Jerry Bates visits Zimbabwe

               JUNE 2023 NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

The month of June had its highs and lows at BVBIZ and in Zimbabwe in general. Zimbabwean citizens saw sharp increases in prices of basic goods and services. The school was not spared either. However, in the midst of this challenge, classes continued, evangelism took place while the projects side had notable developments. These and more are reported hereunder.

CURRICULUM PROGRESS

Several subjects have so far been taught and completed. These subjects include; Church Growth, Church leadership, Christian Spiritual Formation, James, Romans, Major Prophets and Advanced Homiletics. Others are still ongoing.

EVANGELISM

Evangelism remains a critical component at BVBIZ. Each students participates in evangelism as part of training. We can report on the following

ZVISHAVANE CAMPAIGN

Besides field programs, weekend preaching and holiday preaching,  one week campaigns have been on high demand from several congregations in the country. Unfortunately, the school has not been able to satisfy this demand. This year alone, BVBIZ went to Buhera, Gokwe, Chivi, Zvishavane and in July it will be at Chisumbanje. Two congregations were subsequently established at Buhera and at Chivi near Mashava. The BVBIZ team (both students and teachers) joined hands with other experienced preachers who included Brothers Madyira (snr), Kufa, Madamombe, Kasimu and Chauke. Great appreciation to the Zvishavane congregation for providing food to the team. Zvishavane is one of the difficult areas to work in but the seed was sown. 2 souls accepted Christ whilst a great burden was left on the resident preacher, Tinashe Moyana to make follow ups.

 PRACTICUM

Students on the parallel program entered the second month of their practicum. The full time class will start its on the 16th of July. This is an integral part of training at BVBIZ. The next report shall focus more on events that will be transpiring in the field. However, this month we include a report from one of the students in the field. Please find it at the end of this report.

VISIT BY JERRY BATES

BVBIZ was blessed to have Jerry Bates from the 25th to the 30th of June. He taught the book of James during his stay. Students were left at another level. Students were also blessed by his presence, as he had to share the hostel with them. Through him, BVBIZ has been a major center for the distribution of World Evangelism books to preachers, congregations and prisons in need of them. Students have also been using the books in their practicums. On the 29th of June, Jerry was also privileged to visit Hwahwa prison where he gave an encouraging sermon to the inmates. The prison authorities were excited with the visit as well.

FOWL RUN FOR LAYERS

Preparation for a layers project sponsored by Healing Hands International (HHI) moved to another stage in June with the partial completion of the fowl run. The structure 25m x 3.2  The point of lay hens numbering 250, are expected to arrive in August. BVBIZ remains grateful to HHI for this gesture after having sponsored the construction of a greenhouse and purchase of two by 500 litre extra water tanks.

POWER CHALLENGES

As an organization, certain challenges creep in which directly affects operations. One such example is that of power. The school’s solar system is currently unable to sustain the school. It is currently overwhelmed. It usually goes off between 8pm -10pm depending on the weather conditions during the day. This is heavily affecting students as they usually make use of the evenings to do assignments and general reading. This issue has become an urgent need within the school. To mitigate against this challenge, we are exploring possibilities.

CONCLUSION

BVBIZ continues to appreciate many, far and wide, who keep on partnering the school one way or another. Your efforts are not and have not been in vain, as graduates continue to be channeled into the society whilst those in school have been transforming communities through the Word. May God to continue to bless you as you continue to partner with the school in its effort to train many people for the cause of Christ. God bless!

Ghana extended school adds new students

END OF SECOND QUARTER REPORT, 2023

ASH TOWN EXTENSION SCHOOL, GHANA

Prologue

Be in peace, brethren in Christ. We give God praise for bringing us thus far. The following describes what took on in Ash Town Extension School during the second quarter 2023.

 Admission of New Students

Two students were admitted this quarter. Their names are Bro. Samuel Owusu Akoto of Opeikuma Church of Christ and Bro. Ebenezer Otoo of Rock city Church of Christ, all in Kasoa, Ghana. These brethren are church leaders who seek to broaden their Biblical Knowledge.

 Class Activities

Three courses were taught this quarter. Wisdom Kwasi Yirenkyi covered first Corinthians, Emmanuel Yaw Amoo-Gyimah handled Second Corinthians and Emmanuel Aggrey taught the Old Testament Part 3 (Wisdom Literature). There were Thirteen (13) students present in the previously mentioned classes.

Evangelism

Students embarked on door-to-door evangelism in the neighborhood of New Market, Kasoa on May 6th, 2023. Ten (10) students participated in the activity.

Students Profile

Mr. Oppong Isaac is the student profile for this quarter. He is fifty-four (54) years old right now. He is happily married with three gorgeous kids. He works at Ultra Com Holdings. In the year 1986, he was baptized in the Lord’s church. He now worships with the Gomoa Nyanyano Church of Christ where he serves as a Preacher for the congregation. The congregation consists of sixty (60) baptized adults and thirty (30) children. According to Bro. Oppong, he is happy to study at Bear Valley Bible Institute in order to better comprehend and defend the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

We appreciate the Leadership of Bear Valley and the financial assistance provided by the brotherhood this quarter. We pray that God will restore whatever they have lost. Amen.

Reported by Larbi.

A good second quarter in Mombasa

Dear brethren,

Greetings in the name of the Lord.

We hope that the Lord has kept you safe and sound as you continue serving Him diligently. We are all fine and the students are trying their best to absorb from the instructors.

This is the end of our second quarter as well as the beginning of our third quarter this year. This is our third year since the Bear Valley Mombasa began. In the quarter that has just ended, Paul Taught World Religions Class, John Taught Ezekiel and Daniel and Francis taught the Preacher and His Work class. We're glad that the students are improving their faith as days go by.

Moreover, through the students' evangelical efforts, there have been three baptisms in the last quarter. we thank God for this effort that they are making. Paul and Francis have been doing follow up in some of the congregations here, and three members have been restored so far.

Paul will begin next quarter with the class of Godhead, to usher in the third quarter. We pray that the Lord may guide us through the next quarter. We also pray for the grace of God to guide all the students and give them renewed energy for evangelism. We pray that God may continually guide us in this noble work that we may fulfill our call.

The Teachers are continuing with the teaching and edifying the Church, and we are hopeful for more restorations and baptisms as well. May the Lord be gracious to you all. Thank you for all your continued support and prayers.

Blessings,

Francis

Special guests in Wotutu

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from the great country of Cameroon. We do hope this report meets you doing well and of a sound mind. God is good and He is faithful towards us and the work entrusted in our hands. We do hope you are doing good in all that you do.

The last week here was a busy for us as we were engaged in so many good works for God’s glory. A total of 9 missionaries came from different places in the United States of America to work for the Lord in different capacities.

One taught in the Bear Valley Bible Institute here in Wotutu, others did one on one evangelism, some were involved in medical consultations, dispersing of medications to those sick, and the sending of some severe cases to a hospital for further treatments. There were also visits to the Brightland Christian Orphanage, and a Vacation Bible School. God stood with all of these programs and they went on without any problems. To Him be the glory and honor.

On June 2nd, I was at the airport waiting for Gods servants as they flew in to Cameroon to serve God. 9 of them arrived safe and sound and were received by the brethren in the Wotutu congregation with open arms.

Minister Michael Crowder, and his wife Ethel, came from the Northside Church of Christ in Nashville. He came to teach a short course to our students on “THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH,” while his wife, sister Ethel Crowder was involved in teaching the women during women’s class and was also actively teaching children during the VBS. Brother Michael is a great teacher of the word. Please keep this great couple in your prayers.

PLANS

From the 30th of June we have a mass evangelism in Mudeka village. Thanks be to God; we have a new evangelistic van that can carry 19 passengers. We shall storm the community with the gospel which is far more powerful than bombs. Keep this program in your prayers as God leads us to that community.

APPRECIATIONS

Thank you very much for your time and patient with us during the time of our delay. We thank you very much for your prayers and support which is the wheel that keeps this work going. God is seeing and will reward you in due season. Please share our reports with others who may share it even further.

            God bless you all.

            Elangwe and family

         By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

Souls are being won in Malawi!

Introduction

It is always good to hear people being saved from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of Christ. Preaching is always a difficult work when it comes to making someone leave his or her wrong belief, and come to Christ. But since we do the work and the good Lord change the hearts of people, it becomes joy to us when many lost souls are being saved. We praise God

We are looking forward to the end of the holiday in 2 weeks time when students will be coming back. Students are on holiday, but the reports coming shows they are not resting. They are preaching and teaching the gospel, and the results of the work they are doing is outstanding.

Baptisms

We have received good news from our students in Karonga, Ntchisi, Mzimba and Kasungu that the Lord has added souls to Christ. The number of baptisms which has reached us is karonga wovwe 4, kasungu 8, ntchisi 3 and Mzimba 5 giving us a total of 20 baptisms. Apart of this good news we have another awesome news! New congregation established at Chazgovu village in Euthini Mzimba district.

New congregation established!

On of our former graduate, who is also helping us distribute world bible school lessons in villages, went to euthini where we have more than 100 WBS students registered through our school BV Ekwendeni. He was called to help some get into Christ last month and he found that the distance from where people are to a meeting place is far, a suggestion for the new congregation to be established was given. I helped Saliwa organize the campaign and we called preachers to go and preach. The campaign stated on the 22 to the 25 of June. The Lord did wonders in a period of 3 days that 15 souls were saved! The new congregation is established! Keep them in your prayers . The chief has said will give land to the church to build a church building, but has also given the church a nursery room for kids that  temporarily should be used as a meeting place for the church. He has asked us to go again and preach since the area is big and many have not been reached. We plan to go with the students this second semester!

Word of thanks!

We always thank Bear Valley Bible Institute International and the working hand in hand with the Hillcrest to help us teach and reach out to the lost souls. Without your support and prayers nothing we could be able to do on our own. There's still a wide door open for us to reach out to the lost souls - Matthew 28:18-20! We are ready to go!

Eternity Is Forever, Think Souls.

Your brothers in Christ,

Ephron and Clergynton

Graduation upcoming in India

Dear brethren,

I bring greetings from all us at Skinner’s Garden and Bikkavolu. First let me thank you for your prayers which encouraged us to successfully finish the training of Men to be preachers. God has blessed our efforts total 12 students have been qualified to receive the course completion Diploma, which we call this as a Bachelor’s Degree. We are very much uplifted by this accomplishment, thank you all so much for being a part of this. We have scheduled the graduation ceremony on the 7th of July. We are thinking about making a good celebration on the eve of this accomplishment.

Usually, for any graduation program so far we are providing them a Bicycles,  Rechargeable Mega Phone , Christian Literature. It is really a big time of celebration to encourage these 12 men for the successful completion of the course of education. All of them have come forward from various back grounds, we must appreciate them for their sacrifice and commitment to complete this course by being away from their families in order to prepare themselves to carry out the gospel to their communities.  These 12 men have successfully finished their schooling, in fact we have started with 15 but ended with 12 successful students. We are grateful to God who showed mercy on us through the wonderful contribution from the new supporting congregations. During the terrible Covid season we had to loose few students, however we had over come that struggle by keeping remining with the same enthusiasm and sprit.  

These men have dedicated their lives to carry out the gospel starting from their communities and people around. They have been trained both in the class room and out of the class room, probably had the best out reach training who can ever get as a Preaching student.  They had handful experience in conducting Bible Studies, Gospel Meetings, Campaigns and other church related work. We are so thankful all the faculty who strived to pursue this task of sending some effective evangelists into the Real World Ministry

The director of Bear Valley International Schools, Bro. Keith Kasarjian will be our honored guest during the Graduation ceremony, we are thankful that this brother is coming forward to bless this occasion, we are very much excited since this is the first graduation ceremony of the Bikkavolu Bible College, which is a Bear Valley International School.

Lectureship: After a long long time we are conducting the Lectureship at Bikkavolu, of course this is for the first time after we established Bikkavolu Bible College, a Bear Valley International School. I have attached a PDF document for all of you to look at, we have selected a topic which we consider as very need, kindly pray that the speakers would do the right job to help the preachers, leaders, to be preachers and members of the church would get at most benefit. 5,6th of July is the lectureship, 14 lessons have been lined up and 9 speakers would be speaking according to the given topic, it will be recorded as well as available live on YouTube. we are excited about this, pray that our Lord would bless our efforts in keep the Church on the Truth.

Kindy pray for the lectureship and also for the graduation ceremony, come see us some day. We praise God for blessing us to reach this mile stone besides Covid and also financial difficulty after the school was established in 2019 July. However, our Lord has lead me to kind people like you to convey not only the need but the great program of Training our Men to carry out the gospel to the lost millions. It is amazing to see how God has worked out everything, that has lead to this success point, we are very much uplifted by your kind concern and support.

Please convey our heartfelt gratitude to the brethren at your congregations, we remember you all in our prayers daily, God bless you all.

In Christ,

John Dean M

God blesses His own in Ukraine

How are you, brothers and sisters? In spite of all the hardships that our country is facing we have been able to finish this academic year. This year has been full of trials and  tribulations. We had to relocate our Bible Institute to the city of Chernivtsi, this was and still is the safest place in our country. During this year I had to commute back and forth from Bila Tserkva to Chernivtsi and supervise the academic process. Every time it took me approximately eight hours to travel one way. I couldn’t relax because of the constant air raid sirens, missile attacks on our cities, black-outs and power cuts, lack of heating and of water. 

But God is above all of our problems and He has kept us alive and well. As l look back, I can see how God has  revealed to us our strengths and weaknesses. God has shown us where we should labor.  This year three students graduated. One of them (Alexander) has already started work as a youth minister in the church in Chernivtsi. He has been preparing himself for this type of work during the last two years. Two other students (Anton and Timothy) are helping with the church ministry in the city of Kiev. That congregation doesn’t have a  full-time minister, and the local brethren are taking turns doing preaching and teaching. Over there, these graduate students are learning how to preach, prepare and conduct summer Christian camps. They work mainly with the youth and invite others to participate in youth group meetings.

The new school year will start in September. Now is the practice time; therefore, they are gaining experience in the labor of the church. Last week we drove to Kramatorsk (which is located twenty  miles from the frontlines) and delivered humanitarian aid, both to the local Christians and visitors who attend the Sunday worship services. This time we distributed humanitarian aid to 50 persons. Before we arrive, they get registered and then they look forward to our visits. Of course, there are many more people who are in dire need but it would require much more resources. Therefore, we help, first of all, those who are in the greatest need. There is a group of refugees in Bila Tserkva, roughly 20 persons, who regularly attend our worship services on Sundays and Wednesdays. They are studying the Scriptures, asking questions, and we are trying to help them to adjust to a new life in the city. 

There are also people who show up only once in a while but we still hope that they would commit to become regular visitors and maybe, later on, become members of the local Lord’s church. We have been conducting this type of work during the last year and only now we can see the fruit of our efforts. Naturally, some people make an appearance only to receive humanitarian aid but we’re praying that God will touch their hearts through our service.

We are very grateful for the assistance and for the prayers of the brethren who are supporting our ministry and helping us in our work.  May the Lord keep each one of you.

Your brother,

Dennis. 

Evangelism challenges in Accra

Monthly College Report - May 2023

We praise God for His wonderful works in the month of May 2023. We acknowledge His presence and direction in all our endeavors. Here are some of the major activities that we engaged in during the month.

Academic Activities

The second quarter of the academic year which commenced on April 9 has been going on smoothly and is expected to end on June 9. We have been busy with academic work and practical evangelism. The students and staff have demonstrated enthusiasm and excellence in their studies and work.

 Gospel Campaign

We conducted a gospel campaign in Twerebo, a town in the Eastern region near the new school project. During our visibility study, we found out that about 98% of persons cohabitating and native of Ga. These made communication very difficult. Sammy had some knowledge of the language yet he struggled much to communicate in this language. Also, due to multiple marriages and cohabitation, they found it difficult to repent in that state. Sometimes, the ladies fear giving in to baptism because they might be beaten by their men. Others also wait to hear permission from their spouse. Due to a local festival, we were not allowed to preach publicly or use loudspeakers. We opted for door-to-door evangelism and personal contacts. We did not record any baptism or restoration, but we sowed seeds of the gospel and hope to follow up later. On Sunday, we were given one of the rooms of the Anglican School building for the meeting. On our next meeting on Sunday, the Pastor of the Anglican church ceased us from using their facility for meetings. Since then George and Sammy have been visiting the village on Saturdays to evangelize.

This has been my first time encountering such challenges in evangelism and have been very sad yet, I am much grateful that as we keep on with our weekly visitation, some are coming back to their senses on what we have told them.

Moreover, we are planning that Sammy with the students will take over their information centers to further explain the need to deny the world and come to Christ after the town’s local festival. I strongly believe that God will make a way for His chosen people.

School Building Project

The construction of the wall around the school compound is completed. The wall will ensure security and safety for the school property and personnel. We thank God for the generous contributions of our supporters and partners who have made this project possible.

Radio Programme

The college has started using the opportunity to preach on the radio. The director, Bro E. O. Larbi who initiated the programme with an engaging lesson on the radio has made a great impact in promoting the college and addressing counseling issues, and also bringing people to know Christ. We have received positive feedback and inquiries from listeners who want to know more about the gospel and the church. We still need more funds to sponsor the programme and reach more souls.

We thank God for a fruitful month and for the safe return of Bro Stephen Ashcraft who visited us in May. We appreciate his support and encouragement. We also thank all our supporters, partners, friends, and well-wishers who have been praying for us and supporting us in various ways. May God bless you all.

Tirupati, India school welcomes new students

Reporting Letter for the month of June-2023.

Respected prayer partners of BVBI-Tirupati-India, greetings to you in the most holy and matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We pray that this reporting letter finds you all well. We are sincerely thankful to our director and coordinator for their commitment and sacrifice to serve for the smooth function of BVBI-Tirupati. We appreciate our teaching and non-teaching staff for their hardship and cooperation.  We would like to share a brief report for the month of June.

Entrance examination for new batch:- We have began the 3rd batch . As per our director we sent the examination question paper  we have conducted an Assessment of Bible Knowledge Test. There are 20 students who were able to qualify the test.  There are another 20 part time students who are willing to study the word of God by online system,  Our teachers are interested to help them and encourage them. These part time students are already working in the field, they are preaching in different local churches in rural areas and some are working in urban areas.

Campaigning :- We travelled 100 KM and conducted campaigning at Micro Tower colony, Kota-Mandal, Nellore, A.P . We visited door-to-door  in this village . We conducted a gospel meeting. We had 50 to 55 people for the meeting.

Baptisms:-  Two souls were baptized and added to the body of Christ in the village where we did campaigning . The local preacher Mr.Ch.Nathaniel and his family members were encouraged .

Gospel meeting:- We conducted a gospel meeting at Vidyanagar on June 6th . There were 100 people who attended the meeting.

Prayer meeting at Poolathota-village:- We were able to attend a prayer meeting at Poolathota-village on June 29th. Our students lead the songs.

Benevolence:- In north east of India one of the state Manipur due to internal problems there is no peace. The members of local churches are suffering  from basic needs. My friend who is  brother in Christ Mr.Thanglien has been working in the state of Manipur. We inform you that BVBI-Tirupati identified the need and encouraged the concerning brother in India who published in the media. God has blessed the efforts, collection was Rs.7,48,844-00( seven lakhs, forty eight thousand and forty four rupees)  contributed by the local churches and Individual members for the basic needs of the members of local churches in the state of Manipur. We are humbled to share with you that first contribution was donated by our local churches.

Vegetable Seeds distribution:- In India now a days farmers are using more chemicals for cultivating . We are happy to share with you that we have conducted awareness camping for the rural women and encouraged them to cultivate organic vegetables at their house premises itself. We distributed seeds freely to 30 families.

We are thankful to you for the establishment of BVBI in India  which is the best platform for educating young people to sow the seed of God’s word to spread His son’s kingdom (Col 1:13).

Thanking you.

Yours brother in Christ.

B.Vijaya Kumar & Staff from BVBI-Tirupati, India.

New congregation planted by Lusaka, Zambia school

The Courses Covered

The courses covered in the second quarter of the year 2023 were 3 giving us a total 18 covered so far. About 12 students attended classes in the quarter under review. We recruited 2 more students.

Outreach programs

The Bear Valley Bible Institute planted one congregation at Mutamino Village and the brethren congregate at Chinkuli Combined School, Chongwe District after camping for three days from 2 to 4th June 2023.

In May, the Bear Valley Bible Institute students in conjunction with the Chilenje Church of Christ facilitated at the planting of one congregation at Shantumbu in Lusaka Rural.

One of the students (Michael) continued preaching to the incarcerated at Lusaka Central and Kamwala Remand Correctional Facilities and about 10 inmates have registered for baptism.

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

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

Evangelism efforts have great results in Tamale, Ghana

BEAR VALLEY INSTITUTE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES, TAMALE - GHANA

MAY 2023 OPERATING REPORT

It is by the grace of God that we are not consumed. We give Him the glory for His grace upon our lives. May His name be praised now and forever.

LECTURES AND ACADEMIC WORK

Four courses were taught successfully in the month of May, 2023. These courses are Godhead, Christian Evidence, Life of Christ 1 and Homiletics 1. Brother James Legend taught Godhead, Ernest Adjani handled Christian Evidence, Life of Christ 1, Albert Tamanja Malir and Isaac Akumoliga taught Homiletic 1 respectively. God be praised for the lives of these Brethren.

TREES IN THE COMPOUND

We wish to celebrate Brother Kojo Acquah Beenyi, the Coordinator for Bear Valley School in Ghana for his efforts in helping to plant different kinds of useful trees in the compound of the school. We have started benefitting from these trees.  Four of the Mangoes planted by him have started bearing fruit. In the month of May, we had a bountiful harvest of Mangoes that brought smiles to the faces of students and all inhabitants in the compound. We Thank the Lord for that.

EVANGELISM WORK

We wish to give God the honor for the gradual successes we are making in our evangelistic efforts in Tamale Township. Due to the collective efforts of the staff of Bear Valley Tamale, a founder of a denominational Church (Jesus Revelation Ministry) was converted into the Lord’s Church. His name is Emmanuel Yobe Kombat. Efforts have been made after his conversion to help convert the rest of his followers for Christ. He is very cooperative and submissive. He has also picked up form to join the preaching school in Tamale. We wish to thank God for the life of our Director, Daniel Adjei Mensah who has taken up the responsibility to study with the followers of Brother Emmanuel Yobe Kombat. We believe the Lord will surely help us together with the efforts of Brother Emmanuel himself to convert these prospects into the Lord’s Church.  

REPAIR OF WATER PUMPING MACHINE

The water pumping machine that help us pump water into our tanks for usage broke down towards the ending of April 2023. Efforts to get it fixed were not possible. We thank God that our able regional coordinator, Steven Ashcraft gave us the go ahead to purchase a new and an advanced one to help us continue to supply water for the school and the community as well. We wish to praise the Lord for all who in diverse ways makes things work successfully for us in our efforts to serve our make in this deprive part of Ghana. God richly bless you all.

We will continue to pray with you all as you pray with us.

The Lord blesses us all,

Bear Valley, Tamale.

Owerri, Nigeria students making a difference in the Lord's church

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE NIGERIA, OWERRI CENTER REPORT APRIL -JUNE 2023

It is with gratitude to God that we are privileged to be found useful in the  service of helping to mold great men for the service of God and humanity. 

We encountered several challenges this quater ranging from security to economic challenges but it didn't deter us in our resolve to  be consistent in our efforts to maintain  high standard in making sure we produce disciplined and productive  Bible teachers.

It is unfortunate that 3 of our students have been out of class since this quater, one had domestic accident that led to fracture, the second one is suffering from partial stroke while the third is suffering from unconfirmed ailment as the cause of the sickness is yet to be ascertained after going for several medical tests.  We keep praying for them for God's healing mercies.

Due to prevailing security situation, we still have lessons sometimes weekdays and Sunday evenings depending on situation on ground. Not minding the challenges now, the students are dedicated and in high spirit.

Presently we have 12 students. Although the high cost of petrol and its scarcity in the country is taking its toll on the students as the cost of transportation has skyrocketed they still attend lectures. So far we have concluded course 116 and the students are doing well. Next month we will commence with course 117

EVANGELISM 

Based on our  discovery of disunity and lack of love and cooperation among preachers and congregations here in Imo State which is occasioned by lack of well trained teachers, preachers and leaders in congregations which have adversely affected evangelism, we visited several places last quater to see how we can foster unity among brethren and congregations,  the visits yeilded results às we hosted the first preachers and church leaders Bible summit in May  with the Theme:- PROTECTING THE CHURCH FROM DESTRUCTIVE ELEMENTS.  This being  the first in  series of seminars, workshops, lectureships and gospel meetings that we are  embarking  on. This is because when you go and evangelise and win souls into disunited congregations, the convert will leave.

Also we are happy to inform you that the school played a very vital role in restoring peace in Umueze Mbutu congregation which had  crisis between the preacher and two factions in the church leading to non members coming to mediate. To the glory of God sanity has been restored and the preacher and few others in the congregation will soon be our students as they promised.

We have also started arrangements for our anniversary lectureships which we intend hosting God willing from 29th September to October 1st. We are still working on how to be of help to  brethren from far   locations from owerri city requesting if arrangements can be made to come to their locations and give them lectures, this solely depends on the number of interested students. 

INSTRUCTORS

One of our instructors dropped due to circumstances he didn't reveal to us,  we had to quickly get a replacement in the person of OGBONNA ONYEKACHI VINCENT, a graduate of School of Biblical Studies, Jos who is highly cerebral and dedicated 

We still remain eternally grateful to God,  the parent body and the school authorities for giving us the privilege of having a study center in Owerri Imo  state.

We will continue to create  awareness as we have started advertising for new admissions. 

 We believe and trust God to make a way for all who are interested but having distance as barrier to benefit from the school. 

We reaffirm our promise to maintain a high standard  and surely we will make the school proud.

Yours because of Christ 

Chinedu Akandu 

Director

Gueckedou, Guinea school mourns the death of a student

Greetings from the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Gueckedou, Guinea.

Please receive our Activity report, June 2023.

Introduction:

Every day that God permits for us is an opportunity to do His work for the conversion of lost souls to Christ in His eternal kingdom. As we work with Bear Valley International, our strategic partner, it is our duty to report to here the result of all activities of the month as follows.

I-Teaching:

This activity consists of entrusting the word of God to students in the hope that they will be able to pass it on to others for their edification leading to salvation.

Indeed, 3 subjects were taught in June namely:

1-Homilitics 2 by Niouma 2 Kamano

2-Gospel according to John  by Fara François Tenguiano

3- Books of the Major Prophets by Antoine Fassa Tolno

Due to their volume, 1/3 of the days in June were devoted to teaching the books of the major prophets.

Il-Evangelism:

Our primary objective is to redeem lost souls from Satan's yoke and to lead them to eternal freedom in Christ. In this spiritual battle during the month under review, 25 people were saved after being baptized in obedience to Christ our Lord and Savior in the congregations of Gbolonin, Yabema and Kendessoua.

Thanks to the Holy Spirit who helped to convince the sinners and to achieve these results.

III-Construction:

Two congregations have reached wall hight with their worship hall construction work and have received financial assistance for roofing. These are, Kendessoua and Kölöadou.

The rainy season which is now in full swing has slowed the work, but not stopped it.

IV-Black page:

We regret to announce the death of brother Antoine Tolno, one of our current students at the Bible Institute. He was born in 1985, a father of 2 children who fell sick and had left us on the 2nd of June 2023 to undergo treatment in his village. In less than 2 weeks later on the 11th of the same month, his family called to inform us of his death. Indeed, we have lost a brillant student. With the financial assistance of our coordinator Steven Ashcraft, the administrative staff, his fellow students and some church members travelled to Kolibada Tolo, his native village 35 km from Gueckedou town, for the funeral. Although he died young, we are happy that he was in the Lord which gives us hope that the soul of our brother will rest in peace. Amen

V-Documentation:

It is with great pleasure to inform you that we have safely received the study materials sent by French World Outreach /Barry Baggott, Mission Printing and other brothers in Christ residing in the US. We assure you that these documents will be put to good use for study, evangelism and edification. May God bless you abundantly in the Lord for all your efforts to build up the Church in Guinea.

Conclusion:

We bless God for His grace to give us life, health and to do his work.

Next, we sincerely thank Bear Valley International for their unceasing spiritual, moral, especially financial and material support in the growth of the Lord's Church in Gueckedou and elsewhere.

We especially thank our coordinator, Steven Ashcraft, for his sacrifice of time, materials and finances in God's work in Guinea.

We also thank Barry Baggott, Karen Ashcraft and other brothers in Christ who have sent us teaching, evangelism and edification materials.

In short, we thank all those who contribute to the flourishing of the church of Christ in Guinea.

May God bless each one according to his or her good works.

Amen.

Niouma 2 Kamano

Benin, Nigeria school is busy evangelizing

I am excited to present the quarterly report from Benin Schools, for the second quarter of the year 2023. The quarter is blessed with many spiritual and academic exercises that have inspired the students and the instructors and have ignited the fire in the churches in Benin City and its environs towards evangelizing the lost world.

We have successfully studied Homiletics, the Life of Christ and Research Methodology for the quarter. The instructors, Brothers Andrew Osato, Enne Everest and Dunia Christopher are dedicated to the business of impacting the students with the requisite knowledge to the standard of the international schools.These three courses are viewed by the students as the nucleus of their studies. Research method exposes the students to better methods of gathering, storing and disseminating data in regards to glorify Christ and his Church. The Life of Christ has helped to broaden the horizon of the students exposing them to things they never knew before and Homiletics has helped in turning around the pulpit the right side up in all the congregation where their members are our students.I have receive calls from some congregations appreciating Bear Valley Bible Institute for the great job.

On April 29th 2023, the instructors and the students stormed the church of Christ, Iguosa on a one day crusade for Christ from 8am till 4pm. We had between thirty-eight and forty-two attendees from the two schools including the three instructors on a hired Bus. Although no baptisms were recorded on this day, we gathered that the congregation received lots of visitors the following Sunday and the membership are following up with visitors.

On May 19th 2023, we were elated to have an August visitor in the person of our amiable international director, Brother Keith Kasarjian. Brother Keith’s visit was timely as he took time to orientate all the students, who had wrong concept of the modus operandi of the school mission and vision. He encouraged all present to be hard working because it pays in the long run. On Sunday the 20th of May, Brother Keith taught the Sunday school and placed the entire congregation in the right frame of mind to be joyous as Christians in the midst of a decayed world in its facets taking his text from the book of Philippians 4. God bless brother keith for all the sacrifices. On his way from Warri, Delta State to Benin City, he was held in traffic jam for about four hours in hunger and thirst. May his labour in the Lord not be in vain in Jesus Christ. God bless the entire Bear Valley family. We appreciate your support.

Yours in Christ,

Dunia Christopher For Bear Valley Bible Institute,Benin City, Nigeria.

Great progress in Lilongwe!

Here in Lilongwe, the month of May was busy and full of excitement. As always, there were classes, students encouraging one another, and plenty of hard work. But, this month was special. It was the first time in 10 years that both the Kastners and the Mayfields were in Malawi. 

Daniel Mayfield, a classmate from Bear Valley, accompanied Leann and I on a survey trip 10 years ago when we came to Malawi. At that time, Daniel was engaged to Miranda who is now his wife. Daniel and Miranda are now working in Kingfisher, Oklahoma and have three lovely children. Don Garms, who is a deacon in Kingfisher came with Daniel to help out wherever he could on campus.

Daniel did an amazing job teaching the book of Romans. His deep knowledge of the book as well as his endless energy showed through in his teaching. He exegeted many passages which helped the students know how to apply the principles they learned early in their education. Daniel spent many hours discussing the major themes of the book as well as some of the hard spiritual concepts. Even after Daniel had left for northern Malawi, the students were still talking about how much they had learned from Daniel. 

In addition to teaching, Daniel connected with the students on a personal level. After class, he would change clothes and go play soccer with the guys. One afternoon, he went on a run with several of them. It was a blessing to have a man who can connect with the students on a spiritual level as well as a personal level. 

While Daniel was teaching, Don and I took some time to catch up on some projects around the campus and the church. We spent three days painting my house. It was one of those things that was important but not urgent. Having an encouraging man like Don come just to work was what I needed to get it finished. After painting the house, we went to the church building and made the provisions in the brick wall to hang the doors. From talking to Don I could tell he had experienced a lot of things in his life. But hanging a door on a mud-brick building was a new one for him. He later said that he had been very blessed from the experience. Have no doubt, Don was not the only one blessed from his time here. Daniel was right when he said Don was a true Barnabas. 

Two weeks after Daniel and Don left, the students and I gathered up the needed supplies and headed to the church. In a matter of a few hours, we had hung the homemade doors, patched a few holes in the wall, and plastered the pulpit with cement. It was eye opening to see some of the students who are quiet and reserved in class shine brightly in a different environment. I could not ask for a better bunch of guys to start this school off. Please continue to pray this Bear Valley effort. 

In Him,

Dale Kastner

Sustainability in Zimbabwe

MAY 2023 NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

The month of May was a packed one in terms of activities at BVBIZ. Several developments both in classes and outside the classroom were noted. Besides classes that went on well, training of students in life survival skills and development of the school’s projects base took center stage in the month. These and more are reported below;

1.0 TRAINING

BVBIZ aims to be a college of excellence that produces holistically empowered, highly qualified and competent servants of God through a robust training and development program relevant to the community we are operating in. To achieve this, the school continues to inculcate life survival skills in students. Training of students in a number of areas have been a regular feature in the school’s curriculum as we continue to prepare them for life after school. Some of these are reported hereunder;

1.1 ROAD RUNNER AND GOAT PRODUCTION TRAINING

BVBIZ was privileged to have Brother Tatenda Tizora facilitating a workshop on the 1st to the 3rd of May tagged the One Cock Project geared towards the profitable production of free range (road runner projects). The workshop also dedicated time on goat production.  Students, BVBIZ staff and some members of the community attended this workshop. It remains a talk in both the school and community.

1.2 SUSTAINABLE GARDENS TRAINING WORKSHOP

From the 15th to the 17th of May, BVBIZ hosted a Sustainable Gardening Workshop facilitated by Healing Hands International. The workshop benefited both the students and the community. The workshop came with several lessons ranging from composite making, use of drip system, preparation of beds, planting, disease control, and marketing of crops among many other notables.

1.3 PROJECT PLANNING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION TRAINING

In order to drive the schools goal of having viable and sustainable projects, staff members needed training in Project Planning Monitoring and Evaluation. This training successfully took place on the 17th of May and was facilitated by Brother John Dube. Two guest preachers who had attended the sustainable garden workshop were there as well for the program.

2.0 PROJECTS

2.1 APPRECIATION

Praise Chiruka who was our projects assistant cum administrator left BVBIZ on the 5th of May. She had been with the institution for one complete year. The school appreciates her contributions to the school including fine tuning our projects drive. The school wishes her well in her future endevours.

2.2 HEALING HANDS INTERNATIONAL (HHI) DONATIONS

Healing Hands International took BVBIZ to another level by donating funds towards three areas that are key in the school’s drive towards viable projects.

2.2.1 EXTRA STORAGE TANKS AND GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION

Greenhouses are an important component in horticulture. The costs of setting them up is usually prohibitive. A greenhouse has been on the school’s wish list for long. BVBIZ is happy to report that HHI chipped in with funds for its construction. The funds were also to cater for trellising poles, trenching, fencing, laying of drip system, seedlings and initial fertilizers and chemicals. The target was for a 20m x 30m greenhouse. Instead of one, after recommendations and consultations, two were eventually put up with each measuring 10m x 33m. Further to this, a tank stand and 2 x 5000 litre water tanks were also installed.  BVBIZ faculty and all stakeholders are grateful to HHI this gesture. As of the 31st of May, the fence, fertilizers and chemicals were outstanding.

2.2.2 FOWL RUN AND LAYERS PROJECT

The intended layers project sponsored by HHI started taking shape during the last two days of the month with the arrival of 8000 bricks for the construction of a fowl run. The target is to have 250 hens.

3.0 OTHER DONATIONS

3.1 FUNDS

BVBIZ is grateful to many brothers and sisters who continue to donate in both cash and kind to ensure the training and development of preachers continue. These donations, despite the size or level continue to make a huge difference in the school’s operations. BVBIZ remains grateful to the Chirenda family who contributed $110 and the Mpofu family (Ngosilathi and Katie) who donated $500. May God bless these two families and all others who have been collaborating the school one way or another.

3.2 ALUMNI DONATION

Individual members of the alumni wing have been wonderful in collaborating the school one way or another. These members took their support to another level when they mobilized resources and bought a 50-inch Samsung Television set, a TV stand and a decoder for students. This huge gap was filled. The present student body is very happy with this development. The faculty wishes to express its profound gratitude to the alumni wing for this great gesture of giving back to their school.

4.0 PRACTICUM

The conventional class shall start its field practicum in July whilst those on the parallel program began on the 1st of May as detailed in the previous report. The following areas/congregations are going to benefit from our July – September 2023 program;

Mufakose – Harare

Kuwadzana –Harare

Chisumbanje-Manicaland

Paradise Park-Gweru, Midlands

Chivi-Masvingo

5.0 CURRICULUM PROGRESS

The following subjects are under consideration this term; James, Church Growth, Christian Spiritual Formation, Major Prophets, Church History, Advanced Homiletics, Romans, Greek and Church Leadership. The following intended workshops seminars have already been done; Sustainable gardens workshop, roadrunner (free-range chickens) production, goat production and lastly Project Planning Monitoring and Evaluation for staff members.

6.0 WHERE ARE THEY?

Each month BVBIZ endevours to trace the whereabouts of one of its graduates. This month, we focus on Simangaliso Jamela (Class of 2021).

Simangaliso Jamela is married to Synodia chinanga and were blessed with one girl. He grew interest in the word of God back while he was still at primary school when a congregation was planted in his home area. Since then the grace of the Lord has seen him through. He enrolled with BVBI in the year 2018. With the grace of God, he graduated with a diploma in Theology in 2021.

He worked briefly with Sipaba church of Christ in Mawabeni, Matebelaland South, under the work of Zimbabwe missions. He then moved to assist with the work at Amazon church of Christ in 2021 until date. This is a growing congregation that is within the premises of Amazon Christian Academy, a church school that was built by Partners for Africa. Apart from being a preacher of the word, he also teach languages at the school.

CONCLUSION

We thank God for what he has been able to do through and for  BVBIZ in the month of May. Our appreciation continues to go to our sponsors and partners for your unwavering support and to many others for your moral and spiritual support. Your feedback and suggestions are always highly appreciated. May God continue to bless every one of you. To God be the glory!

Students reaching the lost in Zambia

Introduction

Warm greetings to you all brothers and sisters! We give honor and glory to God who always gives us the rare opportunity of working in His Kingdom. We also thank Him for this privilege of sharing what is happening here at BVBI-Zambia especially during the month of May, 2023.

Students are currently on a short break. They will resume their training on 12th June, 2023.

The following are the courses for the third quarter:-

1.       Old Testament 2 (Study of the History: Joshua - Esther)

2.      Life of Christ 2 (Teachings: Sermon on the Mount, Parables, Judgment)

3.      Old Testament 3a (A Study of Wisdom literature-Job)

4.      **Elective** (Writing skills, English, World Religions)

Short Courses 1 Corinthians, Prison Epistles: (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon

As they continue their break, they also continue to be fully involved in the life-line of their respective congregations. In our evangelism we concentrated much in three districts, namely Mufulira, Mporokoso and Mbala. In all three we had our students preaching and is still going on.

Reports from bvbi-zambia alumni

1.      Gershom Chansa

Currently working with Vincent Simwanza in Livingstone has given us a good report concerning their labor for the Lord. Having visited members of the congregation and doing evangelism, they have restored seven members to the sheepfold.

2.      Austin Musonda

Has during this short break worked with Prince Chisupa one of our current student and their labor has yield good results. Together they are currently preaching to the youths at their home congregation, this has resulted in three souls being added to the sheepfold. They have also strengthened home Bible studies.

3.      Lackson Mwangala

A recently married man preaching in Chingola town on the Copperbelt province has been also chosen as a deacon of the same congregation he is preaching to. He has continued to strengthen the youths and recently baptized two of them. Beside this work Lackson is one of the beneficially of our Chicken run project, he was given fifty chicks to raise of which he seem to be doing very fine

4.      Simon Nkhazi

He is now working with Daniel Manyoni, Daniel is one of our current student just on a short break together they have baptized two young ladies and a gentle man. Simon is now known to be a hard working preacher beside his studies as a healthy worker

5.      Joseph Ilunga

Joseph has a dual citizenship between D.R.C and Zambia is currently working in Tshala Township of Katanga province of D.R.C. Joseph has also recruited Tshibamba- Muyeye Tresor together they have build a congregation from three to twenty three membership as seen in the pictures attached below. Tresor now want to enroll at BVBI-Zambia. we keep on praying for our brothers and sisters in D.R.C for their steady spiritual growth.

6.      Clive Kabika

Is teaching in one of the private schools in Kalomo District of the Southern Province of Zambia. He remains a great influence at Church of Christ in Kalomo. The report indicates that, he constantly has Bible studies during the week at the Church premises and participates fully on Sunday services. A number of men and women have been baptized and others have recommitted their lives to the service of Christ because of his efforts. We give God the glory!

We have constantly received encouraging news not only from Clive but from all our alumni. We continue soliciting for your prayers for these faithful men. We as the Institute we are now making preparations to be meeting our alumni at least once in a year at our Institute.

Baptisms/Restorations

We have recorded seventeen baptisms in the month of May and we have also recorded twenty-two restorations. Five were attended to with their physical needs and eleven were prayed for with different needs including sickness.

Mid-Week worship service

The mid-week worship service at Mikomfwa Church of Christ continues to take place every Wednesday. All our students attend this service it is also a good time for our follow ups of Bibles studies we conduct during a week.

Copperbelt Leaders Meeting

In conjunction with BVBI-Zambia, the leadership from the congregations of Church of Christ in the Copperbelt makes every effort to develop and equip all leaders in every congregation in the Province. We had a very successful leadership meeting in Mufulira a Town on the Copperbelt province bordering D.R.Congo. The Institute is now making a great impact in training Leaders on the Copperbelt, this came to light as we met on the 27th May to plan for a major meeting which will take place from 30th June to 4th July this year.

 The emphasis is then squarely placed on developing consistent leaders who are in tune with the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. Leaders representing all eighteen congregations in the Copperbelt meet after every three months to sharpen one another. 

We have constantly received encouraging news not only from Clive but from all our alumni. We continue soliciting for your prayers for these faithful men.

Conclusion

Our hearts are forever indebted to you brothers and sisters in the Lord’s Church “Church of Christ” for financial support and indeed to all our partners for every encouragement we receive concerning the work here in Zambia, Africa. May God continue blessing you in all your endeavors, you are all always in our prayers!!

In His service,

Cephas and Fred

Many successes in Guinea

I salute all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is the report of the activities for May 2023

Introduction

After 31 days of varied activities, we here at the Gueckedou, Guinea Bear Valley Bible Institute are grateful to Almighty God for all that transpired despite the challenges and would like to share with all our supporters the following events of the period.

I - Teaching

During this month of May, which marks the end of the first year of the present batch of 13 students, 4 subjects were taught as follow :

1- Hermeneutics 2 and 2 Corinthians by Antoine Fassa Tolno

1- The Prison Epistles by Niouma 2 KAMANO 

2- The Gospel of Luke by Francis Lawaley.

Results of the evaluations were satisfactory.  

Il- Evangelism

The joy for this activity is immense because our efforts were fruitful yielding a total of 30 people who obeyed the saving gospel. Of these, 26 of them are the first fruits in the village of Gbolonin where an assembly of the Lord's church was planted. 

This great success was the result of a 2 days evangelistic campaign following the rapid training of church leaders organized last April. A "rapid training" of church leaders is a program designed (by Steve and the school staff/evangelists)  to prepared men to be able to lead congregations planted following the training. 

 III- Construction

It is important to point out that the construction of worship halls is having a positive impact on the Lord's church in Guinea as a whole and particularly in the Gueckedou area which has the largest number of congregations in the country. May God be glorified for this and we are grateful to you, the Bear Valley Bible Institute International supporters and to all who are in  partnarship for our success. 

That's why our people are continuing the work, despite the difficulties and natural constraints (rain) that congregations encounter in building the walls even before receiving financial assistance. You will see attached below the Dento house with the roof, the walls of the Kendessoua and Kissidougou buildings.

IV- Sad news

This part of the report is divided into two sections

1- Desolation in Yende Bawa:

 We are sad to inform you that there is was a great desolation in the village  of Yende Bawa where we planted a congregation on February 22, 2023. Following a violent wind that occurred on 17/5/2023, about 40 houses collapsed 35 of which were for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Besides the buildings, huge other material damage was also recorded, with 12 persons injured but not life-threatening. We are truely thankful to God for His grace. 

2- Deaths

We regret to inform you of the death of our brother in Christ, Tamba Nestor kamano on May 28, 2023 as a result of a brief illness. He was a graduate of the first Bear Valley class in Gueckedou (2018-2019) and was now the preacher at the Ouende Kenema congregation. We have lost a brother and a vacuum is created!

 V- Suggestions and recommendations / Appeal:

With this report we ask all our brothers and sisters of good will and for the love of God, for your spiritual (prayers), moral, material and financial assistance for the consolation of our brethren at Yende Bawa and for the family of the deceased, Tamba Nestor kamano.

Conclusion

To God be the glory for his grace that sustains us. To the Bear Valley International, and in particular to our Coordinator Steven Ashcraft, our gratitude and thanks for your unconditional support of God's work in Gueckedou, Guinea. Lastly,  to all our brothers and sisters in Christ everywhere, sincere thanks for your every contribution to the growth of the church in Guinea. 

May God bless us all.

Amen

Progressing in Chad

BEAR VALLEY MOUNDOU-CHAD

ACTIVITY REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2023

Dear Coordinator,

It is with great joy in our hearts that we take this opportunity to provide you with some information on the activities of our training center. We hope this little report finds you in good health. Above all, receive our sincere greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Here is some information on the activities of the center for the month of May, including one week in April.

Recently our students were actively involved in evangelism and as a result 18 baptized, 16 restored, 02 new assemblies planted. During the holidays, there were 5 more baptisms, which gives a total of 23 baptized.  We glorify the name of the Lord!

Quarter break was from April 28 to May 29, 2023

The vacation went very well. Our students have sown the gospel a lot in their respective families. We believe they will reap the rewards of their labors during the next vacation. The students returned to the center a week early. The reason is, to take the course on "The Holy Spirit of God." This course was missed in the first term, because of the change of program, and the trip the director took to Cameroon for the graduation of outgoing evangelists.

The Second Quarter: from May 29 to July 27, 2023

Our second quarter officially started this Monday, May 29, 2023. We have on the program for this quarter: Overview of the Old Testament (Josué-Esther), Overview of the Bible (the life of Jesus 3 and 4), Homiletics 1, Hermeneutics 1, and the Church of the New Testament. We ask prayer for the success of this trimester.

This is some information about the past quarter, as well as prayer points for the current quarter. May the Lord, whom we all serve, bless you in all things!

In Christ,

Your servant Datoudji

More conversions in Sierra Leone

ACTIVITY OPERATION REPORT FOR APRIL, 2023

Full Time and the Extended Programs

INTRODUCTION                               

It is true that life goes along with challenges and it was those challenges (sicknesses) that made us not to have sent our April report till now. However, in the midst of all, God has been at the center. If not an overstatement, then we will say that the month of April 2023 has been the most successful month for us since the establishment of Bear Valley in Sierra Leone. The month of April captures the conversion of so many souls, evangelistic seminars, campaigns, appointment of a preacher, and the continuation of academic activities. Please may you keep on reading for the details of the highlighted activities we do this under the following subheadings:

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

Academically, our 18 full time students continued their classes successfully. On the other hand, the second semester of the first year of our extended students came to an end at the end of March. Therefore, they were given a two-week break from the 1st to the 8th April, 2023. They resumed their third semester on the 15th April, 2023. Please keep on praying for our students as they have committed their lives to studying in order to minister for the Lord.

EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN AT PANGUMA

In our January report, early this year, we informed you that we established a local congregation at Panguma, a predominantly Muslim territory. And that 5 Muslims were converted which made up the 13 converts during our one week campaign. Moreover, we informed you that there are still more people there that will come to the Lord if another campaign is being directed there. So in April (17-23), we went for another campaign at Panguma. During this one extensive work, 9 souls became obedient to the faith. We even pray for more people to come to Christ in Panguma as we send our students and staff there week in and out.

ALUMNI EFFORTS AND THE SCHOOL’S WEEKEND EVANGELISM

As you know, our graduates are busy working in the field. They are serving as preachers and evangelists in some congregations in Sierra Leone. In the month of April, our graduates from the various parts of Sierra Leone converted a total number of 12 souls and restored 15 brethren.  They continue to share their challenges with us such as financial constraints, lack of mobility, etc. If the Lord blesses anyone and wants to support some of them that have totally given themselves to the ministry, it would be greatly appreciated. Again, as you know, our students and staff are always sent on the field to practicalize what is being taught in the classroom. Thus for April, from our weekend evangelism, 8 souls were converted.

 EVANGELISTIC SEMINARS AND MASSIVE CONVERSION OF SOULS

Since the existence of the school is to purely impact local congregations and to bring many people to Christ, we organized evangelistic seminars in Kenema, Kailahun, and Koindu. These seminars were purely conducted in order to motivate brethren to be more involved in the work of evangelism. Again, these seminars were geared toward empowering our evangelistic team members with better skills on evangelism. The seminars took place from April 27-30, and they carried training and door-to-door evangelism engagements. In order to augment our efforts, our coordinator brother Steve, who is so evangelistic offered us some financial aid. Moreover, he had some of our brethren from Nigeria (Eric Okomado, Ikenna Princewill, Chidi John, Blessing Onoura, and Osita Onoura) who came and joined us to do this marvelous work. The work was so successful that we had 47 converts in all of the places that the seminars were conducted. This is amazing, isn’t it?

So for the month of April, when we combine the total number of converts from the school weekend evangelism and campaign, alumni efforts, evangelistic seminars, it sums up to 76 and 15 restorations, apart from the evangelistic teams efforts which take the next section. Please brethren, let us continue to pray for all of these souls so that they can remain true to their calling.

As you know, apart from the evangelism that is done by the school exclusively, we have also set up evangelistic teams. For the month of April, the Evangelism Teams were able to carry on the following activities:

KOINDU TEAM

As reported earlier in the month of March, the Koindu Team was not able to conduct its first Gospel Campaign due to the painful demise of its leader, Emmanuel Focko. However, a new leader has now been appointed and by God’s grace, the Koindu Team has now successfully conducted their first Evangelistic Gospel Campaign in Yengema Community from the 11th -16th April 2023. During this campaign, the Team members led by Brother Omoru Sahr Focko converted nine souls which marked the establishment of a new congregation. Since then, the team continues to conduct weekly evangelism to nurture these new converts and add more souls to the church. The team usually goes on Saturday to conduct evangelism and worship on Sunday. The Team is grateful to the School Administration for supporting the work by providing the PA system. However, the Team continues to plead with the School Coordinator Steven Ashcraft to also help in providing Motor Bike to aid the work in terms of mobility to be regularly visiting the new converts, mission trips, and effective gospel campaigns.

KAILAHUN TEAM

The Kailahun Team continues to be actively involved in evangelism. As reported earlier, they conducted their first Gospel Campaign at the Kossiala Community. Also, they conducted their first Gospel Seminar at Kossiala from the 26th – 30th April, 2023. At this spiritual exercise, nine souls were added to the church. Michael Sahr Triyoh taught on “Understanding the New Testament Church” while the team Leader Brother Alfred B.N. Tengbeh taught on “How can one be added to the New Testament Church.” On the 30th of April, the number of congregants was 62. This new congregation has eighteen converts altogether (8 males and 10 females). The team continues to nurture and strengthen this new congregation by conducting daily weekly evangelism and worshipping with them on every first day of the week. The team continues to appreciate Brother Steven Ashcraft for his financial support and most importantly, for providing the team with a PA system. This PA system was effectively used during this seminar and will be effectively used during the subsequent campaigns and seminars. In fact, the availability of the PA system has encouraged us to continue to work for the Lord since we were desperately in need of it. May God continue to bless you richly with our dearly beloved brother Steve. However, we are still not without challenges in terms of mobility. We pray that may God bless you in no time for you to provide us with at least a new Motor Bike to ease mobility cost. Also, as the new congregation continues to grow, we are facing challenges in terms of worship structure. However, we are putting plans together to see that we erect a structure by early next year. Your support in whatever little way it may be will be greatly appreciated.

KENEMA TEAM

The Kenema Team, headed by Brother James Borniea also continues to carry out its Evangelistic activities. Since the establishment of the new congregation at Hanga, they have continued nurturing and strengthening it by daily Wednesday Bible Study and weekly evangelism. They usually go to Hanga on Saturdays for evangelism and worship with them on Sundays.  Even though Hanga is a completely Muslim dominated community, yet the Lord has called out some from among them to be added to the church. The school administration together with the team members has observed that another massive Evangelism Gospel Seminar Campaign should be held in Hanga to strengthen the new congregation.  The team is grateful to the school coordinator for providing them with the PA system to aid the work.

FREETOWN TEAM

The School Administration has now been able to have a formidable team in Freetown headed by Brother David Thoronka. Having a Team in Freetown has been a challenge. As it is common with metropolitan cities, many people there are always busy. However, there are always those that are committed to the cause of Christ. The Freetown team comprises six members. The team is scheduled to launch its first Gospel Campaign from the 23th -28th May, 2023 at Songo Town. The Theme of their first campaign is: “Launch Out into the Deep” (Luke 5:4)

KONO TEAM

The Kono Team also continues to carry out its evangelistic activities. As reported earlier, their first gospel campaign was launched at Kuyor where they started a new congregation. They continue to be involved in weekly evangelism, visitation, and restoration. In April, the Team converted four souls. The team is grateful to the school coordinator for providing a PA system to aid the work. The PA system will be used effectively for the work of evangelism. The team is still not able to provide pictorial evidence since none of the team members has any smartphone. However, the field work continues to be done.    

BO AND MAGBURAKA TEAMS

As for the Bo and Magburaka teams, their activities will be reported as we continue in this year. They did not conduct any evangelistic campaign so that they could establish congregations like the other teams, but they were also able to engage in personal and door-to-door evangelism. They are also working harder.

APPOINTMENT OF A PREACHER

Sometimes ago, we informed you that the influence of the school in the affairs of the local congregations all over Sierra Leone is worth noting. Since God wants the Church of His Son to be led in a manner prescribed by Him in His holy writ, we encouraged one of the local congregations here in Kenema, Kamanda Street Church of Christ to take this concern seriously. The congregation appointed Brother Benjamin Tamba Thomas, one of our students in the extended program and our computer instructor as their preacher. The event was officiated by some of our staff and it ended very successfully. May we put Brother Benjamin in our prayers so that we will always have the grace to carry out the Master’s mandate.

CONCLUSION

Thank you dear brethren for patiently going through this report. We continue to appreciate your partnership in all aspects. May the Lord keep us till we could meet to share the good news of another report.

 Thank you very much.

Peter Sahr Makundu

For the KBVBI SIERRA LEONE