32 baptized in Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from Cameroon. It is always great to stop by and to say hello to you for all that you do for the work here. We are fine although still in the crisis but our God is still sitting on the throne. Thanks for your prayers so far and keep your prayers going up to God.

I am pleased to report to you the very first mission work from the EPSILON batch as they just returned from their first mission work in 20 different villages and towns. The van was available to take some students to a reasonable distance with tracts from Mission Printing and some Bibles for new converts. Thanks for the presence of the van that is helping to transfer more students at a time. THE FIELD IS RIPE BUT LABOURERS ARE FEW  so this is a great tool to help in our evangelistic efforts.

Where motor bikes cannot go and where vans cannot continue, students will carry tracks on their heads and trek long distances because souls are important. We do all that is in our power to preach so as to eliminate all excuses.

Our students are so zealous! They penetrate villages and they meet villagers still in their very primary harbor like this one. But, in these very enclaved villages, the people will still open their hearts as well as their doors of their houses to still listen to the gospel. We want all ears to hear the truth.

The students returned with joy because God added 32 souls precious to the Church who will be worshiping the various congregations they are around. There was also a total of 26 restorations. We have discovered that the crisis has affected the many areas because the number of restored Christians has reduced drastically since we started in 2011 because we are able to fill up empty pulpits with trained preachers less Christians are falling away. The crisis has displaced many people so that now some have move into areas where they could not identify find the church. Backsliding therefore is also an aspect the church is suffering from as a result of the crisis. We are doing our best to establish congregations in as many new places as possible as well as help congregations and displaced members find each other. Please pray for our country. We have been neglected by the international communities and our neighbors.

PLANS

I am invited to speak in a lectureship in the French speaking part of Cameroon in the north. I will be speaking on “CHILDREN OF GOD AND SUFFERING.” Please keep me and my wife in your prayers as it is a very long distance to make it there.

We shall soon be back in our west coast mission.

APPRECIATIONS

Thank you for helping in the many ways you are helping this work. If not of you, it would not have been possible. God brought you for a purpose. Keep up the good work. His reward is sure.

Do your best to share with our reports with others.

Elangwe and family,

By His grace director BVBIC - Wotutu

Upcoming plans in Lima, Peru

A FRATERNAL HUG,

The BVBI - Peru concluded the course "Personal Evangelism" with Brother Andres Nuñes, and at the same time let us know that we will begin this Saturday the "Homiletics 1" course with Abraham Alata. With this course we would be closing our first semester.

EVANGELISTIC ACTIVITY

On March 2, the students of the institute had the opportunity to participate in an evangelistic activity in the Church of Christ the Crown - Pachacamac, we had a very profitable day visiting the community, encouraging them to study the bible and visit the church. Some 250 houses were visited, we had 10 studies with 18 people and 3 contacts were won interested in continuing to study the bible.

The students experienced evangelism as a group for the first time and as a prelude to the "personal evangelism" course. The church greatly appreciates the support received.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE APRIL 2019 CONFERENCE

Our first Biblical Conference scheduled for April 18 - 19 is near and we have everything almost ready: teachers, literature, advertising and evangelistic brochures, t-shirts and banners. The conference is about the book of Philippians "prisoners of joy", we want to set a precedent for future events of this nature and take the opportunity to continue publicizing the institute among the brotherhood. We ask for your prayers for this event to be a success for the glory of God.

Brotherly,

Juan and Abraham

First ever "Study Abroad" student goes to Fiji

April 2, 2019 Fiji Update of the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa

The 2019 1st Term of the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa is about over.  We are down to the final two weeks of our long courses.  We have 12 students in the program this term.  Semi and Lency went through the graduation line in November of last year, but both have a few classes left to finish up their studies.  We had 4 returning students and 5 new students. 

We have been privileged to host Bear Valley’s first study abroad student, Kaleb Cutter.  Kaleb is a 2nd Year student at Bear Valley Bible Institute, Denver from California.  He is taking the last term of his program here in Fiji and will return at the close of our short courses to graduate in Denver.  He is a real joy to have in our program.

Our new students have been taking English Comp 1.  Emosi, our new teacher, has just about completed  teaching his first course on the Life of Christ and is doing a superb job.  Jason completed a class on Preparation and delivery of sermons and is now teaching a class on the Backgrounds of Early Christianity.  I am currently teaching a class on the Christian Home after having finished a class on the Pentateuch.

One thing that is different is that we have four female students in the program this year.  Most are wives of students who graduated last year.  It is difficult for some of the wives to attend at the same time as their husbands because of the need for one to look after the children. Tupou, the wife of Semi, is attending the program so that she can be better equipped to teach children’s classes at the Naila Church of Christ.  Her husband, Semi, graduated last year and has been charged with overseeing the Bible school program at Naila.  He teaches the older youth and she the younger. Nancy is the wife of Emosi, who was our top student last year and now teaches in the school.  Nancy also teaches a regular children’s class at the Raiwaqa Church of Christ.  Moira is the wife of Peter, who also graduated last year.  She is one of the teachers in the Bible school program at Raiwaqa.  Peter currently is in charge of the Bible school program at Raiwaqa and serves as the financial officer for the school.  The last woman in our program is Jacinta who is married to Lesio.  Lesio is currently being considered for an elder at the Raiwaqa congregation.  He has taken a two year sabbatical from his work in order to go through the program so that he can be a better elder.  His wife teaches one of the children’s classes at Raiwaqa. 

We will highlight some of the men in the next update.   

Rocco Pierce

Director, BVBI-F

Evangelism in Zambia

Report

March 2019

Greetings to you all Brothers and Sisters in the Lord! 

We are always humbled and thankful to God for the great privilege He has given to us to work for Him. Once again it’s that time we make a report on what has emerged at BVBI-Zambia.

It has been another busy month both for students and Teachers as we just concluded the third quarter, the students have gone on a two week break and when they return they will be completing their first year of studies at BVBI-Zambia. It is indeed unbelievable that time is running so fast and these students have grown both physically, mentally and spiritually. The vivid example of this, their busy month of studies have also turned in good evangelism which has resulted in five souls added to the Lords Church. We are so excited to announce the spiritual births of Matha Mwape, Izukanji Ngosa, Patricia Banda, Innocent Lukwesa and Patrick Banda. Inocent was one of the strong holder of Denomination teaching called Seventh Day Adventist and he finally surrendered to the true teaching of the Lord’s Church. Please pray for these souls as we continue to grow and share God’s loving words. 

On the other development Kenny Kondowe a student at BVBI-Zambia who just relocated from Ndola to Luanshya fourteen months ago. According to him, Kenny was not a very active member of the church while he was in Ndola. But when he met Brother Cephas and started going to Mikomfwa and enrolling in the school, he has become active to the church. He is also active and committed to his studies here at BVBI-Zambia. He is the oldest student in class and he is not letting his age to impede his studies. He is very studious and remains committed to complete what he has started. Kenny’s intention is to go back to Ndola and strengthen the Church in His area upon graduation. This can also be spoken concerning all the students that we have at present. They are all equal to the task.  The one word that can be highlighted in all this is growth. 

As indicated in our previous communiqué most of our students attend their Church services in Mikomfwa and Luanshya Central congregations while they are here at school. But we have other students who opt to go back to their respective congregations every other week for their Church services. And to this end, we have kept on receiving very good reports each week from their leaders concerning the steady progress that these students have made in their preaching, presiding on the Lord’s Table and leading in singing. They are even able to lead a profitable Bible study. 

As mentioned in our past report the National Youth Conference for Churches of Christ is fast approaching. The Institute is invited and Brother Fred Kanangu will be speaking during the conference. There will be evangelism going on at this meeting and the Institute Administration is expected to give guidance on the process of application and enrolment. Brother Cephas Mwamba and Kennedy Mukuka will be in-charge of this process. We look forward to this meeting that starts on 19th April 2019 and ends on 22nd April, 2019.

We continue to be very grateful to the Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for the continued support of the work here, and the Bear Valley Bible Institute at Large. Without which the work that the school is involved in this part of the world would be very difficult to accomplish. Moreover, all your efforts and prayers for the work are highly appreciated. We rejoice with heaven.

Brotherly, 

Cephas and Fred

Annual lectureship in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ,

Greetings from  staff and students of Bear Valley Bible Institute Nigeria & Southwest School of Evangelism, Ibadan and my fellow WBSFUW in Southern part of Nigeria.

Below is the summary of our activities for the month of March 2019:
1. OVERVIEW: 
i) Evangelism in Jago 1 & 2 and Butubutu village- Oyo state and Ikoyi and Ikire-Osun state
ii) Third Semester Classes begins.
iii) 17th Annual Leadership Seminar, a great success.
iv) Agricultural Seminar by Healing Hands International. Kenya

2 . EVANGELISM:
The staff and students of BVBIN & SWSE,Ibadan and fellow WBSFUW in Western States of Nigeria are very busy in evangelizing their community, most especially  Jago 1 & 2 and Butubutu village of Ona-Ara Local Government ,Oyo state and Ikoyi and Bale Ayo of Osun state throughout the Saturdays in the month of March 2019 and the Lord crowned our joint effort with a convert in Jago on March 21 and three convers in Bale Ayo in Osun State on March 24,2019.

3. THIRD SEMESTER CLASSES BEGINS:
Our third semester classes begins as scheduled on March 18 and we shall be closing on May 10,2019, Lord’s willing .Our instructors for this semester are Bro.Isaac Olaniyan, Bro.Abiola Joseph Olusoji, Bro. Gbenga Ojo, Bro .Emmanuel Godwin, Bro.Silas Guda , Bro.Kayode Solomon Eniafe, and myself- Bro.Makinde Ebens.
  
4. 17th ANNUAL LEADERSHIP SEMINAR: This year annual leadership seminar held in our main campus at Doug Wheeler Event Center was attended by over 100 brethren from 13 States of the federation and from over 50 congregations. Over 30,000 of our local tracts and ten gospel booklets from Mission Printing International were freely distributed with 315 Bibles to all the participants..We thank you all for your partnership and support. Most especially we appreciates the financial support from Bro.Steven Ashcraft and associates and that of Bro. Chad Wagner and associates for the fund raised for us to purchased Bibles.

5.  AGRIC SEMINAR : The resource person for the one day Agric Seminar, Bro.Ebenezer Udofia of Healing Hands International, Kenya arrived Ibadan city on Thursday evening. The one day Agric Seminar centered on How to raise Poultry and Piggery farm .The seminar started as early as 8.30am and come to an end by 1.30pm. 68 brethren from 13 States and 60 congregations participate in the seminar.

6. ABOUT A STUDENT: Bro. Samson Paul is one of our Year 2 students. Born in the year 2001 at Ibadan. And presently serving as our Campus Minister. His mission is to be one of the competent ministers of God within and outside Nigeria.

7. SPECIAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: With the help of the Almighty God, coupled with the supports of Brother Steven Ashcraft and that of Brother Chad Wagner, we were able to provide a two meal per day from Monday through Wednesday and 3 meals on Thursday and Friday for all the participants in the just concluded 17th Annual Leadership Seminar 2019 at BVBN and SWSE, Ibadan and 315 Bibles freely shared plus 10 carton of Mission Printing International booklets and tracts.

8. OTHER COMMENTS: Lord’s willing, we are starting the BVBN degree programme on April 1 through 12,2019 at our main campus in Butubutu, Ibadan. The first two speakers for April classes are Brother Isaac Olaniyan who will be handling Research Method-1 from April 1-5 and myself, Brother Makinde Ebens who will be teaching Fundamentals of Faith -1 from April 8 through to 12, 2019. Presently, 15 gospel ministers /our graduates across the country have indicated interest in the training.
Also, I taught in Onikokoro-Ibadan congregation on Favouritism Forbidden  on March 3, Faith in Action on March 10, Control your Tongue on March 17 and Controlling your passions, lust, and desires.All from the book of James under the theme ,Practical Christianity. Average attendance is 40 with average contribution of N4,000=.

9. CONCLUSION : We thank you all for your partnership and love. May the Lord keep on blessing all our work together in Jesus Christ name (Amen).

Sincerely His & Yours……MAKINDE Ebenezer  Olufemi (Director of Studies, BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN and WBSFUW)

Rain needed in Tanzania

Greetings friends,

Grace and peace to you all.  Here's the latest from Tanzania Missions.

The farm is still awaiting badly needed rains.  Not only for the sake of the school, but for people across Tanzania, please pray that the Lord will send a healthy rainy season soon.

However, God is still providing a spiritual harvest.  Our brother David Bayi reports that there have been four baptisms and a restoration recently at the Kioga church.  May God continue to give increase.

We are grieved to mention the passing of two individuals close to the mission.  First, we send our sympathies to the family of Ken Upchurch, who passed away earlier this month.  Ken was a tremendous friend to the work, and an enthusiastic encourager to missionaries.  I have very fond memories of him, as I'm sure that many of you do as well.  He will be missed.

We also give prayers of comfort for our brother Ishmael who recently lost his son, Paul.  Ishmael keeps the books for the farm, and has proven to be a valuable worker.  May God be with both of these good families.  

Till all have heard,
Daniel Gaines

An update from Nepal

Nepal Center for Biblical Study

Lalitpur, Nepal

March 2019

Respected brothers in Christ,

Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. May grace of God, love and peace always be with you.

Seminar

We had Brother Jerry Bates and Sister Paula Bates from USA. We had three days of Bible seminar from March 12th -14th. Fifty people were participated on the seminar. He presented nine lessons.

Churches visited

Soon after Bible seminar I traveled for 11 days of visiting different churches at mountain. People began to construct their houses. Some of the places have completed their homes. I have added some pictures of the houses.

Three weeks of holidays

We will begin our three weeks of short holidays from March 29th –April 19th. We will revisit with our graduated students for recruitment in this holiday camp. 

Thank you all of your prayer, support, love and guidance.

I will sent you another report in next month.

Brother in Christ,

Gajendra Deshar

Souls saved in Malawi

Bear Valley Bible Institute - Ekwendeni

March Report

 Great joy! We are glad to share the joy we have as a Bear Valley Bible institute – Ekwendeni (Malawi). The Lord is still using the school to keep the gospel reaching more souls. Within the period of one month, students have baptized 7 souls around Ekwendeni. We also have good news from Brother Saliwa Nkosi one of the former students from our school. He challenged one prominent member of Presbyterian who has been a member of this denomination since 1976. But when she met our former student, whom I nicknamed him as a weapon of mass destruction as far as preaching door to door is concerned, she didn’t resist the power of the gospel to save her. She is our sister in Christ now! This happened on Sunday as brother Saliwa was on his way to worship and the denomination member was also on her way to worship, it happened just as it was with Philip and the Eunuch in Acts chapter 8. Instead of proceeding to worship God unacceptably she changed her mind and was baptized, at the same time asked the preacher man to allow her go to worship with the Christian family, tthe Lord’s church. He, has baptized 3 souls in total this month. What a joy to share! The gospel truly is the power to save – Romans 1:16. As we are rejoicing, we know full well that there’s great joy in heaven, for one soul saved.

Teaching

As we are cruising to the end of our first semester, many courses have so far being taught. So far 9 courses have been taught. In two weeks time, we are hosting Brother Navie Theu again to teach Hebrew History this time as short course. We are always happy to have him teach. He is such a good teacher. More to this we are very proud of our students who are always ready to learn and demonstrate a Christ like spirit. The student’s reputation is all over Ekwendeni congregations for their zeal to teach and preacher to the lost souls.

Outreach

We are more than happy to share our joy over the saved souls this period of one month. Due to hard working spirit of our student, using their weekend time, have managed to lead 7 souls to Christ and some more restored to Christ, while brother Saliwa Nkosi our former graduate has shared us the good news that he has baptized 3 souls.  We give glory and praise to God for the job done. We are also reaching to some young congregations with communion cups, trays and Bibles in local language. Brother Dale Kastner a missionary in the central region of Malawi gave us Bibles in local language of Chitumbuka to be given to poor village Christians who could be able to memorize all the books of the Bible as a condition to have one for free. This has also helped to put the name of the school on the map.

We are very thankful to Bear Valley International for your many prayers and support! We still need your involvement. On our own, we could not reach where we are. Help us praying for transport, as we need a car of a van type to use it going preaching door to door as the potential is high. We have requested to go and strengthen young congregations in some areas in our district and beyond. We have one place where we have also been called to plant a church but transport is a challenge. We believe God is able and God will help us what we “need” not what we want!

The song of the month, “Lead me to some soul to-day; o teach, me Lord just what to say; friends of mine are lost in sin, and cannot find their way. Few they are who seem to care, and few they are who pray; melt my heart and fill my life: give me one soul to-day.” The one who wins soul is wise! Rise up and join us reach many. Eternity is Forever, Think Souls!

In His service,

Ephron and Clergynton

ITL Lectureship is a success

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the lectureship at Instituto Teologico Latinoamericano (ITL) in Guatemala City, Guatemala. It was my pleasure to attend the President’s banquet and also the lectureship. Hawathia Jones and Byron Benitez, both Bear Valley alumni, have been in Guatemala City for 19 years and have done untold good in that time.

The lectureship was outstanding, with excellent topics and a through exposition of 1 John. A number of speakers were from the U.S. and did a great job with their passages. The lectureship was very well attended and I am confident all benefited greatly from having attended.

A new class in Liberia

GREETINGS BRETHREN

Everyone connected to Bear Valley in Liberia extends their sincere greetings to you and appreciate you for all you are doing for the Lord in this part of the world. 

1st Quarter Completed

We are happy to inform you that our second batch of students just completed the 1st quarter lesson for the 1st year program. The quarter went well with all the staff playing their parts very well and our remaining 23 students taking nothing for granted. Beside their class room work, they were involved with weekends evangelism in the communities around the school . The month of February has been very successful so far.

AGRICULTURE

Our second batch are also introduced to the studies of agriculture as it was with the first set of students and they are taking it very serious. They are preparing the ground for the upcoming rainy season as seen in the photos.

CLOSING STATEMENT

We appreciate highly your continued support and prayers for this work in Liberia. With all the economic challenges in this part of the world, we are still grateful that with your help we are able to do the Lord's will. We won't have don't this work without your involvements. Thank you so much for your love for God and your desires to see His will on earth be done.

Thank You,

Your Brother For Christ Sake,

Robert P. Dahn, Jr.

Director-Bear Valley Bible Institute- Liberia

An update from Tamale

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE, TAMALE GHANA

TAMALE GHANA

FEBRUARY REPORT 2019

We again sincerely express our profound heartfelt gratitude to you all for your prayer and support for successful operation of the school through the two year study and learning. May God who owns all things grant you your heart desire in all you do to enable you extend that same helping hand to other brethren like us in Africa for the expansion of His Church.

STUDENTS ON VACATION

As reported last month, the remained course was treated and the test conducted. Students are on three weeks break and will be back on 4th March 2019 to finish their last four courses for the two year study. It is our prayer and hope that these students will be back safely to finish these courses in good faith.

ADMINISTRATIVE WORK

All things are working together for good in the school when it comes to teaching and learning as well as recruitment for students. God has enabled us fished out twenty legitimate students, interviewed and filled and more five yet to come for interview. We also visited Land Commission on school / Church land documents completion and they assured us that the documents would be completed in due time.

May the peace and joy of God rest upon you all.

Yours beloved in Christ

Graduation in Mbanga

Things are going great in Mbanga Cameroon. The last few weeks were filled with many activities and celebrations. Brother Todd Crayton taught the final short course entitled, “Marriage and Family.” Following the class, there was a great celebration of marriage along with the registration of the marriages with the country of Cameroon. The couples had already followed the traditional marriage customs but took the opportunity to register with the state and celebrate with the church.

It is always great to have souls added to the kingdom. Pray for Juliette as she grows in the faith. The water is flowing well in the campus from the water tower. An addition filter for drinking water is not necessary but caution is always a good measure. The outdoor toilet is for the congregation and visitors as the inside toilets are reserved for the students.

The soon to be graduates were gave a defense of their research to the staff. They did a great job. We are proud of the students and staff of BVBIC-Mbanga.

The Bear Valley Cameroon Alumni Association met in Mbanga. It was great to see about thirty graduates some from each of our schools. They meet quarterly, if possible, to do mass evangelism together. This was a special meeting close to graduation to elect new officers.

The campus is getting some new looks with new paint, tiles, room labels, and sign boards. It is good that the people of Mbanga can follow the new signs to the building.

Graduation and matriculation went great. We graduated 9 and admitted 16. The school is growing. We will have 6 students from the country of Chad and 4 students from the far north of Cameroon.  We are seeing our dream of spreading the gospel into French Africa coming to life. The chief of the village thanks us for the many amenities like a gravel road, a night light, and available water. He congratulated the students and staff for their success and influence.

The students received an Advanced Diploma in Biblical Studies and their wives received a Certificate of Completion of the Preachers’ Wife Program. We have sent them forth to win souls and nurture congregations.

I enjoy taking off my coordinator hat and my teacher hat and putting my brother in Christ hat to enjoy door to door evangelism with my brothers. It is such a blessing to go to work with these guys in the field. Even those who a starting their two years of training are already able to give a great defense of their faith. As always brother Todd did a great job of teaching and preaching.

Brother Clinton was converted in the Mbanga prison and is now a student at Wotutu. He was assigned to evangelism in Mbanga. He is helping some brethren find a pair of glasses that will allow them to read their Bible.

Brother Clinton’s wife Juliette is the one that was baptized by Todd. I went to the school where she is the discipline master and greeted many children and teachers. We pray that these community connections will also help in the winning of many souls.

We ask that you continue to pray for the work. We appreciate your support,

 In Him,

 David

New beginnings in Takoradi

We greet you all our dear sponsors and thank you most sincerely for keeping faith with us all through these years. We pray that all of you are doing well.

I am grateful and thankful to God for the opportunity to be sending reports on behalf of the West Coast School of preaching, Takoradi, Ghana, West Africa for the month of January and February, 2019. It has become necessary at this point for me to send the reports due to the absence of Brother Ebenezer Amable who was responsible for sending them.

Due to the administrative changes that took place in the school from the beginning of September 2018 followed by the long break in school work, the school re-opened on the 7th of January, 2019 with eight (8) new students. On re-opening, we needed to do general thorough cleaning in the school.

ORIENTATION FOR NEW STUDENTS

From the 8th to the 11th of January, 2019, the new students were taken through orientation for them to be conversant with what they are required to go through while in the school.

CLASSROOM WORK

Classes for both regular and part-time students began immediately the school re-opened.

EVANGELISM / BAPTISMS

The orientation for the new students included the need to continue evangelizing the area around the school. There was one  (1) baptism during the period. On re-opening, we agreed to revive the five (5) out of six (6 ) congregations which were established by the school. We were able to go to Sofokrom for which we now send some of the students to visit with the congregation.

OPERATING  REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2019

CLASSROOM WORK

Classroom work for both regular and part-time students went on successfully. All students and instructors were on hand which resulted in a successful teaching and learning

CAMPAIGN FOR CHRIST

Students from the West Coast School of Preaching joined in a campaign for Christ at Ankaful near Cape Coast which was organized by the congregation at Ankaful. The campaign took the form of night-street preaching and personal evangelism during the day. By God’s grace we were blessed with seven (7) souls. Also, one of the students went to his village on one weekend, had personal studies with his prospects, and God rewarded his labor with one soul. 

POULTRY PROJECT

During the month of February, 2019, we took delivery of five hundred (500) day old birds on the 14th of the month. This is the 5th week and we thank God they are growing well. Attached are photos of them

Hope this brief information about the school’s activities from January to February will encourage the brethren, God bless you for your wonderful contribution.

Thank you.

Joshua Aidoo.

Graduation upcoming in Sierra Leone

Dear Brethren in the Vineyard,

We are glad to report to you our end of program and activities undertaken for the month of February in the field of evangelism in Kenema. We have completed a routine exercise of our new students admission in this month and preparing for the graduation of the outgoing students at the same time. 

ACTIVITY UNDERTAKEN

Student recruitment has been done by the Dean and Director in different regions taken the school to the less privileged and deprived communities for christ. We went as far as the northern part of Sierra Leone where there is less concentration of  churches of Christ on the ground.   Magburaka town in the Bombali District has given us three students to be trained whereas Freetown in the Penisular area has given us three to be trained as preachers for the Lord's work respectively.

In the southern and Eastern region we have eleven potential students to be trained this time again and all of them will be coming to school this academic year.  We have one student from KAMAKWIE far north a converted through the World Bible School lessons and  has apply for our course to further study God's word with us, two from Kenema.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

Students from these places  will take the gospel message to other parts of the country. This will give more room for church planting in the Lord Vine yard. More soul will be won for Christ in the vineyard..

RESTORATION MOVEMENT

The congregation at Lungi needed restoration and unless we intervened there will be no member to be saved under the Lord's church at that part of the vine yard. Because it has ceased its meetings due to lack of leadership to lead  its members. Most of the members  I spoke to said the congregation came to a stand still due to lack of leadership who will continue to teach and preach the undiluted word to them.

I visited the ground twice to see possible means of helping to  restore its old members and start the church through effort with a congregation in Freetown.

Suggestions were made with the church of christ at Tengbeh town in Freetown to send two preachers coming from Freetown to help evangelise  on saturdays and passes the night over there and preach on Sunday. As one preacher will not be enough to carry out this function we are asked to take care of an additional preacher by providing his travelling expenses which will cost (200.000) Which is equivalent to $25 monthly. Fifty thousand leones weekly inclusive lodging and feeding for a day which the preachers have already accepted in good faith for the sake of the gospel         

All these were suggestions put together to see how we could help restore a dying congregation in that part of the country where all the sheep had gone astray. There is an unfinished building standing there empty without utilizing it for the purpose it was built.  Most of the old members are willing to come back provided they have a preacher to feed the congregation. Our effort will not go in vain as we look forward to promote GOD'S work in this part of the Vine yard

GRADUATION PREPARATION

We are sending our students home to prepare themselves for the 13th of April to come and witness the graduation celebration.

At the same time preparing ourselves to receive our potential incoming students for the next intake of students for 2019/2020 program of studies on the 5th of April 2019 at our school campus in Kenema.

We have completed a round trip admission of twenty students for the  program this year. We hope all of them will turn up for school at the stipulated time. We will send their names on the next report after completing the final process of enrollment.

CONCLUSION

“A journey of a thousand mile begins with the first step”  We are almostly coming to the end of our journey with the help of you people who have supported our effort in taking us where we are today.

We will continue to pledge our loyalty in the lord as long as we live to see the school succeed in Sierra Leone in training preachers for the work.

We thank you all for putting your resources together to support our effort in training our country men for the service of God

SUBMITTED BY

ISHMAEL S.BANGURA

DIRECTOR BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE-SL

A guest teacher in Accra

Prologue:

Another new moon the Lord has made and seen us through massive activities successfully, may His name be honored forever and ever, Amen.

It is always appreciable for such a wonderful period with its trips, support in prayer and in kind. We extend our thankfulness to all brethren.

CLASS ACTIVITIES & TRAVIS HARDESTY’S VISIT

During our school activities we were blessed to have one of our brethren, bro. Travis Hardesty, where he partook immensely in the teaching of the course of Intertestamental Period of the Bible, both at the extension programme and the full time as short course.

With the much love for the progress of the school, he did not only impart knowledge but he also donated greatly to the  School by providing Air Condition for the instructor’s and guest room and a large Industrial Sink for use in the kitchen with its installation funds.

Furthermore, he visited the following churches: Achimota, Nsawam, Agona Swedru and Kasoa to exhort and teach them the way of the Lord.

STUDENT’S APPRECIATION TO HIS VISIT

To the students, he has been helpful to us for these first and second visit in Ghana, especial for the school. They also appreciated him with gift of Ghanaian dress by the full time and words of citation by the weekend students. We all say, may the Lord bless him.

BEREAVED KOJO ACQUAH

Sadly, and to thank our Lord for whatever happens in our lives, bro Kojo’s sister sadly passed away just some few months,  the staff and students joined in to mourn with him and the burial services. God being great in all things, we successfully brought it to a peaceful completion.

VISIT BY STEVEN, MAX ROBERTSON, MARK TUCKER AND THEIR WIVES

This is a wonderful visit I have ever experienced that brethren came to Ghana to evangelize and organize a programme for the Women Bible Class in Cape Coast, Chapel Hill Church of Christ, with their wives. This is impressive to have brethren evangelizing effectively both in house-to-house and public preaching.

To the glory of God, during the evangelism activities, I recorded seven (7) baptisms for the Lord’s church at Ankaful in Cape Coast. These faithful brethren worshipped with the congregation in Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality, church of Christ-Adoagyiri, were the extension programme of BVBI is established thus “Sammy’s Congregation.” Our brothers participated in most of the church worship; Bible class, Exhortation, Prayers, the Lord’s Supper and Giving.

CONCLUSION

We humbly thank our Lord for all activities which He journey with us successfully. Greetings to you all both in Ghana and in USA for such wonderful love shown to us.

We always ask you to pray with us.

David Ballard visits Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from our beautiful Cameroon. We are doing the Master’s work with courage. We do hope this report finds you doing well.

Cameroon is still in crisis but the crisis cannot separate us from the love of God. That is why we are doing what we are doing with courage so that we shall not make excuses of any kind. We are pleading that you keep us in your prayers. We are confident that God is watching and will make things better for us as it pleases Him.

Last week in BVBIC-Wotutu was memorable as the EPSILON batch of students were able to complete the first quarter off their studies. They have left now with seven more quarters before graduation. They will conclude in a short the way that time flies. Please keep them in your prayers as they will be scattered to many villages and towns for mission work, evangelizing, and nurturing the Lord’s church. There are challenges that they will face but they are determined to go because even in this situation we find ourselves into now.

The students’ wives were in Wotutu for their very first class entitled, “BASIC BIBLE KNOWLEDGE.” I taught them the class. It was great and was characterized with questions to help give them a real picture of the Bible they believe in and that they will be teaching to others. We give many appreciations to sister Robin and elder Randy who took their time to composed that lesson. It is rich and has gone a long way to help these women as they prepare for ministry with their husbands. 12 of the 13 ladies attended. They are on their way to their different villages and are excitedly anticipating making it back to Wotutu in June.

PLANS

 We shall be in Mbanga for their second graduation ceremony on March 14. Our students will be out for two weeks and few days for mission work and vacation.

APPRECIATIONS

Thank you very much for all that you are doing for the work here. Our God will bless you and keep you strong as you continue to make the work here move.

Elangwe and family,

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

Good things in Kenya!

This is the students report for the month of February and part of March 2019 at the Kenya School of Preaching, a branch of The Bear valley Bible Institute. We have twenty students that are currently being trained, three African Instructors (Charle  Ogutu, David Wesonga, Elias Omollo), and one American Instructor (Dr Michael P. Reese). 

The 20 students always go to evangelize the area around the Preaching School on weekends and visit local congregations and with their help 11 local congregations have been served, 65 bible classes established, 67 sermons preached, resulting in 8 baptisms and 7 individuals restored back to fellowship with the Lord. 

 At the preaching school, Charles has been teaching the Gospel according to Matthew and Hermeneutics Introduction. David has been teaching the book of Job and Elias Pentateuch Two. Dr. Reese has been teaching Godhead and Christian Evidences. The school closed on 15th March 2019 and will resume on April 15th 2019. 

Of the unique blessing we have at the school are the Mission Printing Inc. materials in a full container for the distribution and evangelism with local churches. The first container came in December 2018 and the second one came in March 7th 2019 with 1303 boxes of various kinds; these included 51  preacher boxes, 1229 boxes full of evangelical tracts, and boxes with books for the School Library. There were also in the container text books of different kinds like Dictionaries, Commentaries, Bible Concordances, Bible Encyclopedias, Bible Geographies, Children bibles with laminated Picture stories and many other good Sunday study materials. 

We have also received World Bible School Materials for evangelism, 42 boxes in total of the Lessons (Introductory Lesson, The Church, The Christian Life). Nixon Ochieng, one of our first graduates has committed himself to enrolling students into the World Bible School Program. The distribution activity began on 16th March 2019 around the Bible School area with the help of other two brothers. 

Different local congregations came to pick the tracts for evangelism and edification purposes. Local preachers from different congregations also came and are still coming to pick the preachers boxes. The number of local Churches that has already come to pick the tracts are 31, while the preachers who have taken their boxes are 20. These materials have been carried away by the local preachers by the use of pick-up trucks, vans, Tuktuks, motor cycles and some are carried by hand. 

We have also sent these materials to 4 other small Preacher Training Schools within the country like, Bomet School, Christian For Kenya Training School, Butere Training School and the newly established Preacher Training School at Maasai Mara.  

More conversions in Guinea

Gueckedou, Guinea BV Activity Operations Report for February 2019

Brethren, the month of February has ended and we are pleased to submit essential details of the Institute’s activities which were conducted during the month. In addition to the usual activities of classroom and evangelism, there were purchases of a new copier and 17 Thomson Chain Reference Bibles. And by the grace of God 3 souls were converted to the Lord. Here are the details:

Classroom: Of the 17 students on roll 16 of them registered at the beginning of the month until about half way when student Nicolas who was ill for some time in February returned. All 17 students are now carrying on their studies and the overall academic performance is acceptable. The students are also doing well in their practical.

Evangelism: Two areas of evangelism were as usual conducted in the month of February - the “house to house” preaching and that of the regular radio broadcast both of which resulted to 3 conversions.

House to house – Among those who went out to preach was student Justin who together with 2 of his colleagues was able to convert 2 of his female relatives. Later, we converted 1 young man, a handicap who had to be transported on the bike. Brother Nyuma is yet a young man and he’s crippling in both legs. He cannot stand on any of them. Thank God for his acceptance of Christ.

 Evangelism by the air: There is one student who is making a greater impart by the gospel messages preached on the air. Student Niouma 2 Kamano has impressed us greatly as he reminds and teaches the public on a regular weekly basis with messages of concern topics such as “examining oneself in light of obeying the saving gospel”. Our emission is a regular listening one in Gueckedou and surrounding!

Other conversions elsewhere – Though not counted in our Bear Valley conversion figures we will nevertheless like to mention in passing that as a result of the Gueckedou Bear Valley’s Director’s preaching on 24th February, 4 precious souls accepted the Lord that Sunday following his exercise as the keynote speaker of the WBS Graduation in Foya of neighboring Liberia.  There were 11 awards of WBS Certificates offered on February 23rd to those men and women who completed the required courses.  

Purchase of 17 Thomson Bibles and a new copier: We had serious photo copy difficulties at the beginning of the month when our“2520” copier broke down. We tried to get it repaired, but to no avail. The popular technician in town could not repair it due perhaps to his incapability in the field. So we sought permission from Steve, our Coordinator who allowed us to make some adjustment in the purchase of the Thomson Bibles. Instead of 20 to include the staff, we purchased 17 Bibles for the students and with a far reasonable price than the invoice obtained some time last year. This allowed us “left over” funds used to satisfy the pressing need. So we got a “2204” size type copier to replace the “2520” which was damaged by car accident during transport of startup materials last year.

Conclusion: Our thanks and appreciations to all the men and women, the brethren who are supporting the Bear Valley schools especially the one in Gueckedou to continue to train men for the Master.

In Christ

Francis

2 wells drilled in Gweru, Zimbabwe

FEBRUARY 2019 NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

At the end of each month we look back and reflect upon the progress BVBIZ is making in the training of evangelists to be competent ministers of the Gospel. Indeed, we see progress in many areas. Though we cannot report on everything that transpired, the following is a summary.

1.0 CLASSES CONTINUE

Classes continued in the month of February without any challenge. Much ground has so far been covered in most of the subjects.  The following subjects are under consideration this term;

Denominational Doctrines                

World Religions                               

1-2 Corinthians                                 

1-2 Thessalonians                              

Greek I                                              

1, 2 Peter, and Jude                           

Wisdom Literature                            

Prison Epistles                                  

Introduction to computers                 

2.0 DONNIE ESTEP’S VISIT

BVBIZ was blessed to have Donnie Estep, BVBII’s regional Director, from the 17th to the 25th of February. He had opportunity to teach and interact with students and staff. The subject he taught is “World Religions.” He taught the same subject to the students on the extended program in Harare on the 23rd and 24th of February.

Besides the classes, Donnie taught at Nashville Church of Christ during one of her mid-week services. He had an opportunity of visiting BVBIZ’s permanent cite. He made a visit with Temba Gwena, one of the Board members. In the picture below, he stands in a section within the land together with Ishmael Mutichu, one of the instructors and Temba Gwena. They are standing at the site where Healing Hands International intended to drill a borehole for BVBIZ.

3.0 PROJECTS

Currently BVBIZ runs projects on the available space we currently have. The aim is to provide a hands on experience for students, lower the food budget and provide more income for the school. A new batch of chickens shall be starting in March whilst cabbages are almost ready for the market.

4.0 DEVELOPMENT AT BVBIZ PERMANENT CITE

Work has started at the 5.9 hectare plot that BVBIZ now has. The hope is that all activities including projects will be done there. By God’s grace it is also hoped that there shall be construction of structures on the land. The first task was to cite and drill a borehole. The presence of water would then be a catalyst for other activities to take place. God’s blessings can, at times, go beyond what we think. When we hoped for one borehole, we got two.

4.1 BOREHOLE 1

A great surprise gift to BVBIZ was the sinking of a borehole by the BVBIZ board. The funds were sourced through Hailey Mlangeni, one of the Board members. Drilling was done on the 25th of February. It went up to 55 meters and this borehole has a capacity of producing 10 000litres of water per hour. The following pictures show the drilling that was done.

4.2 BOREHOLE 2

God smiled on BVBIZ to have Healing Hands International sponsoring a borehole. Discussions on the possibility of having this borehole began many months back and it has finally become a reality. There were smiles all over when the drilling was done and completed. The drilling went up to 60m whilst the borehole has a capacity of producing over 10 000litres of water per hour. A solar pump shall be installed soon. We shall report more on this in the March report when everything has been done and completed. Our great appreciation goes to Haling Hands International.

5.0 PRACTICAL

Students have continued to do practicum in various areas. This is in terms of teaching, preaching, counselling, leading in singing, presiding at the Lord’s table and in evangelism. Progress is being noted in the presentations they make and in results from the field. In the month of March, students shall continue to do evangelism every Saturday within Gweru. The next report shall carry out statistics of their efforts.

CONCLUSION

At BVBIZ in February, lessons were conducted, practical done, boreholes drilled and a visit done by Donnie Estep. We always thank God who makes this possible. To all who have contributed one way or another to this progress, thank you. To God be the glory!

26 more students in Nigeria

REPORT SO FAR ON THE PROGRAMS

The school is blessed with 26 students: four Sisters and twenty-two brothers. In January 2019 we had three students joining us, that makes the number from twenty-three to twenty-six students 

The first lecture for 2019 has been taken by bro Oladokun Samuel, he treated the book of Acts and all of our students were present. In February we are treating evangelism 1 and In March we are going to treat the topic New Testament church 2. 

We had our campaign on the 9/2/2019,three soul were added and one restored on our campaign day.

Thanks you sir for motivating us to preach the gospel,God bless bear valley's management  

Amen

Mfon etim

Director 

Ikorodu campus