Happy Lord’s day brethren, I greet you all in Christ Jesus. I am so delighted with humility to report to you about Bear Valley Bible Institute here in Taraba State, Nigeria. The first quarter of this year was full of challenges. First of all was the naira crunch which affected our evangelism outings because it was almost impossible sometimes to access the bank notes for payment of transportation. There was also acute shortage premium motor spirit (PMS) which complicated issues. Notwithstanding, by God grace, we are able to scale through. Our classes were also distracted by election schedules but, we also rescheduled and also fixed classes on Fridays.
We began our second year in January with ten students in the classroom but ended up with 15 for the quarter. Brother A. Terkule JNR took the students on The Life of Christ (Mark) while brother Bala Egbwakoteh taught Wisdom Literature, 1st/2nd Peter and the book of Jude.
During evangelism under the period review, 48 studies were conducted involving 89 persons, 12 studies were dropped and 36 are hopeful to be continued. We recorded one baptism. Our first campaign for Christ for this year is scheduled for April at Yola town. We are soliciting for your prayers as we are hoping to revive the church that meets at the army barracks. The church had internal conflict and the brethren scattered leaving only one family worshipping.
We have also received funds for this year budget and that of the first quarter has been expended. We are also in need of printed evangelism materials that we can handout to our prospects that can study on their own. We are also happy to inform you that our students teach and preach every Sunday in various congregations in and around Jalingo city.
Our plan for the second quarter is to start a congregation in Kusuwan-Ladi village where a brother just relocated for farming business. He has invited the school to come and help him work to establish a church there.
Thank you for the love you have for God and the work here in northern Nigeria.
Yours fellow servant,
Madaki I. Elkanah
(Local Director)