Helping Churches in Ghana

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE, NSAWAM, GHANA

SECOND QUARTER REPORT, 2023

Introduction

Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. The following were our activities for the second quarter of 2023.

Classroom Activities

There were four courses offered this quarter. First, Old Testament 2 (History), which was taught by Emmanuel Odeng Larbi. Second, Research and Academic Writing, which was taught by George Osafo. Third, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, taught by Emmanuel Aidoo and finally, Prison Epistles, also taught by Emmanuel Aidoo.

Evangelism

In the month of June, our students embarked on a month-long community radio preaching campaign at Adoagyiri, Nsawam, as part of their practical training requirements. Each Saturday in the month of June, at dawn, our students preached simultaneously on four community radio platforms (for the first two weeks) and then on three community radio platforms (for the final two weeks). So committed were the students to this assignment that some who had never spent the night on the school’s campus did, so they could involve themselves in this work. We had a woman (a prospect) call one of the groups to thank them for their message on God’s judgment. The impact that was made is seen in the fact that the leaders of the Adoagyiri church of Christ have actually petitioned our students to continue this work for the foreseeable future, with the church taking care of the expenses. We believe that God has been glorified and our students have picked up valuable experience in this regard.

Impact on Congregations

Our students continue to make impact in the various congregations where they serve as preachers and teachers of the gospel of our Lord. I was at hand to oversee the teaching of some of our past students and they did well. Also, what we hear of our current students is nothing but praise. This certainly is due to the sound teaching our students receive at the feet our instructors. Long may this continue.

New Student and Advertisement

This quarter, we admitted a new student by the name of James Ofosu. This is the third student we have admitted this year. The past two graduations have massively reduced our number but with our students having been commissioned to serve as “voices” for the school in their various congregations and an advertisement campaign, organized from time to time on social media (and which has borne fruit), we hope to see an increase in our number over the coming months the Lord willing.

Student Profile

Brother William Danso is the student we are focusing on for this quarter. He was baptized in 2011 and is the preacher for a new church plant at Nyamekye in Accra, a church which he planted. He also works as a metal sprayer to support himself. His zeal for the Lord’s work is evident to all. He is very liberal in his praise of the school as evidenced by this statement about the school: “Among the schools in Ghana that I know of, Bear Valley stands for the truth and is trying very hard to promote it.”

Conclusion

We are grateful for Bear Valley’s assistance during this quarter. We pray God’s blessings in this regard. And brethren, please continue to pray for us.

Lectureship in Warri, Nigeria

REPORT OF THE BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE – WARRI CENTERS

APRIL –JUNE 2023 

It is another opportunity for the school to express her immeasurable joy experienced in the service of the kingdom. The quarterly Bear Valley report constantly affords the opportunity for the various schools to examine what has been done in each quarter. It gives a glimpse into the progress or shows the need for improvement in the work of the kingdom. The Warri centers are greatly thankful to the Bear Valley Family in Denver USA, and all other associates for the constant support.

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

DSC CENTER

In April 2023, classes resumed and Solomon Usim introduced the course “Intertestamental Period.” The class was interesting as many of the students looked forward to knowing more about the apocryphal writings, especially as it relates to Judas Maccabees. However, little did they know that the echoes from the intertestamental period were more enriching. Thus, it was interesting to learn that groups like the Pharisees and the Sadducees; the Sanhedrin; Feast of Dedication; and so on, did not originate in the Old Testament but grew out of the intertestamental period. A total of seventeen (17) students sat for the exams.

Moreover, in May, Meredith Owvromoh exposed “Prison Epistles” to the students. Prison Epistle, are four books of the New Testament (Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon), written by apostle Paul while in prison in Rome. Besides the book of Philemon that was written to an individual, the rest were written to congregations to correct, warn and exhort brethren to be better followers of Christ. A total of 16 people attended.

Finally, in June, Solomon Usim discussed “Building Bridges in Marriage.” The lesson helped the students to understand the various covenants, pillar killers in marriage and how to organize a marriage seminar for couples. A total of 20 students sat for the exams.

PTI CENTER

The PTI Center resumed activities in April and Godwin Ojocheogwu exposed the Book of Romans. The book Romans insists that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Thus, the remedy for sin lies in justification by faith in Christ Jesus and not by the works of the law. A total of 12 people sat for the exams.

In May, Abiola Vincent had the course on I, II Timothy and Titus with the PTI students. The course was focused on Paul’s instruction to Timothy and Titus on how to build and sustain a good ministry work. The course gave proper direction on how to institute biblical leadership in the church of Christ. A total of ten (10) students sat for the exams.

Lastly, in June, Godwin Ojochegwu, took the students on the Epistle to the Galatians. The discussion centered on Christian and justification by faith and not by the works of the law. A total of 12 students sat for the exams.

CHALLENGES

The quarter experienced a bit of relief from the effects of the political situation in Nigeria. The elections ended and the new government came into power. However, the new government in power has constantly increased the fuel pump price. This has affected some of the students adversely, especially those coming from afar. Some well-to-do students have continued to support the transportation of preachers, who are working hard to see themselves through the studies. Thus, attendances have continued to fluctuate.

Secondly, for sometimes now the school has had challenges with the computer system. The director, Solomon Usim, since inception, has used his personal computer in computing the school results. Unfortunately, the computer got bad and the school made a request to Keith Kasarjian, President-BVBID Extension Program. This request was graciously answered. The school has been able to purchase a laptop and a three-in -one printer at the cost of 600 dollars. This has alleviated the difficulty. The school management here is thankful for the prompt response.

BREAKDOWN OF THE FIRST QUARTER’S EVENTS

1.     Number of Students- forty-seven (47) twenty (20) at PTI and Twenty-Seven (27) at DSC.

2.     Number of Campaigns held by students/teachers this quarter- one (Non).

3.     Number of Baptisms from Evangelical work by students/teachers reported this quarter (14).

4.     Number of New Congregations Planted-Non

5.     How many Teachers are in the school? Four (4)

6.     Number of Churches Restored-Non

ANNUAL LECTURESHIP

The Warri Centers of the Bear Valley Bible Institute held her Maiden Annual Bible Lectureship on June 17TH 2023. The lectureship theme was: “Understanding Church Discipline.” The school had observed, and from the reports given by the preachers, who are also students, that they do not understand how church discipline works. The observations showed that some congregations do not allow for church discipline, especially where it relates to disassociation (Disfellowship). Some congregations therefore harbor members who are not legally married to the woman they are living with. In fact, some of these congregations argue that “Credit Marriage” (This is a situation where a young man impregnates a girl and the father of the girl asks them to go and live together until they have money to perform the marital rites. However, where any member of the family dies, the young man is not recognized as an in-law until marriage rites are concluded) is an acceptable marriage. In some other congregations around the area, a disfellowshipped member is allowed to worship and participate in all activities except communion. Some congregations allow disfellowship members to attend church services but sit at the back seat. Such individuals leave when the last “amen” is said. These varying belief systems needed to be addressed. Thus, the reason for the lectureship. The lectureship was a huge success. In fact, over four hundred persons were in attendance. The school provided food, drinks and other logistics. The school plans to be holding such lectureship annually to address issues plaguing churches in the area.

CONCLUSION

It is a great privilege for the school management to be partnering with the Bear Valley Family Denver, USA. The work has been tasking but God has always been of great help. The quarter has been an interesting one with the lectureship and the turnout of events. May our loving father bless all those who are supporting the school. May all the resource persons be blessed as the work progresses in Christ’s name, amen.

Luanshya, Zambia students are using their God-given talents

July, 2023

Report

Introduction

The month of July had been very fruitful in our evangelism and other developmental programs for the School. Teaching Christ to others has indeed made a tremendous impact upon our lives and those around us. As we send this report to you brothers and sisters, we give honor and glory to God our heavenly Father who through His grace and the love fully expressed in Christ has granted us the opportunity to work for Him in His kingdom.

Our hearts have been over warmed with activities at our institute premises; we hosted women of the Copperbelt churches of Christ to shape them for better services in the church. They came in good number about sixty six (66) women were present. This was meant to equip them for better services and training young women in the church.

Three days of Evangelism in Luanshya:

We had a very successful evangelism in Luanshya which resulted in four souls being added to the church. We have had good midweek services at Church of Christ in Mikomfwa which is attracting the community at large. Students are leading in teaching, and taking care of all the activities or acts of worship being done during our midweek service.

We are also doing other work at Mikomfwa as we prepare for the garden and students are putting up a permanent sign post at the same place as seen in a picture attached. This was done after a door-to-door preaching. We are discovering good talents among our students, we have discovered that three of them namely Rodrick, Levy and Ishmael are very good artists and they are leading others in writing on a sign post.

A one day women meeting at BVBI-Zambia

As already mentioned, we invited women of the Copperbelt in the church of Christ for a one day meeting on 29th July 2023. This came as a result of a complaint that women are being neglected in terms of gospel equipment. They came from six districts on the Copperbelt province namely Chingola, Mufulira, Kitwe, Ndola, Kalulushi and Luanshya. They represented eleven congregations and we had a very successful meeting starting from 08:00 A.M to 04:00 P.M and they went back spiritually enriched. We also had recorded five (5) restorations during the meeting.

The women were very excited and called for more such meetings as they were served with good food too by Catherine and Janipher our stuff members at BVBI-Zambia.

Quarterly men’s meeting at BVBI-Zambia

We hosted men as leaders in the local congregations as a district at school premises, we normally have these quarterly meetings in order to strengthen and motivate leaders at a local congregation. We have four congregations in Luanshya district and each congregation is represented by at least four (4) members.

The meeting takes about six (6) hours starting from 10:00 A.M to 04:00 P.M. It was a great meeting where leaders are encouraged and motivated to serve in the church. We have attached the pictures of this meeting below.  

Baptisms:

We would like to announce the addition to the church of Christabel Mwape, Afred Kateti, Otry Mudenda and Justin Chinyemba these where added to the church in the month of July. May these souls continue to walk with Jesus forever they are wonderful addition to the family of God. Please remember them in your prayers.

Restorations:

In addition to the above saved, we have also recorded sixteen restorations of which nine are from Luanshya district, three from Zimba Southern part of Zambia through our Alumni Daniel Kapata. Two from Luapula province through Nicholus Mulubwa and one from Mbala Northern part of Zambia by Reuben Museka.

We pray that one day we may have enough funds to call our Alumni for refresher courses and sharing for the fellowship once again, this has been a call from all our Alumni.     

Another gospel campaign loading

Central province: We have been invited as the Institute by the church in the Central province of Zambia. We are expected to be there on 24th August to 27th August 2023. We are expected to do evangelism with the church there and we are also meeting with men from various churches of Christ in Zambia and if possible from all the ten (10) provinces we have in Zambia. This is going to be another vital experience as we preach Christ.

We anticipate this time to be a great time for our students to interact with the Church at large and we believe it’s a good practical experience for our students to interact with various leaders in the church as we preach.

More good news from Tshala district in D.R Congo

Tshibamba Muyeye one of our prospective students recruited by Joseph Ilunga our Alumni is constantly in touch with us and is working with a congregation which started with three members and now they are ten members. In the picture attached below Tshibamba is wearing a green shirt. We are working on him to attend classes with short courses with us since he is very late in this intake.

In conclusion

Meaningful service to God manifests the presence of Him by the joy that characterizes everything done by His servants. Our hearts’ desire that we serve Him and we need to do that both “in spirit and in truth” to be His Ministers. We are so blessed to be part of the Bear Valley Bible Institute – International and always thankful to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for financial support and all the encouragement in this noble mission. We pray that God will bless the work that you all are involved in.

This is the right time for God’s Servants to revive the New Testament service to God that kind of service that made sinners fall on their knees and acknowledge the presence of God among the believers. Please stay safe and well.

In His service,

Cephas and Fred

Togo school encouraging preachers to "Wake Up!"

OPERATING  REPORT  BEAR  VALLEY  INSTITUTE  KARA – TOGO

(Second  Quarter 2023)

 INTRODUCTION

Greetings from West Africa. My Family and the churches around Kara send you their greetings. Our Powerful Lord continues to help us in His mission and we continue to achieve great joy by doing this work. This work is not progressing so fast like we wanted, but we are moving forward step-by-step. Your support for this work is giving fruit that constitutes souls we convert to Christ gradually and we are very thankful. We sincerely thank our Lord for your love.

OPERATING  REPORT

1-      Number of the Students : 10

2-      The courses already taught :

a-      Logic : by Kagnon  Luc

b-      Hebrew and The Holy  Spirit :  by Fidele

3-      The courses that will be taught during the third quarter 2023 :

a-      Romans : by Rodrigue

b-      Revelation : by Kagnon  Luc

c-       Denominational doctrine : by Fidele

4-      Instructors’ meeting :

During three months passed, Instructors focused on the practical training of students. They have encouraged students for this practical training. They reminded the students that the work of the Evangelist is seen in his ability to convert souls. They have let them know that practical work is very important. Students were sensitized for practical work in Soumdina Pida. These students were able to convert two (2) people. Overall, the Instructors rejoiced in the effort of these students in practice. Other practical sessions are planned in the future.

 1-    DESCRIPTION OF CONGREGATIONAL ACTIVITIES WORSHIP AND EDIFICATION

a-      Worship and edification :

With the students and other preachers, we continue the edification of local churches. The teaching on the local churches now is titled : “The Mission of the Local Church”. Many began understanding the role that members of the church must play to help the growing digitally and spiritually local church. Our desire is to build strong and mature congregations in the future.

b-      Campaigns :

We have organized two campaigns :                                                                                                                                                 Campaign in Sandate(April 2023) to help the local congregation with door to door work during one(1) week. At the end we have : 2 women baptized ; 04 persons restored.

Campaign in Lama (Mai 2023) to also help the local congregation. At the end we had 3 women baptized and 2 persons restored.

c-      Evangelistic efforts :

With the help of one another evangelist, we  organized the work to help local congregations grow. We work diligently in the villages. The problems encountered in these villages are related to the organization of the Catholic Church and the denomination's influences. But our vision is to do all our effort to implant in each locality the church of Christ.

With the practical training in Soumdina Pida with the students we were able to baptize two persons.

We have organized the local churches leaders training in Kara with the general topic : “Our commitment in the mission of Christ”. Many leaders  participated in this training. Everyone returned home full of joy with a decision to make the mission of Christ successful in northern Togo. To this training, we noted the presence of other evangelists of Kouka.

2-      Seminar :

We organized a seminar for evangelists in June 2023. The topic that allowed the meditation of all was : “Evangelist, Wake up from your Sleep” (Rom. 13 : 11-13) to help each evangelist to become aware of the evangelist work he must do with diligence to expand the Kingdom of Christ.

3-      Radio Program :

We were currently able to meet with the Radio program one of the denominational members with whom we started a Bible study. He is very happy. We need your prayers seriously.

4-      Upcoming Program :

-          August 2023 : Seminar of young people and children

-          September 2023  : Seminar of Men and Women

In Christ,

Fidele

Two new church plants in Nigeria

Report Of Bear Valley Bible Institute Weekend School, Ondo State (April to June, 2023).

Dear brethren,

I am very grateful for the grace of life given to us all. I want express our thanks to our esteemed Bear Valley Bible Institute, Denver, Colorado and the leadership of the church at Bear Valley for their massive support in the spread and training of gospel preachers in Africa, particularly Nigeria! We are grateful and l know the rest of the schools here in Nigeria will continue to appreciate this gesture as well. Thank you.

Evangelism Report: The School in Ondo City center with the assistance of the church in Yaba, Ondo City have established the church of Christ in Oka, Ondo City! Three days of evangelism and open air preaching was organized on April 14 - 16, 2023, with all the students in attendance! All glory, honour and Majesty is returned to God for the grace given for His work. God's worship started on April 16, 2023 with 17 members in attendance. The church at Oka is growing with two more members becoming a member of the church! All our evangelistic activities is geared toward Oka area now! All the instructors and the students were on ground for this work on April evangelism for the School! The church at Oka needs continuous prayers for massive growth.

Also, Gospel Chariot team was invited to Ondo City by the School and the church in order to assist us more on massive evangelism work! The team arrived in Ondo City on the 17th of May, 2023! They spent two weeks with us in Ondo City! We preached open-air in six locations in Ondo City. More than 50 prospects were contacted and gospel engagements are still on with them! We pray and believe our God will harvest their souls for Him, Amen.

Also, in Akure center they are not left out in evangelism fervor. Akure center also through the help of God have established the church at Alade, in Idanre local government area. Evangelism program was organized by the church at Leo with the Bear Valley School as partners in progress on the 31st - 2nd April, 2023! The church at Alade started on the 2nd of April,2023. All the students of Akure study center were present in the gospel exercise! Thereafter, two of our students were sent to assist the church every Sunday after the establishment of the church there! Reports gathered that the church at Alade is growing gradually to the glory of God. Beloved of God, We have established two congregation of the Lord already! Glory be to God Almighty, Amen.

Classroom Activities: In Ondo State, classroom activities were carried out successfully. In April, 2023, Brother Godwin Emmanuel taught "Personal Evangelism". While in Akure center, Brother Victor Fasonu taught "Homiletics -1.

In May, 2023, Brother Victor Fasonu taught "Homiletics -1 in Ondo Center, While Brother Godwin Emmanuel taught "Personal Evangelism in Akure study center.

In June,2023, Brother Victor Fasonu taught "Christian Home in Ondo City center, While in Akure study center, Brother Rowland Matthew taught "New Testament Church - 2 in Akure Center! With all honesty, the students were grateful for the studies so far! 

Brother Sunday Odiagbe is a member of the church at Ayeyemi in Ondo City! He is 48 years old! He is married with kids. He is a humble brother in the church! He is a good and honest Christian. He's learning very fast in God's righteousness more through the school. His aim of studying with Bear Valley Bible Institute is to know the Scriptures with certainty! For him, knowledge of God's word is more important than anything else in the world! I hope he will be become a preacher in the nearest future!

Financial Report: As a school, we are blessed with our needs! All thanks to all our supporters! Thank you, all.

Miscellaneous: We are enjoying God's grace and provision from the School in Denver, Colorado! Thank you for your support! We truly appreciate.

Beloved of God, thank you, brethren, for your help in the work of training sound and Bible based preachers in the 21st Century! We will continue to work with the strength the Lord God Almighty has given! We will not disappoint our God in this assignment and continue to be the best to the glory of God, Amen. 

Fasonu Victor, Coordinator,

Bear Valley Bible, Institute, Ondo City,

Nigeria.

School in Chad starting strong

BEAR VALLEY MOUNDOU-CHAD REPORT- JUNE 2023

INTRODUCTION:

We attribute the fact that we can still write to you at the end of June of the year 2023, to the divine grace of God that is upon us. May this same grace be your portion, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!  Below you will find information relating to the activities of BEAR VALLEY MOUNDOU-CHAD. You will find information about our academic, evangelism, and Alumni activities. May the peace of God be with you as you read!

OUR ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES:

We open the information on the academic activities of the Center with a word of thanksgiving. We say a sincere “thank you” to the leaders of Creekside, and to all those who directly or indirectly contribute in helping us in our activities. May God, who is the source of all blessings, return to you a hundredfold! In accordance with the close adherence to our program of academic activities, we have one week left to close our second term with the course, “God's Plan for the Salvation for the World.”  We glorify God for the very smooth running of our activities. We notice that the level of retention of course explanations by our students is progressing well compared to the first term. However, we ask you to continue to pray for these learners, that they can continue to overcome the few challenges they may face. Please pray also for their evangelism internship period and vacation time that lies between July 08 and August 27.

OUR EVANGELISM ACTIVITIES:

As the Lord wills and the leaders propose, evangelism is the priority of our activities as we also recognize that this is the purpose of our Center's existence. The people of our locality are beginning to willingly accept the presence of students and are more willing, allowing our students to share the gospel with them. Thus, the Saturday evangelistic outings have become a very interesting and fulfilling portion of student life. We have even begun to receive visits to the Center by those who are wanting to discuss the Bible. The number of visitors to worship has increased in the past month. There has been one baptism since the beginning of the second quarter. We hope that next quarter will be even better. May the name of God be glorified!

BEAR VALLEY ALUMNI ACTIVITIES (ALUMNI):

Regarding the activities of the former students of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Cameroon – Mbanga who reside in Chad, we have not organized a campaign for a semester. We intend to relaunch our activities in October. The results of our activities in the past years were very satisfactory, especially in the year 2021. Pray that this year will still be the best, especially with the evangelists results.

OUR DIFFICULTIES:

We did not experience any serious difficulties in the second quarter. In terms of health, we are seeing a slight increase in cases of illness. This is normal because we are in the middle of heavy rains and malaria is prominent. We are thankful to God that we have not had any very serious case. God's hand is on us!  We ask you continued prayers for the student evangelism internship which begins on July 8th.

CONCLUSION:

The staff of instructors, the students, the assembly of the Center and I, say thank you for your very strong and momentous partnership.  What a partnership we have that is allowing us to help saves souls in our locality. We have nothing to offer you in return, but we pray to God through Jesus Christ, the one who called you and entrusted you with this noble mission, to grant you good health and all kinds of blessings for the continuation of our mission. Thank you also, for your kindness and understanding. May God bless you all in Jesus Christ!

In Christ,

MADJIBEYE DATOUDJI

Bear Valley Moundou-Chad

Meet Khembo, a student in Malawi

Meet the Mwale Family

Khembo was born in Malawi in a little village called Kasiya. At seven, his parents moved to Zimbabwe which at that time was called Rhodesia. Khembo returned to Malawi with his mother when he was fifteen. He found Malawi very strange, and it was difficult for him to make a living. Due to the hard life, Khembo was not able to go beyond an eighth grade education. Through instruction from his mother, he learned to grow the food they needed to survive. Before coming to school, Khembo farmed 35 acres to provide for his family. At one point, he tried a small business but was not able to keep it working.

Khembo met his first wife in his twenties, and they had five children. In 1996, she died leaving Khembo with the children and hard burden of care and food. In 2000, he married Falesi to whom he is still married. They have six children together. Of the eleven children, eight have married, and the youngest three are still at home in primary school. 

After the death of his first wife, Khembo was baptized in 1997. Khembo believes he has a great responsibility to work for the Lord. He is very thankful to be here at the school and learning as much as he can. At age 64, Khembo is the oldest student. As would be expected, Khembo struggled when the classes began. It had been almost 50 years since he had been in school. However, through hard work and a determined mind, Khembo has been able to do very well. 

Falesi has been a tremendous asset to the student body. In addition to caring for her own children, she is the campus “grandma”. If the other mothers need to leave campus for food, she is more than willing to watch their children with the same nurturing heart she has for her own. When a little child gets upset for one reason or another, she is more than willing to hold and wipe the tears away. 

A Dedicated Group

At this point in the program, we are over half way through the classes. Even though the schedule is very rigorous and the classes are getting harder, all the students are keeping their noses to the grindstone. The students will have a longer break at the end of July, and then they will return for the last 16 classes. Please pray for these families to continue to stay focused and finish strong. 

Dale Kastner

Entire congregations restored in Kenya

Dear Brethren,

We have resumed classes from July 3rd to  August 25th, 2023. The teachers we have are 6 in number, three regular ones: (Charles, Nixon and Elias) and three American short course instructors (Rowand, Ray and Dr. Reese). These teach 7 courses: (1 Samuel -2 Chronicles, Church Planting, The Gospel of Luke, Ezra -Esther, Leadership, Marriage and the Gospel of John). Students are twenty in number.

This is  K.S.O.P current students  report for June holiday. We rejoice to inform the brethren of good news about 4 local congregations that have been restored by our current students during the holiday. In June 16-18 this year, six students namely Caleb, Nicholas, Dominic, Daniel, David and Emmanuel attended a gospel meeting in response to an invitation extended them by the host congregation in Kericho county. This meeting included 5 different churches that had turned unsound for many years more so because of lack of knowledgeable preachers and elders. The six were given a chance to teach and answer questions in the areas where these congregations had difficulties, which problems revolved around  worship and leadership: hand clapping, use of instruments of music in praising God (drums specifically), solos and choirs and women teaching or preaching in the churches. The students out of love, taught and answered the questions given them in a very clear and understandable style that most of those who were present were convinced and challenged. Preachers and elders from four out of the five congregations that attended the meeting responded positively, confessed to have led many astray. To the student's surprise, one elderly man from the host church brought out two drums which he himself had introduced and used in the church. On that Sunday of June 18th, all  hand clapping and drums were done away with and worship was done in spirit and in truth.

On July 6th, a group of eight older men, all the way from the 4 restored congregations in Kericho county, visited KSOP.  They said that they have heard for the first, about Kenya School of Preaching from these current students. They came to see if surely such a school exists and the  teachers. The delegates were grateful for the training that goes on here. They themselves declared to us how the six students had spoken graciously and convincingly to them in the meeting. They also requested that the school spare them a chance in next intake, for their 3 or 4 approved and recommended preachers from the restored churches. 

They were thankful to have met the very students as well. They wondered at what makes the difference between KSOP and other preaching schools in Kenya. Charles and I took a picture with the eight as is shown in a photo of ten above. 

Without doubt, if there is any community of people with many established congregations of the Lord in Kenya, it is the Kalenjin community (in the former Rift Valley Province). The problem is that there are some, not all, unsound churches. Our prayer and effort is for their restoration and these students have begun it even before they are through with their studies here. This encourages us greatly.

Other students in other communities also gave good reports from their work in 20 congregations where they served during the holiday.  They baptized 11 people into Christ and restored 9 individual backsliders to church fellowship. Below are sample of pictures  of baptisms by the students and that of the visiting brethren from the 4 restored congregations in Kericho county.

 May all be blessed!

Your brother, Elias Omollo.

New school in Accra is doing well

Bear Valley Bible Institute International, Accra East

Second Quarter Reports - 2023

Courses taken

The first quarter started on the Friday 07th April 2023 and ends on Friday 30th June, 2023. The following are the courses taken within this quarter:

·        1 Corinthians

·        Evangelism II (Church Planting)

·        Prison Epistles

·        The Book of Acts

Report on the students

The attendance was stable in this second quarter. The average attendance was nine (9). The commitment level was very high.. 

House to House Evangelism  

Apart from the first quarter Evangelism campaign which took place on 04th and 05th March, 2023 at Gomoa Asebu, the School has not taken any major Evangelism campaign in the second quarter. However, as usual the students have been going to Gomoa Asebu on rotational bases to support in evangelism and edification. Nmai Djorn church has been the major supporter of the school’s evangelism campaign because both two churches Santor and Gomoa Asebu were planted by Nmai Djorn church. However, because currently the church building the meeting place for the brethren at Gomoa Asebu and at the same time constructing a small mission house for my residence, this has brought pressure on the church’s finances. So has become necessary for the school to assist in the sponsoring the students to carry on the house to house evangelism and edification on rotational bases at Gomoa Asebu.  

Three baptisms were recorded by the students, John Achie-Quophy, Boi church of Christ and Moses Antobam, Santor church of Christ. John Achie baptized one person and Moses baptized two.

New church to be planted – July 30, 2023     

The school has prepared to undertake its first church planting this year in July 30, 2023. In the beginning it was only one place that we did the feasibility studies, which was Gomoa Pomadze. But while preparing the students I also went to Breku in the Central Region. Bro. Isaac Amo, a student doing his Master’s degree at Bear Valley Bible Institute,Accra is staying in that community. His picture is attached. Upon his invitation I went to see the place on the 20th June, 2023. He pleaded with me that since Pomadze meeting place and the student going to assign to take care of the new church are not ready we should shift to his place first if it could be possible. I went to his place and we did feasibility studies and indeed the place is ripe and it is also a fertile ground for church planting. They are Akan speaking community and very much populated than Gomoa Pomadze. 

According to him he will be available to take care of the church. He is also staying in his own residence. A Christian brother staying in that community has also promised to offer us his big hall to use it for the meeting place till the church acquire her own land. I have promised him to go there next week that is the first week in July to finalize the meeting place. I will communicate with the Co-coordinator Kojo Acquah and the Administrator by next week to give them the final report on our preparation towards the planting of the new church. By next week the exact location will be determined.

We thank God that the students took their course on Evangelism & Church planting this quarter all in preparation towards this year church planting.  

Other information

The regular students’ passport pictures have been neatly designed and delivered to the administrator to process for the acquisition of student ID cards.

Big plans in Accra

End of June Report, Accra

Glory be to God for a successful ending. Through His providence, all activities went on successfully, none of the instructors experienced ailment, and everyone is doing well and kicking. Also, we are grateful for all your support throughout the quarter.

Classes & Vacation

Classes went on successfully as the following courses were taught: The Book of Romans, Christian Leadership, 1 &2 Peter, Old Testament 5, Intertestament, The Book of James, Computing, and Communication skill, with all examinations conducted. The school vacated on 11th June 2023 and resumed on 2 July 2023 respectively.

Bachelor’s programme

Currently, we have two (2) batches pursuing the programme i.e. Bachelor One (1) and Bachelor Two (2). The second batch met on the 16th and 17th of June and studied Advanced Hermeneutics One (1) by Brother Emmanuel Amoo-Gyimah. The class was very interesting enlightening everyone, on the way of interpretation.

On 22nd June, the first batch also met to study Advanced Hermeneutics Two (2) by Emmanuel Amoo-Gyimah.

Campaign Plan

In our previous report, we reported about the campaign held at Twerebo and Botokora. The next plan is to revisit the towns once again to check on the impact of the gospel preached. We shall also focus on the other two towns closer to the school site thus Duaeden and Paanor. It is our greatest hope that our visit to these towns will yield fruit for the Lord.

We are also planning to have information centers built in these towns to facilitate our preaching programme.

Bear Valley Top Radio Programme

We are much impressed to have you updated on the wonderful works of God. Our listeners keep calling even when on campus and in our homes. Others also come in to request the audio to listen once again. We also added books such as Voice of the Truth with our stamp and contact, to be shared freely with anyone who is interested to read out the truth. Through these calls, some prospects have received counseling regarding the load of frustrations and challenges on their neck. Through this counseling, a man who planned suicide due to massive challenges has repented. This depicts that many love and appreciate the truth. We always pray that our radio programme will convert more souls in various places to the glory of God.

We plead with you to keep remembering us in your prayers.

Talk With Our Past Students

As part of the school’s planning activities, the staff has been meeting to find a day in November 2023 to meet with all students for the purpose to strengthen them to hold firm the doctrine of Christ which they received during their schooling. As we know that our Lord is well pleased when we keep to His instructions.

At this time, Brother Keith will be passing by and will stop over to speak more of the way of Christ and the rules of Bear Valley in America before leaving for other countries. We are looking forward to his safe arrival.

We hope the Lord will bring our brother safely to Ghana and we are praying that this programme will be successful and yield good fruits.

Reaching Souls outside of Accra

KOFORIDUA EXTENSION SCHOOL

REPORTS FOR SECOND QUARTER (APRIL – JUNE)

Prologue

Thanks be to God for seeing us through another quarter of learning and other activities.

Students

Two additional students have been added to the class. They are Agbogbo Mensah Kwaku and a lady named Priscilla Bay. The students’ population is now seventeen (17).

Courses

Three courses have been taught. They are congregational development by Kwabena Gyan-Mante, Bible Geography by Paul Larbi Young and Minor Prophets by Kwabena Gyan-Mante.

Students Activities

Students continue to play active roles in their various congregations that they worship as they teach and preach. One Ahiaba Agbenyegah to mark the tenth year of the church that he is working with establishment with the theme, “Ten years, what next?”

Plans Ahead

On July 23rd, Lord’s willing, students are going to visit eight congregations around to advertise for students. Then from September 26th – 30th we will be at a small to preach publicly. After that will be for an establishment if the Lord will in November when all underground is completed, we need your prayers.

Additional tables and chairs

Two tables and chairs have been bought for the use of our two new students.

Library

A shelf has been built with some few books from Bro. Kwabena Gyan-Mante’s library. We are waiting for books to fill it to help the students with their learning.

Conclusion

Once again, we continue to be grateful for your support. We pray together we could bring many to the Lord’s Kingdom for salvation.

208 bibles studies in Nigeria

With a thankful heart to God Almighty the maker of the entire universe,  I wish to once again profoundly appreciate the entire family of Bear Valley School for prayer and support we continue to receive. This has grossly enabled us to carry out our class activities, evangelism, teaching and preaching every week in our various congregations here in Taraba -Nigeria.

In the past three months, (April - June), brother Aorabee Terkule, Sr taught Leadership in the local congregation and Christian Ethics, while I, Elkanah Itom Madaki, taught Church History. Funds for the months were received and properly used.

Apart from our normal door to door evangelism, we had an intensive Campaign for Christ in the city of Yola in the neighboring Adamawa State. The three churches of Christ that meet in different locations within the city were fully involved.

In total, we were able to conduct two hundred and eight bible studies involving three hundred and seventy people. Seven souls were united with Christ through water baptism, eleven souls were reunited with Christ and one congregation restored.

I am glad to also inform you that one of our instructors (Egbwakoteh Bala ) got married on the 18 April 2023).

Yours in Christ, 

Elkanah Itom Madaki 

Special efforts in Cambodia

We send our greetings to you all brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ! We give honor and glory to God who has given us this rare opportunity to work in His Kingdom. This is another good time to report what was happening at IBISR’s school in Siem Reap Cambodia during June 2023. We would like to thank you for taking the time to read this report and look at these recent photos.

Adding to the Family!
We were full of much joy that we saw three souls put into Christ by being baptized! It is always such happiness to see souls added to our family. All of them are from Siem Reap Church of Christ. Two of them are a couple and they have a son.  Please pray for these new babies in Christ so that they may grow in the image of His son Jesus Christ.

Short course:
Brother Wes Autrey taught I, II Timothy, and Titus which has helped our students very much as we are young Christians and young preachers.
We are so pleased to brief you on the short course in those books. We spent time together for two weeks in the classroom. In class, we have a lot of fun and study together. The students very much enjoyed the class. We were pleased with how the 15 students from Battambang and 12 students from Siem Reap joined together both virtually and physically in sacrificed their time to make that course finished successfully.

Lady Bug Camp:
Christian camp in Cambodia was attended by the students, staff of our institution, and including the ladies from Siem Reap and Battambang Church of Christ members. In that camp, we had 43 female participants who are Cambodian Christians from different regions. What a beautiful day for Christian ladies in Cambodia. It is a very great time for ladies to spend time studying God’s words and having fun together for two nights and three days without men. We are thankful to Wes Autrey and his wife Teri for their big love for us in Cambodia. 

Prayer:
We always need your prayers for encouragement. Remember our new brothers and sisters in Christ who just got baptized into Christ.  And also remember (Mai) one of our students in IBISR’s Bible school just lost his grandma one week ago.

Servants of Christ.
Piseth Rin and Darat Run.
Co-Directors IBISR

Evangelism in Enugu

BVBI ENUGU STUDY CENTRE - NIGERIA

April to June 2023 Report

The second quarter of 2023 ended with 9 students as one of the students dropped due to challenges of the family and economic situations. Also Bro. Nwaba Raphael (One of the Instructors) relocated to Calabar by the month of May 2023, so the centre is left with 2 instructors but 2 persons have been contacted to come for interview for the replacement of Bro. Nwaba Raphael of which hopefully the interview and submission of the necessary documents will be concluded this month of July 2023 so that the new instructor will handle the month of August 2023.

The students went to 2 congregations on different Sundays for campaign in month of June 2023 and will still visit other congregations in this July and August. Please note that their visitations are done on Sundays, therefore their studies are not affected.

From January to June 2023, the students have been able to cover 6 courses in addition to the ones they covered in the past years.

Within the 2nd quarter, the center was seriously involved in evangelisms organized by Akwuke congregation and their efforts are highly felt.

Appreciation/Conclusion

We are grateful to the wonderful coordinators of BVBI outside and within. The financial/material supplies and prayers are highly appreciated; words are not enough to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you, may God bless and keep you all, may His mercies and steadfastness never depart from us all in Jesus name - Amen.

Thanks and remain blessed.

Bro. Patrick Makwe P.

For BVBI Enugu Study Centre

5 more souls added in Lagos

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE

IKORODU - LAGOS, NIGERIA

The students and the staff of Bear Valley Bible Institute Ikorodu Study Centre greet everyone of you in Jesus name (Amen).

1. The number of students in Ikorodu Centre is 18.

2. The lectures we have treated from April to June are:

April: 1 Corinthians- teacher: Bro Gbenga Ilori

May: Hermeneutics Introduction: Teacher: bro Okoro Chinyere

June: How we got the Bible: Teacher: bro Suleiman Usuff

3. Campaigns on the month of May 1st 2023- this involved both students and teachers. We had open air evangelism and house to house evangelism. Five souls were baptized and three were restored back to the fold (Church)

4. In Ikorodu Study Centre, we have three teachers: bro Mfon Etim, bro Okoro Chinyere and bro Lucky Uzoyare.

5. Seven of our graduated students are now preachers in various congregation of the Lord's Church. They are: 

Bro Gospel (Ijebu)

Bro Israel (Ebute)

Bro Duro (Erunwen)

Bro Tola (Adamo)

Bro Benson (Ekiti)

Bro Akinyemi (Ijede)

The Students and the staff of Bear Valley Bible Institute Ikorodu appreciate you for your contribution to the spreading of the gospel in Nigeria. We say thank You for the opportunity to work with Bear Valley Bible Institute. We are grateful to you.

Thank you for supporting us to train out brothers and sisters. God bless you, Amen.

 Bro. Mfon Etim Adeh

(Director, Ikorodu Centre)

A new congregation in Nigeria

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE NIGERIA       

AGEGE STUDY CENTRE 

REPORT FOR SECOND QUARTER 2023

May all glory and honour be ascribed unto God Almighty for His grace and mercy towards all of us at Agege Centre during the second quarter of the year 2023. We glorify the name of the Lord for giving us the required enablement to carry out all our activities and programmes as scheduled and in line with the Bearvalley Bible Institute laid down rules and standard.

CLASS ACTIVITIES

All class were carried out and completed as scheduled and as required by the Bearvalley Bible Institute in the quarter under review.

Three courses were successfully completed during the quarter in the following order:

1. The book of I Corinthians was taught by Brother Gbenga Ilori in the month of April.

2. In the month of May, Brother Suleiman Yusuf taught the course – How we got Our Bible.

3. The quarter rounded off with Hermeneutics, which was taught by Brother Etim Mfon. To God be all the glory that the courses were completed in line with the required procedure, with tests, assignment and examination completed at the end of each month.

CAMPAIGN (EVANGELISM)

The centre continued to evangelise Aboru, a town in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State in an attempt to support and strengthen the newly planted church (congregation) in the area. We however, need prayers of all of us so that the gospel will penetrate the area as the area is highly populated by Muslims which has made it more difficult to preach there. We believe that with prayers and hard work, we will very soon start having positive results, to the glory of God.

APPRECIATION

One thing very obvious is that without the efforts and supports of our sponsors and directors, the programme would witness set-back and may not operate successfully. We therefore appreciate the efforts of our sponsors and directors, especially Brother Keith Kasarjian who has made it a point of responsibility to visit on regular basis to ascertain the progress and challenges we face and give suggestions on how to improve on our activities. He made such visit this quarter, precisely in the month of May.

May God continue to bless all of you. We also appreciate the support of Chad Wagner on his relentless efforts to keep the programme going, as well as every other supporters and sponsors of the programme; may God Almighty continue to bless you in your endeavours to expand His kingdom on earth.

STUDENTS' POPULATION

We owe God all the gratitude for adding more students to our centre. We started the quarter with ten (10) students, but by the grace of God, we ended the quarter with fifteen (15) students. Our prayer is that God should continue to increase the number of students more so, those who truly desire to learn and preach the word of God (the gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection), in order to expand the kingdom of Christ on earth and prepare the world populace for eternal life in heaven.

CONCLUSION

We once again appreciate the blessings of God Almighty and the support of our directors and sponsors which has enabled our centre to thrive in our programmes and activities. Our prayer is, May God almighty continue to empower and enable all of us to relentlessly continue to contribute our parts in training dedicated men and women who desire to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Emmanuel Chukwuka Odo

Bear Valley Bible Institute Agege Study centre                           

Lagos State, Nigeria

Much activity in Ibadan

Beloved in Christ Jesus.

Grace, peace and mercy be multiplied unto you all from God our Father and from Christ Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer.

Below is the summary of our June activities in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 OVERVIEW

1-.Weekend Outreach

2. Fourth Semester Classes Concluded

3. Church of Christ, Ijero-Ekiti restored

4. World Bible School follow up team

WEEKEND OUTREACH

The students and staff of BVBIN & SWSE-Ibadan continued in the evangelization of both rural and urban area of Western States of Nigeria throughout the weekends in the month of June and the Lord added five souls to His body and two erring brethren restored to the Lord’s glory.

FOURTH SEMESTER CLASSES CONCLUDED

The last semester for 2022/2023 session began on May 08 and ended on June 30, 2023. Bro Isaac Olaniyan handled LOC-4 (Book of John), Pastoral Epistles and Research-2; Bro. Kayode Eniafe handled Homiletics-2(Practical), Church History and the Book of Revelation; Bro. John Makinde handled Islamic Religion and Elementary Greek; Bro Samuel Effiong handled Christian Ethics and Bible Geography; Bro. Israel Tajomavwo handled Fundamentals of Faith-1, Church Growth 1&2 while I, Bro. Makinde Ebens handled Foundation of Mission, Homiletics-3(Advanced) and Church Leadership & Administration. Next academic class will begin on August 14,2023 Lord's willing.

CHURCH OF CHRIST IN IJERO-EKITI RESTORED

With the financial assistant from a close associates of our Grand Patron(Bro. Doug Wheeler) named Rod & Robin Thornton, we( BVBIN & SWSE-Ibadan staff and some students) and some WBSFUW( Bro. Olusegun Amos, Bro. Lawanson Akinola) were able to restored the Lord’s church in Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti State which was planted in 1993 by the effort one of SWSE- foundation members (Bro. Adebowale Olayisade) but disbanded ten years ago due to the sickness and financial incapability of Bro. Adewunmi Funso, the preacher.

We worked in the evangelization of the town of over 10,000 populace from June 15 through 18 with three evangelists from Ekiti and one from Osun State in house-to-house evangelism during the morning time and Open-air-Bible Lectureship  in the evening time.

To God be the glory, our efforts was blessed with two restoration (Bro & Sis. Adewunmi Funsho) and conversion of two young ladies(Oluwatosin and Oluwadarasimi).

The school provided food and waters plus transportation fare to all the participants while Bro. Adeyiwolu Isaac (one of our graduates and a present Degree students) accommodated all the participants(Nine from BVBIN & SWSE-Ibadan).

WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL FOLLOW-UP TEAM

Our WBSFUW were able to distribute over 2,000 WBS Introduction lessons in the months of May & June to get more students to enroll for the free Bible Correspondence Courses in Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti States.

To God be the glory, over 500 was returned to the WBS Office in Lagos in May and over 200 in this month of June plus other WBS lessons from the students.

ACCOMPLISHMENT

With the intervention of Bro. Keith Kasarjian and the financial support from Bro. Joseph Smith of Healing Hands International, we were able to redig our first borehole that stop functioning in the early days of May 2023. In fact,”…God caused all things to work together for good to those who love Him…” Rom.8:28.

The problem with the first borehole on May, now give birth to the second borehole in the school community. Rod & Robin Thornton of Westside Congregation in Oklahoma who happens to be a close associate of our Grand Patron (Bro. Doug Wheeler) assisted us in getting a second borehole for the School in Butubutu Village, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria which will be opened for use in two or three weeks time.

ABOUT A STUDENT

Bro. Asang Abel Rimamnda was born in the year 1998 by Mr & Mrs Asang Samuel at Badji village located in the North west region of Cameroon. He was converted into the Lord’s church in the year 2016 at a refugee camp in USSA Local Government Area of Taraba State by Bro. Japhet. Got an admission into BVBIN & SWSE-Ibadan in the year 2020. He is presently one of our year- 2 students. His purpose of coming here is to be a sound gospel minister both in Nigeria and Cameroon.

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. Our students will embark on a six weeks practicum, that is, teaching practice on July 01 through August 13, 2023.

2. Our  WBSFUW will make visit to Igarra in Edo State,Idofin and Omu-Aran in Kwara State between July 6 and 14,2023 Lord’s willing to encourage the brethren and Churches of Christ in this two States of Nigeria.

3. Some of the BVBIN & SWSE  instructors will participate in this year Great Workshop, a program for WBSFUW and evangelists in the Southern states of Nigeria and Abuja (FCT) between July 26 and 29, 2023 at Port - Harcourt, Rivers State 

CONCLUSION: 

We deeply appreciate you all for your moral and financial supports toward the growth of the Lord’s Church in Africa, Nigeria in particular.

May the Lord keep on blessing all our work together in Christ Jesus, Amen.

Sincerely His & Yours,

Bro. Makinde Ebens (The Chief Servant of BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN and WBSFUW)

Liberian school finishes the school year strong

May 2023 Operation Report

Tracts Received

Bro. Fester G. Lee, Dean Of Students BVBI-L on Thursday May 18, 2023 left for Monrovia to receive from Bro. Alfred Beyan some Bible Tracks donated by Mission Printing to BVBI-L. Unfortunately, there were some mistakes in allotting those tracts to the appropriate locations from Monrovia. Tracts designated for Ganta were mistakenly taken to Sierra Leone. Later, Bro Ashcraft suggested those tracts are returned to Ganta from Sierra Leone. But, considering the cost of transportation and custom formalities at the border, we also suggested that those tracts remain be Sierra Leon and be used.

How be it, Bro. Beyan assisted us with few cartons of his consignments for the evangelism work in Nimba County.

Below are the categories of tracts and number of cartons received from Monrovia:

1.      47 cartons of GTI Tracts

2.      16 cartons of the Preacher

3.      2 cartons of the Used Library books

4.      75 cartons of tracts from Bro. Alfred Beyan

We appreciate and recognized the efforts of Mission Press for taking the gospel out to needed and defending the truth. Those tracts and many others received in the past have tremendously helped the evangelism works here in Nimba and will carry us a long way in improving the works of God’s Kingdom in this part of the world.

Please keep us in your individual prayers as we take on the task of propagating the gospel. 

Meeting with the Landlord

On Sunday May 28, 2023, we received on BVB-L Campus Mr. Sylvester Zorr, the Landlord of the school compound from Monrovia to do a final assessment on the school building for renovation work. The administration on May 4, 2023 informed him of the deteriorating condition of the three buildings on the compound. The main building used for schooling is leaking seriously from the roof (the director’s office, Staff bathrooms and the class room). After his assessment, the landlord asked the interim administration to find a constructor to do a comprehensive estimate for those buildings and get back to him.

We discussed with him also to review the lease agreement, and it was accepted. We are yet to come up with the date for the revision.

Concluding With Batch Three (2021, 2023 School Year) 

Come July 31, 2023 Bear Valley Bible Institute-Liberia Extension will be finally concluding with Batch three (2021-2023 School Year). We are so grateful to God first and appreciative to the Bear Valley Family for their numeral supports bringing us this far in managing this batch in the mist of numeral challenges.

The interim administration appointed in December 2022 to steal the affairs of the school, has unanimously worked with the Batch three year two schedules for quarter six (6) and seven from February 20, 2023 to date and has successfully absolved most of the require courses except few for the month of July 2023 which will bring us to the end of this batch, getting us to prepare for their graduation.

As the school year comes to an end, we have successfully concluded Quarter six (6) which runs from February 20, 2023 to May 14, 2023 teaching all ten courses (nine Biblical courses, a general Agriculture course and a computer course (introduction to Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Suit). A week break was given from May 1, to May 7, 2023 and classes resumed on Monday May 8, 2023 to conclude quarter six which ended May 14, 2023.

Below are Quarter six courses:

1.     Short Course - Bible Geography

2.     Short Course - 1, 2 Timothy & Titus

3.     Old Testament IV

4.     Life of Christ IV

5.     Christian Ethics

6.     Romans

7.     James

8.     Homiletics II

9.     Computer Study

10.     Agriculture

Quarter seven begins May 15, 2023 and ends July 31, 2023 bringing us to an end of the school year 2021-2023 for Batch Three.

Agriculture And Computer

 Our studies at the Bear Valley Bible School in Liberia are not limited just to classroom activities, gospel campaigns and evangelism. Our students are taken through the skills in general agriculture and Computer Science with the anticipation of supporting their families through computer knowledge, crops production and animal rearing after their graduation from this institution. This special program is hugely focused on the practical aspect than theory.  Presently on the farm we have cabbage, sweet corn, hot pepper and garden eggs (Bitter Balls).

We are very much grateful for this special skill being allowed by the Bear Valley School to upgrade our students for their future ministry. 

Weekend Evangelism And Preaching Assignments 

As we continue to mode the minds of our incoming gospel ministers, the BVBI-L administration keeps engaging her students to the practical aspects of their training.

As a requirement of the school, our students continue to engage the communities in and around Ganta city where the school is located, including other congregations in Nimba County during their regular weekend campaigns. This measure is put in place to enable the students carry on the practical aspect of their training in various congregations in the County. They are involved with door knocking (house to house evangelism) and preaching the gospel.

To accomplish these weekly tasks in the face of various challenges that have to do with transportation, rain falls and bad road conditions in our county, the instructors continue to make individual sacrifices by providing means to send the students out to various Congregations during the week ends for practices. They leave every Fridays to their assigned areas after school to enable them carry on their door knocking (Personal Evangelism) before Sunday Worship Service.

This has been working very well, because the students used the evening hours to visit members and people who are back home from their daily duties, encouraging them for church services the following day.

Since the introduction of this exercise, their works in those different locations has tremendously help the work in Liberia especially in Nimba County.  Twenty one (21) baptism has been recorded from eleven (11) congregations visited by our students and many backsliding brethren restored. This effort is not only affecting the church positively, 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 for God guardians as they continue this key aspect of their careers.

Kind Regards

The Administration

BVBI-L

Peru school learns more about planting churches

Greetings dear brothers and sisters.

We are halfway through the course, thank God we have Abraham Alata and Andrés Nuñes in charge of the courses this bimester (The Deity and Planting Churches). They have written a brief review on the progress of their respective course, which I will share so that you can read what they themselves have written about it:

Abraham Alata on the course "Divinity":
The course on Divinity has fallen into my responsibility, which will be taught for the space of 2 months during 8 Saturdays 4 hours every Saturday from the months of May to June. During the first month we have been talking about theology as the study of God, how can one know God, general revelation and special revelation. During the month of June the following topics will be covered: the Trinity and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Additional reading material has been handed out. The evaluation of the students consists of quizzes every Saturday, memory verses, a final exam, participation, notebook notes, and the reading of the distributed material. There are 8 students in my course, 5 in person and 3 online. There is a student who has been coming sporadically.

Andres Nuñez on the course "Planting Churches":
Duration time: 2 months (May and June)
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The brothers who are participating in the course are 7 . Since May 2023, I have the pleasant opportunity to continue teaching my classes as a teacher at the Bear Valley Bible Institute Peru School. On this occasion with the course "Planting Churches" motivating students with great enthusiasm, to know, learn, and know how to Plant a new Church. At first, during its development, they were very struck by the fact that evangelism is the main base, then discipleship, and in the end the church is fully established in the chosen place, but with a missionary vision.
The course consists of three main points that are:
I. EVANGELIZE (With strategies that work) TO EVERYONE (John 3:1:21; Luke 5:1-11). How to evangelize?
II. DISCIPLE (Up to the highest level, Life Transformation) (2 Timothy 2:2). How far to teach.
III. PLANTING CHURCHES (With a global missionary vision) Reproduction of churches (Acts 9:31). What kind of churches? With World Missionary Vision.
Up to this moment the brothers are understanding that lately and until now many mistakes are being made in establishing new churches in another place, since campaigns are carried out for several days, souls are won, then they are abandoned to their fate, because nobody is left to teach them and if someone is alone it is for a few days, then they are still alone.

In the end the work always remains unfinished and the work was in vain. So the students are seeing and learning what is most important for the new church established in any part of the country to be more solid, strong and committed to the Lord. The students are very eager to participate in the evangelism, campaigns, in any activity carried out by other churches, they feel that desire to attend and support the work of the Lord.

Thank you for taking a little time to read about the progress of classes at BVBI-PERU.

Your server Juan Abanto.

Successful gospel meetings in Zambia

June, 2023

Report

Introduction

We send greetings to you brothers and sisters! We give honor and glory to God our heavenly father who through His grace and the love fully expressed in Christ has granted us the opportunity to work for Him in His kingdom. The month of June has been loaded with a lot of activities at our learning institution and outside and especially on the Copperbelt where we are.

We have good news and sad news from one of our student body. 

Alumni update:

Mathews Mwale currently in Lusaka west of Zambia has been involved in evangelism with the church and as a result of this effort we have recorded three conversions of three young males. We have also recorded two conversions and one restoration from Northern Province of Zambia where Reuben Museka is working.

Lackson Mwangala, one of the beneficiaries of the Chicken run project at BVBI-Zambia, was given fifty broiler chicks, two broiler starters, and four broiler finisher to raise them and has so far done a great work with the church in Chiwempala Chingola. We have recorded eleven restorations through his preaching.

Our June/July Gospel Meeting-2023

We had a very successful gospel campaign which was held at Church of Christ in Mufulira on the Copperbelt province. Mufulira is just thirty minutes (30) drive from the boarder of D.R.C Congo; eleven congregations were present at this meeting for five days. We also had two brothers from Congo and promised to spread the news about our meeting. We hope next year we are going to have more brothers from there. All our students were involved in the activities of the meeting and were teaching in groups as seen in pictures below.

We had a similar gospel meeting in August last year and the theme of the Gospel meeting was “The will of God”. The lessons are still being talked about by those who attended the meeting. Brother Cephas ably delivered the message; this time brother Fred Kanangu delivered the massage under the theme “The World and the New Testament Church”. He also taught about “Social Media and the Church” the bottom line: Avoid getting lost in the negative effect of Social Media.

The total number of those who attended the meeting was two hundred and eighty-five (285). At the end of the meeting we recorded three Baptisms and four restorations. Many Christians are encouraged with such meetings and vowed to advertise the meeting to many Christians back to their home congregations to attend next year if God is willing.

On sad news, a student lost a child

Arnold Silangwa one of the current student body, lost his only child last month. Burial took place on Friday, 23rd June, 2023 in Mansa, Luapula Province of Zambia. Our prayers and thoughts are with him and his family.

Good news!

We are happy to announce that through BVBI-Zambia and with the help of Healing Hand International the Church of Christ at Mikomfwa, Luanshya now has a borehole with a solar system in place. This is the place where we as Institute in Zambia expect to meet most of all the churches of Christ here on the Copperbelt province to sharpen and encourage them to hold on to faith and keep the doctrine of our master Jesus Christ. When we hold gospel meetings the challenge has been water now with availability of water such meetings will be very successful

The cry has been water for so many years and it has now come to pass the community will benefit too. Indeed Jesus said that when we show loving concern for others, we do it to him.

In conclusion

Our hearts are always thankful to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for financial support and all the encouragement in this noble mission. In deed you are among the great servants in the history of the church of Christ as you encourage us to be among those greatest servants as we follow the footsteps of Jesus. We pray that God will bless the work that you all are involved in.

May our God bless the entire Bear Valley Bible Institute International as we serve Him, Please stay safe and well.

In His service,

Cephas and Fred