New students begin classes in Zambia

Introduction

New Year’s greetings from BVBI-Zambia to you all brothers and sisters in the Lord and master Jesus Christ!  We hope and pray that you had a wonderful experience in the first month of the brand new year. We continue to pray that you have a year that is filled with things that mean most to you and energize you for a happy and healthy 2025!

The school has resumed classes besides the disturbance of cholera outbreak in Zambia especially in Lusaka province. All our students have come back in one peace and eager to complete their final year. We have had a good beginning of the year looking at the activities that took place with both our current student body and our Alumni. 

BVBI-ZAMBIA NEW SCHOOL YEAR

We have started with fifteen new students for 2025-2026 intake with two married students David Musmuko and Trust Siamachila. The rest thirteen are singles and come from five provinces of our country Zambia with the following names, Daliso Mbewe, Fenwell Sichoonda, Chalikosa Elvis, Lenard Chanda,Peter Chivumba,Warry Skalomo, Samwel Zemba Misheck Kapalu, Rupiya Masiye, Charles Mwape and Matthews  Chileshe. The school is going on well and we are very confident that we have another good year of teaching and preparing preachers. 

Our visitor

We were so delighted to meet with our Extension Director Keith Kasarjian from our main campus in Denver USA. Though it was just a one day visit we shared a lot as school administration and he also had time to teach our students on the Importance of Preaching. His visit was a great encouragement to us and we were invigorated.

In the same capacity we are looking forward to the coming of our Country coordinator Donnie Estep who we are expecting to visit in March this year. We just wish the two servants of the most High the blessings from above. 

New babes in Christ

We have recorded three (3) Baptisms in Luanshya through the preaching of our new students. And we have recorded one in Kanfinsa constituence of Kitwe where Boyd and Jally are preaching. We also recorded two from Northern province through Levy Silungwe and Reaben Museka In Mbala together we have recorded five (6) baptisms. God bless the new addition to the Church

Restorations

We visited Mufulira district on the copperbelt where we also distributed gospel literature at Church of Christ in Kamuchanga Township. Nine (9) restorations were recorded eleven souls had promised to be in worship service the following Sunday service. We gave contacts of every soul we came in contact with to the leadership of the church there. We also recorded three (3) restorations in Lusaka province where Daniel Manyoni our former student is preaching in Mtendere. On the same development sixteen (16)  souls in Baluba  Chibwe where Prince Chisupa, Joseph Musonda and Austin combined effort in preaching. Six  (6) restorations where recorded in Southern province were TRyvin, Abiton and Daniel our alumni are preaching now. Together we have had twenty (34) restorations. 

.Conclusion

May our God continue to bless you for Loving God, our prayer is always that those we train would like to see them all develop into great leaders in the Church of our Lord. Winning souls is our business, may God be with you always as we labor in His vineyard.

In His service,

Cephas and Fred

Mining souls in the Copper Belt of Zambia

December, 2024 

Introduction

We send seasonal greetings to you all brothers and sisters!! It is always a pleasure to have our time of writing this report and we always give honor and glory to God through our master and savior Jesus Christ who has given us the opportunity to work in His Kingdom. We write to highlight on the work as we ended the month of December in the year 2024.

We must mention that we have began and welcomed the new year of 2025 on a very effervescent note; very hopeful of good things to be learned. We pray for a fruitful year in His vineyard.  

Highlights of December

We as BVBI-Zambia have ended the month of December with several success which gives as a reason to say thank you heavenly Father. Here on the copper belt province we have had a good number of meeting with the seven congregations of which four are in Luanshya district and two in Mpongwe district, one in Masaiti District, our interaction with leaders and members have been a promise of the best relationship we are experiencing right now. It will improve even more

As we got deeper in the month, we took advantage of the festive season positive mood of wanting to do more for the Lord by many non Christians including Christians themselves. Women on the copper belt met in Luanshya and Ndola respectively and we as the Institute where there to coordinate their meeting, there was a spirit of excitement as they learned the word of God. It was an open meeting to the community too. They were hundred and ten in total who attended the meeting with seven (7) restorations.

In Kitwe we had the youths who assembled to evangelize in the community for one day and our former students where there to lead in doing the work for our master, Boyd Kalaba Jally Siawaza and Gershom Chansa did a wonderful work. They were two hundred and sixteen in total who gathered to hear the message and when evangelists went out for practsl work two (2) baptisms recorded and five (5) restorations.

We also had same meeting which took place in Zimba and Livingstone of southern province ,were four of our former students was in attendance and taught their fellow youths, In this meeting we had a record of eight (8) baptisms which were done by Daniel kapata working together with Tryvin and Abiton Siamachila. This was a perfect combination for our master’s work and the results were great. On the same development Vincent in Livingstone is doing a good work seven hundred youths gathered for one day in order to strengthen a work relationship of the Church in that area it was a great thing to see them preach as we begin the New Year.

 The planting season:

 When this season began we almost got the same experience as that of 2023/24 drought but, According to the National Metrological department of Zambia forecast of 2024/2025 rainfall season, the rainfall amounts are likely to be normal to below in most of parts of the country. And beside our busy schedule to preach, we are taking time also to make use of this season to plant seeds in the ground. We have planted soya beans, beans, maize and some sweet potatoes.    

Baptisms/restorations

We had a total of thirteen Baptisms. And we recorded twelve restorations. Please continue to pray for us and our former students as we do the work together and Zambia at large. 

Conclusion

We continue to believe that the school is on firm ground to training faithful men who are teaching others to remain and continue in His kingdom of light. Without Christian principles, we continue to give a special thank you to our amazingly supportive family and friends of Bear Valley Bible Institute-International and the Church of Christ at Woodland Oaks in Texas; you are always in our prayers!

In His service,

Cephas and Fred

Practical teaching in Zambia

November 2024 Report

Introduction

We are sending our seasonal greetings to you all brothers and sisters our fellow laborers in His vineyard. It is our honor to be servants in His kingdom and we continue in our determination to achieve for Jesus. The month of November 2024 continued to be very fruitful especially after twelve trained preachers were released in His vineyard after October 5th 2024. The following are some of the happenings that were recorded during the month of November 2024 here at Bear valley Bible Institute Zambia.

Work in northern province

So far we have four of our former students working in the Northern part of Zambia and we have great news, from Reuben and Levy up north in Mbala and Mpulungu districts. The two brothers have combined forces in order to strengthen the two congregations they are working with. They had at one time met with a brother from Burundi in Mpulungu and now intending to cross over for the same work.

We have in Mporokoso the two brothers Ishmael Kanyangala and Mike Kanyangala working together and have Baptized seven souls just within the month of November. Their father is an elder and preacher too. We believe as we expand in training more preachers from the Northern and Muchinga Provinces will be covered well. 

Churches of Christ on the copper belt province:

 We saw a good representation of Churches of Christ here on the copper belt province on our fourth graduation ceremony and we are making steady progress in the way the school is interacting with the church on the copper belt. One of the elders who spoke on behalf of those who were present said we pledge to work with these evangelists being trained here and we have welcomed the School here. He even asked Donnie as the coordinator to pass the information to brothers and sisters in the U. S. A.

Speaking at the same function brother Kennedy Mukuka gave charge to the graduates and encouraged the church to remain united and the message was a great encouragement to all who were present.  We the administrations of BVBI-Zambia with twenty-six leaders from different congregations here on the Copper belt met to strengthen our work relationship and meeting went on very well. call from D.R Congo – below we have attached the picture of the congregation that is growing and are very eager to meet the team from BVBI-Zambia. We have been working with this congregation through one of our former student Joseph Ilunga. The congregation reduced in number from fifteen to six and eight before our involvement, but now through our support the congregation attendance has gone up to twenty three and thirty. We have three brothers who are prospective students to our school, brother Tressor, Augaustin and Kamimbi. We supported their Trip for evangelism and the results were very encouraging, they baptized four men and three women. We want to do more but we are still very limited in terms of finances.

They are now calling to meet the team from BVBI-Zambia that more can be trained from there please pray for us that their dream may become a reality.

Practice what you preach!

As Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:1 “you know, brothers and sisters that our visit to you was not without results.” Every time we come in contact with our fellow Christians we become encouraged to do good and for better results. Our students are not spared and are providing a good example in many communities where they are serving. After graduation our former students are very anxious to win many souls to Christ by putting into practice the survival skill they acquired during their training at BVBI-Zambia. In the picture attached you see Brother Cephas Mwamba working with our former students in building (to add to their ministry as to what Paul called Tent making) they are doing this in order to preach they have become examples to others.

We have two of our former students studying medicine and still doing very fine in preaching the gospel to others. We attach a picture of Simon who recently did practical work in Mumbwa district of Lusaka and worked with a congregation there. We had a good recommendation from one of the leader where he did the work. We are so proud of Him. We also have Sthembiso Magawa who worked in Eastern part of Zambia and we received a from one of the elders asking the school to help in evangelism for a week.

Baptisms recorded:

What a joy it was to see Getrude Mweshi, Jane kaonga, mulenga Naomy, fridah Mavy  obey and put on Christ in Baptism in the month of November. We also recorded three baptisms from Mporokoso through Ishmael and one from Mbala through Levy. We also recorded two baptism in Kitwe through Jally, Boyd nad Gershom, the three are working together to help the congregation get well established.  We have in total of Ten (10) souls Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they began new life with Jesus, 

Restorations recorded

We have recorded thirteen restorations of which seven came through Granton Mwela who is working with Central congregation in Mansa, six from southern through Tryvin and Abiton and four on the copper belt Luanshya District.      

Conclusion

We continue to work and pray diligently that all the work of God be a success and for you brethren “but as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good” 2 Thessalonians 3:13. May the God of Heaven, the shepherd of our souls, bless our relationship and may we grow together in grace as we work together to the glory of God.  

In His service

Cephas and Fred

Graduation in Luanshya, Zambia

Introduction

Hearty greetings to you all brothers and sisters! We give honor and glory to God our heavenly Father who through His grace and the love fully expressed in Christ has granted us the opportunity to work in His Kingdom. We are but mortal vessels who should strive to draw closer to God and imbibe on His eternal Word even as He uses us for His purpose. The month of October 2024 continued to be very fruitful as far as work in His vineyard is concerned. The following are some of the happenings that were recorded during the month October 2024 here at Bear valley Bible Institute Zambia.

Graduation ceremony

We held our fourth graduation ceremony at our school. The graduation ceremony was attended by many brethren around the copper belt and beyond. We were so delighted to receive Donnie Estep us our guest of honor who graced this momentous occasion. We also received seventeen leaders from nine congregations on the copper belt. We had other guest parents who came from Northern, southern and Lusaka provinces respectively. 

We had thirteen students who graduated (as attached to the pictures) and are now out in the field doing the work of our Master and savoir Jesus Christ All the students performed extremely well. Seven men graduated with distinctions and four others graduated with merits while only one graduated with a credit. We have seen a tremendous improvement in the passing rate of these students  

Meeting with BVBI-Zambia Exes

We are very happy to report that after our graduation ceremony we had enough time to meet with eleven of our former students. It was very fruitful meetings in which we discussed what they are doing and were they are. We are glad to report that all of them are preaching and some of them are advancing in other field of knowledge, we humbly solicit your prayers for all our alumni. They have remained faithful to the mission of Christ. We also intend to have fresher courses with our Alumni.  

Gospel meetings – we had a gospel meeting which was held at Church of Christ in Mufulira. It was held from 18th October, 2024 to 20th October, 2024. Seven congregations were represented during this meeting.  

Two lessons were taught. Brother Cephas and Brother Fred were tasked to teach the two lessons. Fred spoke on the subject “God wants a Family”. Cephas spoke on the subject “Family needs Guidance”. We had a very good attendance from these seven congregations and from the community nearby

New intake of 2025-26

After graduation our focus now is on recruiting a new intake of fifteen students. We are now in the process of interviewing and accepting new students. The whole month of November and part of December is about this recruitment. We open classes on 6th January 2025. We are expecting fifteen students for 2025-2026 class, we anticipate another good men to be trained for leadership and preaching.

We should also mention that we are expecting three brothers from Democratic Republic of Congo but we need to travel in order for us to meet them and recruit them from there. At least two or three of us should travel and we need extra funding for us to have this dream realized. We are already working with two congregations one in Kinshasa and the other one in Lububashi.

New births in Christ

We have recorded thirteen baptisms in the month of October; we had seven on the copper belt province, three from Luapula and three from Northern Province where Reuben Museka and Levy Silungwe are doing a great work. 

Restorations

We can gladly report that we have recorded twenty two restorations, fourteen came from southern province of Zambia where six of our students worked together to achieve one goal for serving souls. Brother Cephas Mwamba met and worked with them. Our Alumni continue to unite in our mission. They met in a district bordering three countries namely Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Tryvin Siamachila and his Brother Abiton had opportunity to teach the youths     

Conclusion

Thank you kindly to all who have continued helping with the training of these men for the deep and meaningful task of preaching the Gospel. Special thanks go to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for their continued financial support, Bear Valley Bible Institute family and indeed everyone involved in this very important work. May our God continue to bless you all!  

In His service

Cephas and Fred

Luanshya, Zambia alumni continue preaching the word

October, 2024 

Report

Introduction

The month of September 2024 continued to be very fruitful as far as evangelism is concerned. The following are some of the happenings that were recorded during the month September 2024 here at Bear valley Bible Institute Zambia.

Evangelism

The students had intensified their personal evangelism. They were given some targets of people to preach to during week. And we were reaching twenty four persons per week. By this method we discovered that ninety-six (96) persons received the message of salvation

We also increased the number of houses in which Bible studies were conducted. Each team consisting of half of the students had Bible studies twice a week in different homes of Christians. 

Baptisms

We are very happy to report that the month of September has recorded seventeen (17) baptisms, which are positive numbers as far as furthering the mission of God is concerned. We can safely say that a week hardly passes without witnessing a conversion or a restoration of Christians. Our alumni have continued to work very hard in the bringing of people back to the Lord. We humbly solicit your prayers for all our alumni. They have remained faithful to the mission of Christ. We also intend to have fresher courses with our Alumni.  

End of the Final Quarter (2024)

The courses that were concluded for the final of 2024 academic year included: The Book of Revelation, Christian Ethics, Congregational Development, Denominational Doctrines and elementary Greek. After completing the above courses, we became very busy in preparing a colorful graduation ceremony after all our students completed their full prescribed courses of Biblical Studies by the administration of Bear Valley Bible Institute. Hence the 2022 -2024 intake graduation ceremony has been done; we will give our full report in the month of October 2024. 

The students are really excited and four of them have been taken by the congregations on the copper belt province to give service. After graduating, all of them have gone back to their respective congregations that are dotted across Zambia.

We will definitely miss all of them here at school but we are very confident that they will make great preachers wherever they are.

Hosting the training of survival skills with Healing Hands International-USA

Bear Valley Bible Institute Zambia hosted the training of survival skill sponsored by Healing Hands International. The workshop was conducted by Dr Ebenezer Udofia, the Coordinator for African region.

Dr Udofia ably taught eighty three (83) participations on Agricultural techniques in order to maximize crop production. This training was extended to even non- members of Church of Christ. And they were very grateful to be invited for such a workshop. We also recorded three (3) baptisms at the end of this workshop

A new building at a new congregation

We are helping our newly established congregation to have a structure were they are meeting for worship in a village of Masaiti District. The congregation is increasing in numbers and all are very excited as they labor for the master, they stated with eight members and the numbers have risen to twenty-eight. We have attached some pictures taken during our work and worship.

Conclusion

Our hearts are forever indebted to all our partners and to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ in particular for financial support and all the encouragement given to us for this noble work. 

You are always in our prayers. May God richly bless you all!!

Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred

Baptisms in Lusaka, Zambia

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE LUSAKA

THIRD QUARTER REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2024

INTRODUCTION                                                                                                                                                                                                      On behalf of the management of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Lusaka, I wish to submit this Third Quarter Report for the year 2024.

COURSES COVERED

 The courses covered were three as shown below, giving us a total of 31 taught so far.

a)   1 & 2 Thessalonians,

b)   1, 2, & 3 John and Jude

c)   1 & 2 Peter.

On average, we had 11 students who attended the classes in the quarter under review.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

In the month of July, I (Jonah Siyanga) was invited to be one of the speakers at the 35th Namwianga Mission Annual Lectureship which was held in Kalomo, Southern Province about 350 Km away from Lusaka. The theme of the Lectureship was: “Living a Christian Life in a Sinful World” and the topics I taught were:

a)   Evangelism and Christian Life

b)   Christian Life and Giving

The total attendance at the Lectureship was 1,144 members. Among the speakers were brothers from the USA and South Africa. We recorded 17 baptisms, 22 restorations and 35 members were prayed for due to ailments and other problems.

In the same month of July, we sadly lost an older lady who was baptized at the age of 98 years at Situmbeko Church of Christ, the congregation which was planted in May 2024. Some of the staff and students attended and facilitated the burial church service.

In the month of August, the Lusaka local churches of Christ hosted the Men’s National Annual Lectureship where some of the Bear Valley Bible Institute staff and students were part of the organizing and preaching team. The Lectureship was held from August 22 – 25, 2024 on the Theme: “The Passionate Man”.

The Men’s Lectureship was attended by 248 men. It was grateful to note that in the same number, we had some brothers who came from Mozambique and South Africa. One baptism was recorded and 28 brothers were restored.

The Month of September was for the Students’ Local Congregational Outreach Program, that is from Chunga Church of Christ, George Central Church of Christ, Kanyama West Church of Christ, John Laing Church of Christ and Lusaka Central Church of Christ. In response to this approach, the total number of 8 baptisms and 42 restorations were recorded as shown below.

a)   Chunga Church recorded 1 baptism and 13 restorations

b)   Kanyama West Church recorded 3 baptisms and 8 restorations

c)   George Central Church recorded 1 Baptism and 11 restorations

d)   John Laing Church recorded 5 restorations

e)   Lusaka Central Church recorded 3 baptisms and 5 restorations

On the other hand, I wish to report to you that in the quarter under discussion, the Bear Valley Bible Institute (BVBI) continued to be instrumental in the preaching of the gospel to the incarcerated in the local correctional facilities of Kamwala Remand, Lusaka Prison and Mwembeshi Open Prison. 

In the same quarter under review, the BVBI team were involved in various routine activities in their respective congregations by conducting classes for the new converts, teaching Bible study classes and preaching.

In order to help these newly planted congregations to grow spiritually and numerically, BVBI and Lusaka Central church sent out students and church members for preaching and teaching at least twice per month.

In addition, you may wish to be informed that BVBI paid monthly rentals of ZMW 200.00 for the Situmbeko Church of Christ which meets in a classroom at Kalala Combined School.  This congregation was planted in May this year and it is located in the rural area whereby apart from one the majority of the members are unemployed villagers.

BAPTISMS

In the month under review, the BVBI team facilitated the baptism of 26 souls that were added to the Lords’ church from the above executed activities.  That is:

a)   17 from the Namwianga Mission Annual Lectureship

b)   1 from the Men’s National Annual Lectureship, and

c)   8 from the Student’s Local Congregational Outreach Program.

RESTORATIONS

Accordingly, the BVBI facilitated the restoration of 92 souls in the quarter under discussion. That is,

a)   22 from the Namwianga Mission Annual Lectureship

b)   28 from the Men’s National Annual Lectureship,

c)   42 from the Student’s Local Congregational Outreach Program.

CONCLUSION

The BVBI Lusaka is grateful for the continued support being invested in the advancement of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the growing of the Kingdom of God.

 Jonah Siyanga

Director

For/ Bear Valley Institute Lusaka Management

Graduation nears in Zambia

Introduction

We continue to give God glory and honor as we labor in His vineyard and we will always cherish our partnership with you brethren in the fellowship of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. So we send warm greetings through His Son our Redeemer. 

The month of August was another good experience at BVBI-Zambia especially on the Copperbelt Province and Zambia at large. We are happy to send this report to you once again!

Our final quarter

The classes are going on well, counting every millisecond as we conclude our final quarter. Knowing that we have no time to wastet we are balancing our class time and preaching well. Though we still have one upcoming Campaign in Ndola in the month of September of which BVBI-Zambia has agreed to cooperate with one of the Congregation there in defense of the word of God, our time is really tight.  

Our Graduation is set   

We are sending the 2022-24 intake students back to their home congregation for their service after being trained for two years. Their graduation is set on 5th October this year. We continue to pray that all goes on well. As we look back on the class that is graduating, we are filled with great satisfaction of how they have grown into capable men who will be able to teach and preach. Prince Chisupa is our youngest student and he is one of the best students we have. He devotes himself completely to his studies and preaching. On the other hand we have Obed Silwimba who is our oldest student. Obed is advanced in age. In spite of his age, Obed has done tremendously well in his studies and preparation to preach. All the students that are graduating are ready to go back to their respective congregations and make a huge difference in the Kingdom of God. 

Special Request

Please pray for us that our graduation may be successful. We are looking forward to this glorious occasion for our students once again.  

Our evangelistic campaign in Lusaka west 

We had our evangelistic strip on 22 to 26th August in Lusaka west. This trip was made possible by Brother Donnie Estep who supported us financially in going and coming back. It was a very healthy trip spiritually and it was a good experience for the students. Not only that, trips like this one makes the school to be known. We thank Brother Estep for his good gesture as far as this work is concerned.

Reports on our Alumni:

Our Alumni continue to be of good service to various congregations where they are serving to mention just a few:

Boyd Kalaba reports from Kanfinsa in Kitwe district of the Copperbelt Province of Zambia that the work of the Lord there continues to thrive. He has had a number of baptisms and restorations since he started working with Kanfinsa congregation. He has asked Jally Siawaza also our alumnus to join him and help him with follow-ups for the next month. Jally is working with Riverside church of Christ in Livingstone district of Southern Province of Zambia. Jally is very active and effective working with the youths at Riverside congregation. 

Daniel Kapata teaching at a secondary school in Zimba southern province has continued to do the work for the Lord well. We recorded three of his pupils who got baptized as a result of him teaching them the gospel of Christ. Daniel also encouraged our current student body by working together it has been an awesome experience. Simon Nkhazi studying medicine was on practicals in Mumbwa district and during his time of working there he congregated with the church there, we have recorded three restorations and one baptism.

Additions to the body of Christ:

We are so happy to report the addition of the following to the Lord’s Church: Tina zulu, Jenipher Sikota, Mercy Siyachinduka, Justina Mukalabi, Monica Mulongo, Regina Nanjame, Prisca Namumba, Anna Simpasia, Memory, Priscavia Majuba, Tekla Mundenda, Rosa Sibajene, Diana Ndjovu, Beverly Sulwe and precious Chibalani. We give glory to God for this Sixteen souls, and we pray for God’s continued blessings on their lives.

Restorations recorded:

We have also recorded the following restoration to the sheepfold: Ather Munkombwe, Paul Siyalwindi, Lameck Njese, Simon Mwamba, Angel Banda, Peter Hambongo, Henry Zulu Jacob Banda, Lackson Mwenja, Borwell Kayana, Moses Phiri Stephen Sinjela, Levy Kalemba, Davies Suze and Solomon Ngwira. We also recorded twenty nine (29) restorations through Vincent Simwanza who is currently working with the congregation in Livingstone of Southern province of Zambia. About four thousand women met for their meeting in southern and Vincent Simwanza and Jally Siawaza were there doing the work.

Survival skill developments:

We have continued to impart knowledge of survival skills in our students. We can say that we are so impressed on how they are performing as they raise chickens, and do some farming though we are still lacking essential tools like water pump and electrical generator. We keep on laboring for the Lord and promoting His cause till the last moment of our lives.

We are also expecting Dr. Ebenezer Udofia who works for the Healing Hand International in the month of September to train us on food sustainability work shop using drip irrigation and other methods. We are as excited as we look forward to receiving him in Zambia.

Conclusion

We continue to be rooted deeply in the Gospel, which is the reason for our existence. We continue to glorify our God for your great Sacrifice financially in order for us to share the gospel with those who need it, may our God Keep you safe through His love.

In His service,

Cephas and Fred 

Graduation draws near in Luanshya, Zambia

Introduction

“I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4) said our Master. We give honor and glory to God who has given us this rare opportunity to work in His Kingdom as we send Warm greetings to you all brothers and sisters.

This is a good time to report what is happening at BVBI-Zambia during the month of July, 2024.

Moving steadily to the “finishing-line”

It is great to see that in the next couple of months, our students will finally complete their two years of study here at Bear Valley Bible Institute Zambia. 

They are really excited to finish and eager to go back to their congregations and preach. In the past thirty two days our lives at BVBI- Zambia has greatly impacted the church on the Copperbelt province positively. Indeed our relationship with members of the Lord’s church here on the Copperbelt has greatly matured in the Lord and we expect a great turn out for our graduation this year.

Vital Signs (Restorations)

We have been evangelizing in six districts on the Copperbelt province namely Mufulira, Chingola , Kitwe, Ndola , Luanshya and Mpongwe.  And our labor in the Lord has produced good results.  Firstly we have witnessed the restoration of twenty two members which has been a great encouragement to the body of Christ here in Zambia.

All the weekends and midweek services have been used to deepen our interactions with members of the Lord’s church and communities at large. We have experienced how important and necessary Bible studies are needed. People have a desire to know God’s word better and they have kept us in touch with them. Indeed for us to be a strong family we need to be spending time together.

Baptisms

We have recorded seven additions to the body of Christ through Baptisms. Evaryn ndjovu, chinyama Phillip, Dominic Bwalya, James Loti, Mary Mundenda,Jane Kaonga and Naomi Mulenga.  We pray that these souls walk with Jesus forever. They are wonderful additions to the family of God.

Recruitment of new students in high-gear.

Recruitment is going on well and so far we have twenty prospective of which we only need to choose fifteen for our new intake of 2025-26. We believe 2025 intake will be very balanced. We expected some to come as far as Angola and D.R. Congo but we failed to travel to interview them in their respective countries due to limited funds.

We expect the new intake to begin classes after the current student body’s graduation in October this year.

The effect of drought in Zambia

There is severe effect of drought caused by EL Nino in all the Provinces of Zambia. And as a result we are experiencing a High cost of pricing in all commodities. Our head of State is asking for immediate help from the international community in order to mitigate the devastating effects of the drought which has destroyed nearly half of the country’s corn crop, living millions in need of food aid.

In order to effectively implement life saving and sustaining skills for our students, we are involved in vegetable growing. And, our students were taught on growing soya-beans and other requirements in order to have the good production and healthy appearance of soya-beans. We had a good Harvest for 2024 and we need to do more as students graduate this year to begin their new life. We hereby appeal to you our partners to support our plan financially and materially in mitigating the devastating effects of the drought. 

Updates on our Alumni 

We have news from our former students working in different provinces here in Zambia; some have gone as far as Eastern, Northern, North-western and Luapula province of Zambia. We have Simon Nkhazi who to Eastern province and had stayed for seven days preaching, though no baptisms where recorded we only recorded the increase in attendance. Simon is in his second year studying registered medicine in Lusaka. 

Boyd Kalaba working on the copper-belt at our newly established Church, is doing a great work for the month of July we have seen the increase in attendance from 20 -27 to 30-55 just within a month. Gershom Chansa now studying as a male Nurse has continued to show his dedication for the Church in Southern province Kalomo we have recorded five baptisms and eleven restorations from him. Nicholas Mulubwa and Reuben Museka working as small scale farmers have continued to do well in the ministry. We have recorded seventeen restorations for the past two months from Nicholas and one baptism from Reuben in Northern and Luapula respectively.

We also have another hard working preacher from southern province now residing in Lusaka at our newly established congregation Aclay Kabbaya. Aclay has set multiple home Bible studies and has continued to preach, we continue to pray that Aclay’s work may bear more fruit.

Conclusion

Thank you kindly to all who have helped in any way to prepare these men for the deep and meaningful task of preaching the Gospel. Special thanks go to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for their continued financial support, Bear Valley Bible Institute International, Instructors, Donnie our Country Coordinator and indeed everyone involved in this work. 

Thank you all once again!

Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred   

Several baptisms and restorations in Lusaka, Zambia

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE LUSAKA

SECOND QUARTER REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2024

INTRODUCTION

On behalf of the staff from the Bear Valley Bible Institute Lusaka, I wish to submit this Second Quarter Report for the year 2024.

 COURSES COVERED

 The courses covered were two as shown below, giving us a total of 28 taught so far.

Prison Epistles. – took two months (April and May). Then Sermon Preparations was taught in the month of June.  

On average, we had 11 students who attended the classes in the quarter under review.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

In the month of April, the Bear Valley Bible Institute (BVBI) team in conjunction with Lusaka Central church of Christ planted a church at the Chresso University located about 34 kilometers away from the nearest congregation (Lusaka Central church of Christ).  The congregation started with an attendance of 28 members and among the attendees were some invited Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) members and the Dean of Students who attended the first worship service on behalf of the University Administration. Some of the SDA students have been converted and are now church of Christ members. This church was planted in the quest to advance the gospel to the higher learning institutions.

In the month of May, again the BVBI team, the Lusaka Central church of Christ in conjunction with the Gospel Chariot Mission from South Africa, planted the church of Christ at Situmbeko area located about 70 kilometers away from the Lusaka’s Central Business District (CBD). The BVBI team camped for 5 days of evangelizing in the area. This was achieved on a 50% cost sharing between the Lusaka Central church of Christ and BVBI. Interestingly, among the baptized members during this outreach program was a 98 years old woman. This church is planted in the rural area and the members congregate at Kalala School where we (BVBI) are renting a classroom at 200 Zambian Kwacha per month.

In order to help these newly planted congregations to grow spiritually and numerically, BVBI and Lusaka Central church send students and church members for preaching and teaching almost on weekly basis.

In the month of June, the BVBI team undertook an outreach program at Chunga church of Christ, where three of our students congregate. It was interesting to note that our team was accompanied by the church elders and women in the evangelism activity.

In the same month of June, BVBI staff and students attended a Four Field Discipleship Workshop which was facilitated by the Gospel Chariot Mission from South Africa held at Lusaka Central church of Christ from June 15 to 17. Certificates of Participation were awarded to the attendees on the last day of the program.

In addition, the BVBI team and Lusaka Central church continued strengthening the church of Christ students with the word of God at the Students’ Fellowship Services held at the University of Zambia.

In the same quarter under review, the BVBI team were involved in various routine activities in their respective congregations by conducting classes for the new converts, teaching Bible study classes and preaching.

Other students continued with the commendable work of taking the gospel to the incarcerated in the local correctional facilities of Kamwala Remand, Lusaka Prison and Mwembeshi Open Prison which is located about 50 kilometers away from Lusaka’s CBD.

BAPTISMS

The BVBI team recorded a total number of 19 baptisms from the above executed activities in the quarter under review. That is, 10 baptisms from the newly planted church at Situmbeko, 4 were recorded from Chresso University new church, 1 baptism from the outreach program conducted at Chunga church of Christ and 4 baptisms from the congregations where the students fellowship.

RESTORATIONS

In the quarter under review, we recorded a total number of 31 restorations. That is, 16 from the new church planted at Situmbeko, 6 from Chresso University new church, 4 from Chunga outreach program, and 5 from the congregations where the students fellowship.

CONCLUSION

The BVBI Lusaka is grateful for the continued support being invested in the advancement of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the growing of the Kingdom of God. Many thanks also to the portrayed teamwork between the Lusaka Central church of Christ and the Bear Valley Bible Institute Lusaka in the quest to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Jonah Siyanga and the Staff. 

Former students stay involved with the school in Luanshya

INTRODUCTION

Hearty greetings to you brothers and sisters in our Lord and savior Jesus Christ! In this report for June, we have exciting news for our labor in the Lord. We continue to work with all our former students and making them interacts with our current student body. Yes, our aim is not just to produce a professional Preacher who will seek to earn a living as full time Evangelist, but we train and motivate those with a heart for ministry in becoming more effective in their service to God.

John 1:14- says, concerning the word, “that He became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His Glory, the glory of the only begotten son of God.” Yes! Unless the word become flesh in a form of a preacher, the world will never understand God.  The character of Christ was clearly seen by the apostles and today we know the mind of Christ, His heart and spirit and we are impressed with His life-style we come across in His word (The Bible). Our goal at BVBI-Zambia is that the character we build in our students be the sum total of all the personal quality that distinguishes them from others. We had a spiritual Healthy month of June.

More souls were added:

We had Rodrick Sambati, Mainza Siakuba, Daniel Manyoni who worked tirelessly with our Alumni, Gershom Chansa, Simon Nkhazi and Aclay Kabbaya and their work indeed had a good Harvest. Our labor has brought twenty two souls to Christ through Baptism. As they labored many of their fellow youths developed interest in wanting to be enrolled at BVBI-Zambia.

We saw a spiritual development that has taken place in our students as they were teaching one on one in the village and indeed their labor in the Lord was not in vain. We have attached pictures of our students teaching and Baptizing to this report. Indeed as Christ is presented in the Gospel as a “total Package” with all the wonderful attributes well formed and in place within His life and so we want to translate to the world today, Christ is the man to follow. He is the supreme example. As our students were teaching we noticed good traits formed in them like humility, enthusiasm, patience and courage. We pray that these traits in them continue to form a life changing character in them. We also had a good time with the church in Kitwe during the holidays of our international trade fair. We took the opportunity to teach and interact with the church in Kitwe. During this time we saw eleven (11) members being restored to the sheepfold, Boyd Kalaba our former student worked hand in hand with Tryvin Siamachila our current student. Brother Mwamba Cephas taught at a meeting during this time at Church of Christ Kitwe Central. 

Promoting Leaders in the Church 

We are currently involved in growing and promoting men in congregations to take up leadership roles in various churches here on the copper-belt province. We had a leadership meeting at church of Christ in Chibwe Luanshya District. We at BVBI-Zambia would like to see men in congregations becoming spiritual giants, in knowing God and just to love everyone. Subject which were covered are: Parenting, How Worship influence our Lives and scriptures.

We received over-warming reception of men in this meeting. We were twenty nine (29) in attendance representing five Congregations. The meeting went on very well and in the month of July we are going to Mufurila for the same meeting and at this time, we will also plan for the gospel meeting to be held in October this year.

Total Baptisms recorded

A total of twenty three souls (23) we added to the Lord’s Church in the month of June, what a joyful sight to see souls saved. May these precious souls walk with God till death, our prayers and love are with them.

Total Restorations!

We recorded a total number of thirty three (33) restorations during the month of June. Four are from Zimba southern part of Zambia were Daniel Kapata and Abiton Siamachila were preaching and seven from Mporokoso Northern province of Zambia were Ishmael Kanyangala preached. Twenty two have been recorded on the copper-belt province. We keep looking forward to a more glorious month of July in our work for the Lord.

Skills straining

Our vegetable garden is on course, we have Onion, eggplants, and banana plantation. The onions are ready and we are enjoying the fruit of our labor. Other plants will be ready in a month time except bananas. We had some layers at school which the students raised. We enjoyed the eggs and we still have some laying these eggs to date.  All our students are participating in acquiring these skills well.                            

Conclusion

May our God grant a special blessing today to the body of Christ and to Bear Valley Bible Institute Internationally who have such beautiful feet in taking the gospel to others? And we encourage you to offer a special prayer to God on behalf of the souls being saved. Our partnership and your support in this noble work have changed many souls. May God Bless you all and bless the labor of your hands

Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred

The harvest is plentiful in Zambia

INTRODUCTION

We send to you warm greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We also take this opportunity to give honor and glory to God our heavenly Father who through His grace and the love fully shown in Christ has granted us the rare opportunity to work in His Kingdom!

Once again this report has been written in an effort to provide some insight into the work that BVBI-Zambia has continued to experience.  It is always uplifting to write and reflect on the happenings here at BVBI-Zambia during the month of May, 2024.

New congregations

We have continued to do evangelism with our Alumni and many times working with our current student body which saw a new congregation becoming to reality in Choma. At least six new members with nine already members of the Church met for the first time at a primary school to begin a congregation. We continue to work and pray that Aclay Kabaya one of our former students will continue like Timothy to see the growth of this congregation. Efforts were made through one-on-one preaching as seen in the pictures attached and baptisms were witnessed.

Gershom Chansa has continued to do great work. He was given opportunity to present the gospel to expecting mothers at hospital and his work was marvelous. This was a place where those mothers expecting to give birth wait. In attendance during his preaching they were one hundred and sixteen (116) and out of this sixty six (66) stood up to be prayed for and four (4) stood up for baptism. 

Boyd kalaba now preaching in Kitwe in Kanfisa constituency he is the one in charge of the newly established congregation there. Kanfinsa is a big constituency with a population of thirty-seven thousand (37,000) we target the growth of the congregation to be great. Five (5) souls have been added to the church for the month of May.

In Baluba of Luanshya district, Baluba is 22kilimeters West of Luanshya, there we have Austin and Joseph Musonda (our former students) working together to have the spiritual growth of that congregation. We witnessed the addition to the Lord’s church of three (3) souls and the restoration of fourteen Souls. Our current students have a schedule of visiting this congregation every Sunday and the work is going on well. Five souls were restored during the preaching in this area by Levy Silungwe one of the current students.

Promoting survival skills 

We are currently involved in growing vegetables and soybeans, as our strategic long plan in training quality preachers who may be able to survive in any situation of life, as Paul said in Acts 20:34 “yea, ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.”

We have harvested soybeans and part of it will be used for producing feed for chicken. We had raised thirty of the layers and students have benefited a lot by eating the eggs, and above all most of the community are already benefiting from our vegetable production. All our students have learned on land preparations and vegetable production.

Total Baptisms recorded

We have a total number of eighteen (18) baptisms were recorded in southern and copper belt provinces respectively.

Total Restorations!

We had recorded a total number of ninety one (91) restorations during the month of May. We keep looking forward to a more glorious month of June in our work for the Lord   

Short course

We received brother Kennedy Mukuka from Lusaka province who taught the Book of Romans in our second quarter, once again the Bible knowledge is expanded to our students for this was another great experience for our students. During his stay we discussed more on recruitment which is going on. We also planned the trip to D.R.Congo for recruitment and to visit brothers there who we are working with. We are praying that our plans will come to pass.

Conclusion

May our God the creator of heaven and earth keep all of you safe and sound, indeed in our oneness we can make life meaningful to the last day here on earth. We continue to glorify God for Bear Valley Bible Institute International and to our supportive family at Woodland Oarks Church of Christ, may God richly bless you all. 

In His service,

Cephas and Fred

41 baptisms in Zambia campaign

April 2024

Report

INTRODUCTION

For the past five weeks the BVBI-Zambia has experienced another deep relationship with the Lord. While attending the Sunday assemblies and mid-week Bible studies is an important and necessary part of our spiritual maturity in our Christian life. The month of April was another unique month in us preaching Christ to the world, we have learned through our preaching how people show a desire to know God’s word better and keep us in touch with each other.

Whatever time we have spend together with Christians and non Christians has really helped us and encouraged us to be strong in the Lord as we have encouraged others we believe.

Our Evangelism in North-western province

This has been our evangelistic trip with our second year students outside copper belt province where we are. In this trip we took other thirteen youths in our district since we expected to meet with other youths in north-western province. We arrived there on 26th April and we were there for four days. We preached and distributed tracts and the work was marvelous.

The leadership at central Church of Christ was not only impressed with how zealous our students worked, but were amazed to see how they preached with all boldness. We also met with other leaders in the district and expressed interest to send their youths to BVBI-Zambia.

We thank Brother Donnie Estep who worked tirelessly for this trip to come to reality; we look forward to more of such trips for practical work in our field. We had a good harvest of souls all of them youths

Our local Outreach on Copper Belt Province

We have continued to work with congregations on the copper belt province and our students have started preaching in different congregations as they are assigned on each first day of the week. Mostly we receive call from the leadership appreciating their work. We have mid-week bible studies, youths, women and Sunday school.

This work is now bearing fruit; most of the congregants are appreciating the work of these preachers and the existing of the Institute

 Total Baptisms recorded

We have recorded forty-one (41) Baptisms for the month of April. It was with much happiness to see Geofrey Mbewe,Hildah Mbango, Emmanuel Masondi,Ziwase Tembo,Hanna Chanda, Selina Kabunda,Getrude Simuyuni, Emmanuel Sapalalo,Judith Musenga,Stella Kantontoka, Grey Zyaambo,Siabasimbi Maxwell, David Kankombe, Ketty Japeza, Nance Kasonda, Felax Gongwe,Salifyanji Moyo, Taonga Nj’ambe, veronica, Handsone and Matidah added to the family of God here on the copper belt and north-western province respectively. Our prayers are with these new born babes in Christ

Total Restorations!

During our Sunday assemblies and students preaching we recorded nineteen (19) restorations. We also had six Christians, who came asking for prayers, and we also had unusual encounter with a young man and a lady who feinted and believed to have been possessed by demons but, the situation came to normal after prayer and the two were taught the gospel.

 Our school garden  

In the spirit of keeping survival skills alive the Institute has continued to plant vegetables in garden, we have planted egg plants and onion and they are well managed by the students. We pray that all works for the betterment of our students  in this garden management we are doing!

Recruitment going on well

We have started our recruitment for 2025-2026 intakes and it is going on well and very promising to have another exciting body of students

Progress in acquiring the land

We are making a progress in acquiring a land where we can begin to build the institute, the land has been given and we are doing the best we can to start building once we finish the payments.

Condolences

Everyone at BVBI-Zambia and the congregation here in Luanshya offer their love and Sympathy to Granton Mwela one of our current student, Granton lost his biological father. Our hearts are filled with love and sympathy for Daniel Manyoni and Richard Chicago and all the family on the death of their grandparents. Daniel and Richard are our current students and both lost their grandparents in the same month. Please pray for our students at this traumatic time.

This is such a blow!                              

Conclusion

Our aim is to live a life of devotion and training others to submit to Christ and becoming like Christ Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God who loved me and delivered himself up for me.” The question is how strong is our desire to know Christ?

We always give glory and honor to or

God because your relationship with the Lord is “heart deep” in supporting us in this noble work.

Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred

Baptisms and Restorations in Luanshya, Zambia

INTRODUCTION

Once again we so delighted as we write to you this report concerning the work of which the Institute here has been involved in during the month of March. We continue give glory and honor to God the Father, who by His grace has continued to do marvelous work in our lives. We continue to share Christ within copper belt province and Zambia at large.

We as the institute we are in a leading role with the understanding that growing Churches can be determined by the way men conduct their worship services, and the way they value their services.

The meeting of Church leaders

In our effort to foster church growth here on the copper belt province, we have been motivating members of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ for excellences. We have continued to call leaders from the six congregations we have in Luanshya district. We meet quarterly and our first quarter meeting in 2024 was held on 30th March and meeting went on well in Baluba. We had eighteen (18) members from six congregations and the meeting went on very well. The next meeting will be held in June this year and every leader is eagerly looking forward to this meeting.

We continued the journey in our mission, and we just returned from meeting leaders from all eleven districts on the copper-belt in Mufulira on 5th and 6th April. The Leaders who represented fifteen congregations, we met to sensitize each other about some of the challenges faced by each individual congregation. The meetings went on so well and we will continue to meet in Mufulira until we have the gospel meeting in October this year. We will continue to have such meetings which are normally held at different congregations but for the past two years the meetings had been held at BVBI-Zambia campus. We should report that the meeting went on very well with the fellowship meal at the end.

We thank the women who dedicated their service to God and saw to it that preachers eat so well after 12hours of meeting. We have attached picture of women who cooked.

The Outreach in the Eastern DRC (“The Macedonian Call”)

We have continued to work with our brethren in DRC and they have been inviting for us as a School to go and help them evangelize their area. But, the instability of the region had made it impossible in the past to answer to that call. But word has reached us that the situation has really improved.

We are very much aware that the lost in that part of the world are in need of our help. We need to respond immediately, for we know that we are qualified to respond to this call. We need to raise enough funds to go and come back; we are also doing our best to have at least two or three prospective students to come from there in our next intake.   

The Macedonian call is an event that we read about in the Bible, but it is based upon the principles that are present in our lives today. Those who are lost in the world today are in need of what we have to share. And that is the word God!!

The visiting of our coordinator

Brother Donnie Estep visited the school from 18th March, 2024 to 22nd March, 2024. He taught a short course on the book of 2nd Corinthians to the students. It is great to have Donnie visit the school. We always look forward to have men like Donnie come to campus of the school. During this time our students are taught by such a great teacher and we are rejuvenated in our work as members of staff. We pray for God’s speed in whatever he does!

Graduation for 2024

The first quarter is really gone very quickly. The students are only remaining with not many quarters and then they graduate. For the sake of planning, the school has suggested that the 2024 graduation be held on 27th the last Saturday of October, 2024 at the school campus. Please keep us in your prayers for the success of this event.

Bible Studies and Follow-ups

The students have maintained their zeal in conducting weekly Bible studies in different homes of Christians. They have also continued with the follow-ups on non-Christians. They continue to make good progress in their gaining knowledge of the Kingdom of God and application of this knowledge in the field.

For the reason above we are still appealing through our co-ordinator Donnie that our students may have bicycles to easy their work for our master. To Him is the glory forever and ever!!

Additions to the Body of Christ

We have recorded eleven (11) Baptisms for the month of March. We keep praying for the Newborn babies in Christ to continue growing in the knowledge of God to attain salvation.

Restorations!

We have recorded twenty three (23) restorations both our Alumni and current student body have worked tirelessly to achieve this number, we have compiled this number within copper-belt, luapula and Northern Province

Conclusion

Going to heaven is a life long race as we read in in Hebrews 12:1 "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

May our God be with you always. We are also very grateful to all our partners in this great work of God. May God bless all of you in all your efforts for Him!

Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred

Strong first quarter in Lusaka, Zambia

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE LUSAKA

FIRST QUARTER REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2024

INTRODUCTION

On behalf of the staff from the Bear Valley Bible Institute Lusaka, I wish to submit this First Quarter Report for the year 2024.

COURSES COVERED

The courses covered were three as shown below, giving us a total of 26 taught so far.

Marriage and Family. - the wives of the married students were also in attendance during the presentation of this course. Others are Hermeneutics and 1 Corinthians.

On average, we had 12 students who attended the classes in the quarter under review.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

In the month of February, the Bear Valley Bible Institute students undertook a three day evangelism program at the University of Zambia and the Natural Resources Development College. The purpose of this activity was for evangelism to the higher learning institutions. On the other hand, this activity helped the church of Christ students locate the congregations that could be near to their learning institutions for worship services. The outcome of this activity, did not only benefit Lusaka Central church of Christ but also other sister congregations in Lusaka.

In the same month of February, the staff undertook a church planting ground work survey at Situmbeko area which is about 44 miles away from Lusaka’s central business district (CBD). The reception from the local community was overwhelming with the church planting program and this is scheduled for the month of May 2024.

In the month of March, the BVBI team had a two day outreach program at Kayosha church of Christ located at 15 miles from Lusaka’s CBD. While the students were out for evangelism, the staff was teaching on the lesson of Marriage and Family to the couples at the same congregation. The activity did not only increase the number of the congregations numerically, but also strengthened the family relationships.

In the same month of March, the BVBI team attended an evangelism workshop which was conducted by the visiting brothers from India in conjunction with the Chilenje church of Christ. The activity exposed our students to other evangelism technics.

The month of March closed with a Church General Conference which was held in the Southern Province of Zambia during the Easter Holiday and the BVBI staff was one of the speakers at the conference which was attended by 4,180 members.

In the quarter under review, students from their respective congregations were involved in teaching the new converts, Bible study classes and preaching.

Other students continued preaching to the inmates in the local prisons of Lusaka.

BAPTISMS

The BVBI team recorded a total number of 28 baptisms from the above executed activities in the quarter under review. That is, 15 baptisms were recorded from the conference, 7 baptisms from the implemented evangelism programs, and 6 baptisms from the congregations where the students fellowship.

RESTORATIONS

The total number of 81 restorations was recorded in the quarter under review. That is, 53 from the conference, 15 from the outreach program and 13 from the congregations where the students fellowship.

GUEST

The BVBI Lusaka was privileged to be visited by Brother Donnie Estep. During his visit, we took a trip to meet with the leadership at Chunga church of Christ where three of our students congregate. We also visited Chilenje church of Christ where two of our instructors congregate and attended the brothers Bible study class. On March 24, the Lusaka Central congregation was grateful to fellowship with Brother Donnie during the worship service.

CONCLUSION

The BVBI Lusaka is grateful for the continued support being invested in the advancement of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the growing of the Kingdom of God.

Jonah Siyanga and the Staff. 

More souls added to the church in Zambia

February 2024

Report

INTRODUCTION

Warm greetings to you all Brothers and Sisters! We give honor and glory to God our heavenly Father who has granted us this rare opportunity to work in His Vineyard.

This report has been written in an effort to provide some insights into the accomplishments that Bear Valley Bible Institute-Zambia has continued to experience throughout the month of February, 2024.

Students return

Since we resumed classes in this final year of studies for our current students here at Bear valley Bible Institute. They have all but one reported and they are diligent in their work.

Arnold Silangwa has not yet reported due to some hardships that he is going through at home. As we reported in our previous reports, the passing away of his only daughter has really affected him immensely. We continue asking your prayers for Arnold and his entire family.

Crisis in Zambia

Zambia is currently facing a serious crisis with the challenges of the economy, while the disease outbreaks such as cholera, Covid 19 etc is slowing down. The country is also passing through the worst cost of living in many decades. We understand that these hardships are not happening only in Zambia but globally. 

At present, the nation is facing the threat of food insecurity following the drought in almost all the Provinces of Zambia. The report from the Ministry of Agriculture in Zambia says that the prolonged dry spell in the nation has affected nearly 84 of 116 districts with one million of total of 2.2 million estimated planted hectors across the country being affected.

The weather forecasters have also announced that there will be some rains in some parts of the country. But these rains will not mitigate the already ravaged crops. Without other interventions, Zambia might face hunger once again. That is why the President of Zambia and other stakeholders have declared this as an emergency and a national disaster. We continue to solicit for your prayer regarding this state of affairs.

Bear Valley Bible Institute Zambia invited

We were invited as a school by Twapia church of Christ leadership to conduct some series of lessons on “Eldership.” The lessons were taught to Twapia congregation for four consecutive Sundays. We as evangelists from Bear Valley Bible Institute were honored to teach at the said congregation in Ndola

And they had set 3rd March as the day for ordination.  This ordination came to pass in a very colorful way, most of the current serving Elders among the Lord’s church here on the Copperbelt province were invited to attend.

Bible Studies

The students have continued with their personal evangelism. They have come in contact of many people through this avenue. Once again forty-two households have been contacted and had Bible studies with them. And they have set up notable Bible studies with a number of people in nearby communities. They have also continued conducting the mid-week service at Mikomfwa church of Christ and this service is bearing much fruit now.

During these studies we came in contact with people from Mpongwe district, Mpongwe district is 65 kilometers south of Luanshya district, we have continued to do evangelism in this area and we have already planted a new congregation. It was very easy for us to direct these people to our newly established congregation there. It is indeed a great thing to note that our students have really grown so much in the work that they desperately want to graduate and be more in the vineyard of our Master.

Baptisms-

We have recorded three Baptisms in Baluba of Luanshya District, and we have also recorded two baptisms in Kitwe district of Kanfinsa.

Restorations-

We have had thirteen (13) restoration just in Luanshya district and three in northern part of Zambia. Together we have recorded sixteen (16)

Sad news!

We lost a brother who was very committed at the church of Christ in Mikomfwa Luanshya brother Uegen Ponga. We had three days of mourning and as an Institute we took our students there for the encouragement to the family and the community at large. Six of our students had time to preach the gospel to the gathered people for three days after classes; once again we had a great response and follow ups are being made now.

May our God continue to strengthen the family the brother has left in this world.

Visiting of Bear Valley Bible Institute International Coordinator (Donnie Estep)

We look forward to the visit of our Coordinator Brother Donnie Estep in March 2024. As scheduled, Brother Donnie will arrive in Zambia on 18th March, 2024. He will be teaching a short course during his visit. It is always a wonderful time to have Donnie come and pay us a visit. May God continue blessing all his efforts! 

Conclusion

Thank you kindly to all who have continued helping with the training of these men for the deep and meaningful task of preaching the Gospel. Special thanks go to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for their continued financial support, Bear Valley Bible Institute family and indeed everyone involved in this very important work. May our God continue to bless you all! 

 Brotherly,

Cephas and Fred 

Baptisms and restorations in Luanshya, Zambia

January, 2024

Report

Introduction

New Year’s greetings from BVBI-Zambia to you all brothers and sisters in the Lord and master Jesus Christ! We hope and pray that you had a wonderful experience in the first month of the brand new year. We continue to pray that you have a year that is filled with things that mean most to you and energize you for a happy and healthy 2024!

The school has resumed classes besides the disturbance of cholera outbreak in Zambia especially in Lusaka province. All our students have come back in one piece and eager to complete their final year. We have had a good beginning of the year looking at the activities that took place with both our current student body and our Alumni.

Leadership workshop on the Copperbelt Province

We had a good and successful meeting on the Copperbelt province with leaders in Mufulira, Mufulira is a town on the Copperbelt province bordering with Congo D.R. we as an Institute we are making every effort to revive one of the congregation there which has deviated into Pentecostalism. The meeting went on well on January 20th 2024; most of the members who attended the meeting were very excited and hoped such meetings to continue for a week. Our next meeting was planned again in April this year.

Our Alumni at work

Daniel Kapata still working in Zimba Southern province is doing a good work, he recently visited Livingstone and met with Jally Siawaza the two were in the same intake and graduated together. Daniel and Jally worked together for three days at the congregation at the airport and we recorded five restorations.

Jally Siawaza is now planning to marry and he is coming once again on the Copperbelt province where he saw a wife to be at the congregation in Baluba District. We are praying for the good intentions he has for the wife to be; to come to reality.

Gershom Chansa; has joined a degree program in mathematics and he is expected to be there for the next four years. Gershom is a very vibrant Christian and we have no doubts that he will continue to preach Christ as he has been doing since his graduation from Bear vary Bible Institute here in Zambia.

Simon Nkhazi is in his second year studying clinical medicine at woodland University in Lusaka. Simon has continued to preach Christ and soon he is planting a new congregation in Mtendere of Lusaka. We continue to work with him closely until this new congregation becomes a reality. We have recorded two baptisms in the month of January.

New babes in Christ

We have recorded ten (10) Baptisms in the central province of Zambia where brother Kennedy Mukuka was preaching. And we have recorded two in Lusaka where Simon Nkhazi was preaching. We have recorded four (4) baptisms in Luanshya Copperbelt province. Together we have recorded sixteen (16) baptisms. We wish to welcome all new born babes into the family of Christ, and pray for God’s continued blessings on their lives

Restorations

We recorded seven (7) restorations in Northern Province of Zambia where Ishmael Kanyangala has been preaching. We also recorded four (4) on a Copperbelt province in Chibwe where Prince Chisupa our current student has been preaching, nine (9) restorations where recorded in Southern province were Mainza Siakuba one of our current student has been preaching. Together we have had twenty (20) restorations.
Conclusion
Indeed we can make life meaningful to the last day here on earth and we can promote our Lord’s cause till the last moment of our lives. Let’s keep on laboring for the Lord. You are always in our prayers!

In His service,

Cephas and Fred

Lusaka, Zambia continues their courses

On behalf of the Bear Valley Bible Institute - Lusaka, I wish to submit the
January 2024 Report.
The Courses Covered

The course covered in the month of January was ?*Marriage and Family*
giving us a total number of twenty-four (24) courses covered so far.

Thirteen (13) students attended the classes in the month under review.

Outreach programs

1.    We recorded baptisms of two (2) souls (Ravendah and Bizwell) in the
month of January 2024.

2.    One of the students (Michael) continued preaching to the incarcerated
at Lusaka Central and Kamwala Remand Correctional Facilities

3.    Other students were involved in teaching the new converts, Bible
classes and preaching in their congregations.

We always thank you for your continued support and God bless.

Luanshya, Zambia students making a difference

December, 2023

Report

 Introduction

Once again it is that time we send warm greetings to you all brothers and sisters in the name of our Lord and master Jesus Christ!! We need to work for the night is coming; December 2023 has been another great month of our labor in the Lord. As we labor we always remember Matthew 25: 26-31 which describes the fate of the one talent man who was severely castigated and punished for his idle philosophy of life. May this report find you in good health and happy holidays! We hope this season fills you up with things that mean most you and energize you for a happy and healthy 2024!

The school is on recess and we are resuming classes soon but, as teachers we have continued to interact with all our students from their respective congregations. And we are very delighted to report the following vital signs of upward mobility as far as our work is concerned and we always give honor and glory to God through our master and savior Jesus Christ who has given us the opportunity to work in His Kingdom.

Hospice compliment

We had an opportunity to attend a funeral gathering in Chibwe of Baluba here on the Copperbelt where we had to work with two of our former students, Austin and Joseph Musonda to gather with members of the Church there in attendance as we were singing the leading men and some ladies were interrupted with both a compliment and a question “your singing is so beautiful! Why do churches use musical instruments when it is so beautiful without them?  This prompted a sermon of which Joseph delivered and as a result we recorded three baptisms.

The current student body at work

 Rodrick Sambati, Tryvine Siamachila and Mainza Siakuba worked together in uniting the youths in two districts of Southern province and their work has yielded good results. We have received a good recommendation from the leadership in two congregations about their work and the Institute in Luanshya.

Boyd Kalaba and Gershom Chansa are working together in Kitwe district on the Copperbelt province, they are doing mobile leadership training with the youths their work has stated bearing fruits. Truly their motivation for the work is highly appreciated. Chansa is going to be trained as secondary school teacher in the next four years for a degree in education and he will be constantly coming to combine with Boyd for the work. The two brothers did a wonderful work on New Year’s Day. And three souls were restored back to the sheepfold, one of the deacons present during their preaching mentioned that many have been added to the Lord’s Church during this recess.

Ruben Museka working with Levy Silungwe reports that the congregation they are working with has really doubled on evangelism. The two brothers are both married and taking care of their families through farming, but they are often finding time to do God’s work together since they are in the same congregation and other Christians we spoke to in the same district recommended their work. They two brothers are working in their home Village in Northern Province; we recorded two restorations and one addition to the body of Christ. 

Reports from our Alumni:

We met with Joseph Ilunga now working at Sakanya border of Democratic Republic Of Congo and Zambia. Joseph is doing a recommended work with the Church there. The congregation there is at peace an like when we go far Eastern of Congo where there is violence. 

New babes in Christ

We have recorded eight (8) Baptisms in the southern part of Zambia, and three (3) in the Northern, one (1) in Luapula, three (3) in Lusaka and four (4) on the Copperbelt all for the month of December. Together we have recorded nineteen (19) baptisms. We wish to welcome all new born babes into the family of Christ, and pray for God’s continued blessings on their lives.

Restorations

We recorded nineteen (19) on a Copperbelt province, thirteen (13) in southern provinces, two in Lusaka province, and five (5) in northern part of Zambia. Together we have had thirty-nine restorations.

Eastern D.R .Congo displacement

We have received very disturbing news affecting our brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who have witnessed daily the harsh living conditions endured by those affected by the violence and displaced individuals lacking essentials like sufficient food, safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Among them we have those who were recently converted to Christianity; this leaves them highly susceptible to illnesses, including cholera and measles.

This crisis call for our prayers and help whenever possible, please let us continue to unite for the sake of souls that are suffering there. The good news is that those in Lualaba province in the district of Mutshatsha are still very fine.

Marriage vows

We witnessed a glorious moment of Vincent and Beverly exchanging vows in marriage on 30thDecember 2023. It was really a very momentous time to both Vincent and Beverley. Representatives of Church of Christ in the Copperbelt Province and beyond came to witness this wedding.

The now Mr. and Mrs. Simwanza has left for Livingstone where they will be staying and preaching. Vincent is a strong warrior in the kingdom of God since his graduation in 2020. We wish him all the blessings from above as he begins his new journey in marriage. Please remember him in your daily prayers!

Conclusion

Indeed we can make life meaningful to the last day here on earth and we can promote our Lord’s cause till the last moment of our lives. Let’s keep on laboring for the Lord. You are always in our prayers!

In His service,

Cephas and Fred

Luanshya, Zambia school conducts youth seminar

November, 2023

Report

 Introduction

We send seasonal greetings to you all brothers and sisters!! It is always a pleasure to have our time of writing this report and we always give honor and glory to God through our master and Savior Jesus Christ who has given us the opportunity to work in His Kingdom.

Going for a holiday

We concluded the month of September and send our students for a holiday. We proudly report that the month was full of Godly activities for the Institute. Our students supplied some very enlightening information regarding contemporary teenage behavior especially on the Copperbelt when they meet many youths as they went for a holiday at our Institute.

They had invited the youth at the Institute premises for a farewell party on the Copperbelt. The youths came from various congregations on the Copperbelt were most of them had spent time preaching. “Keep thyself pure” as Paul told Timothy was the core of their message “abstain from fornication” Jesus said “don’t look on a woman to lust after her in your heart.” The bible is replete with warnings they said; and teens and others who ignore those warnings do so at their own peril. Don’t venture onto forbidden ground where you can’t invite Jesus along they warned. It was a wonderful moment as seen on a picture attached.

The planting season

As our students have gone back to their respective homes earlier to cultivate and plant their field as early as possible. Most of the students are engaged in some kind of farming to take care of their families.   

As you may recall, the 2022/2023 rainfall season was characterized by above normal rainfall amounts with extreme weather and climate events. This resulted in reduced crop production, damage to infrastructure, such as road and bridges and indeed, increased incidents of waterborne diseases and agriculture pests.

According to the National Metrological department of Zambia forecast of 2023/2024 rainfall season, the rainfall amounts are likely to be normal to below in most of parts of the country. This is also a great opportunity for our students to interact with their loved one at home after a long period of studies.

Baptisms/restorations

We had preached to forty seven (47) people of which six were baptized. And we recorded four restorations. Please pray for Jane Kaonga, Salome Bulanda, Gift Chibuye, Justina Banda, Memory Chileshe and Nathan Chibwe 

Three  (3) Baptized in D.R .Congo

We have continued to work with Tresor  Muyeye and now we are in Lualaba province in the district of Mutshatsha. We recorded three baptisms through a seminar which was held there. Though they requested that we visit and be part of this gospel seminar we did not manage to travel due to limited funds  but, we were constantly in touch with the program.

Kennedy Trip to Solwezi

Kennedy Mukuka one of our teachers at the Institute recently traveled to Northwestern province for evangelism and the trip was a success, we recorded two souls added to the sheepfold. We keep on glorifying God for this efforts in His kingdom.

Updates from our former students

We have continued to work with all our former students of which the total number for now stand at twenty seven (27) and we will give more report on the activities in the month of December God willing. All our current students are home safely and working and more news are coming as well for we are constantly in touch with them

Wedding bells

Since graduating from BVBI-Z in 2020, Vincent Simwanza has been working with one of the Preaching schools in Livingstone. And we constantly receive good news about his commitment to the kingdom of God. Vincent will be marrying his sweetheart Beverly at the end of December, 2023 here on the Copperbelt province. Please remember him in your daily prayers!

Conclusion

We believe that the school is on firm ground on its pledge to train faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Without Christian principles, morals and ethics this world is doomed! We continue to give a special thank you to our amazingly supportive family and friends of Bear Valley Bible Institute-International and the Church of Christ at Woodland Oaks in Texas, USA for their financial support. You are always in our prayers!

In His service,

Cephas and Fred

Zambian school evangelizing The Congo

October, 2023

Report

Introduction

When peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:9 that we are special people he also says “that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” and Paul in 2 Timothy 3:17 after saying that all scriptures is inspired, give a reason for its purpose “that the saints of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Warm greetings to you all brothers and sisters!! We always give honor and glory to God who has given us this rare occasion to work in His Kingdom. And we will forever be appreciative to God and to all our partners who have made this to be possible.

Extra work in D.R.C

We have continued to work with Tshibamba – Muyeye Tresor and the month of October continued to be very fruitful in D.R.C Congo as far as evangelism is concerned. We have recorded nine (9) Souls being added to the Kingdom and the Church continues to grow in Katanga province of Congo. Now there is a great demand that we travel to meet these brothers as you see them in the pictures attached below. Keep us in your prayers

We have also reached as far as the region of south Kivu Kinshasa in the village known as Tubondo along to Lake Tanganyika as indicated on the map attached below. 

I.                   Other Activities

A.     Our evangelism in Luanshya District

1.      We have continued to make every effort to reach out to the lost soul with Brother Cephas Mwamba is spearheading the work; the students are motivated as they do personal evangelistic activities. It is very encouraging to see them involved in reaching out to those who desperately need to be saved. They have continued with the target they have given themselves as far as reaching people is concerned. As indicated in our previous communiqué, each student is supposed to speak to at least two (02) people on a daily basis. The thirteen (12) students speak to at least twenty-six (24) people each day. It is indeed worthy noting that at the end of the week these students would have spoken to almost one hundred and fifty-six (154) people. With tenacity and consistency the desired results will be realized. 

B.      Bible Studies

They have also increased the number of houses where they conduct the Bible studies from. Each team consisting of two students have Bible studies twice a week. On Fridays, they have all attend the Bible studies at Brother Zechariah Magawa. Brother Magawa is a former Police command of Luanshya district who was converted through our student’s preaching and now he is such an encouragement to our student preachers.

C.      Baptisms/Restorations

We are very happy to report that the month of October, 2023 has so far recorded a total of seven (7) baptisms in Luanshya District.

We also recorded three (3) restorations 

D.     Copper belt Provincial Youth Conference

We held a youth conference which started on 27th October, 2023 and ended on 29thOctober, 2023.

Youths from eight districts of the Copper belt Province convened at Church of Christ Wusakile in Kitwe district.

The theme of the conference was “Overcoming the modern challenges of the youths”. Our former students were also invited and did a good job when they presented their lessons. They interacted well with our current student body. We can successfully say we had a good time in the Lord and good experience with the youths on the copper belt Province.

Austin Musonda, Gershom Chansa and Boyd Kalaba all did an excellent work as they worked together in teaching at the conference. We had a very fantastic experience! And at the end of the meeting the following statistics were recorded:

Ø  Total attendance: 284

Ø  Baptisms: 6

Ø  Restorations:    13

Ø  Two of the youths who were present a boy and a girl came and confessed that they were sent to initiate at least ten youths into Satanism, it was very scary experience.

E.      Reports from our alumni             

Reuben Museka: of 2022 graduate has continued to be sound in Mbala district of Northern Province and has given as a good report on his work there and the church. The congregation which started with only three families has now grown to seventeen (17) members. They have continued to meet at a government primary school and they have started to look for a plot where they can begin to build in a traditional land. We keep praying for him to be successful.

Simon khazi: also of 2022 graduate has continued in Lusaka province at Mtendere Congregation where he began a youth class and has so far recorded eleven (11) baptisms within two months. His dedication to work is highly recommended. Simon is also in the school of medicine and we wish him well.

Visiting by Bear Valley Bible Institute Coordinator (Southern Africa)

It is always a great pleasure to have Brother Donnie Estep come and teach at Bear Valley Bible Institute-Zambia. We realize the sacrifices and indeed the commitments he makes to come to us. And for this reason we will forever be grateful to God and to Donnie!

Brother Donnie taught the book of Galatians and our students were very excited to gain the knowledge from the experienced. 

Conclusion

We continue to speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body being fitted and held together. We also continue to Giving special thanks to our supportive family and friends at Woodland Oaks church of Christ. Our hearts are truly thankful to all of you for financial support that you render to the school. We are also grateful to all our other partners in this noble work! May God richly bless you all!!

Because of the Christ,

Cephas and Fred