FEBRUARY 2025 NARRATIVE REPORT
INTRODUCTION
February 2025 was a month with a difference. A month that saw BVBIZ adding more building blocks in the training of God’s vessels in view of the tasks that awaited them. Instructors, in ensuring that students receive the best and relevant content, take meticulous care in the process. This report details progress made in classes, in construction, on projects, at board level, student profiles and other notable activities.
1.0 CURRICULUM PROGRESS
To date, a few subjects have already been done and completed. These include Ethics, Entrepreneurship, Sign language and broiler production training. The following is the list of subjects being taught this term including their instructors.
Entrepreneurship Skills Development S. Chiunga
Broiler Production (workshop) S. Chiunga
Greek I K. Madyira
1 & 2 Corinthians I. Mutichu
Denominational Doctrines M.Muchingami
1 & 2 Thessalonians D. Estep
Wisdom Literature I.Mutichu
Christian Evaluation of Contemporary Ethics I.Mutichu
Sign Language C.Muzambi
Peter and Jude H.Suwar
2.0 YOUTH TRANSIT PROGRAM
The youth transit program that the school hosted from the 7th of January ended on the 7th of February. The following main issues were at the centre of the program; moral development, career guidance, entrepreneurship skills development and doctrinal aptitude development. Core modules included the New Testament church and its worship, Christian Ethics, Denominational Doctrines, Study skills, Career Guidance and Entrepreneurship Skills Development. The youths were being prepared for life in college or university. Since the church loses a number of young people at this stage, it is hoped that this program will assist the youths to remain faithful and be agents of change to their mates. The attendees received certificates of attendance to the program.
3.0 SIGN LANGUAGE
BVBIZ has made several inroads in its attempt to produce highly competent graduates who will be able to communicate God’s word to everyone at any level. One strategy was the inclusion of Sign Language and Theology of Disability as subjects to the curriculum. Method Moyo (a 2022 graduate, working as a chaplain at Cure Zimbabwe Children’s Hospital in Bulawayo and preaching at Bellevue Church of Christ in Bulawayo) teaches theology of Disability. Charles Muzambi, a 2021 graduate advanced in Sign Language though he is working with Warren Park congregation in Harare. The teaching of sign language is a partnership between Rutendo Foundation and BVBIZ. This partnership has enabled every student to receive the necessary training in this area. The current class did its first level of training in February. The second level shall commence early next year. The parallel class will undergo the same training as well. After the first level training, one student, Takudzwa Chitura was moved to say the following;
Steps towards Inclusivity: Bear Valley Bible Institute Zimbabwe's Ground breaking Initiative
In a remarkable stride towards inclusivity, sign language has been added as a course for preachers-in-training at Bear Valley Bible Institute Zimbabwe, an emerging church of Christ preacher training college in the heart of Zimbabwe's Midlands province, marking a significant step towards inclusivity. This innovative initiative, which attempts to close the gap in the church's outreach to the deaf and other minority groups and make the gospel accessible to all. The school started teaching sign language 5 years ago.
According to John 3:16, the Bible tells us that "God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse emphasizes how God's love and salvation are available to everyone. Communication hurdles have, however, frequently impeded the church's capacity to reach everyone, especially those with physical impairments. One important step in removing these obstacles is the addition of sign language instruction to the curriculum at Bear Valley Bible Institute Zimbabwe.
The students' progress in this new course has been greatly aided by Minister Muzambi, the sign language instructor. In turn, the students have demonstrated their dedication to inclusive ministry by exhibiting amazing acceptance and eagerness in learning the language.
The impact of this project on the church's outreach to the deaf and hard-of-hearing people is extensive. The institute is giving preachers the tools they need to share the gospel with a previously unreached population by teaching them sign language. "So, how can they call on the one they have not believed in?" wrote the apostle Paul. Furthermore, how can they have faith in someone they have not heard of and how are they able to hear if no one is preaching to them? (Romans 10:14). Bear Valley Bible Institute Zimbabwe is just getting started on its path to diversity with the introduction of sign language. Other such actions that could be included are:
1. Accessibility: Making sure that those with disabilities may physically access church facilities.
2. Inclusive worship: Including components of inclusive worship, like communion tables that are wheelchair accessible and audio descriptions for worshippers who are blind or visually impaired.
3. Training on disability awareness: Educating church leaders and members on disability awareness, support, and etiquette.
4. Community outreach: Forming alliances with nearby groups that assist those with disabilities in order to make sure that the church's outreach initiatives are successful and inclusive.
Bear Valley Bible Institute Zimbabwe's faculty succinctly states that inclusion is not only morally required, but also mandated by the Bible. As ministers of reconciliation, it is our responsibility to dismantle obstacles and construct bridges. BVBIZ is making a big stride in meeting this obligation by offering sign language as a subject.
To sum up, Bear Valley Bible Institute Zimbabwe's decision to offer sign language instruction is a ground-breaking move that serves as a strong model for organizations and churches around the nation. We would be wise to take the institute's lead and make daring efforts to close the divides that divide us as we work to build a more compassionate and inclusive community.
4.0 PROJECTS UPDATE
BVBIZ projects continued well in the month of February. Crops such as tomatoes, cabbages, green paper, maize and covo continued to do fairly well. Butternuts failed to meet our expectations. More cabbages and yellow paper will be grown in early March. Goats, cattle and poultry projects are still ongoing. Incessant rains and ever-changing temperatures slowed poultry projects a bit but the resolve is still ongoing. Harvesting of the tomatoes in the green houses began on the 26th of February. Produce from such projects have been key in lowering the food budget and provide a bit of extra income for the school’s operations.
5.0 CLASSROOM BLOCK PROGRESS
Construction of the classroom block to the seal level began on the 3rd of February and ended on the 6th. Incessant rains then stopped progress on the structure. The inspector passed the level on the 20th and builders were back on site on the 22nd to continue with the work. BVBIZ wishes to thank all those individuals who made a contribution towards this project including Woodland Oaks church of Christ. Current available materials should enable us to reach the roof level only. After this, resources will be needed for window frames, doors, plastering of the interior, floors, ceiling, plumbing and electrical wiring.
6.0 STUDENT PROFILES
The conventional class has 14 students. There are two couples and eleven single students. The following are their names, congregations and provinces of origin:
7.0 STRATEGIC PLAN WORKSHOP
The 2025-2029 BVBIZ strategic plan is currently being finalised. The 2022-2024 plan ended in December 2024. The strategic plan will act as a blueprint for the school until 2029. After getting inputs from various stakeholders, the second stage was a strategic planning workshop, which took place at the Avondale Church of Christ premises on the 22nd of February 2025. Management, board members, alumni representatives and representatives from the ambassadors’ wing attended the event. Bro. Lavert Zungunde (commonly referred to as the strategist) of SPED Empowerment and Development (Pvt) (Ltd) and a board member, was the facilitator.
CONCLUSION
We thank God for what He has been able to do for the school in February. We look back and see God’s hand and favour following us. This would not have been possible without your financial, moral and spiritual support.To the partners and sponsors, may God continue to bless you. We always look to the future with hope that indeed, through these efforts, the gates of hades will not prevail against the church (Mt 16.18). Classes proceeded well, progress was registered on the projects, progress on the classroom block continued, the formulation of the school’s strategy is in full swing, the board’s progress was registered and the youth transit program ended well. For all these and more, God’s presence was remarkable. To Him, be the glory forever and ever!