Frank, had been appointed the full-time preacher for the Lord’s church at Papaase. It is a plus to the school in general and particularly to instructors for producing preachers for the Lord’s churches in Ghana.
Report compiled by:
Emmanuel Amoo-Gyimah
Uganda school conducts successful campaign
Greetings brothers.
It's a great privilege that we should all be alive. We are so happy for the good life God is still giving us.
Beyond all, the protection He gave us during our trip of evangelism with the students joined by other brothers and the host congregation in the far central part of Uganda to the town of Butunduzi. We were able to set off on October 4 with one accord and we were warmly welcomed by everyone. The gospel seminar consisted of knocking on doors in the morning and preaching open-air campaigns in the evening. The students were able to present good lessons and this gave me a lot of joy and confidence that our toil is not in vain.
In our six days in the place, we were able to knock on 50 homes apart from people we found along the way and on street. Thanks be to God that He now has four new souls in that city. One of our new sisters had heard of our coming. She was from another district. but when she heard we were coming, she spent her own money on bus fare to come to hear the gospel. The gospel did its job and she was one of the four who obeyed.
This lady has gone back home and has requested that we send a preacher to her village who will be able to work there to see that people know Christ. She doesn't want to miss worship. Ideally, one of our men who is graduating soon will be able to help preach in this area. I feel like this is a place where God should be having many people. We will keep on praying for it.
Our students are reporting back on Friday and will be in class with brother Mark Reynolds. He will be teaching the book of Hebrews from October 24-28. Continue to pray for their safe journey mercies as they prepare for the last quarter.
Thank you so much! Thank you for supporting the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Uganda.
Yours in Christ,
Raymond
Many good projects in Zimbabwe
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.” BVBIZ is part of the answer to this commission. The school exists to equip and mold labourers for this daunting task. The agenda is to continue equipping faithful men and women for this cause. In the month of September, BVBIZ continued to advance this agenda in a variety ways. Of course, this could not have been possible without the partnership we share with you. This report is a capsule of some of the things the school was able to do in September.
CURRICULUM
The new term began on the 5th of September. All students came back to school. The following subjects are being taught this term; Homiletics 1, Hermeneutics 1, Acts of the Apostles, OT History (Joshua-Esther), Galatians (SC), 1 & 2 Thessalonians (SC), Entrepreneurship Skills Development 1(SC), Introduction to computers , Sign Language and Horticulture (SC)
PROJECTS
BVBIZ continues with its drive to have different project on site. Besides providing some income to the school, one of their purposes is to provide life survival skills to the students. The horticulture and broiler projects are ongoing but this month we report on two of the projects
FISH PROJECT
The school had always wanted to have a fish project within its portfolio of projects. The digging of fish ponds has started.
LAYERS
The layers project rolled to life in on the 15th of September. From the funds that you donated, 150 birds were bought from the target of 300. Despite the inability to meet the target, those bought will make a difference. Production is now averaging 110 eggs per day. BVBIZ wishes to thank those who made this project a reality.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Preachers Retreat
There shall be a preachers retreat scheduled to take place from the 26th -28th of October. All preachers are invited to attend this program. Several programs geared towards rejuvenating the preacher and his ministry are on the cards. More details with regard to this program shall be made in the subsequent report.
Graduation
The school shall hold its third graduation ceremony on the 29th of October beginning at 10am. All stakeholders are being invited to this momentous occasion. The graduation will be pressed by the BVBIZ’s first ever graduation lecture which will take place at 4.30pm on the 28th of the same month. This lecture is code named the Isaiah Suwari Memorial lecture. The intention is to keep on instilling the BVBIZ founding principles alive as the school remembers its pioneer. All are invited.
Sign Language Training
The school shall host sign language training for all preachers from the 22nd -26th of October. BVBIZ’s emphasis in sign language training is bearing fruit as many are graduating with this necessary skill. Everyone in the world has a right to salvation despite any physical challenge. BVBIZ is slowly becoming a panacea in this area. This training will precede the preacher’s retreat and graduation as highlighted above. Each participant will be asked to pay $20.
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
On the 10th of September, leaders from various congregations in Mashonaland West converged in Kadoma for a leadership training workshop. Over 40 men attended. Almost every congregation in the province was represented. The main concern was church administration and governance. The BVBIZ director was privileged to be the facilitator of the program on the day.
EVANGELISM
Both full time and part time continued with their evangelism practicum in September. Great appreciation continues to go the congregations hosting these students through their provision of food, accommodation and their general upkeep. 15 were baptized whilst 8 were restored. To God be the glory!
10 more baptisms in Guinea
September 2022 Activity Report
Introduction:
The Christian's work is one of imitation of the Lord's way of life recorded on the pages of the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 the apostle Paul said to imatate him "even as l also am of Christ". Thus, the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute composed of staff, students and other workers is no exception. In the month of September, we have amongst other activities endeavored to imitate the Lord in teaching, in prayer and in charitable works as outlined below. Follow with us as we enlighten you in a 6 points report of what transpired here in September.
I- Teaching / Classroom:
Since we are to entrust the word of God to faithful men who will be able to teach others also, and as part of our obligation for which we are supported, our staff members engaged the students in the following 4 courses:
1- Discipleship from 01 to 07 September, taught by Tamba Emmanuel Kamano
2- Personal Evangelism from 08 to 15 September, taught by Niouma 2 Kamano
3- Hermeneutics 1 from 16 to 23 September, taught by Antoine Fassa Tolno.
4- Scheme of Redemption from 26 Sept to 03 Oct 2022 taught by Balla Kamano.
Due to the necessity of required credit hours, the last course extends until October 03.
There was an evaluation of the students following the end of every course and the results were satisfactory.
II- Evangelism:
One of the major activities which we as Christians can and should do to imitate the Lord who went about everywhere preaching the kingdom is to evangelise for the salvation of lost souls. In the month of September, the Bear Valley Bible Institute conducted various preaching activities in different areas all of which resulted to 10 baptisms. May God be glorified for this.
III- Youth Bible camp:
To express our heart felt desire for the oneness in faith and practice as examplified by Jesus with the Father, the Gueckedou Bear Valley students also attended the "Youth Bible Camp" in N'zerekore. Indeed a number of participants of several congregations in Gueckedou responded massively to the invitation of our brethren, the Bellevue church of Christ - N'zerekore to share the word of God on the theme "Salvation and the Christian's Responsibility".
A 20-seated minibus vehicle and 4 motorbikes each carrying 2 persons were made available through financial support for all the above named participants by the top administration of the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute.
A special prayer period was observered before the trip and the gracious Lord answered it to his glory. It was such a favorable time so that the evangelists who were present ceased the opportunity to preach peace and unity in the faith.
IV- Spiritual working materials /Bibles:
In order to facilitate further research work for our next coming graduates, we have asked and received 12 copies of the "Thompson Chain References Bible". These will be a general award or gift, an encouragement to the 12 students who will be certificated on graduation day.
V- Graduation:
We will like to use this means through this report to inform and cordially invite you to the graduation ceremony of the second batch of students from the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute. The program is scheduled to take place here at the Institute's premises at Bambo Antenne in Gueckedou on 29th October 2022.
We also solicit your spiritual, moral, material and especially financial contributions for the success of the ceremony.
VI- Thanks and Appreciations:
We thank the God that we serve for his infinite love.
We also thank the Bear Valley International for the unending moral, spiritual, material and financial support by which we are further motivated to work for the salvation of lost souls.
Our appreciations to our Coordinator, Steven Ashcraft for his love and determination to grow the church of Christ in Guinea.
We thank brother Francis Musa for his willingness to share with us his technical and spirituel experiences in the work of God.
Brothers Barry Baggott, Ken Stanley and all other brothers and sisters are to be commended for their every support in the work of the church of God in Guinea
We pray that God will bless you all abundantly and that God may use us mightily in His vineyard for the glory of His name.
Peru school completes course on God's Plan of Salvation
Thank God the month of August has been a month of very uplifting and fruitful classes on "The Plan of Redemption". We had the participation of 5 students: 4 formal students and 1 guest student.
As scheduled we covered the material that we had scheduled to cover. We also had a group research and presentation project on "Spiritual Blessings in Christ" as part of the course requirements. They all did a good job.
We started the course "Christian Evidences", which is being presented by brother Abraham Alata.
I would like to share some thoughts from Institute students about the previous course.
“I am putting together a summary of God's entire plan of redemption. I was reflecting on my experience as a child of God and the grace received from our Lord Jesus Christ and I thought about how God the Father had me in his mind before the foundation of the world, I feel very grateful within my heart I will never be able to repay so much blessing from God will only be able to follow his commandments and above all Matthew 28:18-20 to share his holy gospel” (Alejandro Manrique M.)
“There is nothing more rewarding than studying the Bible. Personally, I feel very happy for the opportunity to have received the course "Plan of Redemption" the one that was in the mind of God before the foundation of the world for humanity, spoken by the holy prophets, fulfilled in Christ and revealed through the holy apostles and today teaching through his servants what our brother Juan Abanto is like. I am very grateful for this work that is done and those who contribute to the irrigation of the doctrine of our Lord " (Humberto Gonzales)
It has been a pleasure to share this course with the brothers of the institute, we hope with the favor of God, to continue with this academic project. Thank you for the efforts made to find resources and for the spiritual support of all involved.
Students in Ibadan, Nigeria conduct regular Bible studies
Dear fellow servants of the Most High God.
Greetings to you all from the students and staff of BVBIN & SWSE – Ibadan and fellow WBSFUW in Western States of Nigeria.
Below is the report of some of our activities for this month of September 2022.
WEEKENDS EVANGELISM/OUTREACH
Our year-1 students continued in the evangelization of eight different centers throughout the weekends in the months of August and September 2022 in Oyo and Osun states while the year -2 students who are in their 3rd year of training continued in the practical part of their training by assisting some young congregations within the Western States of Nigeria.
One of our year -1 students named Bro. Adeyemo Olusegun recorded two conversions at Ilaro Congregation, Ogun State where he served in August and September while Bro. Kayode Eniafe and his group got two conversions on September 25, 2022 at Felele-rab,Ibadan and we in Butubutu group converted a soul on September 29. To God be the glory.
FIRST SEMESTER CLASSES CONCLUDED
This first semester classes for 2022/23 session ended as scheduled on Oct. 30, 2022. Bro. Isaac Olaniyan handled LOC 1 (Matthew), OT & NT survey and 1st, 2nd & 3rd John; Bro. Kayode Eniafe handled scheme of Redemption, OTH (Joshua – Esther) and OT wisdom 1 (Job&Eccl.); Bro. Makinde John handled Research & Writing 1 and NT church 1; Bro. Andrew Adeolu handled The Pentateuch, Denominational Doctrines and Godhead; Bro. Oladokun Samuel handled Acapella songs, while I, Bro. Makinde Ebens handled Evangelism 1 (Personal Evangelism), Prison Epistles(Ephesians – Philemon), Systematic Theology and Church Problems.
All our year -1 students will embark on a month vocational training from Oct. 1 through 28, 2022. Second semester classes will commence Lord’s willing on Oct.31 through Dec. 16, 2022.
VOICE OF TRUTH INTERNATIONAL VOL. 114
Over 5000 copies of VOTI Vol. 114 were freely distributed in the first week of September 2022 to churches of Christ and friends of the Lord’s Church across the country of Nigeria. About 60% of the recipients have confirmed the receipt of their packages. One of the recipients, Bro. M.B Archbong reports the conversion of four souls by the use of VOTI booklets.
The remaining VOTI volume 114 will be used during our forthcoming gospel meetings in Oyo, Osun , Ogun and Ekiti states on October Lord’s willing.
REPORT FROM WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL FOLLOW UP WORKERS
1.Bro. Olorode Samuel of Ajagba congregation report the conversion of a middle age brother in his area of work as the result of his follow-up in Ajagba community on Sept 16, 2022.
2.Bro. Akilapa Stephen report the extension of his WBSFUW to villages and towns, outside Ondo town where over 100 WBS introduction lessons was shared and collected back within the month of September 2022.
3. Bro. Godwin Johnson of Ode- Aye congregation in Ondo State report the conversions of three young girls in the month of September as the result of his regular follow up in Ode- Aye and Okitipupa towns.
4.Bro. Benson Balogun of Asejire congregation, Ondo State report the conversion of two souls at Ofosu as the result of his joint effort with Bro. Peter Ortserga on Sept. 19, 2022.
Our WBSFUW team in Ibadan also visited three high Schools in Apomu and Ikoyi towns in Osun State to share 63 WBS Correspondence Courses to students of West Olive church of Christ,AZ % Bro. Bob Milstead on September 20 and 23,2022.
CONCLUSION:
We deeply appreciate your kind gestures and support toward the growth of the Lord’s Kingdom in Africa and the world in general. May the Lord continue to bless our work together in Jesus Christ name. Amen.
I remain yours in His grace as a servant.
Makinde Ebens
Luanshya, Zambia school prepares for graduation and much more
Luanshya, Zambia School Report for September 2022
Introduction
We send greetings to you brothers and sisters! We give honor and glory to God our heavenly father who through His grace and the love fully expressed in Christ has granted us the opportunity to work for Him in His kingdom.
We are very glad to learn that Bear Valley Bible Institute International has continued to grow as more new preacher-training schools are established throughout the world. And as BVBI Zambia, we are humbly privileged to be part of this growing family.
It is unbelievable that 2022 is almost gone. We are just three months away before we say goodbye to 2022.
After suspending classes for almost the entire third quarter last year due to Covid-19, the students worked harder to cover the lost time in just four months. And we are very pleased to inform you that we are indeed on course to fulfill all that the school stands for.
School Activities
The following are some activities that the school was involved in for the month of September 2022.
Personal evangelism- students have intensified their one-on-one preaching strategy. Because of this approach, there is a steady increase in the number of people attending church services at the churches of Christ in Luanshya district. We have five congregations in the entire district that is, in Mikomfwa, at Central Town, Roan Township, and Church of Christ in Chibwe.
School evangelism program, which includes home Bible studies. There is also an increase in the number of Bible studies during the week. This is so because we are almost done with the second-year learning program at school and in readying for our graduation program. Bible studies were held mainly on Fridays but now we have included Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. This program is going on very well.
In our effort to strengthen women in the church as they are seen as the pillars in the ministry of our Master Jesus Christ, we had a conference in Luanshya rural area which started on 28th September 2022 and ends on 2nd October in Luanshya district. Six out of the ten districts of the Copperbelt were represented at this conference. Some of our students served in food catering and others beefed up security. Some were cooking as to allow women to concentrate more on the learning program.
Baptisms recorded: we had thirteen (13) people added to the Lord’s church and we expect more in the month of October.
Restoration recorded: We have recorded eighty-seven (87) restorations back to the sheepfold. We have attached pictures to this report we have taken with different congregations we have visited and worked with. September has been a healthy month spiritually.
Other progress news: Two of our students have been offered work in government Daniel Kapata and mike Kanyangala. They are good students and we believe they will do well preaching while working. While at our school Mike was offered to take a five days training in dump truck training at Northern Technical College in Ndola due to a good relationship with BVBI-Zambia. Daniel Kapata is a secondary trained teacher and now he will be preaching while working. We give God praises and we wish the two brothers well.
Men’s national conference (2022)
The Men’s national conference was held for the first time in three years in Solwezi, Northwestern Province. The lessons are still resonating in the minds of the people who attended the conference. This was indeed an uplifting moment as our own Dean of students, Cephas Mwamba put the icing on the cake. He concluded with an excellent recap of all the lessons.
Central Province has been chosen as a venue for the next year’s conference. And calls are still reaching us, many of our brothers appreciating their first experience with the BVBI-Zambia interactions and work.
Graduation (2022)
The school will be seeing its third graduation later in October 2022. Another significant stage of the growth of this Institute will be achieved on 22nd October 2022. God willing, 11 men will be graduating and the school has already sent invitations to local churches. We are meeting all leaders of the church here on the Copperbelt on the 8th of October in the Mufurila district to make sure that they participate on this graduation day. One of the churches of Christ in the Chingola district is ready to come and take at least two of the preachers upon their graduation to work with them for the next two years.
New Intake (2022-2024)
The school will be welcoming new students who have already committed themselves to studying and preparing themselves to preach the Gospel. We are very excited to begin this new class with these men. We expect men from seven provinces of Zambia to begin the class this year. Zambia has ten provinces. We had other applications from our neighboring countries like Tanzania in Mbeya, D.R.C Congo, and Angola, but because of the immigration restrictions and high fees in study visa applications we cannot take them for now and we keep on praying that in the near future we will be able to do so.
Conclusion
We are always grateful to all our partners in this noble work of training faithful men. Special appreciation goes to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for financially supporting this work.
Brotherly,
Cephas and Fred
Doing good in northern Togo
OPERATING REPORT BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE KARA – TOGO
(THIRD QUARTER 2022)
EXTENTED PROGRAM ; BVBI – KARA – TOGO
INTRODUCTION
Greetings from the Churches of Christ around Kara – Togo and from my family.
We thank God for the work you are doing on his name to enlarge his Kingdom here in the north of Togo. And we continue to align with the declaration of Hebrew 6 : 10 that « For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister ».
OPERATING REPORT
1- Actual number of students : 10
2- The Courses already taught during the second quarter : Geneses – Matthew – John
3- The Courses that will be taught during the third quarter :
a- Exodus – Levitique by KAGNON Luc
b- Church implanting by KPODENOU Rodrigue
c- The Church of the Bible by BEDJELSI Fidele
4- Instructors’ meeting : Instructors meet regularly and continue to think about putting on strategies to be adopted to better work with students to achieve the goals of the Great Commission. Among other strategies : First, it is necessary to help the existing churches through the evangelization campaigns, the Seminars, so that these churches are strongly spiritually and digitally to challenge false existing doctrines in our localities. Secondly consider the progressive implementation of new assemblies in the localities we will have to target . Instructors have renewed their commitment to continue to motivate students.
5- Congregational Activities :
a- Worship and edification
We continue to send students on Churches for biblical studies and worship and this program helps us a lot in the direction of these Churches. This program continue to help us to establish a follow- up program for churches to continue our vision to build strong and mature Congregations in the future and these mature congregations will have the ability to implant other congregations. We continue to organize each Congregation for door to door evangelization in their own locality to help each congregation to grow in number. With this organization , we have 04 women in Lama baptized ; 01 woman in Sanda–te baptized. We actually focus on doctrinal teaching to help Congregations to challenge false doctrines in our areas.
I was very happy to meet recently our Zealous Missionary Steven in Ghana(Tamale) up September 12 to 15,2022 to continue to discuss about the Bible Bear Valley School and the work : how to move the best to the Church in the north. I also assisted with great satisfaction with his teachings during his classes in Tamale.
b- Seminars :
We have organized three(03) seminars : 1 seminar for the Preachers in July 5th to 7, 2022 on the Topic : The Preacher and his work ; 01 for the Church Leaders in August on the Topic : Christian leadership taught by the actual Director of the West African bible school training in Benin , Mr ADJAYI Inoussa and 01 onother seminar concerning Men and Women in September 7th to 9,2022 on the Topic : The Christian home. We invited some specialists who have spoken to us about marital violence and how to be financially self-reliant. Participants left very happy and we hope that in the coming months they are going to put into practice different teachings in the different local churches.
c- Denominational program : We started this program in two(2) places as the experimental phase : one in Kara town with variable assistance(5 – 7) and one in Kouka with also variable assistance(8 – 11)
d- Evangelistic team : We also started this strategy in two(2) localities : one in Kouka(06 preachers) and one also in Kara Town(06 preachers). This strategy will help me to better coordinate the work and will also better be effective in door to door evangelization. With this strategy we have one Congregation established in Lassa village (about 10 miles from Kara Town) with two(2) women baptized.
6- Up coming programs :
We propose to start this denominational program in Landa village with the hope of establishing a new congregation in this locality. This program brings many advantages . It is another good strategy to help the church to grow .
According to our program, we have planned to have a campaign in Dapaong, Korbongou and Kara. Please, bring all this into your prayers.
7- Radio program :
We have started our radio program on the new Kozah Fm public radio since July 2022. Our desire is to have many persons through this Radio to discuss and study bible with them personally because this Radio is going far. Please we need your prayers for this program.
In Christ,
Fidele
More than 40 students in Warri, Nigeria
REPORT OF THE BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE – WARRI CENTERS
JULY – SEPTEMBER 2021.
INTRODUCTION
It is another opportunity for us to bring greetings to you and to the entire Bear Valley family. It gladdens our heart that we have a big family working together for the greater course of Christ and His kingdom. The work is growing, however, not without other challenges but on the whole we are grateful for the loving support we get from our support group.
ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
DSC CENTER
The DSC Center of the school in Warri is doing just fine. Academic activities are on top gear. In this quarter, various teachers attended their classes. In July, Solomon Usim taught the course “Christian Ethics.” The lesson emphasized the need for good character especially for those leading the church. Moreover, in August, Meredith Owvromoh, started with Jude, 1 and 2 Peter. It was a great experience for them dealing with a Bible text, especially the text 1 Peter 3:18-20. The need for exegesis arose and the euphoria that trilled their inability to unravel the text was not in small measure. “How could Christ preach in hell?” Also, in September, Solomon Usim, took the course on “Leadership Extension” and it was an eye opening experience for the preachers most especially. In relation to attendance, 21 out of the 27 current students wrote exams in July. Others could not write the exams because of irregular attendance and some other unforeseen circumstances. In August 23 students attended while 22 wrote the exams. This is so because some students may have reasons not to take a particular course. For instance, two brothers buried their father and uncle that month of August, and as such, could not participate in the classes.
PTI CENTER
Studies at the PTI center are going on well. In July, Godwin Ojocheogwu taught the book of Acts. 13 out of the 21 students wrote the exams. In August, Solomon Usim taught the course “Scheme of Redemption” tracing the trajectory of the redemption plan of God, “The Eternal Purpose” which found fulfilment in Christ and the church. A total of 14 students sat for the exams. In September, Abiola Ojoade was at PTI and taught the class on Jude, 1 and 2 Peter. Out of the 21 current students, 14 were able to write the final exams.
Finally, I was thrilled with the approval of the new Center at Benin City. I met with bro Keith during his visit to Benin City Center on the 11th of August. It was a wonderful reunion. On the 3rd of October, the Benin Center had her maiden matriculation ceremony where I spoke on the topic, “The Need for Preachers’ Training and Retraining.” The students came out in their numbers and were very happy for the center in Benin City. In fact, from the look of things more centers are needed in Benin City.
CAMPAIGN PROGRAM
On the 23rd of July 2022, the two centers were gathered again at the church of Christ Ovwor Olomu in Ughelli South LGA of Delta state for a one-day evangelism outreach. There was a thorough house to house evangelism that led to the baptism of one Mrs. Meg Bethel. We are happy to state that more congregations are applying for campaigns. The congregations around have accepted the Bear Valley students as good evangelism tools. This means that the near comatose evangelism situation in the area has been revived. Congregations are waiting in turn to invite the students to help them.
CONCLUSION
We are very grateful to Bear Valley Bible Institute Denver Colorado, US, for the support given to the Bear Bible Institute Extension Centers. The local preachers’ interest has been rekindled and many teachers in the churches are taking advantage of the opportunity.
Wotutu, Cameroon school director mourns the loss of his father
Dearest in Christ,
Greetings from Cameroon. We do hope this report finds you well. God is good! We are good and facing the bitter reality of life as we have lost a loved one in the family and in the congregation.
The students are still busy in the mission field covering different areas with preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ free of charge to many on their way.
Last week here was characterized with ups and downs as I was shuffling between my office in the Bible college, some classrooms in Brightland Christian Comprehensive College, and the hospital where my father was battling with a stroke and a serious blood infection. Thanks for all the prayers you rendered to God on behalf of my father. God has finally made the decision to call my father to stay with Him.
Last week, on Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach a sermon entitled, “LAUGHTER IMPROVES OUR HEALTH” from Proverbs 17:22. We decided on our sermon series on health, as many in our congregation are going through some difficult health challenges. The Bible is helping us greatly.
Please keep the Esowe family in your prayers in this time of mourning. God has called my father to glory. He has gone back to his Master. Many thanks to God for using me to lead my father to Christ after I graduated from the Bible College in Nigeria. I am happy that my father died as a serious Christian. He died at the age of 80 years, leaving behind my mother, 7 biological children, 18 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild, along with a host of many in the Wotutu community and elsewhere to mourn him.
Tchemi Giresse is one of the nurses who was helping my father. Because of my father’s sickness, I could not go for mission work with my students but we have souls everywhere. The gospel is always very sweet to share with people who have an open heart. Brother Tchemi Giresse has a servant heart. He obeyed the gospel and I was the one who was able to baptize him. When we left the water he said, “I AM HAPPY TO KNOW THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, I WAS TOTALLY LOST BEFORE THIS TIME.” Please keep him in your prayers as he will be a great worker in the church here.
PLANS
My father's funeral will take place on the 8th of October here in Wotutu. Please continue to pray for us.
Our thoughts and plans are beginning to lean towards the graduation ceremony that will mark the end of the Zeta batch and admit the new batch which will commence in January of 2023.
APPRECIATIONS
Thank you! Thank you very much for all of your prayers and support that have been rendered toward this work. God is watching! Please faint not, because in due season your reward will come. Please share our reports with others.
God bless you as you make a great day.
Elangwe and family.
By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu
Uganda school travels for a campaign
Brethren,
Grace, peace, and mercy that originates from our Father through Whom guidance, protection and direction come. With great joy I take this opportunity to thank Him who is above all. It has been awhile but all with God, our lives continue to be in the safe assurance.
We have been having a great and enjoyable environment at Bear Valley Uganda having seen His mercy on us. The students are okay and in good health together with our non-teaching staff, though our administrator has lost a very close family member on the side of her husband. She has gone to be with them.
Partially the school has closed for the third term, but our official closing will be on Friday this week. We are having one more week of evangelism outside the school and this is part of their practice as men are soon graduating. We will be far off in central Uganda, and today is the day we are to begin our travels.
The men are growing in the love of God and the word. This gives us much hope that they are going to be the light in a world that is full of darkness.
We have not had much challenges as other quarters especially students getting sick. Just few cases have been noticed, however it is not as serious.
The evangelism around the school has been going on as our routine. Men move house to house and are having a great impact in the religious community around us. From the time we have been in this place , we have not had any misconduct report coming from outside to the school. This is a great report about our students having conducted themselves in a way worthy of what they preach.
Concerning the next intake which we have hopes to begin come February 2023, we have so far registered 16 students. We are likely to receive many other applications. Let's pray for them and the congregations where they all come from.
Until all have heard,
Raymond
Rivers, Nigeria school training disciple makers
Third quarter 2022, progress report from Bear Valley Bible Institute State Nigeria
We are glad to report that BVBI Rivers State, Nigeria is doing very well at our two centers. Our teachers and students are outstanding. The study of the two courses per month is going on without interruption. A total of six courses had been completed successfully for this quarter. As we enter the last quarter of the year 2022, we hope to achieve our target of completing 24 courses in our two centers for this year.
FOUR-FOLD DISCIPLESHIP AND CHURCH MULTIPLICATION TRAINING
A few months ago, we hosted a training program on the four-fold discipleship training for our students in Port Harcourt center. We hereby report that the training is helping our students in effective evangelism and soul winning. Our students are participating actively in evangelism programs and we are getting good results. We are planning for the training of our students in the Ahoada center along with members of all the congregations in the area.
The four-fold discipleship and church multiplication training program for our students in Ahoada center and the congregations in the area will be coming up from October 26th to 29th, 2022. We have invited the director of the Western Nigerian Christian College, and great Nigerian preachers, along with an elder of a congregation in Abuja Nigeria to be the trainers in the proposed upcoming training program.
GRADUATION OF THE FIRST SET OF OUR STUDENTS AND ADMISSIONS OF NEW STUDENTS IN 2023
With great pleasure, we wish to inform the international Director that we have some students who are expected to complete the mandatory 48 courses and will need to graduate before or in the second quarter of 2023. The graduation of the students will create a space for the admission of a new set of students. We are looking forward to the success of the upcoming events.
Report from Anthony E. Oluria (Director BVBI Rives State Nigeria
Enugu, Nigeria students are appreciated by the local congregations
BVBI ENUGU STUDY CENTRE - NIGERIA
June to September 2022 Report
We have 10 students, 10 students who are studying full-time and three local instructors who teach the classes.
The students are involved in evangelism organized by the congregation(s) within Enugu Metropolis and their efforts are highly noticed.
Also, the School has been able to cover 26 courses from the starting date to September 2022.
Appreciation/Conclusion
We are grateful to the wonderful coordinators of BVBI outside and within. The financial/material supplies, prayers, and visits of our dear brothers, Keith Kasarjian, and Chad Wagner are a great tool and strength in doing this work. Words are not enough to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you. May God bless and keep you all, and may His mercies and steadfastness never depart from us all in Jesus’ name - Amen.
Thanks and remain blessed
Bro. Patrick Makwe P.
For BVBI Enugu Study Centre.
Visakaha Valley India school prepares for their campaign
Dear brethren in Christ,
Greetings to you in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ our savior. I hope this email finds you well.
By the grace of God, I am doing well as I am currently visiting some congregations in southwest Tennessee. I have checked with my family and heard they are all doing good. They had some severe rainfall during the last two weeks. It damaged a lot of vegetable plants, but I am very glad to hear that everyone is doing well. I praise God for keeping all the students, staff, and faculty at Visakhapatnam safe. Thank you all so much for your prayers. I wanted to update everyone on our preaching school in Visakhapatnam.
Quarter End Exams: During this week, our students are scheduled to take their quarter-end tests. According to what I heard today, they are all performing very well in their exams. After these exams, they will break for a week. We are thankful to our faculty members for their dedicated efforts in doing their very best in providing efficient Biblical education. It is not only the experience they have that is making this possible but their commitment and dedication. We continue to strive for producing some excellent Bible students in this world.
Campaign Week: We are excited about our upcoming Campaign Week; it certainly gives a wonderful opportunity for our preaching students to get hands-on experience in the outreach ministry. We are preparing ourselves to help with the local congregation in the village Medapadu and also a nearby village. We are thankful to brother Jerry Bates who helps us in printing Gospel Tracts. These tracts in Telugu are titled 1. About the Bible 2. Salvation in Christ 3. The True Church 4. NT Worship 5. New & Old Covenant 6. What must I do to be saved 7. The things you should be mindful of and others. Of course, we not only distribute but also share with several preachers, that is why we try to print as many as possible every year.
Mission Travels: Last month, our preaching students & faculty along with some preachers from Visakhapatnam traveled to attend the Statewide preacher’s fellowship Meeting. From the school, we have provided the transportation for this trip and also the related expenses. It was exciting to see that our faculty were given an opportunity to lead the morning devotion. Attached are some pictures showing our students leading the singing. Preachers fellowship meeting is a program we conduct once every month in different regions to help the preachers who are products of Visakha Valley Bible College. The attached pictures also show the meeting held in one of the suburbs of Visakhapatnam. Brother Vijay Kumar has been preaching here for over 6 yrs.
Gratitude: We are very much thankful to God for His mercy, which is beyond my expression. Congregations like Lake Houston & Strickland Church of Christ are behind this wonderful program of training our men to carry out Gospel to our community. We are mindful of Jerry & Paula for their regular encouragement.
God bless you all,
In Christ,
John Dean M
Ondo State, Nigeria school grateful for the opportunity to train preachers
Report Of Bear Valley Bible Institute, Weekend Schools, Ondo State Between July to September 2022.
We return all the glory, honor, and Majesty to our heavenly Father for His sustenance over us as a school. We equally thank our sponsors, The Bear Valley Bible School, Denver, Colorado, USA for their unwavering support since the commencement of the Schools in Ondo State, a year ago. Thank you! Your reward is great in heaven above. As a school, our heart is filled with songs of praise to God, and thankfulness in our hearts to our sponsors for us to be part of this great vision of preparing men all over the world for the work of preaching the undiluted gospel of Christ. The School had its first annual Bible seminar on the theme "Diligent Workers" on 17 September 2022. Two topics were taught on that day. First, Why is there a lack of Scriptural leadership in the churches of Christ in Ondo State? Second, what is the Biblical solution to the Scriptural leadership of the Church? Brother Olufemi Makinde and Brother Fasonu Victor were speakers for the program. The aim is to address Scriptural leadership issues in Ondo State. We have set the ball rolling as a school in the state! Our impact has been felt already! There were eighty-five in attendance from different congregations of the Lord in the state and beyond! Glory be to God in the highest, Amen.
Evangelism Report: As a School in Ondo center, we went out to preach the gospel in the Igba area of Ondo City in July. We were 13 in attendance including three instructors from the Ondo center. We had one baptism! Glory be to God! We are working to establish the church of Christ in the Igba area within the next year with mass evangelism involving the gospel Chariot. We need your prayers for effectiveness and success. Akure center is not left out of evangelism fervor as the school there also went out just as we did in Ondo center. There were 10 in attendance that went out to preach the gospel of Christ in that area. Prospects were directed to the church of Christ at Leo Street for more teaching and encouragement.
Classroom activities: Glory be to God, as a school, we are in the second year of rigorous study and learning. During the months covered in this report, July to September 2022, we had three classes for the two centers: First, in the Ondo center, brother Victor Fasonu taught "Hermeneutic -1" in July, while brother Damilola Oke taught 1 Corinthians at the Akure center that same month. In August, Brother Godwin Emmanuel taught "How we got the Bible" in Ondo center, while, brother Rowland Matthew taught "Scheme of Redemption" in Akure Center. In September, Brother Rowland Matthew came to Ondo center to teach "Scheme of Redemption" while brother Godwin Emmanuel went to Akure center to teach "How we got the Bible". Wonderful and interesting classes.
Brother Micaiah Miyendegha is one of the students at the Ondo center. He is a lively student in the classroom. He works with the local environmental department of Idanra of Ondo State! He loves what he is doing at the moment which is studying the word of God. He is a good example in the classroom and outside the School. He is a member of the church where l preach. He wants to be deeply rooted in the doctrine of Christ and the nearest future, l believe, he will take up the preaching work of the church.
Financial Report: l want to thank Bear Valley Bible Institute, Denver for their usual support in the smooth running of the Schools. We have received support for July to September 2022! Thank you, all!
Miscellaneous: we are grateful for the supplies for our immediate needs of the schools in Ondo State.
We are committed to the work God has given to us via Bear Valley Bible Institute, Ondo State. Our heart is filled with joy for helping us with the academic environment and the support. With God's help, we will continue to move to higher grounds in Christ with sound and Bible-based knowledge of the Scriptures.
Fasonu Victor
Coordinator
Bear Valley Bible Institute, Ondo State.
Accra, Ghana school holds lectureship
Accra Report
Report on activities and programs for the month of August
During this month, classes were ongoing. Ten students were present during the studies, except one who was absent due to family challenges. This student will be reseating all the courses for this quarter as required by the schools’ regulations. All instructors did well in the teaching activities until the completion of the research assignment.
Lectureship in Koforidua
Both weekend schools, the regular class, the ministers, and past students from the surrounding churches attended the three (3) day lectureship. The theme for the lectureship was Seeing the Big Picture. The program was more practical on evangelism. Eighty-eight were present for the lectureship. We are grateful to God for the success of the program, seeing the Big Picture and looking at the message from beginning to end. The brothers who facilitated the program did an outstanding job. It was Biblical and good and we commended the work done by them.
BACHELOR’S CLASS
We had Bachelor’s class taught by Steven Ashcraft who took them through the introduction to Elementary Greek. This was to pre-equip the students, to be knowledgeable with the alphabet, ascent, breathing marks, syllabification, and parts of speech before the next class on Greek 1. About fifteen students were present for the course.
CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME AT NIC
As part of our program this quarter, we gathered at Ablekuma NIC congregation to partake in a one week house–to–house and public preaching campaign. The community was very interactive during the gospel presentation. They attended in good numbers and contributed to the many questions asked after the presentation. We had no baptism yet, but we promised to pay a visit to study more.
THE WVBS VIDEO
This video has been handy to the school. Through this material, the Nsawam Adoagyiri congregation uses it for their Teen Bible Teachers in their classes. The brethren really enjoy using it in their studies. This is because the instructors teach in clarity and understanding. The teen class has learned How to Read the Bible and now to study How we got the Bible. They have been very grateful for these lessons and really appreciate the effort and the cost of the material.
DIRECTOR’S VISIT TO STUDENT’S CONGREGATION
The Director, Bro. E.O. Larbi visited a student (Bro. Yaw Boadu) and was assigned to teach the congregation Marriage, Divorce, and Remarrying for the month of August. The church was full to its capacity during the second, third, and fourth weeks. Three visitors who were invited to the church were baptized during the period.
Student’s Profile
We also introduce our student John Acquah. A young man of Twenty-seven years old, and a student at the University of Education. He is single. He has been in the faith for a couple of years. He preaches for the Batanyah congregation and was admitted to the Bear Valley School this year, 2022. He has been very good in academics and fluent in evangelism and teaching activities. He is also helpful, humble, and willing to serve when he is called on a mission. He has been one of the students who we send to help the rural churches in the central region.
The school is very grateful for such brethren. We always request that you remember our students in prayer so that they may be well enlightened as all instructors strive to teach the doctrine of Christ.
We also appreciate the willful giving for the support and your prayers. God richly bless you.
Report by E. O. Larbi
Ukraine school continues even through war
Dear brothers and sisters,
I am sending you a report about the events in the church in Ukraine during the month of August and the beginning of September of 2022.
The Ukrainian events.
We are still in the middle of active warfare. Unfortunately, the constant air raid alerts and missile strikes landing on Ukrainian territory don't let us lead a normal life. So many of us don't remember what it's like to peacefully sleep through the night. I think it will take years for us to recover from the psychological trauma. The most dangerous events took place in the East and the South of the country. Daily artillery attacks, aviation bombings, and rocket launcher systems strikes hit Ukrainian cities and villages. During the last few weeks, the Ukrainian military forces were able to reclaim the territory of the Kharkiv region to face the atrocities of the Russian occupation aftermath, especially in the city of Izium, where they discovered mass graves with the bodies of civilians and children. In 2006-2007 we had intentions of founding a new congregation in this city. We beg for prayers for Ukraine.
Bear Valley Bible Institute in Chernivtsy.
The school year started on August 29th. The Institute had to change locations 4 times during the recent 15 years. It's inconceivable but with the Lord's help, we continue to do the impossible. Of course, you understand that the work of the Institute involves not only students but also the Instructors, their families, books, furniture, etc. Some smart people compare a change of location to a fire, and I'm afraid I agree.
Currently, we have 6 students. They are all young and full of desire to serve the Lord. The first two courses were Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther and The Intertestament Period (taught by Dennis Sopelnik). Now they have an introduction to the Greek language (Instructor Valentin Tsyopa). The classes continue as scheduled.
The Church in Bela Tserkva and Ukraine in general.
As I have written before, we keep helping out the refugees. In the church building, we have people from different places in Ukraine that are occupied by Russians or the ones with active warfare strikes. We give them 2 weeks to get all the paperwork done to get some financial aid from the Government and find a place to rent and a job. Occasionally we are able to have some food packages for refugees. This is a way of reaching out with the good news of Christ. We have good response, some people started attending the services. Obviously, it costs money and thankfully, our American brethren support this ministry periodically.
We are extremely grateful to all brothers and sisters as well as the congregations who help us during this time of trials. May God strengthen each of you. By God's good grace, we keep working and ministering to people who lost hope. Our God is great!
Your brother, Bear Valley Bible Institute Dennis Sopelnik.
West Coast school in Ghana completes second term
OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR AUGUST, 2022
1. CLASSROOM WORK
The second term of the second year has ended for the full-time students. It was a very successful term because all the courses were fully taught. August was used mainly for revision, end-of-term examinations, and a short course on 2nd Corinthians. The full-time students are on recess from 1st September to 26th September.
Academic work for part-time students is still ongoing. At the moment, the courses under study include prison epistles and the book of Romans.
2. PERSONAL EVANGELISM AND BAPTISM
Evangelism continues to be very important to the school and we inculcate it into our students. This month was no exception as the word of God was shared by our students both past and current to the lost. About five (5) souls were baptized in the month of August.
A new system of evangelism was adopted by one of our past students for dawn preaching. He invites some of his colleagues to join him. As they sit in the van and move around the community at dawn, they preach the gospel.
3. FOOD DONATION
In the month of August, the immediate past students who graduated on February 26, 2022, donated food items worth one thousand, four hundred Ghana cedis (GHC 1, 400.00) to the school. This really helped the school so much due to the fact that the high inflation in our country has drastically affected everything in the market. These were presented by their representatives, Brother Emmanuel Justice Ofori (who was in a part-time class), and Brother Benjamin Nkrumah (who also was in the full-time class).
4. SEMINAR FOR PREACHERS AND CHURCH LEADERS
This year’s seminar was very successful. It was attended by about 158 preachers and church leaders. The lessons taught were also very timely and dealt with some current happens in the church. The theme was “choose for yourself this day”— Joshua 24:15.
Topics discussed under the theme were:
1. Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve.
2. The Bible, God’s authority versus the creeds of men.
3. The church versus Denominationalism.
4. Spiritual versus Fleshly/carnal.
5. Church growth: God’s way vs. man’s innovations.
Thank you.
Joshua.
Serving the community in India
Reporting Letter for the month of August-2022
August2nd,2022
Respected International director of Biblical studies Mr. Keith Kasarjian, our coordinator Mr. Mark Reynolds and all the prayer partners of BVBI-Tirupati-India, we pray that this letter may serve us to find you well. We thank you so much for your continual prayers and all your efforts for the smooth function of BVBI extension centre at Tirupati-India. We are happy to share the report for the month of August-2022.
BVBI-Class room work:- In the month of August we have completed these books-Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, ,1 st Chronicle , 3rd John and few special topics from N.T which our students have requested .
Seminar for the blind people:- We have conducted a seminar for the visually challenged people and encouraged them spiritually . There were 40 blind people who were able to attend for the meeting. After the meeting they have given good feed back regarding the benefit they have enjoyed by the seminar.
Audio Bibles distribution for the visually challenged people:- we have distributed 28 audio bibles for the visually challenged people who are studying degree at in our city.
Leper Colonies Children Ministry:- There are two leper colonies in our city, every day in the evening we collect the children and teach them good stories, songs, give them some memory work and feed them before they leave the centre. These After school children care centers are much useful for the children at leper colonies.
Thanks giving meeting:- one of the person from Leper colony has conducted thanks giving meeting in the month of August 11th Thursday . Myself and one of our staff members could able to attend and encourage them. There were 200 people could able to attend for the meeting.
Guest teacher for October-2022:- We are thankful to our coordinator Mr. Mark Reynolds for recommending to send Mr. Steve Snider for teaching the book of John gospel and epistle James in the first week of October-2022.
Funeral service :- one of the local preacher Mr. Joel Wad died on August 28th, due to heart problem, we could able to attend for the funeral service on August 29th Monday.
Personality development class at Girls school:- We have conducted personality development class for KGBV-Girls school (10th class students) on August 2nd and taught them values of the women in the society.
Prayer request:- In India in the month of October all the colleges and schools will be closed for ten days due to festivals, it is our plan to conduct two days youth seminar for the benefit of college students who are studying in the secular colleges. We request your prayers for the youth seminar.
Thanking you.
Yours brother and sister in Christ.
Vijay & Swarupa, from BVBI-Extension Centre-Tirupati-India
Technology training in Cameroon
Dearest in Christ,
Greetings from this part of the globe. We do hope this report meets you in good health. We are doing our best here in health and with the work entrusted in our hands. God is still on the throne! Even though we are being faced with many challenges, we have come to understand that life is not free from challenges. We know that Christians need to use the challenges in their path to be stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.
Last weeks in the Bear Valley Bible Institute here in Wotutu, and in other parts of the work here, things are progressing well. August is always a busy month in Cameroon, because it is the last month for children who have been on vacation to start making preparations to get back to school. It is also time for the youth in the churches of Christ to attend a retreat which is very spiritual. It is to help them empower them before they go back to their different classrooms.
Before exams for this quarter, the Bible students had a special day to learn how to use a computer and how they can do research online. They also learned how to prepare a PowerPoint. We are training 21st century preachers so we are trying our best to prepare them to fit into the society in which they find themselves.
We are left with 4 months until the graduation ceremony of the Zeta batch. Some have really grown to a good stage while others are still climbing to get to a higher level. It is normal! As we say here in Africa, “ALL FINGERS ARE NOT THE SAME,” but it is clear that all fingers have some sort of function in the body. Keep praying for the preaching students as many congregations are longing to see them graduate and start full time work in the vineyard of God in different locations.
We continue to send gospel tracts to different parts of Cameroon. Preachers who cannot afford to come to Wotutu, to come and select mission printing tracts that can aid their evangelistic work in their areas, can simply call me and I will ship them to their village using those big buses you see behind me. We are always happy to be able to serve others.
Weekend evangelism is a great tool in the work here because through weekend evangelism, which is expensive now, souls are being won. Any soul won into the kingdom is greater in comparison than any amount of money spent to bring that precious soul into Christ! Our weekend evangelism is doing a lot of nurturing, revival, and focusing as many congregations are receiving fresh exhortation from these young, but vibrant preachers in the Bear Valley Bible Institute. Most of our graduates are extremely willing and very happy to welcome our students to help in the work. Students went to assist in the village of Bolo Moboka, where our graduate minister Waka is serving the Lord.
This year’s Summer Youth Retreat was historic. As the crisis has calmed down just a little in the two English speaking regions in Cameroon, more parents are willing to allow their children to travel across the country to attend various programs. This year’s edition of the retreat had close to 400 youth in attendance. I was there, and spoke on the topic, “VIGILANCE.” This topic will go a long way to help our youth learn to take their time and concentrate in any endeavor in life.
APPRECIATIONS
Thank you! Thank you very much for all the blessings of God’s grace that you are helping to make us be able to enjoy. Your prayers and your support are really helping this work. Please keep it up! God is watching and will reward you in due season.
God bless you as you make a great day!
Elangwe and family
By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu