Future Preacher’s Training Camp (FPTC) is underway in Denver. This camp brings more than 40 young men, ages 13-18, to the Bear Valley Church of Christ in Denver. These young men will spend an intense week of learning about how to prepare and preach a sermon. They learn about how to study a text of scripture, use the resources of the library and then present their lessons to the elders and staff of the camp.
As well, they develop a spiritual bond that will last beyond the one week they are together. These young men, who come from all over the country, are preparing themselves early for vastly needed positions within the Lord’s church today. They may not be preachers, but with a better understanding of God’s word, they may serve as teachers, elders, or deacons. Around the world there is a great need for men who are willing and able to use God’s word accurately in building up the church and reaching out to the lost. Their efforts are going to make a difference for an eternity.
The Visakha Valley Bible College in Visakhapatnam, India and the BVBIU in Gorlovka, Ukraine is also involved in such an activity. They bring a number of young men together with the purpose of preparing them to learn how to preach the gospel in the same way. You can read more about their efforts in India in last week’s report from John Dean. The school affords the staff an opportunity to give these young men a foundation for what we pray will one day be involved in spreading the gospel throughout India and Ukraine. It is exciting to see that not only does Bear Valley have an influence in training men to preach the gospel, now the FPTC is helping change young men as well.
If you would like to know more about how the Future Preacher’s Training Camp operates, feel free to contact the Bear Valley Church of Christ or the Bear Valley Bible Institute. You can also click here to go to the website and learn more about FPTC.
Now on to the other reports...
Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is /extension-schools/
Donnie Bates provided us with his monthly newsletter. To see the report, please check here.
Extension Reports
Visiting Instructors In Cameroon: Josh Austin and David Ballard are in Wotutu, Cameroon teaching short courses for the students.
Recruiting Students In Ukraine: The staff is busy with recruiting students in Ukraine to be a part of the next class of students.
Gratitude From Uganda: In everything give thanks. This is the attitude demonstrated by those in Uganda.
Increase Is Given In Paraguay: The work continues to see people respond to the gospel in Asunción, Paraguay.
God Is Alive And Well In Arusha: God has blessed the laborers in the vineyard on the fields near Arusha, Tanzania.
Pre-campaign Results Are Fruitful: Several groups have seen success in reaching the people of Tanzania with the gospel.
Final Thoughts
As Sheryl and I prepare to make a six week trip around the middle part of the country, we look forward to meeting with many of you about the work. It is always encouraging to share news about the work and project our future plans for the work of Extension Training. Each of you are the very lifeline for the program. Without you it would not succeed. God is working through you in powerful ways to see the gospel proclaimed around the world.
Thank you!
God bless
Bob