My visits to New Zealand and Fiji

I have just returned from a successful visit to two of our newest schools - New Zealand and Fiji. While in New Zealand I was blessed with the opportunity to preach for three congregations in the Auckland area, as well as conduct a Leadership seminar for area congregations. In addition to strengthening the churches there, this was used as a platform for showcasing the school, with the goal of increasing attendance. I enjoyed working with Trevor Major in Auckland.

From there I went to Wellington, which is the site of the other NZ center. While there I was able to meet with some students and teachers, as well as some of their families. (pictured above) It was incredibly encouraging for me to hear so many speak about how much good has already been done in the short time since the school began. Three more full-time students will begin their studies next month. I enjoyed seeing John Jones and John Grubb, but missed seeing Director Lance Mosher, as he was in the States.

In Suva, Fiji, I was able to visit the school in session and to even teach two classes on Leviticus and another on sermon preparation and delivery. Rocco and Jason Pierce have things moving along very well and the students expressed to me their gratitude for the school. The school is already receiving interest from students in other islands, which has been one of our goals all along.

All in all, I was blessed to be able to preach and teach 15 times, and to meet with some dedicated teachers and students. God is doing great things in these two countries!

Until all have heard,

Keith

Seminar success in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus, 

Good evening from Nigeria. The combined class of both Ibadan and Lagos campus students that was held in the BVBIN AND SWSE, IBADAN main campus, where Bro. David Ballard taught extensively on The Scheme of Redemption form Monday morning till this Friday evening. It was attended by 45 out of our 50 students, 52 of our graduates and foundation members, and few others.

Our 3rd WBS seminars for this quarter of March 15,2017 was at Butubutu village where Bro. David Ballard spoke on The Scheme of Redemption, while I served as his interpreter, was witnessed by over 60 people. A lady named Rosemary Ezekiel was converted some minutes to the program as a result of Bro. David discussion of the scriptures with her .

Brethren, we appreciate so much the present of Bro. David Ballard and we are praying for his successful trip back to USA, after the two weeks preaching and teaching assignment in Cameroon. 

We thank you all for your partnership and love. May the Lord continue to bless all our joint efforts in Christ 's name, amen. 

Your fellow labourer in Christ 's vineyard.....

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi

Plans and prayers in Chimala

This past week we started our second quarter and the students are still excited about the opportunity they have to learn more about God’s word so that they can share it with others and also help their congregations back home to grow.  

Each weekend a number of the students are going out with the teachers and working with various congregations in the area. Nearly every Monday as the weekend reports come in we are excited and encouraged to hear about how the gospel had fallen on receptive hearts and we have new brothers and sisters in Christ.  

Joseph Haonga, our Bible School director has been busy working on plans for the summer.  Summers in Chimala are always a busy time, especially with the WBS Gospel Chariot being here for most of the month of August.  On a separate note, we still have not heard back from the regional head of immigration on the changes that the government has made in their immigration rules that may affect both the work here in Chimala.  

It seems that much like what is going on in the US right now is also going on here in Tanzania and the government is cracking down on everyone who is in the country and is not a citizen of Tanzania. We are praying that we will get some favorable answers this coming week.  

On a separate note, after many problems with the hatchery we finally got our second batch of baby chickens to continue our chicken project.

An additional report (and pictures) can be seen HERE. 

Brotherly,

Richard Rogers

16 baptisms in Togo!

As mentioned recently, we send our sympathy to Wlliie Gley, Director of the school in Togo, on the loss of his father. It has been a hectic time for him, but he has sent an encouraging update that I think you will enjoy. See it HERE.

A new outreach in Ukraine

The school in Ukraine continues to do well in the classroom (they've recently had two guest teachers) and to make a difference in their community. They've started a new outreach that you can read about HERE. 

Big plans in Wotutu

Dearest in Christ ,

Greetings  to you all from this part of the globe - we are sure you are doing great. We are doing our best. God is doing His best and satan on the other hand is also busy to distort all of our efforts and that is why your prayers and encouragement are most welcome.

Last week was a busy one here as our students started taking their first short course which is the GODHEAD  and thereafter they will continue with the COST OF DISCIPLESHIP. That will be the end of the first quarter for the Delta batch students.

I am also busy to make arrangements for students to go to 18 locations for campaigns and house to house evangelism. We have a new location in Owe village and the gospel is calling there for the establishment of a new congregation. Please keep this dream in your prayers.

PLANS

I am invited for a 3 days lectureship in Bamenda. Please keep me in your prayers as I do much traveling  for the gospel sake.

APPRECIATIONS

Thank you very much for you standing with us as we work daily for our God training men to preach, taking care of orphans and widows, and also help many , many underprivileged to attend school which is influenced with much of Christian education.

Pray for our country Cameroon , we still don’t have internet in all of the English speaking regions because of the strike actions that is going on in Cameroon.

    Do your best to share our reports with others .

     God bless you 

    Elangwe and family.

   By His grace director BVBIC-wotutu 

WBS seminar in Nigeria

Dearest in Christ Jesus.
Greetings from Nigeria. I'm glad to inform you that the second WBS SEMINAR in Jago village results into three conversions. 
Bro. Godwin Johnson served as the moderator, another student named Akilapa Timilehin was our song leader, while Bro. Abiola Joseph opened the program with prayer and closing prayer by Bro. Isaac Olaniyan. 
Bro. Kayode Eniafe spoke on Sin and it's effects while I spoke on God's plan of salvation. 
The program was attended by all our students and instructors while the villagers were listening in their corridors to the gospel. Three souls were added to the Lord 's Church at the end of the exercises. TO GOD BE THE GLORY AND HONOR. 

Big thanks for your partnership and encouragement. May the Lord of blessings continue to bless all our joint efforts in Christ Jesus. Amen. 
Your fellow labourer in Christ....

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi

Muslims reached for Christ in northern Ghana

FEBRUARY REPORT.

Our gospel campaign trip to Kukpalgu has been very successful in the sense that all the preachers with their members around Zabzugu and Tatale came to support the program.

The chief of the community, who is a Muslim, received us with a great joy and also asked us to pray to God to bless his people and that alone contributed to the greater part of our success.

We had two days public preaching in the evening with video show on the passion of Christ in their native language and many people came around and heard the message. Brother Francis Ayine preached on the first day and I also preached on the second day. On the third day those who heard the message were touched in their hearts and 11 souls were baptized and one soul also restored and now we have the newly planted Church in Kukpalgu in Zabzugu district. The number of brethren who participated in the program was 51 and our Sunday total attendance was 67. 63 adults and 4 children.

The leadership meeting too was held with the preachers and Church leaders. At the meeting, Francis Ayine spoke on the leadership lifestyle that can lead to Church growth. In fact, they were all very happy for the teaching and the learning materials were made for them to continue learning as they also teach the congregations.

The students are on break to see their families and they will be back next month.

The tiling of the six units of the students bath house is completed and now ready for use.

The fixing of the headlight and the hanging wire is also completed and working.

STEVEN AND ALEX VISITATION AND CAMPAIGN FOR STUDENTS.

On the 26-2-2017, we visited and worship with Isaac, one of the past students at Kulpi-Salaga. On the same day we also proceeded to Grusizongo to pay a visit to another past student called David. One brother picked a form from here.

On the following day 27-2-2017 we went to Kpandai to see Michael the past student at Tengilinto. We also made our way to Lugni to meet Godwin the student.

Finally, we came down to Bimbilla on 28-2-2017 to see Lot who is also one of the past students where we had two brothers who filled the form for the next enrolment. We also went as far as to Gunguni to see how we can plant a new congregation in April 2017.

On our trip we also met some old preachers like Thomas and Samson in Salaga, Daniel in Kpandai, and David in Lugni to discuss on how we will all work together to sustain the local congregations in the Northern Ghana.

Your brother,

Jabado Alex

Tamale, Ghana

Incredible campaign in Ghana!

SOUTHERN INSTITUTE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES (SIBS) ACCRA

BEAR VALLEY EXTENSION PROGRAM

REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2017

GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION

So soon the month February in the year 2017 has come to an end. We have a good course to praise and thank the LORD God for such a blessing found in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Having said that as usual, the student body, teaching staff, non-teaching staff and management wish to thank our sponsors and donors to the SIBS for the wonderful contributions being made towards the welfare of students, workers and to the growth of the in particular and the kingdom of God in general. 

We would like to draw our ccoordinator Brother Steven Ashcraft into the picture for his tireless efforts he is putting into the growth of the school and to make sure students and workers needs are met. We are much grateful. 

CAMPAIGN AND EVANGELISM

There was a "Macecedonian Call" from the Central Region of Ghana to the students of the SIBS to join other preachers in that region to spread the powerful and saving message of the Lord Jesus Christ to the losing souls and to establish the Lord's church in a twin-town known as Gomoa Ada-Ngyiresi. 

On the 13th on February, the entire regular students with their cook, left the campus to the twin-town. Information reaching the office indicated that, no sooner had they arrived in the town than it started to rain. As result no campaign was made on the first day. However, as from 14th the campaigners started their work to the end of 18th. The campaign was divided into four sections on each day as follows under the leadership of Brother Kojo Acquah Beenyi (one of the instructors of SIBS):

Section #1: Dawn Preaching between the hours of 5:00am -5:30am

Section #2: House to House Evangelism from the hours of 8:00-12 midday

Section #3: House to House Campaign Continued from 2:00-4:30PM

Section #4: Open Air Preaching as from 7:00-10:00pm

BAPTISM AND CHURCH PLANTING

The Lord blessed the efforts of these able men from the period of 14 to 18th (Tuesday to Saturday) with a total number of BAPTISMS were twenty-one (21) souls. It would interest all to note that, since there was not found in the twin-town the Lord's church, on the 19th (Sunday), the church of Christ met for the first time to worship the Lord. Total attendance was one hundred and sixteen (116). The break down were as follows: 59 Males; 29 Females; 17 Children and 11 Visitors made up of both males and females.

Praise the Lord, just after the worship, two other souls were baptized. Given a total baptisms of twenty-three (23). On that note the Lord's church is now established in the twin-town of Gomoa Ada- Ngyiresi. 

Attached are Pictures of a soul being baptized; after church service; ladies about to be baptized.

WEEK-END STUDENTS

The name of SIBS continues to travel far and near within the country. As a result of this, the students' population has increased from twenty-two (22) to twenty-five (25). Management has decided not to admit anymore students for now till current students complete their courses. 

Compiled by: Emmanuel Amoo-Gyimah

Exciting news from Zimbabwe!

FEBRUARY 2017 NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

When a group of people is well equipped and powered up to spread the Gospel, the world will be won for Christ. Speaking of Paul and his entourage, a complaint was given in Acts 17.6 that, “ ………these men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.”  At  BVBIZ, the mandate remains the same, to train faithful workers, at different levels,  to win souls for Christ. The month of February was not exception. Equipping man and women continues. 

1.0   LADIES TRAINING PROGRAM

Because of accommodation challenges, BVBIZ could not allow married students to bring their wives along with them. Since these women are an integral part in the preaching ministry, BVBIZ arranged a unique curriculum for them. They are attending classes for two weeks. We expect them again later in the year and finish off next year. The following are the subjects they are learning;

The picture above shows the married students and their wives.  At the far left is Ishmael Mutichu our full time instructor. His wife was part of the class. We currently have three married male students. One of the students, unfortunately, could not raise transport money for his wife to attend. There shall be another session later in the year.

2.0   TOWARDS SPIRITUALITY

Every day, except weekends, students participate in chapel.  There are also devotions done early each morning and before students go to bed. Furthermore, during weekends, devotions are done at various places where students would have gone for evangelism. Besides the role these play in building the spirituality of students, these help students to lead worship services better since there are constant evaluations. 

3.0   ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS DEVELOPMENT  

Our core business at BVBIZ is the training of preachers. This product must also be equipped with entrepreneurship skills that he can use whilst preaching and teaching the Word. These skills become handy where most  local congregations are not able to support their preachers. In February, students were taught “how to make detergents,” namely, dishwashing liquid and toilet cleaning liquid. 

4.0   DONNIE ESTEP TEACHES AT BVBIZ

Donnie Estep, BVBI’s Regional Director arrived on the 26th of February. He is currently teaching “World Religions.” BVBIZ is pleased to have him around. Our March report shall carry a detailed report regarding Donnie’s visit and activities at BVBIZ.

5.0 LEADERSHIP TRAINING

BVBIZ started a leadership training class for leaders in Gweru. It is taking place once every month. The class is being attended by 9 people. We are hoping to start another class in Bulawayo and Harare. Groundwork is currently being made to ensure the success of this program. It will be on a block release basis and is meant to finance itself. Classes will be done one weekend per month for twelve months. The major focus shall be on ministry, Biblical studies, leadership and administration. 

CONCLUSION

We thank God for what He has been able to do for the school in February. 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). To God be the glory!

Campaign success in Zambia

Greetings! We bring Christian greetings from the heart of Africa, Luanshya, Zambia!

VISITING TEACHER!!!

The month of February was packed with events. First, we were very privileged to have Brother Donnie Estep come and teach and of our short courses. He taught the book of Romans and the students have continued talking about it. This is an indication that he really did as always a superb job! We are blessed to have men like Brother Donnie come and teach our students. We applaud the work that he is doing for God!  

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES REPORT

Bear Valley Bible Institute – Zambia (BVBIZ) students were engaged in practical evangelism in Roan Township of Luanshya from February 21 to February 25, 2017.   

The outreach program involved students distributing Gospel tracts to the residents of Roan Township of which our target was Section 9. The distribution went on very well as people gladly accepted the free tracts. Tract distribution was employed as a way of opening doors for evangelism activities. Appointments were made on the first day for Bible studies.  

On the second and third days, follow ups on appointments were made. For the most part, appointments were honoured with some awesome Bible studies taking place. Some students encountered some hostility when they were rudely asked to leave. On one occasion they were nicely asked to leave as the owner of the house said he does not have time and will never have time for church things. In evangelism, you meet different types of people.   

RESULTS

In the process of tract distribution, one old woman could not hide her surprise and joy to discover that she was being approached by members of the church of Christ. “Church of Christ!” she exclaimed. “I was a member of the church of Christ together with my whole family. I was baptized at Makoma (a dam in Roan Township) and was very strong until I went to Kasama (a headquarter of Northern Province of Zambia) and joined another church. I was there in the Kaunda times. I think I will start coming because this encounter is not by accident.” Hopefully this will be the beginning of her restoration.    

Moreover, several families have agreed to be having continuous Bible studies with students so that they can know more about God and some families have pledged to start attending church with the Roan congregation.  

In addition, students having been exposed to real life evangelism have gained a great deal of confidence which they will desperately need when they graduate. Amazingly, this whole exercise cost a paltry $100.  

OBSERVATIONS

Students showed high levels of enthusiasm for work and openly wished they had been doing this longer 

Students easily worked in teams an indication that they can be team players when need arises and opportunity given. We at Bear Valley Bible Institute – Zambia believe that Ministry training should be holistic: head, heart, and body. This is an old, tried, and trusted method of training which was skilfully employed even by the Lord Jesus.  

Head training: this involves what most schools do – having daily classroom teaching. This is important to impart knowledge in the heads of learners. But left alone it achieves very little in 

Changing the lives of those being trained and usually produces preachers with “big heads” (the arrogant we-know-it-all kind of people). 

Heart training: this involves serious chapel time and specific prayer times for students. This kind of training prepares the heart for God’s work and when the heart is trained it can keep the head in check. Most schools neglect this and end up with a large number of graduates whom nobody can be proud of. Jesus trained his disciples’ hearts by taking them to the Mount of Olives and even to Gethsemane.   

Body training: this involves practical ministry. Ministry is like the medical field, no nurse or doctor will ever be employed if they don’t have an adequate number of hours of practical work (in fact they cannot even be allowed to graduate). The Lord Jesus saw the importance of body training hence he engaged his disciples in it before he gave them the Great Commission (their graduation). A boxer who never boxes is not a boxer no matter how much knowledge he has about boxing. A runner who never runs is not a runner no matter how much knowledge he has about running. Equally a Gospel minister who never ministers is not one no matter how much Bible he has in the head.   Our belief is that BVBIZ trains her students fully the Jesus style.  

We are eternally grateful to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for financial support as we labour together for the cause of the cross. 

In His service,

 Zambian Team.

A new addition in Arusha!

If you've been keeping up with the farming project in Arusha, you know how successful it's been. Well guess what? It has gotten even better since last report! See the latest news from the Maynards HERE. 

New mentoring project in Arusha

Today I would like to share with you two pieces of news. Let me begin with the good news. It is always joyful to see people who are ready to work for the Lord in His vineyard. Beginning this week, we are going to see our students working with the area congregation in an evangelism outreach ministry.  The Director of ACSOP (Charles Hebert) is expecting to call a short meeting with all the preachers and share this program once again. All the preachers are expected to work hand in hand with the students during the weekends.  This win-win program will also be helpful to our student in their academic report. About 24 students of first and second year are going to participate in this evangelism program this year. They will be sent out and work with 14 congregations. This idea goes along with the mission of the school “to prepare men and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the glory of God. ”I hope you will put these men into your daily prayers as they seek to save the lost souls and help to grow these congregations.

The bad news is that, one of our students failed to come back and continue with his studies. Philip Israel was one of the best students and as we were preparing to end the fourth quarter got sick and was taken to the hospital. Please continue to remember him on your prayer as he fights for his health.

Thank you again for your love, support and prayer for this work as we all continue working for Him and the Kingdom.

In Christian Love,

Godfrey Mngoma

Dean of Students - Andrew Connally School of Preaching

A Bear Valley Bible Institute International extension school

Arusha, Tanzania

Progress and a prayer request from Liberia

Still grieving the loss of a beloved classmate, the students in Liberia are back in full swing. They are now planning a campaign that they are asking our prayers for. Read the latest from Liberia HERE. 

Off to a great start in Fiji

Bula Vinaka from Fiji,

The 2017 school is off and running.  We had orientation day on Monday the 20 of February 2017.  We had 10 students to attend, fill out applications, and commit to the school.  Tukana comes to us from Nabouwalu, on the northern island of Venua levu.  Va is a returning student from the city of Laitoka, on the other side of this island. She is staying with family in Suva while she attends the classes.   Movono comes to us from the remote village of Deladamonu and takes 2 1/2 hours to get here in the morning via bus.  Kiti and Semi come from a village a little closer, Naila.  Vili, Peter, Moira, Emosi, and Etika come from towns and villages close to the school.  

Please keep brother Semi in your prayers.  After orientation, he had to go to the doctor and was diagnosed with hypertension.  His BP was over 200.  So they have placed him on medication and told him to get rest until it comes down.  Because of this he has missed the last two days of school.

A bit of more good news.  I had the privilege of worshiping with the brethren at Deladamonu.  While I was their I got to witness Movono, one of our students, baptize two men into Christ.  One was a young man that was a cousin of his that he had been studying with from another village.  

The classes are going well and are being well received.

In Him,

Rocco Pierce

Classes and Campaigns in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus, 

Greetings from BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan and from my CO-WBSFUW in western states of Nigeria. 
This month the student's vocational training results in the conversion of twelve souls and restoration of thirty. 

Bro. Emmanuel Godwin, one of our students that assisted the church at Igbara -Odo in Ekiti state reports the conversion of three souls andBro. Daniel Ekuese reports the conversion of four souls in Benin, while Bro. Lucky Stephen reports the restoration of five brethren in Lagos. 
Reports reaching me as of this morning from my CO-WBSFUW in western states of Nigeria shows that Bro. Raphael Adeyehun recorded three conversion yesterday and Bro. Matthew Adeyemi recorded three conversion in Igbesa town of Ogun State. 

Lord willing, third semester classes commence on Monday at our main campus in Butubutu village via Badeku /Jago, Ibadan. Yesterday was our Open Air Bible Lectureship at Onikokoro -.Ibadan and Asejire - Osun State and two of our students served as the speaker. The whole program was coordinated by our students. Bro. Godwin Johnson spoke on Salvation in Ibadan while Bro. Samuel Effiong was the speaker in Asejire -Osun State. 

We thank Bro. Doug Wheeler and associates for helping us with the fund which we used last week to purchased a new motor bike for our rural area evangelism and WBSFUW work in Oyo and Osun State. 

Brethren, we deeply appreciate your partnership and love towards the growth of the Lord 's Church in Africa most especially in Nigeria. May the Lord continue to bless all our joint efforts in Christ Jesus, amen. 

Sincerely His and yours ,
Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi ( Director of Studies and Chairman of Administrative Council, BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan and WBSFUW COORDINATOR)

Pray for the upcoming campaign in Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from this part of the globe. God is doing His best towards the work here and satan is struggling to do his best as well.

Our internet is still shut down and I cannot afford to make it to Douala every Sunday because on Sundays the internet café that are there does not even open their doors. I will still be struggling as I am doing to make sure what the Lord is doing in the work here is known by His children as I will be struggling when I have the means to drive down to Douala and send my report as I am doing now.

Last week went on well in Bear valley Bible institute of Cameroon –Wotutu, but other social activities are still very low because of the strike action between the English speaking and French speaking Cameroonians, Keep our beloved ountry Cameroon in your prayers that God should intervene and make things work according to His will.

Our graduates and current students are planning to embark on the lebialem mission again this year. This is a mission which our school supply the manpower to preach and teach the gospel message in their very Roman Catholic dominated community, Please pray for us as we make plans to storm the area again this year 2017  - it will be our third successive mission there which is very fruitful.

Thanks very much for all that you are doing to us. We pray for you daily for your commitments towards the work here and we trust God will bless you and replenish you in due season as you faint not.

Share the news with others.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director

BVBIC-wotutu

The Normans are back in Tanzania

"A week back in Africa has quickly come and gone! We are happy and blessed to be getting in a routine again and jumping into our tasks. We have certainly not taken our time with getting busy, but that was expected." See the latest report from Mason and Haley Norman HERE. 

Physical and spiritual food in Tanzania

The farming project in Arusha, Tanzania continues to go well under the leadership of Justin Maynard. This is drastically reducing the food bill and increasing the school's sustainability. They have good news and a prayer request in their latest report, which can be seen HERE. 

A good report from Cambodia

The school is going good, We have just finished our classes. I taught on the Prison Epistles and Darat taught the books of the Twelve Prophets in OT.

Every Sunday after we worship some of our students go to Komborng Koeng with brother Vannak, our Dean of Students. Brother Pros just started going to Leang Das Village. Soon we will start our schedule for our students go to Leang Dai Village with brother Pros.

For the students we had the break time for them and we took them to Kulen mountain.

The church is going great, we have great relationships with each other. Our children at Hannah's Hope Children's Home are growing more and more. Some of our boys can help us more and more on Sunday.

Our families are happy. Darat's family got a new daughter and we are happy for them. And all of our families in SiemReap are happy .

Pray

Please continue to pray for our plans to serve our God.

Please continue to pray for our students and the leaders in the church of Christ in Siem Reap. We desire to learn more about our God.

Please continue to pray for all of our families, we need better relationships with each other.

Please pray for our plans for our students, soon we will start our schedule for our students go to Leang Dai Village with brother Pros.

 

We are loving you and your family.

Love from PISETH and DARAT.