Evangelism in Zambia

Greetings!

We bring Christian greetings from Luanshya, Zambia. Our prayers are that you are all doing well in all your endeavors. It is always a great pleasure to write and report some of the activities that the school was involved in during the month of October, 2019. We believe that the school is on course on its promise to train faithful preachers. As we come to the close of our first quarter of the second year. We expect most of our students to travel back to their respective congregations.

In our effort to preach Christ and our desire to reach central province of our mother Zambia our alumni have already laid the foundation for the gospel and doing great work in Kabwe district, Clive Kabika is a dedicated servant to preaching and is doing a good job he has also helped a thriving congregation in keeping good faith in Kapiri Mposhi district. He is now working with the youths and restored three back to the sheepfold. As our plans are underway to have our alumni back for fresher courses, we believe this will help him to be more effective. And now we have also reached Ngabwe the furthest district and fishing area of Central Province. Our current student Vinicent Simwanza, he is making head-ways in reaching out to the lost in this part of the country. In our effort to reach the young men in High schools Vincent was given opportunity to preach at Ngabwe secondary school to at least 80 pupils and the work was marvelous, since then the school staffs are looking forward to more of such preaching. There is no church of Christ in this area. The only known church of Christ is hundreds of kilometers away. We pray that with this efforts and help from God, we will soon have a new congregation in Ngabwe district.

In Luanshya many bible studies with not only the youths but elderly also have been set and we had two baptisms from such meetings. Our student Stembiso Magawa is from Eastern province of Zambia who is he doing well as he grows in the knowledge of God, this was a student when first arrived was shy to stand and now he is reading the way, in Baluba we have four converts as a result of his preaching

Hornbye Mupengu who is also an Institute representative to the students has won three souls in preaching Christ, and these young men have become very eager wanting to enroll at our Institute. Hornbye is now engaged to Memory and she has been very supportive to his studies. We will soon have them both for counseling at school in order that their Marriage is well established. With the farming skill he has acquired at school, he is making good progress to establish a farm and manage it. He is helping the congregation with bible studies and preaching and making great impact in surrounding communities.

The five congregations in Luanshya district are doing well. The students have taken turns to preach, serve on the Lord’s Supper, and lead songs in these congregations. We pray that a good transport will help the Institute to coordinate more effectively with the rest of the province. Austin Musonda and Nelson Sikazindu are regular preachers at Chibwe church of Christ where they go each Lord’s Day. They also conduct bible studies every Saturday afternoon.

While students will be on long vacation break the Institute staffs have work to do, brother Cephas will be in northern and brother Fred Kanangu will be in Luapula and brother Kennedy Mukuka will be in Muchinga province, this is due to the fact that we have been receiving calls to visit these places but due to lack of enough time and transportation we cannot be everywhere, this will help us catch wide area in short time. Please pray for our visits in these areas in the month of November.

We give special thanks to our amazingly supportive family and friends of Woodland Oaks church of Christ. Our hearts are truly thankful to the partnership we have with the entire Bear Valley Bible Institute at large, may our God continue to bless all of you.

In His service,

Cephas & Fred

Graduation in Fiji

It has been a great year! We finished up the school year with two short course instructors: Bill Steward from Bear Valley in Denver, CO who taught a course entitled Christ of the Covenants, and Stan Dean the pulpit minister at the Killen Church of Christ in Killen, AL who taught a class on the Book of James.

They both did a great job and also stayed over to assist with our graduation exercises on Saturday 2nd of November. Stan did a devotional for the graduation, and Bill did the commencement address and also handed out the certificates to our graduates. We had 4 students to graduate from our program, including two international students:

• Alphonsus Rickimae was our top student from the Solomon Islands

• Asher Abraham received our Heart of a Servant award and came to us from Micronesia

• Kitione Solinadrotini from Naila village here in Fiji

• Samuela Tupou from the Ten Miles Church of Christ in Nakasi

We have continued to do follow up work with the Nadi Church of Christ following our campaign there in September. While I am reporting in the U.S. several of the students plan to travel over and do visitation and help with the Sunday worship services on the weekends. The brethren in Nadi have fixed up the upper floor of the church building so that they will have a place to stay while they are in Nadi.

Since we are south of the equator, we are headed into Summer here. The students will have time to plant their gardens and rest up before starting back to school on February 17, 2020.

Thank you for all you do to make this work possible. May God be gloried by this work. Please keep the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa in your prayers!

Your servants in Christ,

Rocco Pierce, Jason Pierce, and Emosi Sailo

More courses in metro Lagos

Greeting from the staff and students of BVBI - Ikorodu Lagos State. God bless you. Here is our summary of September to November 2019 activities.

The school is growing rapidly with the total number of 27 students. four sisters and twenty three brothers, ten out of the twenty-three brothers are preachers in various congregations of the Lord's Church. Our lecturers are actively carrying out their assignment, with all our students present in the class.

The subjects treated so far from September to November are:

1 Corinthians- lecturer Bro Abiola Joseph Adesoji,

Leadership- lecturer Bro Lucky Uzoyare

Church History: Lecturer Bro Okoro Chinyere

Public Speaking 2 (Practical Homiletics) ; Lecturer Bro Makinde Olufemi.

The Life of Christ to be treated December 2019 by bro Ezekiel Okorougo.

2019 Campaign had been carried out on 9/2/2019, which three souls were saved and one soul restored.

EVANGELISM: All of our students participated in outside evangelism. This took place on October 13th Sunday evening. seven souls wee converted, although, we have no restoration. It was a blessed outing.

* On 24th of November 2019 by 3pm, all of our students will embark on house to house evangelism with open air.

* On 22nd December 2019 we are going to have our 4th annual lectureship. THEME: STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED....(2Tim. 2:15)

* Ikorodu students are planning to plant the Church of Christ at Isiwu Arana Ikoodu. on February next year (2020).

OTHER COMMITMENT

One of our student by name israel Tayomovwo will preach at Owode Ibeshe Church of Christ in her indoor lectureship. TOPIC: "The CHURCH of CHRIST".

APPECIATION:

We have received gifts of Desktop computer, printer and mattress. Gift of tables was sent to us. our students can write conveniently. We pray that GOD will continually bless the BVBI management immensely. we also receive the support of our 4th Annual Lectureship. we say a BIG THANK YOU to the management.

CONCLUSION:

Ikorodu staff and students deeply appreciate your GOD given lobe to us and your support to Africa countries and beyond. May the Lord keep on blessing all your joint effort in CHRIST Name. Amen.

I remain your fellow soldiers of Christ

Bro Mfon Etim(Minister)

Director Ikorodu Campus

Lagos State Nigeria

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Also, in the Agege area of Lagos…..

EVANGELISM:
I and students went on evangelism on the 19/10/2019 and two souls were converted. They are Emmanuel Chukma and Amaka Chukma.

ROTATIONAL TEACHING:
Olusoji Joseph Abiola started his teaching at Ikorodu on July 2019 using four weeks in which the students did their examinations. The same was done at Ibadan and Agege respectively.

CONSTRUCTION OF TABLES:
Ten tables were built for the students. Three students to a table. The students were very happy for the tables been provided. We appreciate the management of Bear Valley Institute for this new development in our study class. 

Olusoji Joseph Abiola

More progress in Zimbabwe

INTRODUCTION

As usual, at the end of each month, we look back and thank God for what he has been able to do through BVBIZ.  BVBIZ remains humbled and grateful to our partners and sponsors. Economically, things have not been easy in Zimbabwe. Despite all this, God has seen us through another month. We can only thank Him that despite these negative pressures, BVBIZ continues to advance her agenda, that is, to train men and women for the furtherance of the Gospel in Zimbabwe and beyond.  The following is a capsule of what transpired in the month of November.

1.0 EVANGELISM

In BVBIZ’s quest to produce highly qualified ,equipped and competent servants of God, practicum is a core factor. This is achieved in a number of ways which includes, weekend evangelism, one week campaigns every term, holiday preaching, 12 week field program at the end of the first year of study and another 6 months practicum before graduation.

1.1 ONE WEEK CAMPAIGN

This term’s one week campaign took place from the  6th-12th of October. Half of the students were at Warren Park being led by Howard Suwari whilst the other half was at Buchwa being led by Ishmael Mutichu. Various methods were used to reach out to lost souls. Great appreciation goes to the hosting congregations for providing food and accommodation to the two teams. Three souls were added to the church in the process.

1.2 OTHER

Weekend evangelism continued in the month of October. Three congregations, that is, Mkoba 12, Nashville and Redcliff, benefited from the effort. Besides weekend evangelism, On the 18th of October, BVBIZ students and teachers went for an all-night worship service at Bulawayo Central Church of Christ. 5 students presented sermons that night 5 led in singing.  Ishamel Mutichu (one of the teachers) taught the male class whilst Thandikile Dube (a student) taught the ladies class. Our great appreciation to the Bulawayo Central congregation for according BVBIZ students the opportunity to put into practice what they are learning.    

2.0 CURRICULUM PROGRESS

Several subjects have been done and completed whilst others are still in progress. These that have been completed include Advanced Hermeneutics, the books of Romans and Hebrews. Those that are yet to be completed include the Pastoral Epistles, Church Growth, Major Prophets, Biblical Counselling and Greek 11. Great appreciation goes to the both teachers and students who have been putting their effort to meet the requirements of the curriculum this term. Nkosilathi Mpofu, a Masters graduate from Freed Hardeman University taught the book of Romans. He was with BVBIZ from the 30th of September to the 5th of October. Brother Mpofu made another visit with Bro. William Glover and his wife on the 21st of October. If God wills, Bro. Glover is exploring the possibility of assisting the school to set up a fishery project as part and parcel of students’ entrepreneurship skills development and also lowering the school’s food budget through the establishment of the same. The two couples are working with Zimbabwe Missions, an organisation geared towards the spread of the Gospel starting with the Southern part of Zimbabwe using various methods.       

3.0 SITE PROGRESS

In the previous month,  resources for the student house had depleted when the structure was at a critical point. Door frames were left exposed and there was danger of them being stolen.  It became necessary, following some advice, to borrow from the November allocation and also temporarily forego October salaries in order to leave the structure at a safer position. Once the structure is complete, BVBIZ will move to this permanent site. BVBIZ board also had an opportunity of appraising themselves with the developments.

CONCLUSION

Basing on the above, the month November saw us add more value to the students and also add value to the church through evangelism and various activities. We look forward to greater things to come.. We continue to fine tune ourselves towards this noble task. We remain grateful to every one of you for your spiritual, moral and material support. To God be the glory!

Special guests in India

Hope that this reporting letter may serve us to  convey our greetings , gratitude and thanks to each one of the prayer partners and supporters of  Bear Valley Bible Institute, in Tiurpati, A.P state in India.

The second semester has completed smoothly , we had this semester from the dates of  August 26th to October 31st, 2019, we are very much thankful to our director Mr.Keith Kasarjian and coordinator Mr.Mark Reynold for their guidance and provision on time to time, no words to appreciate our subject teachers and non teaching staff for their hard work. We appreciate the students for their dedication to cooperate with BVBI -in attending for the daily classes, doing memory work, writing exams on time to time and participating in the practical field work.

We had seven  Visitors from USA for the second semester, we are grateful to each one of them for their precious  time and efforts that they invested in visiting our far away Idol worshiping country, we were so much encouraged by their preaching and fellowship, we are praising God for their love and concern for the India people , especially towards the student of the Bear valley Bible Institute, The Graymere church of Christ minister Mr.John R.Vaughan said that “The young men have selected the best work in their life to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ” , the mission in charger  of the Graymere church Mr.Jonathan Winchester said that “the work of the evangelist is not easy job but in the bible training they may equip themselves to face all the problems by learning the word of God. The elder of Foothills church of Christ Mr,Larry Nokes spoke good things from the book of Ephesians and encouraged students and teachers and my family members.

We Humble our self in reporting about the courses that we have competed in second semester : 1.Ruth, Judges, 1 Samuel, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Jonah, Micah, Hosea, Amos, Personal evangelism, Acts, Hermeneutics, life of Christ , beside biblical courses we offered some knowledge about health education, Indian constitution ,   self employment skills by using subject experts .

In our second semester we have done some work in visiting  Housing board colony and distributed New testaments by visiting door to door, we are thankful to Tiurpati church members and Puttur church members who joined with us, please pray for Mr.Chitti babu who obeyed to the water baptism.

we are grateful to Bear Valley Bible Institute in USA for providing the best platform in India to enjoy these blessings.

Thanking you.

Yours brother in Christ.

B.Vijaya Kumar,

In master service Behalf of

Bear Valley Bible Institute

 Tirupati, A.P, India

Living water in Sierra Leone

OPERATION REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER 2019 BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE KENEMA SIERRA  LEONE

The close of activities for the Months of September and October at Bear Valley Bible Institute Kenema are as follows: Several activities occurred during this months; however, a summary of the major events of those that attract our attention will be recorded in this report.

Classroom Activities

The second quarter involves Six courses. These includes 2 short courses. Short courses are intensive and involve both lecturers and students for 7 hours in class Monday through Friday. In short 35 hours of study is involves in each of the short courses. Life of Christ and New Testament Church are on short courses (Two Weeks) while Homiletics; The book of Acts ; Hermeneutics and GodHead are on regular classes (Four Weeks). While in class we are grateful to God for seeing us throughout the month of September and October with our Fourteen Students.

The cotton of the second quarter was brought down in the third week of October immediately after our evangelistic activities. Students were sent home for a short brake and are expected to be back for the 3rd Quarter session.

Evangelism

Evangelism has been a serious challenge in these two months. The continuous rains became our serious challenge. No vehicle on our own to transport our equipment to our targeted places. The roads become death traps for people. However we cannot sit and tied our hands down. We encourage our students to do a house to house lectureship in our close communities whenever there is a favorable weather condition. Gratefully, 2 Souls were added to the fold. Attached are some photos of these activities. God willing we will soon be on bigger Gospel campaigns as the rains are fading out.

Accomplishments

Management and Students were in a crisis of lack of water in the campus. Our prayers and wishes were accepted by God through our USA management support of Bear Valley. We were thankful to God as funds were provided for the construction of water well in the Institute premises. The water well project is now completed. We gratefully thank you for this provision of water for us. This is a complete breakthrough. May the good Lord continue to bless all that you do for His sake.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, we continually pledge our loyalty for the sake of Christ as we live to see the school succeed in this part of the world in training able men to preach the undiluted Words of the Gospel.

We thank everyone for putting your finances together in support of our joint efforts to train men who will be able to train others when we might have gone to meet our maker. May the good Lord bless us all.

Please keep us in your prayers as we do for all.

Yours in His service

Brother Jacob Sesay

Admin / Director - Bear Valley Bible Institute Kenema

Sierra Leone.

Evangelism in Togo

Hello, everyone. May the Almighty grant us his blessing for starting and ending this month with better health.

BVBI-Kpalime:

This month the evangelization took place without the car (Chariot). Only we used the motorcycles from the center because our chariot has a serious engine failure.  We hope that God will help us to repair it quickly because this vehicle is very useful for us.

Towards the end of September, classes resumed, with a total of 13 students. Before the holidays, the AKATA church claimed his student for a problem of immorality.

Agriculture and livestock:

A space is currently being set up to serve as a place for students to receive instructions either in writing or by practice.

Saturday's classes:

The number of students planned for one class for those attending Saturday's courses is limited to 10 students. In TEMEJA the number is very high. All pastors of the denominations are highly motivated to attend Saturday's classes (not a Bear Valley school). Currently, there are 20 of them in the class. Each one leads a denominational assembly. If we can win them through the gospel, we will have 20 churches of Christ in the locality.

Evangelization:

Here, evangelization has been based on a study with the people who give us their time. Two baptisms in this month.

May the peace and grace of our Jesus Christ fill all his blessings for the support you bring to the Institute.

Thanks

Your brother

NYEMANTA Essotena

Vocational training in Nigeria

Dear fellow servants of God.

Greetings from your fellow servants of God in BVBIN & SWSE, Ibadan.

Here are the report of some of our activities in the Lord for this month of October 2019

OVERVIEW:

1.  MASS EVANGELISM IN EGBEDA AND ONA-ARA L.G.A.OF OYO STATE

2. AJIA TOWN SURVEY

3. STUDENTS VOCATIONAL WEEKS

4.VOTI AND MISSION PRINTING TRACTS AID IN CONVERSIONS OF MANY SOULS IN WBS SEMINARS

MASS EVANGELISM IN EGBEDA AND ONA-ARA L.G.A OF OYO STATE:
The students and staff of the BVBIN AND SWSE-Ibadan and some of the WBS follow up workers in the State of Oyo, Osun and Ogun evangelized  in Egbeda town of Oyo State on October 4&5 with the few members of Egbeda congregation and the Lord crowned our efforts with the restoration of two brothers and two sisters.
On October 18&19,the year-2 students, Bro.Dele Shotola and Bro.Kayode evangelized in Asejire, Osun State while I (Bro.Makinde)and Bro.Peter Ortsega (one of our graduates and the minister of Jago congregation) led the year-1 students to evangelized Jago, Kupalo and some villages around Jago during the two days. The residents around Jago village were very receptive and two souls indicated interest to be baptized on the following Sunday which they did during the mid-week Bible Studies of October 23. Many other people requested for a revisit to their place to teach them more concerning God's way of Salvation.

AJIA TOWN VISITED : On October 8,2019 , I and one of our August 2019 graduates, Bro.Samson Paul visited and surveyed Ajia town near Egbeda town, Ona-Ara Local Government Area in preparation for November 22,23,28-30 Mass Evangelism & Gospel Campaign by
the BVBIN &  SWSE IBADAN .
Our observation shows that Ajia town is a very fertile ground and heavily dominated with denominational churches.

STUDENTS’ VOCATIONAL  WEEKS & BREAK : All our year-1 students and few year -2 students now embark on four weeks Vocational Training in Ibadan-Oyo State, Ogun State and Lagos State from October 19 through November 16,2019.All students are expected to be back on November 17,2019 for second semester classes that by God's grace will begin on November 18,2019.

VOTI AND MISSION PRINTING TRACTS AID IN CONVERSIONS OF MANY SOULS IN WBS SEMINARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, NIGERIA: Information reaching me between Oct.15 till Saturday ,Oct.26 from fellow WBSFUW in Nigeria shows that over twenty souls were converted in this month WBS SEMINARS conducted across the country using the VOTI and mission printing tracts /booklets. Bro. M.B.Archibong reported the conversion of two souls at Mbak on October 20 and eight souls on October 23,2019 at Nkwot Edem Edet ,Akwa-Ibom State. To God be the glory.

ABOUT A STUDENT: Bro. Victor Yiron Smasher is one of our year-2 students. A native of Lissam, Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba State. Converted through the WBS seminar in year 2015.He is 28 years of age. Married and blessed with two kids. His mission is to work as a missionary in the Northern part of our country, Nigeria after completing his Studies.

SPECIAL  ACCOMPLISHMENT: With God on our sides,we have commenced the upgrading of our School Building's plan in line with the directive of Oyo State Government.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
1. We shall embark in a four days preaching trip to Omu-Aran for Mass Evangelism & Gospel Campaign that will commence on October 31 through November 2,2019.

2. Lord's willing, we shall be traveling again to assist the just restore congregation in Ode-Ajagba, Ondo State on November 14 through 17 and

3. Mass Evangelism / Gospel Campaign in Ajia town on November 22,23,28-30,2019.

APPRECIATION & CONCLUSION : We thank you all for your moral and financial supports toward the growth of the Lord’s church in Africa most especially in Nigeria.
Most especially ,we are very very grateful for the recent support of $600 from the brethren of the Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ in Blacklick for our Students Vocational Training which enable us to purchase two Sewing Machines, three dozen of T-Shirt and some clothing materials to be sew by our students for the children of the less privileged people in Southwest Kiddies Academy and for thier kind-gesture which they expressed by providing scholarship for eight of the less privileged children in our Kiddies Academy. May the Lord keep on blessing all our joints efforts in Christ Jesus, amen.
Lastly, we  deeply appreciate the partnershop of Bro.Steven Ashcraft & the BVBID family, Bro.Chad Wagner & his associates ,Bro.Joel Coppinger & his WBSTC associate and you all for your support in many ways. May we all meet to rejoice and rejoice in heaven.

I remain yours in His grace as a servant,

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi

(The Chief Servant of BVBIN & SWSE, Ibadan )

Campaign success in Liberia

Bear Valley Bible Institute- Ganta Liberia Operations Reports- September-2019

PROLOGUE

We bring you greetings from Liberia, West Africa, hoping this report meets you all in good health and sound mind. We are happy to share with you all the happenings in the month of September. We are so grateful to God that classes here in the school are going on very well without any major problems. All the students and instructors are in very good health and sound mind.

CAMPAIGN

It had been a great blessing to be called by people themselves who want the true. Earlier this year we have received many calls from lots of individuals and some time the whole town requesting the establishment of the Lord's church there. These calls has been coming because of the they have been listening and following our Radio preaching program for some time now and have come to the conclusions that the church of Christ is the One True Church. These are unbelievers asking that the gospel we preached on the radio be preach to them in their towns and the church be set up there. This we we think is a very great opportunity for all of us to share the saving message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with others.

On September 3rd, Brother Steven Ashcraft sent us $575.00 to fund one extra campaign. By the help of God, we traveled from Ganta on September 11th through a very terrible road to one of the towns ( Meiplay) that had been calling for some time and spent seven (7) days doing houses to house evangelism and public preaching in the evenings. This effort resulted in 26 person giving their lives to Christ through water baptism and the beginning of a new congregation. We were also bless to find two old baptized members (Couple) in the town who had not been worshiping for over 12 year due to relocation. In our very first worship in Meiplay town, everyone were very shocked to see the turned out that day. We were 67 adults and 32 children in worship. Many more people promised to be baptized and many promised to continued to visit the church. We want to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to brother Steven for his support toward this campaign that saw souls being rescued from hell.

MOTORBIKE & GENERATOR

In March this year whiles the school was on vacation, thief enter the school campus making away with some items including one of the school motorbike and the school generator. By the special grace of God, the school now also has another brand New motorbike added on the one we already have before making it two bikes. Many thanks to brother Keith Kasarjian for providing the money to buy these items. These motorbikes help the students go out of the campus during the weekends to faraway towns and villages to help encouraged weak congregations in teaching, preaching and evangelism as part of their practical training in the school. These efforts are helping many congregations in restoring members, strengthening weak brethren and exposing the Lord's church in those communities 

ABOUT A STUDENT

BROTHER GEORGE G. LEAMAH SR. hailed from a town called Zontuo in the Zoe Geh Districe, Nimba county. He has been serving the Lord's church in Bahn city since his conversion to the church in January 2000. Four years ago,he went back to his home town and established children Bible study group even with his limited knowledge in the scriptures and has been very good with it till he hear of the school. Now that he has the opportunity to attend the Bear valley Bible Institute, he is requesting the school to take a campaign to Zontuo and establish the church there.

Brother George has been a classroom teacher by profession. He is married to sister Kema Leamah and they are bless with eight (8) children: six boys and two girls. His family are very happy that he wants to be a gospel preacher.

APPRECIATION:

The work in Liberia is picking up, especially in the rural area of the country. This is being accomplished because of your support. Thank you so much.

In Him,

Robert P. Dahn, Jr.

The Stewarts go to New Zealand

We are so grateful to have had Bill and Pam Stewart from Denver with us this past week. All together, they taught for about fifty hours. Bill and Pam taught a marriage enrichment seminar for the church in Wellington. Pam taught an Evangelistic Women seminar in Porirua. And Bill taught a short course on Revelation for BVBINZ. Could you imagine studying through the entire book of Revelation in four days? The students studied with Bill from 8am to 4pm for four days in a row. It is clear Bill is the man for the job. He knows the book well.

Today, I finished the first section of three in my Life of Christ 2 class. Graduation is in five and a half weeks. We are now working on the schedule for the next term.

Malawi grads making a difference!

Bear Valley Bible Institute – Ekwendeni (Malawi)

October, 2019 Report

Introduction

When many people are on holiday’s time after most of their time being busy and tired working, you expect them to have chance to rest during holiday times. This is opposite with our just graduated students as you would imagine. The resting time for our graduates is their busy time. We are very encouraged to hear from them and their different home congregation leaders that the students are busy preaching, teaching, and this is exactly what they are taught to do – 2Timothy 2:2; 2Timothy 4:2. We pray daily for them, that God will bless their families with all what is needed in their lives to keep serving the Lord faithfully –“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”, Romans 8:28!

Report of baptisms and restoration from our students who graduated last month

Just in a period of about a month now since we had the graduation, a report of 5 baptisms have come from some of our just graduated students. Our brother from Karonga far north has reported more that 20 souls restored.

Kabwafu congregation

We establish this congregation in our last campaign with the students; the church started with 51 members, but now has increased to 57.

Emadhloveni

This is also one of the congregations we have established this year, and ‘she’ started with 21 members, but now they are 46.

There are also two congregations in the central region in Ntchisi district which one student started in May, 2019 and last week it was reported that souls are still being added to the church. The Lord is working through His servants to win more souls to Himself.

Saliwa Nkosi is one of our first class of 2016/2017 graduates, he is a very dedicated man. He is the one I nick-named him as “weapon of mass destruction” Brother Saliwa Nkosi is very talented as far as the preaching of door to door is concerned. He has lead many souls to Christ.  Within a period of 2yrs he has helped about 110 souls come to Jesus. Chamalaza congregation stopped worshiping for a period of a year as most of the leaders left the country for South Africa to look for greener pasture. But when brother Saliwa went back home in 2017 after he graduated with Bear Valley Bible Institute - Malawi, he helped his home congregation Matindibizi for the whole year of 2018. The number of Christians at Matindibizi was 73 the time he arrived but now the number has increased to 138, praise is to God! This year he has done a lot too by helping us and the students organizing the preaching campaigns, but much more to this, he has helped the Chamalaza church which stopped worshiping get restored. The first time he went to Chamalaza was in April this year, 13 people agreed to be restored. The good news is that the number has increased from 13 to 45 just from April to this day. God is good.

Out of those who graduated from our first class, 5 of them are employed as preachers in the Lord’s church in different places of Malawi. This is encouraging to us as teachers, that the work of Bear Valley School in Malawi is noticed by many but much more, to God!

2020/2021 interviews in progress

Brother Clergynton went to the central region and Southern region respectively to get the prospective students be interviewed. He came back Sunday and expects to finish the interviews here in the Northern region to be conducted on the 26th of this month. We are looking forward to have a big class of 20 students this time. The competition is very high as many application forms, over 50 were submitted but we only need 20. We pray that God will open wider doors in the future to have two classes. First and second year, classes.

We want to thank Bear valley Bible Institute International for their support! Without the support we wouldn’t do anything this much and this far! We are really grateful for all what you do to us to allow this school in Malawi keep advancing. Thank you for your kindness and many prayers. May the Mighty God bless your families; Eternity Is Forever, Think Souls!

Yours truly,

Ephron and Clergynton

Graduation in Tamale

Thanks and praises given to God for taken us through another successful month, our profound gratitude to you all for your prayers and financial support to enable us run the school activities successfully. We are more than prepared to expend our energy and time in the course of God’s kingdom growth and expansion with the bountiful offer you consistently sacrifice.

STUDENTS BACK TO SCHOOL

The school is reopened and all the sixteen students are back from break to continue the academic activities and other activities in the school for the year. This term is a busier term, graduation, preachers and Sunday school teachers’ workshop and other fruitful activities held.

CLASSES

The following courses were treated by Brothers: James Legend Hermeneutics II, Kojo Acquah Beenyi Book of Acts and Campaign, Life of Christ II in session with Albert Malir Tamanja.

ADMINISTRATIVE WORK

We are very excited for the successful operation of the scheduled programs in the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Tamale. The two day Sunday school Teachers’ Workshop 18th -19th 2019, Preachers’ empowerment seminar 20th 2019 and Graduation 21st were successful with the attendance encouraging and the activities involved very vibrant. Sixteen students were successfully graduated with thirteen students given Diploma by Bear Valley Bible Institute, two students received certificate from Tamale Bible Institute and one yet to finish the remaining courses before he is given Diploma by Bear Valley Bible Institute. It is our prayer and hope that God will rally behind these strong men who are ushered into the preaching field to propagate the Gospel.

CAMPAIGN REPORT

On the 23rd of September, 2019, a combined team of students made up of Bear Valley, Accra, and Bear Valley, Tamale, under the leadership of lecturers from these two institutions, Brothers Samuel Ntim of Accra and James Legend of Tamale, embarked on a one week long evangelism programme in the Nanumba district of Bimbilla in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Word of Exhortation

Word of exhortation was delivered by our coordinator, Kojo Acquah Beenyi on the day of our departure, he created the awareness that we were engaging ourselves in an invisible war and that we needed to pray fervently and be watchful. Besides, we were going to preach to unbelievers and therefore we needed to set a higher standard indicative of proper Christian and live a life worthy of emulation to those who might decide to follow Christ. It was a solemn moment. We were strengthened with his words of exhortation from Philippians 4:8. We promised to live by these words.

The Teams

The campaign team of 29 students and 2 Instructors was divided into two groups with both contingents leaving the premises of Bear Valley Bible Institute, Tamale at 6:05am to Bincheratanga.

In the first three days of evangelical work at Bincherantanga, a total number of 32 souls were won over to Christ, whiles fifteen (15) were males and seventeen (17) were females.

Journey to Juanayili

We planted two (2) congregations at Juanayili and Binalondo. We did three days of evangelistic works at Juanayili (Sept 26 to 28) and it resulted in 75 baptisms. At Binalondo, a total of nineteen (19) souls were baptized with two (2) restored to the fold. In all, the total souls won for Christ were 130, 128 baptisms and 2 restorations. Restoring the congregation at Bincheratanga and planting two (2) new congregations at Juanayili and Binalondo.

RESPONSIBILITY

It was a joy to see people passionately come to Christ in their numbers. This also places a great deal of responsibility on us individually and collectively as a School. Much visitation and monitoring will be needed to help strengthen these congregations to be what they should be. We wish to appeal to the School and all who are privileged to read this report to in any way they can help support us visit these congregations consistently.

Once again many regards to God and you for the assistance we get from you to ease the work we are assign to do. May the good Lord bless us all!

Amazing results in Guinea!

Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report - Sept 2019

Greetings and thanks to you all , our beloved brethren and friends for your interest in the gospel work in Guinea and especially for the activities of the Bear Valley Bible Institute based in Gueckedou. Once again, we want to give you and update of what transpired during the rainy month of September.

For the most part, all has been well and we are exceedingly glad to announce that despite the multiple difficulties we had a great success on the preaching field and the month of September this year has carried the highest number of conversions at Gueckedou Bear Valley since her establishment in 2018! See details of this and other major points below.

Classroom: Again, as in August one student was unable to go through the required courses. This time, unlike the previous it was a health problem and student Ezechiel who was struck down by hypertension was taken to Conakry for better medical treatment. The rest of the 16 students went through with an overall acceptable performance. Also, bro. Nestor Tonguino, one of our temporal, but able instructors had been equally knocked down by hypertension in late August and was soon hospitalized.  He was discharged in early September – health improved.

Evangelism: In 2 of the villages where our students attend worship and help the young congregations, 2 women and 1 man, the village chief of Bandalo-leh were converted on the 1st of September. Later, on the 22nd of the month another man was baptized in the village of Damas making a total of 4 baptisms for September Evangelism.

Gospel Campaign: We are greatly delighted to inform you that despite the rains, bad roads and the old vehicle repair fatigues, the September gospel campaign was of a great success! There were 5 groups assigned to evangelize in 4 villages and a quarter of the town of Gueckedou from the 10th to the 15th of the month. The following conversion results were obtained:  Gueckedou – 2, Beidou – 4, Bandalo-leh – 5, Botema – 5, and Koluadou (including Sandia) – 21.

The mission to the 5th village, (Koluadou) was in response to a call such as the one by the man in Paul’s vision at Macedonia (Acts 16:9). On this journey, we dispatched 3 evangelists 2 of which are of high spiritual and physical qualities also to withstand the bad roads – motorbike riding and they were led and assisted by the preacher in the sous-prefecture headquarters of Ouende Kenema. After baptizing 14 plus 2 persons on the 12th, the brethren also surveyed 2 nearby villages and baptized 3 on the 13th. Finally, 2 more souls were converted on Sunday, the 15th Sept after worship with that newly planted congregation. Putting all these together, we, by the grace of God converted 37 souls during our September campaign which is the highest number of baptisms in any single month for both evangelism and campaigns since 2018. To God by the glory!!

Purchase of Evangelism Equipment: We are empowered with another evangelism equipment. The $800.00 provided by the Niceville, Florida  church of Christ in July in response to our request for these tools has been used to purchase a complete set namely, amplifier, loud-speakers, electronic microphones, a generator, etc. to enhance our preaching program. May “the hand of the Lord” be with his servants!

Thanks and blessings be upon you all especially to the Niceville church for this great offer. We pray also that others will be touched to see the need to assist in other areas (see conclusion note below).

Conclusion: Even though the month of September closed with a hard blow affecting one of our student’s health – reducing the number of participants from 17 to 16 coupled with other disadvantages of the season it will still remain historic for the great conversions obtained thus far. Our usual evangelism activities resulted to 4 baptisms plus 37 conversions during the 1 week campaign totaling 41 and that raised the month of September this year at the top of all the conversion figures since the Institute’s establishment in 2018. Yes, we are determined to work and are glad for the results, but beginning to be concerned if not worried for the increasing needs especially for worship halls and transportation assistance. Lord’s Supper trays, cups, the cost of raisins are to be counted on the list of immediate needs and we will appreciate any donations. We still have a few copies of Bibles being distributed from the $300.00 funds donated by Niceville since the first quarter of 2019.

The Gueckedou Bear Valley Administrative body, staff and students appreciate you all. We need your partnership in this all important work of soul saving!

Francis

An entire denominational church converted in Ghana!

Many activities have gone on this month by the will of God. The Lord has once again granted us His mercies, seeing us through many works and trips in the country. Praise be to Him and may His name be blessed forever more.

Classes Activities

Courses, as per this quarter, were successfully accomplished with its examinations. The administration saw to its effectiveness for instructors’ regulatory order for the flow of all week days and short courses assigned. Students who were unable to complete some courses have been instructed to rewrite or wait on the next quarter. Students present participated effectively till all courses taught. This class is made up of 13 students, all males.

Seminar and Campaigns

Campaigns have been one of our most concern activities in the whole curriculum which help to explore and bring souls to the Lord’s church. Recently, we embarked on Ayeldu, nearer to Mankessim in the Central Religion of Ghana. Where our students worked much effectively to win 15 souls to the Lord in the motive of restoring and edifying the church in this village.

Secondly, we journeyed as far as 12 hours by road with the school’s van to Tamale, Northern Region to participate in the sister school, Bear Valley Bible Institute, Tamale, for their successful students’ seminar, matriculation and graduation. Having completed these, we stayed additional one week to evangelize in the villages north of Tamale, Bincheratanga, Juanayili and Binalordor. This work has been a great work in my life as mass people of Dagomba and Konkonba converting into the church and opting for our coming all the time since they thirst for the Gospel of Christ. About 128 souls converted to the Lord and were present on Sunday worship. In this work, we planted two churches at Juanayili and Binalordor and restored the church in Bincheratanga.   

Another marvelous event was that other nearby villages proposed that we should come over to their villages and share that good message with them as they also will like to know the truth and have the church planted in their areas.

Observation

In a couple of days with these villages, we found out that though they being receptive to the gospel, they lack clean water, public means to ease themselves and dresses for the children. This cause is as a result of poverty overwhelming these communities. The students of Accra school are planning to draft and organize a sanitation project to educate the church and the community on how they should conduct themselves. And also planning to solicit for funds from our brethren to help alleviate some of their burdens.

As you always do to the glory of God, we need your assistance in prayer and your support for these brethren. Our education to these brethren will light to the entire communities.

The Extension schools

Our Schools in Kasoa, Koforidua and Nsawam are also in session and doing well.

Kasoa School is now having 14 students and now studying the Personal Evangelism I with brother Roger teaching.  This school is planning to have its first campaign before the end of the year.

Koforidua School is having 13 students. Brother Gyan Mante, who is the director of the school is teaching Homiletics I.

The school in Nsawam is having 25 students. Brother E. O. Larbi, the director of the school is teaching Pastoral Epistles.

More souls saved in Cameroon

In Him we put all our trust, for He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly! Our good God is taking us through our third batch of students gradually. We had a successful back to school this semester in BVBIC-Mbanga.

From their faces, one could draw a good conclusion about the report that will come from their field work. It is departure time and everybody is ready to fish men for Christ. It was on this day that the students, after going through their second semester exams and their short courses with their wives, were preparing to go out and put into practice the hermeneutics and homiletics they had for the second semester. Beloved, it was good to see our students ready again for another mission field.

So far, we visited Bomono were brother Raoul, one of our graduates, is presently working and also students in the name of Remi and Romain are spending some precious time. We continued the next day with the congregation of Tombel, were brother Prince, the released inmate from the Mbanga principal prison, spend his 2 weeks. He did great by restoring this retired military brother. We also went to Santcho just to name a few. It was good to be on the mission ground with the students as all were very happy to see the director and instructor of the BVBIC-Mbanga there in their mission site. The purpose was also to answer small calls that have been made by these assemblies and to know some of the challenges they are going through.  It was great to meet with the brethren to give them some words of encouragement and do some promises that we believe God will see through in Jesus name.

 The field work was another fruitful event as God blessed us with 12 souls, 5 restorations, and 1 new congregation. The congregation was planted in the Centre Region in Bayomen. To add to this, God has added some 3 souls again during this weekend evangelism. One was in Mbanga and 2 were in a newly created congregation in place called Loum were 2 sisters gave their lives to Christ. 

Students returned to campus some 3 weeks ago to begin with the 3rd semester. This was done because we want the students to follow their normal school schedule and not be distracted by the up-coming annual lectureship. Some Chadians are already there with their wives, and are now living off of campus. 

God is richly blessing the work in Cameroon and we are making plans for new assemblies to be planted. Our vision for this next field work is to send our student up to Kiossi, a neighboring town to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. If God permits and the means is there, we shall send students to that virgin land and preach the gospel there. May your works still be blessed in Jesus mighty name.

Your humble servant,

Ititi benedict

Water on campus in Wotutu

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from your brothers and sisters here in Cameroon. We are doing better from ill health and difficult situations that have been ravaging our society. Thank you for your continuous prayers over our country. We had a national dialogue to see into the problem causing the crisis. We have been in it for the past 3 years. The dialogue ended successfully and we are waiting for the results and resolutions. In the mean-time it seems that places are calmer in some areas.

Wotutu is peaceful as the military are making sure that the separatists don’t come around again to disturb people’s peace and allow people to go about doing what they are supposed to do to help themselves.

Our Bible students in class are getting lectures and instruction on the course, “CHURCH PLANTING.” They were thrilled to learn in the beginning of the course how they can take our dream of making sure that the church is in every community in our country to the field. They are happy and ready to go anywhere with the gospel. The field is ripe and the laborers are few. We shall send some more workers to the field to harvest for the Lord.

Last weekend I was invited in an area known as the Matoh zone of the churches of Christ. This zone is comprised of many villages. The church is present in 11 villages but the 11 congregations had very conflicting reasoning on some doctrinal issues in the church and have been in that situation for many years. I spent the night talking and spend the day on Saturday to help them to see those issues in the light of the scriptures. After a while they saw the burden taken away with understanding of the scriptures. We took a family picture. Unity in the truth is strength.

Students continue with weekend evangelism, house to house, and last week some wives that came to visit were part of the evangelism in Wotutu village. I love the team-work our students are cultivating with their wives. It will make the work easier for them when they will finally enter into full time ministry in the years ahead.

Many thanks to God and for the coordinator minister David Ballard who fought hard to bring water to the campus. After the campus was finished and in full use, water was not there because the current crisis affected the connecting of the water into the house. But now as you can see, we have water in the campus and that has made life for the students much better.

APPRECIATIONS

Thank you very much for all that you are doing for the work here. You put food on our tables. Our households have doubled in size now because of the crisis. God bless you for all your help to keep this work going. Your works are being recorded in His book and will be read one day. Keep doing good. God bless you. Do your best to share the report with others.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

Evangelism in Kenya

Dear brethren,

This is the students general report of what they did during September holidays when they went back to their local congregations. They had been involved in seminars, gospel meetings evangelistic trips or campaigns as they knocked doors, visit friends and edify the saved and shared the word with the lost. As they did the above activities, they as well distributed Mission Printing materials/tracts, registered W.B.S. students gave out Bibles to those who completed the courses.

They served 36 different local congregations, attended 28 gospel meetings conducted by local preachers and churches, conducted 161 Bible studies and preached 105 sermons. Their efforts had resulted in baptizing 40 souls, restoring 21 backsliders and planted one congregation.

The newly established church is at M.t. Elgon, which had happened as a result of the use of W.B.S. materials which Mosses Simiyu- one of our current students, with the help of his fellows; David Odawa, Atema William and Nicanory Omukunda, has been distributing in his area of Bungoma county. David Wasonga had visited and worshiped with the newly established church and has reported that the region is a fertile one and that efforts should be directed to that region. Wasonga David proposes that if we can send preacher students there would be helpful.

With the help of Mission Printing booklets, doors have been opened for the gospel and, Nixon Ochieng- our W.B.S. instructor, goes once every month to meet, teach, evangelize and answer Bible questions which the W.B.S. students ask. He as well distributes Bibles to those who have completed the courses. This month, he went and met with the Chwele congregation and many others from denominations around there. Now, Nixon has marked and graded at least 250 filled W.B.S. booklets.

Local church preachers still come to pick Mission Printing Materials. Below are pictures of Chwele congregation with Nixon and students distributing WBS materials and Bibles and a brother sent by Nandama to pick 30 boxes of Mission Printing materials in a truck.

Thanks for your prayers and contributions, may the Lord bless you abundantly!

Improvements made in Takoradi

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2019

1.     Classroom Work

The school went on break immediately after the seminar for preachers and church leaders here in Takoradi. The part-time students continued with classes on week-ends throughout the month. The regular students reported in the last week of September.

2.     EVANGELISM

While on vacation, the regular students continued to have studies with their prospects in their various congregations. Thirteen (13) baptisms were reported. (Attached are pictures of these activities).

3.     School Drainage System

A report was made on the poor drainage system of the classroom block. Brother Toby Soechting provided an amount of $1,700 which we have used to work on the drainage and also the purchase of preaching equipment.

4.     Repair / Maintenance Work

Two doors in the kitchen and the dormitory that had been eaten up by termites were replaced. A trap door was also replaced. 

5.     Public Address System

Again, we thank our sponsors for providing funds for the purchase of an address system (preaching equipment). Still left to be provided is the lightening system to have it complete. (I have attached photos of these).

6.     Television

A report on the school’s television set was sent to you earlier and also shown brother Toby while here for the seminar. A new set was purchased.

To all of the above, we say thank you so much, and God bless you for your immense support. We are very grateful.

For the Master.

Joshua Aidoo

Courses being taught in Lima

We thank God finished the course of Acts, Alejandro Manrique has been the teacher and the students have completed the course successfully. In addition to this we have begun a new course, “Life of Christ” and the instructor for this course is Abraham Alata. There are 8 students taking this course.

With this course we are finishing the second half ready to start the third quarter next November, the teacher who is scheduled to deliver the next course (The New Testament church) is Yens Nima.

Do you know our gratitude for all the support to school and teachers? They continue to support students in their respective congregations both evangelistic preaching area and two of them have been supporting us enthusiastically in the church of Pachacamac, where I preach (Alejandro Berrio and Moises Cardenas).

Classes in session in Myanmar

Dear brethren,

I am so pleased to inform you about BVBI of Myanmar. We resume our five weeks classes on October 7 and will go until November 8. On the first week of our school, we had only five students but since the second week, we have seven students. If I am included in the lists of students, then we are eight. It is a big challenge to have more students and regularly as some students are working and even some went to abroad to work for a living.

Please continually pray for us to have more students who is really dedicated. We will cover five subjects again in this session. After the school, the students will be going out for campaigns and going home to share what they have learned.

I am so happy to work with you in training effective preachers for Myanmar. It is doubtful to me that all students will become a great communicator of the gospel but if one become, I believe we are not wasting our time and money.

Thank you so much for your fellowship in the gospel.
Philip Van Biak Lian