Beloved in Christ Jesus .
Greetings from the students and staff of BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN and fellow WBSFUW in the Western States of Nigeria.
23RD ANNUAL LEADERSHIP SEMINAR: The 23rd Annual Leadership Seminar took place from February 4 to 6, 2025, at Chad Wagner’s Open Hall in Butu-London, Butubutu Village, Ibadan, Oyo State. The event was attended by 157 adults from nine states across Nigeria.
Brethren began arriving at BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN on Sunday evening, and by 4:00 PM on Monday, the attendance had reached 66. Our guest speaker, Bro. Chad Wagner, joined us from Tuesday afternoon until Thursday evening to address key issues concerning the growth of the Lord’s Church in Nigeria, particularly in the western states.
A total of eleven gospel ministers participated in the seminar. The theme for this year’s gathering was "The Implementation of Ministerial Counseling in the Work of the Local Church."
Additionally, we were able to freely distribute:
1,670 copies of VOTI Volume 121
2,000 copies of the small Mission Printing songbook
15,000 copies of newly printed local tracts to the congregations represented.
END OF 2ND SEMESTER CLASSES AND UPCOMING SCHEDULE :The second semester officially conclude on February 7, 2025, after thirteen (13) weeks of classes. The third semester will last six (6) weeks, beginning on March 08, 2025, and ending on April 18, 2025.
Currently:
Year 1 students are engaged in vocational studies.
Year 2 students are on a preaching trip, ministering in congregations across the Western States of Nigeria.
Following the third semester, students will embark on their vocational studies and preaching trips as part of their practical ministerial training.
We appreciate your prayers and support as we continue to build up the Lord’s Church in Nigeria.
OUR TEAM WAS ATTACKED BY ARMED ROBBERS ON FEBRUARY 13,2025: Our WBS Team led by Bro. Eniafe Kayode was attacked by Armed Robbers on Thursday morning of February 13 in Osengere, Oyo State. The incident occurred at 6:30 am as they were en route to two private colleges in Ibadan for a World Bible School correspondence course enrollment during the colleges' Thursday morning devotion.
Unfortunately, the mission was disrupted, and one of our motorcycles was stolen. Bro. Eniafe Kayode was also physically assaulted before the robbers escaped with his motorcycle.
GREAT WORKSHOP 2025 HELD IN UKPAGADA, OGOJA, CROSS RIVER STATE, FROM FEBRUARY 18-22
We, the Ibadan team (Makinde Ebens, Eniafe Kayode, Oladokun Samuel, Amos Olusegun, and Adedoyin Rotimi), left Ibadan, Oyo State, at 4:12 pm on Monday to spend the night in a hotel near Sagamu Toll Gate, Ogun State.
On Tuesday morning, we joined the Lagos team at 7:12 am, and we arrived in Ukpagada, Ogoja, by 9:25 pm.
This year’s workshop focused on *Doing The Work (of Evangelism) Well*. The guest speaker, Bro. Chad Wagner, and the workshop director, Bro. Michael Udam, welcomed all the participants to the Ukpagada community in Ogoja, Cross River State, on Wednesday morning.
Some of the resource people included: Bro. Chad Wagner, Bro. Mike Udam, Bro. Samuel Okon, Bro. Tubobelem West, Bro. Usim Solomon, Bro. Joe Obinna, Bro. Mike Cochrane, Bro. Biodun Owolabi, among others.
The lectures were held daily between 9:00 am and 8:00 pm.
Day 2 of the workshop was dedicated to house-to-house evangelism within Ogoja town.
The program officially ended on Friday evening .
This year’s workshop was attended by over 800 participants from more than 20 states in Nigeria, with eleven attendees from Cameroon and Liberia.
Four thousand (4,000) copies of VOTI Volume 121, two thousand (2,000) copies of the small Mission Printing songbook, and many other materials, along with the Bible, were freely distributed during the three days of spiritual fellowship by the director of the program, Bro. Michael Udam.
Bro. Chad Wagner declared the seminar closed at 5:18 pm on Friday.
Lord willing, next year’s workshop will be held in Benin City, Edo State.
REPORT OF FOUR-WEEK STUDENTS' PREACHING TRIP/VOCATIONAL STUDIES : The BVBIN & SWSE-Ibadan students embarked on a four-week preaching trip/vocational studies from February 7, with an expected return date of March 10, ahead of the 3rd Semester classes.
The trip has yielded fruitful results, with: 13 conversions and 26 restorations.
Notably, on February 16, the students serving in Butu-London and its environs witnessed five souls added to the kingdom after the morning worship. The students from the Northern part (Kebbi and Benue States) have demonstrated remarkable commitment to soul-winning.
Interestingly, most of our conversions in January and February 2025 in Butu-London and its environs have been from the Northern region, while the restorations have been among Yoruba-speaking brethren.
To God be the glory and honor! We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to all partners and supporters.
ABOUT A STUDENT:
Bro. Itie-Ubong Okon Udo is one of our present year two students. He is from Ikot Ubam Ukwok, Ini L.G.A, Akwa-Ibom State. Born on February 3 ,2006. Converted in February 14, 2021 at The Church of Christ, Odoro Ukwok, Ini Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State.
Admitted into the Ministerial Department of BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN in August 2023.
His mission of coming here is to be well equipped with the Word of God so as to be able to defend the faith and sound evangelist in the future.
He is presently studying fashion designer as his vocational studies.
Conclusion: We are very much grateful to you all for your moral and financial assistance towards the growth of the Lord's Church in the world most especially in Nigeria. May the Lord continue to blessing our work together in Jesus Christ name, amen.
I remain yours in His Grace and Love as a servant ,
Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi
The Chief Servant of BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN and WBSFUW