OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2024
INTRODUCTION
It is that time of the year when we take statistics of the journey through the year. All thanks to the Almighty God for grace to recount. It has been a very challenging year ranging from economic to spiritual battles both within and without. However, thanks be to God for the grace to survive. We appreciate the Bear Valley Family for enabling the churches in Nigeria and Africa to wake up to the call. May the God of all grace bless everyone who is working on the field, the international coordinators who fly from one country to another preaching and supplying the needs of the brethren as well as the very ones providing the funds to continue this great work.
ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
DSC CENTER
In the month of October Solomon Usim continued the studies in the book of Revelation II. The study showed that regardless of what the Red Dragon (the Old Serpent) and the Beast, both the Land and the Sea Beast, the persecuted Christians had comfort in ultimate victory. That the Lamb would be victorious in the ensuing battle of Armageddon. It was a comforting study for all the students in the presence of the current challenges. A total of 20 students sat for the exams.
Classes resumed in the month of November. Iduh Odike explored various themes in the Minor prophets. The Minor Prophets are not minor in their work for God but by their writings and for the purposes of classification. The study related to an understanding of God's love, anger and punishment for Israel and other nations. A total of 17 students sat for the exams.
PTI CENTER
Abiola Ojoade resumed with the students in the month of October. The course was Minor Prophets. The Minor Prophets are minor in their volume of writings but not in their work for God. The course demonstrated God's love, mercy, anger and Judgement upon Israel and other nations. A total of eleven (11) students sat for the examination.
In November, Solomon Usim discussed the course Intertestamental Period. It was an exciting experience as the students were led into the history behind the New Testament. The Old Testament closed without any mention of the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the Sanhedrin. The role of the Maccabees and the introduction of the feast of dedication. A total of eleven (12) students sat for the examination.
UGHELLI CENTER
Iduh Creed Odike discussed the course Personal Evangelism 1. The course deals with how one can reach out to individuals and groups, and evidence about the originality of the gospel for salvation. The students were excited about new methods to conduct effective Bible studies and reaching out to the lost souls. A total of 8 students sat for the examination.
In the month of November, Enite Bliss Ibuje taught the course The New Testament Church. The New Testament Church is not just a part of God's eternal purpose, it is God's eternal purpose. The New Testament church is God’s channel through which mankind can be saved in these last days. It is compared to the Ark of Noah without which no man can be saved. Exactly eight (8) students sat for the examination.
CAMPAIGN
On Saturday, 23rd November 2024, the Bear Valley Bible Institute, Nigeria- Warri students, conducted a gospel outreach at Oghara in Etiope East Local Government Area of Delta State. After the preaching exercise, the students encouraged the church of Christ that meets behind General Hospital Oghara. The congregation is small and needs help. Oghara is a very big town with little church of Christ presence. There is much to be done at that place. At the end of the program Noble Oghenegueke was baptized to the glory of God. The Warri centers continually request prayers so that young Noble remains committed to the course of Christ.
Moreover, between the 15th and 17th of November, the Bear Valley Bible Institute students embarked on another campaign to encourage the new congregation planted November 2021 at Oghior town, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State. The members of the congregation have been encouraged by the exercise. As at the time of this report, no baptism has been recorded. The preacher, Philip Ayemoro expresses gratitude and optimism on the outcome of the evangelism exercise.
CHALLENGES AND PROSPECT
The challenges of life are not peculiar to any people. However, the bad leadership in Nigeria is more like the tsunami in the west. The economic hardship is telling. Some of our very good students are dropping because of the hike in transportation. This hike resulted from the exorbitant price of premium motor spirit (PMS). It has made travelling very unbearable. To this end, we must thank the Bear Valley family and the international director for encouraging our finances. It must be noted that one or two of such students, who travel from afar, could return to school if something can be done to alleviate the transportation problems.
Moreover, the DSC center of the school would be rounding off her program by March next year. To this end, we have scheduled their lectureship and graduation to be on the 28th of February and 1st of March respectively. We request that you join us in prayers to enable us to achieve this lofty agenda.
1. Number of Students: Fifty-nine (59), Seventeen (17) at PTI, Twenty-seven (27) at DSC and Fifteen (15) at Ughelli center.
2. Number of Graduates (if any this year) None
3. Number of Campaigns: Three Campaigns at Ovwor Olomu, Oghara and Oghior Villages.
4. Number of Baptisms: 66
5. Number of any New Churches Planted: One. (Church of Christ Otor-Udu)
6. Number of any Churches Restored: None
7. Number of Teachers: Seven (7)
8. Number of Restorations: None
CONCLUSION
To God be all the glory. It is another year of grace. We are thankful that we are almost at the end of another year. The work is growing while the hardship is hitting hard. This year has been very challenging. However, we have survived to this point. The initiative of the Bear Valley Family is worthy of commendation. The schools have created a reawakening even in hinterlands. Preachers are waking up even those we supposedly have forgotten are now coming back alive. New enclaves are coming back alive. New study centers are coming up. We pray that our loving Father will keep the work going to the glory of His name. Thank you so much for your unwavering support. God bless you!