Many activities in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus.

Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the hope and the spirit of the saints. Below is the summary of our activities in the Lord in this month of September 2021.

OVERVIEW

i- First Semester Classes and Instructors

ii- Weekend Evangelism

iii- World Bible School Follow Up Team

iv- Next preaching Trip

v- Covid help from World Evangelism Team

FIRST SEMESTER CLASSES AND INSTRUCTORS

This session began on August 16 ,2021 and will come to an end Lord's willing on November 15 followed by a month Vocational Training for our year-1-students while the year-2-students will embark on preaching trip within and outside the Western States of Nigeria.

Bro. Isaac Olaniyan is handling Life of Christ-1(Matthew), 1,2 & 3 John and Church Problems; Bro. Kayode Eniafe is incharge of Scheme of Redemption, OT & NT Survey and OT History; Bro. Andrew Adeolu is handling Godhead and The Pentateauch; Bro. John Makinde is handling Research and Writing-1 and NT Church-1; Bro. Silas Guda Mazi is handling Denominational Doctrines and OT Wisdom-1(Job & Ecclesiastes) while I (Bro.Makinde Ebens)is incharge of Evangelism-1(Personal Evangelism), Prison Epistles and Systematic Theology.

WEEKEND EVANGELISM

As scheduled, the year-1 Students and staff of the BVBIN & SWSE IBADAN embarked on what they love most, that is, weekend outreach in all the Saturdays and Sundays in the month of September. We were divided into five groups while our year-2 Students now attached with some young congregations within the Western States of Nigeria.

WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL FOLLOW UP TEAM

Our WBSFUW team continue in reaching more souls with the gospel of Christ through the WBS Correspondence Courses.

Bro. Kayode Eniafe and Bro.Dele Shotola visited four Schools in Osun State (Community High School, Ayepe; Orile-Owu Grammar School; Field Street and Smammah Comprehensive College, Apomu) and 114 enrollment was recorded.

Bro. Matthew Rowland visited two High School in Akure,Ondo State ( Fiwasoye Grammar School and Oba-Ile Junior High School) and 555 Introduction collected out of 600 distributed in the first week of September. And Bro. Akilapa Samuel enrolled 155 people for WBS Correspondence program in the city of Ondo in Ondo State.

All these were part of the parcel posted this month to World Bible School Tulare County, California under the directorship of Bro. Joel Coppinger.

NEXT PREACHING TRIP

Lord's willing, the Instructors of BVBIN-Schools in the Western States of Nigeria (Ibadan, Lagos and Ondo State) will be re-visiting the young congregation in Aramoko-Ekiti ,Ekiti State from October 19-24,2021.

The BVBIN & SWSE IBADAN will be represented by myself (Bro.Makinde) Bro.Kayode Eniafe and Seven of our year-2-Students. And on October 23, I will be visiting the Church of Christ in Oro, Kwara State with Bro.Kayode Eniafe to encourage the Church planted there by our foundation chairman (Bro.David Akinola) during his active service in Kwara State. One of our graduates (Bro.Akindele Joseph)is now ministering in Oro congregation.

COVID HELP FROM WORLD EVANGELISM TEAM

The one time Covid help from World Evangelism % Sister Betty Choate and associate will be shared with twelve brethren from ten congregations in Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun and Lagos States and for feeding over fifty children of the less privileged people in our South West Kiddies Academy located in Butubutu village, Ibadan from September through December 2021.

We deeply appreciate the kind-gesture extended by the World Evangelism Team,USA to those who are badly affected by this global pandemic. May the Lord of blessing continue to bless all you do for His name is our fervent prayers. Amen.

ABOUT ONE OF OUR STUDENTS

Bro. Daniel Salvation hail from Ogbe, Edo State, Nigeria. Born in the year 1996 to the family of Bro. and Sister Daniel Ayomide Goodness. His father is from Ogbe, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State and mother from Otuo in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State. He was added to the Lord's Church in January 2010 through the effort of Bro. Paul Ajeh (Minister of Church of Christ, Ogbe).

At the age of ten, he had his First School Leaving Certificate from Orukpa Primary School in Ogbe in the year 2006. He began his secondary school education in 2007 at age eleven. Due to the death of his grandparents In 2006,his family relocated to Igarra (a town in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State) where he started school at Universal Group of Schools. In 2009 his father took him to another school (Saint Paul's Anglican Grammar School also in Igarra town) where he obtained West African Examination Council (WAEC) results in the year 2012. During this time, he worshipped with Idiba Church of Christ Igarra. He was admitted into BVBIN & SWSE IBADAN in year 2020. His greatest desire in life is to serve God and win souls for His kingdom after his tertiary education.

CONCLUSION

We deeply appreciate you all for your moral and financial supports toward the growth of the Lord's Church in Africa most especially in Nigeria. May the great God keep on blessings all you do for His name is our fervent prayers.

I remain your fellow servant of God,

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi

For & On behalf of the BVBIN & SWSE IBADAN

Meeting the challenge in Lagos, Nigeria

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE

AGEGE WEEK-END SCHOOL

LAGOS NIGERIA

QUARTERLY REPORT

PREAMBLE:

To God Almighty be all the glory for the successful completion of the activities of the third quarter of July to September 2021. We are very indebted to the Almighty God, and very thankful to you in the United States of America for your prayers, financial and moral support that had brought about the success recorded by the Agege Weekend School during the quarter under review. May God Almighty continue to bless you abundantly, in Jesus name.

CLASS ACTIVITIES:

The class activities progressed smoothly and as planned during the quarter, not minding the political instability experienced in Nigeria in resent time. The quarter started with the book of Hebrews taught by Mfon Etim in the month of June 2021.The class activities continued in the month of August, with Growing a local church which was taught by Samuel Oladokun. This was followed by Minor Prophets, which was also taught by Okoro Chinyere.

ADMISSION:

The door of the school is always open for new enrolment. During the third quarter of the year, 2021, the school at Agege admitted three new students in the persons of John Elijah, Gabriel Innocent and Victor Samuel David.

CAMPAIGN/EVANGELISM:

During the quarter, the Agege Weekend School organized campaign/evangelism outing within the Agege environment. The campaign was a combination of both open air and door-to –door methods. As a result, two souls (one is now a student- Gabriel Innocent) were added to the Lord’s Church.

STUDENT PROFILE:

May we present at this point our dear brother in the Lord, Nwoyi Azubuike. Brother Azubuike hails from Ebonyi State, Nigeria. He is single. He is currently worshipping with the Church of Christ, Ojodu. He recently completed the programme for diploma, and is currently studying for the advanced diploma here at the Bear Valley Bible Institute, Agege Weekend School, Lagos.

CONCLUSION:

We sincerely appreciate the efforts of Steven Ashcraft, Keith Kasarjian, the management of Bear Valley Bible Institute, the supporting congregations, members of staff of the school, and any other individual or group who contribute in sustaining this noble and divine work. We thank the Almighty God through whom all blessings flow. May He continue to endow you with more recourses and knowledge. On our part, we promise to continuously put concerted efforts in making sure that the good work is sustained, by the grace of God.

Emmanuel Chukwuka Odo; Bearvalley Bible Institude, Agege, Lagos, Nigeria

Evangelism in Liberia

It cannot be over emphasized how grateful we are to you all continually for your partnership with us in this great soul saving work given to all of us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-20). Many thanks and appreciation for all your Prayers and supports that is keeping us going here in Liberia.

GOSPEL CAMPAIGNS IN THE MONTH OF JULY AND AUGUST

CAMPAIGNS:

I am always happy to announce the wonderful work that is being done by the students and staffs when it comes to Campaigns evangelism. Their zeal for gospel campaigns continued to sent out the good news and make the Lord's church known in the community and beyond. In the month of July and August, the middle of the rainy season where our roads in Liberia are very terrible and movements becomes difficulty, we still carried out two very successful campaigns supported by brother Steven Aschaft in the Beatuo and Ganaglay areas in Nimba county, were we had through the special grace of God the total of twenty nine (29) person accepting the gospel of Christ through water baptism. This campaign also resulted in the restoring of a falling congregation, brought back backsliding members and planted the gospel seed in the hearts of many people who never knew the truth in Beatuo Town.

We are happy to announced to you that another new congregation was started in Ganaglay Town through the help of an old member of the church who badly wanted the church in his home town. We spent four days on house to house evangelism and public preaching there and 19 persons responded to the gospel called in Ganaglay beginning and new congregation there. We had a great worship in both towns with an amazing attendence from the community. We are sincerely thankful to Brother Steven and to everyone who continue to supports our campaigns efforts with every dollar you continued to sacrifice. May our God bless you with refund.

WEEKEND EVANGELISM AND PREACHING ASSIGNMENTS

We are never giving up on our weekend campaigns in Ganta and other villages where we have new congregations established. Our students continued to engaged the communities in every weekends in house to house evangelism and preaching for practical, since it has been made a requirement from the school to enable our students practice personal evangelism and working with local congregations for their future as trained gospel preachers. Meanwhile, to be able to accomplish these weekly task in the face of very serious rain falls and terrible road conditions in our country, provisions are made to sent out the students to their practical preaching points on Saturday morning so that there won't be any problem getting there on Sunday. We came up with this decision because they might have breakdown in the mud if leaving on Sunday morning to their assigned areas and this has been working very well for the passed two months, because when they get there on Saturday, they can used the evening hours to visit members and and people who are back from their farms encouraging them for church service the following day.

In these two months (July and August), their works in those different locations has tremendously help the work in Liberia especially in Nimba County. Sixteen (16) baptism was recorded from nine (9) congregations visited by our students and many falling brethren restored. This effort is not only making the church known or have great impart on prospects they come across, but helping the individual students with great experiences on field work and what to expect in the future of their own ministry. Please keep them in your daily prayers as the make these all important weekly trips on our very bad roads.

OUR DECISIONS TO DO MORE GOSPEL CAMPAIGNS

For the year 2021 we have planed to carried out ten additional campaigns with our four regular campaigns that is supported by the Bear Valley Bible institute, making them foueteen (14) campaigns in all. We (the students and staffs) have agreed to cut down our quarterly break from two weeks to one week so that we can use the one week for campaigns. This will help us do about fourteen campaigns a year. And not just that, it will help our students with all the practical experiences they will need in the future work for the Lord. But this can not be accomplished without your prayers financial help. Please help us rescue the perishing in this part of the word. If you cannot go, you can support us to go. It cost $500 to $600 to effect one successful gospel campaign. Anyone willing to help can kindly contact brother Steven Ashcraft on his Email- (samtnhome@yahoo.com). He is the regional coordinator for the Bear Valley Schools in West Africa. Thank you so much in advance for being part of this soul saving mission. May God richly bless you.

FIRE INCIDENT AT THE SCHOOL

On August 23, 2021, we experienced a very unfortunate situation at the school whiles classed was on going. One of the students room caught fire while we were in class and cause a lot of damage to the school and the students in that room belongings. The four beds, mattresses, flood mat in that room and lots of the students personal things got destroyed in the fire. If it was not by the special grace of God who took one of the student outside to use the bathroom and saw the smoke from the dormitory and shorted fire, then by this time, we would be in serious problem with the Landlord. The good thing is that the fire did not touch the zinc.

Meanwhile, we called on the electricity people and the came and found out that it was a short circuit caused by an extension coil left plug in the socket. We thank God this did not happen in the night.

PROFILE OF A STUDENT: Student Thomas B. Jimmy

I am very happy to introduced to you now, Brother Thomas B. Jimmy, once a denominational preacher who became a member of the Lord's church through the Radio preaching Program. Thomas followed the teaching on the radio for about two years and accepted the teachings of the one true church and started telling his denomination ( Spiritual Life Soul Stirring Ministry) about what he has heard and the need for them to change to the truth. Brother Jimmy was able to convinced most of his leaders to finally accept the truth and decided to turn the church to the church of Christ. Before the church got changed to the Lord's church, we were invited to teach their denomination for three days and by God's grace, 43 of them believed and got baptized into Christ including brother Thomas Jimmy who was the preacher, resulting in the change from Spiritual Life Soul Stirring Ministry to the Church of Christ!

Brother Thomas, so passionate to know and learn more about the Lord Church decided to leave his secular profession as a classroom teacher and and other benefits to attend the Bear Valley Bible Institute-Liberia. During the interview after the school's entrance examination, he said having suddenly come to Christ with his denominational congregation, they will be expecting more from him in terms of teaching the truth that he has made them come to. Therefore, to be able to do so, he wants to attend the Bible school(BVBI-L) so as to be prepared to teach and preach the truth of the one true church.

Brother Jimmy is married and he and his wife has four children. He was born and raised in unification town, lower Margibi county Liberia. The wife alone has to now take care of the children whiles he come to school. Your prayers, encouragement and support is seriously needed to keep this brother's family up to enable him focus on his Biblical education.

CONCLUSION:

We thank you so much for your continued supports for the work here in Liberia. We won't have gotten to where are if you have not partner with us in this great work of our Lord. Thank you so much very much. God bless you.

Your brother and co-worker in the Lord

Robert P. Dahn, Jr.

Lectureship in Tamale

OPERATING REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST, 2021

Greetings to all in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We pray the Grace and Mercies of Elohim that kept us through the month of August continue to be upon you all in Jesus’ name, Amen. The month of August has been a busy month for us in the Bear Valley Bible Institute, Tamale campus. It was a full academic month for us as our students were in school through into the month of September, 2021.

COORDINATOR

As part of his activities, apart from teaching and preaching for the Lord’s church and many other duties, he also oversees the smooth running of Bear Valley Schools across Ghana. Brother Kojo Acquah Beenyi, our Coordinator took time out of his busy schedules to visit us in Tamale in the tail end of July into August to help us put things in order. His presence was very inspiring to us, the staff and the students as well. He also came along with some edible trees to plant in the compound. We foresee that, some years to come, our compound will be filled with productive trees and flowers all over. The Lord Bless Him Greatly.

TEACHINGS / LECTURESHIP

The first course to be taught in the month of August was the Book of Acts, which was done by brother James Legend. This course was treated from the 2nd to the 6th of August, 2021. Brother Daniel Adjei came in to teach the Prisons Epistles from the 9th to the 14th of August, 2021. A visiting lecturer was supposed to handle the Book of James After the Prison Epistles, but due to some challenges, he couldn’t make it. This calls for the need for a resident instructor to come in. Brother James Legend, who was the immediate lecturer available, took it up and taught the Book of James. Brother James Continued after the Book of James, to teach Research Work. In all, four (4) causes were taught in the month of August.

EVANGELISM UPDATE

The South Kpalsi Church of Christ (The local Congregation in the School) is planning to organize a four days public preaching and door to door evangelistic campaign to support our consistent studies which we have been having within the community and its environs. We are leasing with the West Congregation and possibly with some of the congregations in town to join in this public preaching and door to door evangelism we intend to host.

Updates on the Denugu Congregation that was restored in the Upper East Region is very encouraging.  There are more baptisms which has brought a great numerical growth of the church. We pray and hope they grow spiritually as well.

SCHOOL LAND DOCUMENTS

The documentation work for the site which the school is built on has fully been done. We went for the completed documents this month which brought finality to the challenges we have been having since the purchase of the land. We give the glory to God for taking us through this difficult process successfully.

PERSONALITY PROFILE

We settled on one of our preachers who completed our sister school in Accra, but is working in the North. He happens to be one of the persons who benefitted from the motor Bicycles that were purchased to aid two preachers in the North. He is in the person of Francis Mbugri.

Francis Mbugri is 38 years old, from an idols family but grew to become a preacher of the Lord’s Church today. He was born at Poyamire in the Upper East Region, under the Binduri District.

He attended the Bazua R/C Primary school from the year 1994-2000. While in primary school, at the age of 16, the Gospel was preached to him by brother Jacob Arok, who was then preaching for the Poyamire congregation where Francis was born. He accepted the Gospel and got baptized into the church. He continued his Junior High School in the same school from the year 2000 to 2004. As it was the custom in Northern Ghana, they never saw the importance of education until now. Francis had to stop his education after the Junior High to help his father with his farming work.  He resurrected his educational journey when he managed to relocate himself to the city (Bolgatanga town) to live with his uncle. He went back to school in 2007 at Bolga senior High School. He completed his senior high school in 2009. Due to financial constraints, he had to drop out from school entirely. He returned back to Poyamire, and was worshipping with the congregation. Brother Jacob who had baptized him, in 2014 inspired him to get enrolled into the Bible School in Accra (SIBS). Francis went through the two years Diploma Course and graduated in the year 2016.

Francis came back to the North and got married to Steller Abaga in 2020. They currently have one daughter to the glory of God. He is currently the Preacher for the Poyamire congregation which has a membership of about 70 in number. Praise God.

These are the majority of the vital things that took place in the month of August, 2021.

God Bless us,

Bear Valley, Tamale

Great improvement in Sierra Leone

ACTIVITY OPERATION REPORT FOR AUGUST, 2021

To God be the glory that our infinite and merciful God has granted us another opportunity to meet again in proxy. Though we stay far away from one another, yet we are closer in the Spirit. This is another opportunity for us to share with you the report of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Sierra Leone for the past month of August, 2021. The month of August was a fruitful one for us. The school’s academic activities continued without any hindrance; some souls were being converted to the Lord’s church; Agriculture was as well embarked upon, and other exciting activities occurred as well. May you read with us through as we share the report based on the following subheadings:  

WEEKEND EVANGELISM AND CONVERSIONS

We have always informed you that we usually go out for evangelism (both staff and students) during weekends. And for the month of August, the Lord opened the hearts of six people and were baptized for the remission of their sins. Please may we pray for their spiritual growth.

AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

KBVBI has created the Agricultural program in order to help her students learn some good farming skills so that even after their graduation, they would be able to put the skills into practice and produce certain foods for their consumption. Moreover, those who can produce a large quantity can sell and use it as a means of livelihood. Thus, in the month of August, we began to clear our farm land (basically on our school land) to be able to plant cassava. Some staff and the students were actively involved in the work.

STUDENT’S AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Steven Sahr Ansumana

Steven is one of our newly admitted students who was born in Kono, Kono District in 2000. He was baptized into the Lord’s body in 2016. Brother Steve is a committed student who is so much desirous to preach the Gospel. Before coming to Bear Valley, he had been leading songs and sometimes teaching teenagers in his congregation in Kono.

CONCLUSION

On the whole, we continue to be grateful to God, our sponsors and all of you who are praying for us. Please continue to remember the work of God in Sierra Leone in your prayers. We look forward to sharing with you again our anticipated September report. 

Salvation for many in Guinea

Gueckedou BVBI Activity Operations Report for August 2021

Precious greetings to you all, our supporters and those of you who always wish us well at the Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute in Gueckedou. As part of our responsibility, we have come again to report the events and or activities that transpired during the last month, August 2021 which were comparatively few, but especially successful in terms of soul winning.

Classroom: In addition to the permanent staff courses such as Hermeneutics II by Antione Fassa Tolno, short course instructors, Mr. Nestor Tonguino and Emmanuel Kamano also completed their lessons on “Marriage and Family Life and the Major Prophets of Isiah and Jeremiah respectively. These courses were started in the previous month, but assignments and other requirements could not be completed until August.  The final results of all these were good as all 14 students came up successfully.

Evangelism: Except that hearts are hardened by the enemy who most often than not “taketh away the word …lest they should believe and be saved”, evangelism – gospel proclamation is our business. In many of the areas where our students are stationed for weekend gospel work, preaching by different methods is being done and with some fruitful results. The month of August registered a total of 8 baptisms 3 of which were in the village of Fassaba.

Repair of Old Vehicle: While it is true that the first mission vehicle was worn off and that we had ask for a replacement and the request honored by a few benevolent hands as detailed in our previous report, we had not still completely given up with the old vehicle. It was at “such a time as this” when some ‘’special needs” were granted so that the request to at least once more repair the old vehicle was honored. Through our Coordinator, Mr. Ashcraft the minimum needed funds to upgrade it were provided and the repairs effected so that it is now available to satisfy certain rough road missions and transport of fire wood for the Institute’s kitchen.

Conclusion: We are truly thankful to God and grateful to you all for the tireless spiritual and material support which has kept the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute going. God is to be glorified for the men being trained and for the regular conversions here at Gueckedou and around.

Thanks

More souls saved in Cameroon

The joy of the Lord is upon His own. We bring greetings from Mbanga Balong. It's another back to school season and all the kids are busy going to school. Among those who took part in the public examinations this past year from the local assembly in Mbanga, all had a successful result. We want to really thank God on their behalf as they have done well. We took a moment to give thanks in the assembly.

Our work in the BVBIC-Mbanga and in the church is going on well. We want to use this media to appreciate all those who are in the support team for their marvelous contribution both spiritual and physical.

Time is flying and our students are growing. After a first class in homiletics, the presentations of students changed immediately. We could experience a new way and a more mature presentation from a good number of our students who are serious in their studies.

Growth is our goal. We have to attend maturity. We believe before the end of this batch, we are going to be proud of these men who will be ablet to preach the gospel. We expect to have men who are going to be serious in evangelism and men that God is going to use to add more souls into his kingdom. We give all glories back to God.

Weekend evangelism is in going very well and for the past 3 weeks we have been doing evangelism in another dimension. We now get into strategic places with the aid of a mobile speaker. One of our graduates brought his own while we were preparing for mission work to establish a new assembly in the locality of Bafia. 

Evangelism is our mission and our mission is evangelism. It was a good strategy that was implemented in Mbanga by brother Nanfack Pierre as he was here to teach the sisters and also to accompany our team to Bafia for a new mission ground. With this method, we could speak from our end and many people could listen from their very position and choose to come nearer if they really interested. It was a kind of public preaching without having organized a lectureship. We are bend on evangelizing the town of Mbanga. God, please help us. It's high time we invent modern ways of preaching. If Mbanga Balong could have a community radio program, it could be a great use in filling a need, by using all dimensions of preaching available in this modern world to reach lost souls. 

Our short courses went great with minister Simon Parfait from the Ngousso assembly in Yaounde taking the preaching students and minister Nanfack Pierre, one of our graduates from last batch, taking the women’s class.

It was really great to have these great men of God in our midst. A week of studies was excellent, and it was a blessing for them to be a part of our team in the BVBIC-Mbanga.  After this short course, it was time for mission work. Our students travel into 11 different areas.

They were ready to go and preach the gospel to other areas of duty where we have heard the Macedonian call. They went with beautiful smile on their faces as “we think souls” and accept the commission to " go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." We are still waiting for the s which will come in the next two or three weeks. God is showing the way.

Our graduates are also doing great work in the field but most of them are still having difficulty with a place of worship and also other difficulties in being able to maximize the work. The new assembly for example, that started some months ago in Koumra in Chad, is having difficulty to have a place for worship so far and thus are worshipping only where they can.

Even to get a place for baptism is really difficult and it is expensive to get there even with a bike as only bikes can easily go there. Also, the work is richly growing both in Chad and in French Cameroon. A new assembly at Balgong is also in need of a place of worship, in the hinterland, in Yaounde, and also in Banjock. We have been helping them to pay rent but most of the time we have been disturb by some landlords and neighbors. 

Upcoming events:

The congregation in Mbanga will be hosting the Francophone Zonal Sister’s Seminar, that will take place in the month of October. This seminar will help the wives of the student preachers that are in the school presently.

The annual seminar for the churches of Christ in Cameroon will take place in the month of November in Limbe South West Region of Cameroon.

Our evangelism campaign in the Moungo Zone also is at hand as well as the Western Region Lectureship this October. The students are requested to be a part of these activities.

Remain bless as we pray for the work in French Cameroon and French Africa in general. 

Yours faithful: the servant Ititi Benedict

More conversions in Lesotho

JUNE-AUGUST REPORT (Maseru, Lesotho)

Greetings brothers and sisters in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We would like to thank God for His love and mercies He continuously showers upon us. We are jubilant to report the following:

The School is still in the right direction of training competent and doctrinally sound preachers. We currently have 14 students who are dedicated to learn and spread the gospel. Despite the economic challenges the country is experiencing, these men and women commit themselves to study His Word and spreading the gospel. Out of their initiatives, the students are evangelising in Maputsoe about 100 km from Maseru and HaMmamathe approximately 55km from Maseru.

Maputsoe is the second largest town after Maseru, which used to have a congregation in the early 80s. BVBIL students are doing their best to evangelise the area with the hope of restoring the church in that town. Evangelism in HaMmamathe was fruitful, 4 people were baptised and as a result, a congregation was established. Some brothers are helping this new congregation with ministering every Sunday. The school long term plan is to establish a congregation in every town of Lesotho. Out of ten towns in this kingdom, only three towns have a single congregation each. Of all the eleven congregations in the entire kingdom, seven of them are in Maseru. Therefore, the school’s mission of training preachers is to equip them with Bible knowledge so that they can be labourers in the vineyard.

In June the students were equipped with Bible knowledge from First Corinthians which was taught by Tawanda. In July and August, Tawanda taught Life of Christ and First and Second Peter respectively. As of now, the students have covered more than half of their syllabus. Keep praying for the school, economic and political stability of Lesotho as polls will be cast next year. 

The school would like to thank you for the monthly financial support we get. This money helps to cater for administrative and evangelism purposes.

In His arms,

Tawanda

A new school in Nigeria

BVBI, NIGERIA-WARRI

MAIDEN REPORT, APRIL TO AUGUST, 2021

*OPENING*

All glory be given to our father the Almighty for His overwhelming grace and mercy. We also express our profound gratitude to Bear Valley Bible Institute International for the opportunity granted us to have a center in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.

*COMMENCEMENT*

Our center commenced academic work in April 2021 with thirty (30) students. The venue for our lectures is the meeting place of the church at DSC Express Road, while the work is locally overseen by the Eldership of the Church at 6 Okoh Street, Iyara, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.

*ABOUT OUR STUDENTS*

Our students are mostly preachers of local congregations who prior to this time, had no formal bible school training. It is therefore a thing of great joy and indeed a great privilege to them that they are taught the way of the Lord more accurately.

*ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES*

The following courses have been taken within the period of this report:

April, 2021 - Bible Origin

May, 2021 - Writing, Language and Research

June, 2021 - Old Testament Survey 1

July, 2021 - Christian Evidences

August, 2021 - Public Speaking

September, 2021 - Biblical Interpretation

*MATRICULATION CEREMONY*

A very colourful matriculation ceremony was organized and held on Saturday, 22nd May, 2021. Our workaholic and very amiable director of International Studies, Keith Kasarjian honoured us with his presence at the ceremony for which we are very grateful.

*THE NEED FOR A SECOND CENTER*

Whereas we started with thirty (30) students, we currently have thirty two (32) students. It therefore becomes imperative to have a second center for effective learning. We are currently working on the modalities for the second center.

*CLOSING*

At this juncture, we say a superlative "thank you" to all the sponsors of the Bear Valley project, without you, there would have been no us. God bless you all.

Osita Daniel Onuora, LLM, ACArb

Director, BVBIN-Warri

New students in Ukraine

Good day, dear brothers, sisters, congregations and families, 

It is a great blessing to be a part of the God's plan. Only in the beginning of summer we were unsure of the future because there were no potential students for our Bible Institute program. The ones who had been promising and even applied backed off. We were considering taking some time off and looking into other ways of our Ministry. But the Lord had a different plan and in the end of August we had 4 students for the first year program. Yes, it's very difficult to search for the new recruits in Ukraine.

I wrote some time ago that the European values have a tremendous impact on our traditional culture. People are looking for more comfortable lifestyle and more material gain. And a lot of times we can't meet their expectations. However, there are still people willing to sacrifice a lot to become leaders of the God's people in Ukraine.  

So, I'd like to introduce our new students.  

Matvei (Matthew) Bogomolov is from Kramatorsk. He is 19 and he is single. He was raised in a Christian family. The men's meeting of their local congregation gave him good references. He would like to serve as a youth minister.  

Alexander Radkevich is from the city of Kyiv, 19, single. He is a very active Christian, regularly involved in different activities for the young people. He competes in speed cubing. He takes distant learning courses from the Institute of the Informational Technologies.  

Anton Sanzhura is from Kramatorsk, raised by a Christian family. He is 18. He graduated from a school specializing in cyber security. He wants to improve his knowledge of the Word and use it in the youth ministry.  

Dennis Sirotenko is from Kharkiv. He has already taken some courses with us. He has a desire to serve people with addictions. He is a veteran, served in the Ukrainian army in 2015 during Russian-Ukranian military conflict. He had been a self-taught student of the Word long before he found the Church of Christ. Currently he serves people with social problems.  

Also in the end of August we established youth group meetings on Thursdays. It's an interesting and important project of our congregation.  As of right now we have our students and the children of our Christians attending but we want to invite young people from the streets. I hope it will work and will involve our students better. 

Now we have first year students' classes in session. They have started with Homiletics I by Stanislav Kuropyatnikov. And we are looking forward to the arrival of Terry Harmon and Jim Sherman. Please pray for their safe travels.  

In the end of September, we plan on hosting a grand event for our graduates, instructors and preachers. We want to host a seminar on Growth and Foundations of the Church. About 30 graduates of different years along with their families have registered already. People were missing the fellowship and personal interactions during the long months of quarantine and we'd like to help everyone get together while we can since there are no strict restrictions at the moment.  

We deeply appreciate your prayers and your support. Some people are impressed by the level of trust in us and your generosity to us.  

May God keep you safe! 

Your brother,  Dennis Sopelnik 

Doing good in Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from this part of the globe. We are up and we are grateful for another new month. We all glory to God. We trust that you are good and things are well with you. Keep praying for us, as we pray for you also, concerning the issue of COVID which is ravaging people and making the world unstable.

Last week in Wotutu was good, as we were preparing students in BVBIC-Wotutu to go for their third mission work for the year while families were preparing their children to go back to school. Back to school, school fee time is always a big challenge for many families here because of the low income. Also, many are working on their farms and back to school time is always the time for planting (expense time) not harvesting (income time) where parents might have extra funds to be able to send their children to school. Keep the academic year 2021-2022 in your prayers that things will run smoothly until the end.

Our students were blessed to learn from one of our graduates, Minister Njume Marcelus, who was invited to come back to Wotutu to teach a short course. He taught I and II Peter and Jude to the students. It was wonderful! It was another good moment for me, as I sat in the class and watched him teach and to prepare men and their families for ministry. We are training faithful men who are also training faithful men as well. II Timothy 2:2

A week in Wotutu was refreshing to him again, as the weather in Wotutu is good as compared to the harsh (very hot) weather conditions in Kumba. It was great to have him with us and also to take a family picture with him with the sign, “WE ARE NOT ALONE AND WE SHALL NEVER BE ALONE.”

The sisters were on the other side, in the congregation’s worship building, learning from the book, “THE FAMILY GOD’S WAY.” It was also good to have them, along with one extra sister who joined the group because one of our students, Lyambe Francis, got married during the last period of field work and vacation in his hometown.

This year’s friends and family day in Wotutu was a great success. We had more than 70 friends, family members, and visitors who were a part of our worship. Soft juices and finger foods were served. Keep our dreams in your prayers and come and join us!

PLANS

Students are off from Wotutu to different locations for evangelism and nurturing. Keep them in your prayers as our roads are not the best right now.

APPRECIATIONS

Thank you very much for all you do. Thanks for all your prayers and support for this work. Because of you, we are making the progress we are making. God is watching and will bless and reward those in due season who remain faithful. Please share our report with others. Maybe someone, somewhere, will be used by God to get our dream to the light.

God bless you!

Elangwe and family,

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

The Lord is not locked down in Uganda

Brethren,

Grace to you and peace from our father and lord Jesus Christ be with you. I thank God always and making mention of you in prayers because of the love you have for the work and the commitment that is beyond imagination, travelling this world for the noble cause of winning souls. And I pray that your fellowship of your faith with us and those who are to be added to the Lord's church become more and more effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake. Amen.

The lockdown has affected Uganda and the entire household of the lord. But to mention, the first lockdown at the congregation where I worship, we were able to record 30 baptisms. During this lockdown we have recorded 19 souls.

On the side of students to those who are able to share with me their work . They have reported 22 baptisms, making it clear that the Lord's work is not locked. Continue praying for the work here and the students wherever they are , pray for Uganda and our leaders.

From rumors', it has been said that schools will open soon, we are also prepared to begin. All students are set for this. We are told that there will be mass vaccination for all students and teachers before schools begin. The anticipation was mid this month but we are still waiting to hear the call for that.

We continue pray that may the world be healed and that peace may prevail.

Be blessed in the lord

Until all have heard

Raymond

Practical experience in Accra

BVBI, ACCRA

End of August Report

Prologue

May the name of our Lord be glorified and adored. We appreciate the many things He has accomplished in our lives.

Class Activities

The ending of this month, August in this third (3rd) quarter marks the ending of all most regular courses, writing of exams and beginning of new short courses. Kojo taught Preacher and His Work. Brother Amoo-Gyimah began his short course on the Epistles to the Galatians. Brother E. O. Larbi will begin his course next month on Counselling.

Practical Activities

As we usually do in our practical works on visiting churches, all the students are effective in this field. All the visiting churches have expressed their appreciation for the benefits of our students for the work of God.

Visit to the Bunsu Plant Research Centre

This department is into researching plants and nurseries. We visited this place to see the kinds of plants this department has been producing and purchase some plants for our school land and Tamale school. We always enjoy visiting this place because there we see and learn new plants name and their purpose to our consumption and the environmental health benefits. Kojo and I (Sammy) together with the students made this visit.

Drilling of the Borehole

We will always appreciate the good work done by our brethren who is helping massively for the wellbeing of the students and the community.

Successfully, the borehole has been drilled. Also, as I reported in my previous report on the benefit to all the communities around, it will also relieve us from difficulties in getting water. We are most grateful for this giving.

Student’s Personal Evangelism

As part of our daily activities on the part of our students, personal evangelism has been what they do at their congregation and when there is no class. On our records this month, we had some baptisms by our student, brother Bua at Sege congregation where four (4) men and a lady gave themselves to baptism. Let’s all remember them in our prayer for their faith in the Lord.

Student’s Profile

On our list, is Paa George Buah, an old energetic man of 68 years, who comes far from the school to study the word of God. We can all testify some challenges in studying when you become old. Brother Buah has married a beautiful woman by the name of Victoria Buah and is being blessed with six (6) children. Buah is an evangelistic brother. He loves to evangelize all the time. We are grateful for having such a brother and student in the ministry.

He has been with us in most of our evangelistic activities. He is doing well in all class activities. Our brother is an evangelist at Sege with faithful members of fifteen (15). Buah appreciates the school’s Christ-centered doctrine and the needed support our brethren everywhere, is providing for the progress of the school.

It is his prayer that the school will exist and train more men for the ministry. Peace is unto us all.

Conclusion

This is how far the Lord has brought us, throughout various activities until now. We thank God for His care and control of all things in harmony. We appreciate all the services provided on behalf of the school and praying that all live well in the Lord’s vineyard.

Pray with us.

The sheep and the goats in Zimbabwe

AUGUST 2021 NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

Our students spent the month of August in the field doing their practical. This report shall centre on their activities in the field. Whilst they were away from campus, other activities we also happening on ground. These and more are contained hereunder.  

1.0 FIELD PROGRAM

BVBIZ students were  out for their 40 days field program. Covid19 has caused a reduction of the time frame. Lost days will be compensated next during next year’s practicum. This year’s program was one with a difference as students creativity was of outmost importance amidst the Covid scourge. The Word of God still had to be given in season and out of season. Rural settings were preferred that urban areas. Among the results, there were 28 baptisms.

2.0 STRATEGIC PLAN (2021-2025)

The school board and management have come up with a new strategic plan which shall act as a blueprint from the school from now till 2025. This is based on inputs that came from various stakeholders. Great appreciation also goes to SPED (Pvt) (Ltd) for volunteering their services in the production of this plan. The last strategic plan expired in December 2020. BVBIZ management shall judiciously follow the plan whilst the board maintains oversight thereof.

3.0 GRADUATION

3.1 Date and Activities

The graduation of the 2018-2020 class shall take place on the 16th of October. This is in the hope that the Covid situation in Zimbabwe would have changed for the better.  On the same day, there shall be an Annual General Meeting and official opening of the site.

4.0 PROJECTS

There is good news in terms of school projects. Besides the success that the school registered with its small broiler project, this month we can report on the goat and maize project.

4.1 GOAT PROJECT

One of the projects that has been on the BVBIZ radar for some time was goat production. The vision saw the light of day when Bear Valley Bible Institute International donated $400 for the purchase of 10 goats. With the money we succeeded to buy 10 goats from one person at $330. The school is currently running around hunting for a male goat so that the project can begin at a better footing. Great appreciation to BVBII for this gesture.

4.2 MAIZE PROJECT

During the last planting season, BVBIZ planted maize and from the shelling that was done, BVBIZ reaped almost 3 tonnes. Though this is lower than what the school initially targeted, the maize is enough to feed students till the end of the next season in May 2022.  About 15 bags will reserved as feed for the broiler project. The school is already working on the possibility of planting another maize crop this coming season. The target is 3 hectares of maize, one hectare of beans and an acre of sunflower.

5.0 WEBSITE

BVBIZ now has a functional website www.bvbiz.co.zw . Both existing and potential stakeholders are encouraged to visit and use the website.

6.0 COMPUTERS

One of the school’s strategic objectives is “To have an effective and efficient ICT processes compatible with current technological changes so as to ensure the achievement of the school’s objectives.” To achieve this, computers are a prerequisite. We want to thank Bear Valley Bible Institute International again for chipping in to buy a few computers which will be used by students. We successfully bought 4 laptops, 3 desktops and repaired 2 more. It is the school’s target that every student at BVBIZ should graduate being computer literate.

CONCLUSION

We thank God for the development we keep witnessing in our students. We also appreciate the sacrifices congregations have been making for the upkeep of our students as they do their practicum.. To you all for you spiritual, moral, material and financial support we remain grateful. To God be the glory!

19 souls saved in Malawi!

Bear Valley Bible Institute

Ekwendeni – Malawi

August, 2021 Report

Introduction

When we study in the Epistles of Paul to Timothy, we learn about the charges that Timothy received from Paul. These charges are of great importance to every evangelist today! We, the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Malawi are committed to teaching men to be faithful preachers of the “Health Doctrine” – Sound teaching. Therefore, it is our work too to follow the same pattern of Paul’s charges to Timothy – 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 4:2. We are always ready when people are ready to hear even when they are not ready to hear, but the gospel shall always be preached. We have recently come from a preaching campaign to the area called “Thandeka”. Interestingly Thandeka is a name of a person and this same person was ordained as a senior chief and called the area by his name Thandeka (Thandeka area). He has about 11 chiefs who report to him. This man and his wife (now the deceased) have been members of the Church of Christ since the 1970s. They have been walking at a distance of about 7km to worship. Now when the wife of Brother Thandeka died, Christians went in large numbers to bury our faithful sister in Christ.

Now when the eleven junior chiefs saw the love the Christians showed to Brother Thandeka, they asked if they could organize the preaching campaign to plant a congregation in the area. So, they wrote us (BV) a letter asking us to help them organize it and allow our school to go with the students. God is able and has shown kindness to this area. As we speak, after the campaign for four days, 19 souls have been saved and a new baby is born – Church established!

Teaching and Preaching!

Teaching is the work we are doing, since this semester started in August after a break, 3 courses have been done. Now the students are having a long course in Major Prophets. As indicated in the introduction, 19 souls were baptized in the last week of August, but also we had 2 more souls restored. This means the new congregation has started with 21 people. Praise God! We still got lots of promises from many people who are willing to be added to the Lord’s church, but they want to see the progress of the church since it's new, they said. But if the Lord may come today they don’t have an excuse we told them.

Construction

We are very excited that the construction work has started well, the foundation has been put down. This is phase one. Phase 2 is the super structure which will begin soon the Lord willing.

Water Brings Joy!

There is great joy at the school construction site as the villagers express their joy after seeing water being drilled by the Healing Hands International! A lady in her late 70s said she came to the area in 1983, since then the water she knew was for drinking and domestic purposes was from the river and wells where even animals drank from. She said the waterborne diseases will be history because they suffered a lot with lots of sickness after using the dirty water. She sang a song praising God for the water in the area. At school, the gardening work which will produce food for the students in the near future is simplified. And also the work of construction will be faster than how we thought it would be because they were drawing water from quite a distance.

We are thankful to Bear Valley Bible Institute International and all who help in supporting this great work with a great reward hereafter! God bless your families as we still need your help and involvement. Many souls are still not saved! Eternity Is Forever, Think Souls!

Yours fellow soldiers for Christ,

Ephron and Clergynton

A big loss in India

Reporting letter for the month of August-2021

Respected  beloved brother Mr. Keith Kasarjian the director of international studies , brother Mr. Reynolds - the coordinator and all the prayers partners of BVBI-Tirupati-India , greetings to you in the most holy and precious name of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. We pray that this reporting letter finds you good health. We thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement for the smooth function of BVBI-extensions . We would like to share with you a brief report for the month of August-2021.

First Semester :-   We follow the Calendar which we have submitted to BVBI, we have began the first semester in the month of July. We conducted classes for two months (July and August) . The month of September is break as per the BVBI-calendar .  We have sent the students for the field work .  Our students were instructed to work with allotted towns and villages at their near by local preachers  . They prepare  to submit their  field report on daily basis when they return to the college in the month of October 1 st  ,2021.

Baptism:- In the month of August we have baptized 11 souls, please pray for their spiritual growth so that they may grow in the image of His son Jesus Christ.

Agriculture Vegetable Gardens:-  Couple of months back we have planted  Three Agricultural Vegetable gardens  , this is right season in India for the new plantation. We did hard work in removing old plants and planted new seedlings. These are the locations of A.G. Gardens.  The first one is located at BVBI-Tirupati, The  second one is at KGBV-Girls school and  the third one is located at Poolathota-Village.  We have newly started one more work shop in the D.V.Sathram-Mandal , Nellore-Dt. A.P state. We are thankful to Mr.Carl Burkybile who is the agricultural director of Healing Hands International. We sincerely thankful to him for his guidance and encouragement to establish these AG gardens with innovative methods . The raised bedding  and dip irrigation systems are much helpful to earn fresh and healthy vegetables  . We are grateful to HHI for their valuable funding for the establishment of these AG-Gardens in India.

Talking Bibles for the Visually challenged people:-  There are several visually challenged people living our city, they are interested to hear the word of God. In the month of July we have distributed 20 talking bibles and in the month of August we have distributed 13 audio bibles to the visually challenged people. We are thankful to Mr.Glynn Longston,  “ Insight International Braille  Out reach worldwide” who supplies these talking bibles .

Covid-19 Threat:-  It is so sad to mention that one of  our teaching faculty member Mr. K. Kalvarinath was affected by corona virus and died on August 28th Saturday evening. He was dedicated and highly educated person and humble servant of God.  He is a full time Bible instructor and also he helped several months  to preach at our local churches ( Tirupati and Vidyanagar). He was able to attend for the personal interview when  our Mr. Keith Kasarjian -director of international studies has conducted for the recruitment of teaching faculty for the BVBI-extension centre –Tirupati-India.  Our  teaching staff, non teaching staff and all the students felt so sad and missed him lot . Please pray for his family members. We hope that we will meet him on the day of Jesus Christ. We thank God for his living hope that was  promised by Jesus Christ(John 14:1-3, 1 Thess  4:13-18).

Prayer Request:- Lord willing we plan to organize two days Christian Growth Bible Seminar for the Women in the month of October  15th and 16 (Friday and Saturday). We expect 150 sisters for the seminar, the theme for the seminar would be “Fruit of the spirit’ (Gal 5:22). We are thankful to Brother Damon Vincent for the website that he developed  (https://christian-growth.com/literature/christian-growth-seminars/fruit-of-the-spirit-maturing-in-christ/ ) to receive wonderful study material on this  subject. We humbly request your prayers for the success of the meeting.

We are thankful to our international director and our coordinator for all their efforts for the establishment of extension of BVBI in our city which we treat as a good platform for training young people for the dyeing souls in our nation. We request  your prayers for the first batch students who are already in the field . We are need of your prayers for this second batch of dedicated students.

Thanking you.

Yours brother and sister in Christ.

Vijay&Swarupa, from Church of Christ and BVBI-India

Continued progress in Guinea

Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute Activity Operations Report for July 2021

The month of July has since ended and we have not only the obligation, but the privilege to report and share with you those major events that transpired during that period at the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute. As usual, the events in question include our regular classroom and evangelistic activities, but especially the success of replacing the mission vehicle which had worn off during the 14 years of gospel service in Guinea and the countries neighboring. We are delighted to give an account of these and other happenings in the subheadings below:

Classroom: Courses covered during the month include Marriage and Family Life and part of Old Testament Part 4 – Isaiah and Jeremiah. There were 14 of the 16 students who participated and performed well. The other 2 students, those involved in disciplinary acts as mentioned in our last report for which reason they were sanctioned did not return from their second quarter breaks. Apparently unwilling to repent, these young men preferred to not show up rather than expel publicly. Until they return, we are left with 14 students.

Evangelism: Our usual evangelistic efforts did not yield as much fruit this month as in the previous. Procrastination and unwillingness to repent from polygamy – a practice which is common in this Islamic dominated nation on the part of our prospects were the result of unfruitful labor. We did go out to preach in and around existing congregations, but could convert only 1 soul because many of our prospects were Muslims with multiple wives. On the other hand, there were delays by the other group of prospects, but we hope and expect a positive answer by the end of August to the question of “why tarriest thou”.

Vehicle for Mission Work: We must confess that perhaps our ambitions were higher and even ignored the present virus crises affecting the economy also in the brotherhood when we requested for a Toyota Land Cruiser. Contributions did come from 2 sources, but the funds were inadequate for the request. Then in response to an appeal to complete cost for a Toyota pick-up, a dear brother in the US proposed an option to partially offer a 4WD Honda – 8 passenger seat vehicle as his godly contribution to my ministry work. Hence, the 2 contributions from the Bear Valley and the Niceville brethren facilitated the customs and other Government vehicle documentation. The vehicle has since been ready and is now in service with us at Gueckedou.

We are so grateful to bro. Ishmael Kendor for the offer and to brothers Steven Ashcraft and Ken Stanley through whose hands the contributions from benevolent hands reached us. May God reward you all. Pray with us that the tool will continue to be used to the service and glory of God!

Special Needs Assistance: Another blessing received during the month was a financial response for some special needs at the Gueckedou Bear Valley Bible Institute. Again, through the hand of our Coordinator, Mr Ashcraft some well-wisher provided us with funds to purchase a freezer for our kitchen which is 1 of 3 requests submitted.  An attempt to repair the old vehicle and a special evangelistic campaign are the other 2 requested items answered on the list of our special request. These last 2 will be implemented in the months to come.

Our special thanks to you, our supporters and to those of you who have made special contributions to this work. It is our prayer that God will reward you abundantly and bless all of our combine efforts as we all aim toward enlarging the Lord’s kingdom through preacher training for the harvest!

Francis Musa

Graduation and lectureship in Nigeria

Dear fellow servants of God.

Grace, peace and mercy of the Lord be multiplied unto you all from God, the Father and from Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Below are the report of some of our activities for the month of August 2021

OVERVIEW

1- 2021/22 Academic year begin

2- One month TP (Teaching Practice) report

3- 19th Annual Bible Lectureship and Graduation ceremony

4- VOTI volume 110 distributed

2021/22 ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINS:

First Semester Classes for 2021/22 academic session begins on August 16 with 17 Students for Diploma program and 12 Students for Advanced Diploma program. The first semester classes will come to an end Lord's willing on October 15 follow by a month vocational training for the willing Students.

ONE MONTH TEACHING PRACTICE:

The one month Students teaching practice of July 24 through August 22 resulted into the conversion of 42 souls and restoration of 17 erring brethren.

19TH ANNUAL BIBLE LECTURESHIP & GRADUATION

Brethren started arriving from different part of the country for our 19th Annual Bible Lectureship and Graduation ceremony on Tuesday afternoon due to the football competition and Acapella songs that was attached to the program.

The 19th annual Bible Lectureship and Graduation of 30 Successful Students (18 Diploma & 12 Advanced Diploma)was held as usual in Doug Wheeler Events Center, Butubutu village , Ibadan from August 25-27,2021. This year program was witnessed by over 400 brethren and friends of the Lord's church from 14 States of Nigeria.

The graduation exercise came up in the noon of August 27(Friday) for 30 Successful soldiers of Christ. Bro. Moses Oluwalogbon, one of the board members of WNCC & SBS, Abeokuta ,Ogun State served as our guest speaker.

Bibles and several materials, such as Bible Dictionaries, Thompson Chain Reference Bible, Atlas, Sermons Outlines and cartons of books from Mission Printing International were part of working tools distributed to the graduates while all the participants went home with packages of VOTI materials (Volumes 105-110) BVBIN & SWSE 2022 almanac, 5000 WBS correspondence Courses, gospel tracts and gospel literatures locally printed.

VOICE OF TRUTH INTERNATIONAL VOLUME 110 :

Five thousand nine hundred and fifty (5,950)copies of VOTI 110 was shared/posted between August 20 and 27 to VOTI recipients across the country Nigeria. We deeply appreciate Bro. Jerry Bates and associate for this wonderful gospel material designed for the salvation of mankind and edification of the Lord's church.

BVBIN-INSTRUCTORS MEETING:

The meeting was chaired by Bro.Isaac Olaniyan(BVBIN-Ibadan) and Bro. Emmanuel Godwin(BVBIN-Ondo State) served as the secretary while Bro. Makinde Ebens (BVBIN, Asst. Director) served as the time keeper.

Several things were discussed as pertaining to the growth of the Lord's church in our country through the BVBIN Schools.

ABOUT A STUDENT:

Bro. Iyesele Ifeanyi Divine was born in 1985 at Obiaruku town in Delta State. He became a member of the Lord's church in 2013. In year 2019 he joined the SWSE IBADAN and graduated with Diploma in Theology in August 2021 as one of the best Students. He is now one of our year-2 Students. His mission after his training is to be one of the evangelists in the middle belt of Nigeria.

CONCLUSION:

We thank you all for your kind-gesture which you have demonstrated by supporting the training of faithful men as soldiers of Christ in this part of the world.

May the Lord continue to bless all you do for His name is our fervent prayers.

I remain yours in His Grace as a servant,

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (The Chief Servant of BVBIN & SWSE IBADAN and WBSFUW)

Big improvements in Sierra Leone

ACTIVITY OPERATION REPORT FOR JULY, 2021

We send Calvary greetings to you in the precious and ever-assuring name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, hoping that this finds you flourishing in the grace of God. We are glad again to share with you our operation report for the month of July. The month of July was truly a successful month for us and we remain grateful to God, our supporters and all who are praying for the success of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Sierra Leone. As it is our format, the school activities for the past July shall be summarily discussed under the below headings:

NEW ACADEMIC SESSION

As stated in our June report, the previous academic session (2019-2021) came to a close at the end of June, 2021. The school went on break for three weeks and resumed the new session academic (2021-2023) activities on the 27th July, 2021. The school resumed with 20 students all in act and are doing fine as we write.

EVANGELISM ORIENTATION FOR THE NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS

On Friday, July 30, 2021, an evangelism orientation was held at the school campus. This was done in an effort to lay the foundation and to spell out categorically what is expected of the students. The theme for the orientation was, “Laying the Foundation”, and topics such as Bear Valley Students and their Evangelistic Approaches, the Students and the Use of Language during Evangelism, the Students and Security Challenges, were all covered under the theme in question. Six staff were present for the orientation. We give God the glory for everything.

GENERAL STAFF MEETING

In an effort to promote the smooth running of the Bear Valley program in Sierra Leone, a general staff meeting was held at the School’s Guesthouse on the 15th July, 2021. Ten (10) staff were in attendance and many things that will aid the growth of the school were discussed.

STAFF UPDATE

In our previous reports, we have always informed you that the Kenema Bear Valley Bible Institute has been operating with two permanent  teaching staff/instructors (Peter Sahr Makundu-Director and Peter Barnett-Students’ Dean), and four non-teaching staff (Two cooks and two securities), together with other teaching staff who come to take their courses upon invitation.

However, the Dean of Students, Peter Barnett who is almost 60 years old resigned. To the glory of God, we are been blessed with two additional young and committed (both are less than 29 years) teaching staff who are permanent: Michael Sahr Triyoh, who just graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ministerial Studies from one of the prestigious Churches of Christ Bible schools, the School of Biblical Studies: An Affiliate of the University of Jos, Nigeria, who now serves as the Dean of Academic Affairs and Joseph Missailie Jr., one of the best students from the first set of students that the Kenema Bear Valley Bible Institute produced.

UPDATE ON THE ONE CONGREGATION ESTABLISHED AND THE OTHER ONE BEING RESTORED

You would recall that in our March report, we informed you about the local congregation that was established at Gondama as the result of our campaign. Gondama is around 50-62 miles away from Kenema where the school is located. Our students have been going there every Saturday to do some evangelistic works and to worship and teach the brethren on Sundays before returning to Kenema. The congregation is doing well, though there are challenges. The place of worship has been one of those challenges. Moreover, at the beginning of July, we lost one of our committed members. We plead that you help us to commit the brethren in God’s hands to grow in the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, our campus Church which had died down but was restored upon the return of the Director, is also growing every day. Our attendance is increasing week after week and we give God the glory for that.

RELOCATION OF THE SCHOOL

We want to get you informed that we have relocated the school from Dama Road to 18A Harding Street of Kenema, Sierra Sierra Leone. This relocation was needful because we wanted a place that could accommodate all our 20 students and to have staff offices. The new place is actually convenient for the learning process and we are grateful to God.

APPRECIATION

We want to firstly appreciate God who has always been the provider and the sustainer of His children. We want to secondly, specially, appreciate the brethren who financially helped us with our special needs: additional computers, renting of the new school building, additional chairs, beds, tables for students, etc. We remain indebted to you and we pray that the Lord God, who rewards all according to His wisdom blesses you and favors you in all you do in Christ’s name.

GRADUATION INVITATION

We are gratefully inviting you to our 2nd graduation ceremony and our 1st Bible Lectureship that will take place on 29th-30th October, 2021 Lord willing. We would really be grateful if you grace that occasion. May God bless you as you honor our invitation!

STAFF’S AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Michael Sahr Triyoh

Michael is one of our newly added permanent staff who was born in Fasedu Village, Kailahun District in 1993. He was baptized into the Lord’s body in 2012. Michael is the only Christian in his family, though has been making a conscious effort to bring some of the members to Christ. Prior to his going to Nigeria to seek for the right knowledge to preach the Word of God, he had been actively involved in the church activities. He is a very diligent brother who is not ashamed of the Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ. Michael is the Dean of Academic Affairs of the Kenema Bear Valley Bible Institute.

CONCLUSION

On the whole, we continue to be grateful to God, our sponsors and all of you who are praying for us. Please continue to remember the work of God in Sierra Leone in your prayers. We look forward to sharing with you again our anticipated August report.

Overcoming challenges in Cambodia

Greetings From the International Bible Institute of Siem Reap - Cambodia

We continue to glorify God for all of the opportunities He has given us to serve Him.

It is a difficult situation around the world and we are also struggling with COVID-19 more than ever. The government has asked us to not gather in large groups and to wear masks. We are receiving the vaccination and most of of the staff and students have taken their second dosage, so we should all be fairly well protected at this point. We will continue to adhere to the governments rules and pray for protection against this deadly disease.

We go to the villages to help our brother and sisters who are also struggling with this disease and those others who need our help. It is another opportunity to serve others as Christ’s example was for us. This allows our students to have an opportunity to evangelize and show their nation what Christianity should look like. In the last two months, we have been able to reach out and help others - bringing light and encouragement to them.

Our brother and coordinator Wes Autrey and his wife Teri have been teaching us on zoom every week on a variety of topics. Wes teaches the men while the women break out into another zoom room and Teri teaches them. Participating in this is also the Battambang Bible School, which has about 15 more attending these Bible studies. These joint Chapel/Bible Classes have been very beneficial to us, especially since we cannot travel because of COVID. We are getting to know our brothers and sisters in Christ better because of this.

Recent full time courses completed include: Christian Morality; The Book of Daniel; and the Song of Solomon.

Less than one month ago two of our students received their Certificates of Completion. We are so proud of both sister Sarai So and sister Lekh Sarouen for not giving up and studying all the way through our 3 year program. Both ladies overcame many obstacles to finish. They are an inspiration to everyone that is continuing school and their families. At graduation we had all of the families present and staff, but had to limit the usual size to about 50 people. Many joined in on zoom for the graduation from brother Wes’ house including the President of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Denny Petrillo and his wife Kathy; the Vice President Michael Hite and his wife Lynn; One of the professors of BVBI John Moore and his wife Carla, Wayne Burger professor at BVBI and his wife Weezie. Tyler King the Director of Development at BVBI joined in on another zoom window from Oklahoma while his wife Natalie was at brother Autrey’s house. Many others joined from other zoom windows and it made for a good graduation under the circumstances.

* Coordinators Note (Wes Autrey) The last portion of the graduation ceremony was especially moving for me. Each lady was given an opportunity to speak and did they ever! Both with courage and conviction stood tall with tears in their eyes and addressed their families both Christian and non Christian glorifying God with the unity of God’s family taking precedence over their own worldly families. I was so impressed but not shocked. These two ladies have matured and grown in Christ exponentially and their courage is to be commended. The Lord certainly did not give these humble ladies a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline!

Recently our government has widened the road in front of our school and in doing so, they took out our school wall. We are in the process of building another one and are faithful that our God will provide.

At this point may we ask for your prayers in the COVID-19 situation as it is getting worse, especially in Siem Reap where our school is located. This makes it difficult to recruit new students to bring to our school.

Please pray for the leaders in the service of God, such as teachers, students, church leaders, our orphans - so that we may be strong during these times. Also pray for our new Christians who are just learning what it means to be “like Christ” as we help them through this journey.

To our brother Wes Autrey: This is for Brother Wes, we really thank you for the training, encouragement, dedication, both physical and mental, and for personal sacrifice and giving.

May the living God bless you all from the same servant on the other side of the sea.

Piseth Rin

Servant of the Lord & Co-Director IBISR