41 baptisms in Tanzania

About school is doing well. Classes are still continuing  with our 4 teachers Iddy Nyabusani, Justine Rwaha, Zuberi Mwakyami and Essau Ruheta.

Still we have 3 classes,every Saturday for Temeke (11 students) na Mbagala (5) with that of Monday (10). Total number of students in classes until September were 19. 7 students of Saturday are attending Monday classes. From July until September 2023, 11 students completed courses and waiting for their graduation to be held on 12 November if God will.

Evengelism is conducting every corner of Dar es Salaam, 41 new Christians were baptized through teachers and students at Bear Valley Bible Instute Dar es Salaam in 3 months 

We have started a 4th church of Bonyokwa (30 adults christians) the new congregation, through Bear Valley school. Others are Vikindu, Mwanambaya and Tabata.

12 Students from Tanzania Bible School ( certificate  level)are yet registered to join Bear Valley January 2024 after their graduation this year.  We invite you joining us in prayers for the work God in Dar es Salaam and invite you to the graduation ceremony 12 Nov 2023.

Otherwise with thank you and Bear Valley Management International for not forgetting us in every steps. May God bless  you and your families you People of God for your encouragement in every aspect.Amen

Ombeni Mwambata

Dar es Salaam

Reaching out in Lagos

SABO ONIBA/LAGOS ISLAND CENTERS REPORT July–September 2023.

Introduction: God’s faithfulness knows no bound. What looks like endless years is gradually coming to an end. The first set of students in Lagos Island Center is about to complete their 48 courses. There is hope that those who meet the qualification will graduate this December. We, therefore sincerely appreciate your effort in spreading the Gospel but more in empowering us to be fishermen in order to prepare great harvest. The effect of your sponsorship can not be over emphasized, we thank you sincerely.

We are scouting for new students in Lekki-Ajah axis which is the new Lagos. We have 4 new students presently hoping that more will join before the end of the year. I want to also thank God for being part of the year Great Workshop and Port Harcourt Center graduation ceremony. The goal of helping out as local missionary is working out as I spent 2 Sundays in a month in the last quarter visiting and encouraging young congregations in Lagos. We hope to start organizing leadership program for them.

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES IN SABO-ONIBA/LAGOS ISLAND: Three courses were taken in three months respectively in the two centers. Augustine Ani took the Major Prophets (Ezekiel and Jeremiah) and Akanimoh Archibong taught them in Life of Christ: the Book of John and Suleiman Yusuf lead the class through Romans. In Sabo-Oniba, the resident minister in the person of Joseph Okonta will be officially retiring from the Pulpit Ministry after serving for 48 years in Ondo and Lagos state respectively. Our classes continued as Christian Evidence was led by Akanimoh A while Prison Epistles was directed by Okoro Chinyere and Scheme of Redemption  taught by Monday Unoke. With your support the school is waxing strong, Sabo is having 2 new students enrolled while another 2 will commence studies with us at the Island in month of October God’s willing. The instructors are cooperating in spite of the biting economy and we are having excellent performances from both students and instructors.

CAMPAIGN PROGRAM/MARKET EVANGELISM:  Both the School at Sabo Oniba, and that of  Island stormed the Sabo Oniba and its environ to evangelize the area on the 30th September, 2023. It was a fruitful outing as a soul was baptized at Ijanikin on Suday.

Correspondence Work with WBS Online

Lagos Team Work: We hope that the team will become active soon.

Online Students Activities: 127

Under Follow Up:   3

Competed Lessons:  5249

Certificates Awarded: 1364

Baptisms: 4

CONCLUSION: The last three months came with its challenges but thanks to our father in heaven for the enablement and your support, we look forward for more fruitful quarter ahead.

Thanks and God bless you all.

TIM IWE (Self Made Slave for Christ)

Sabo Oniba/Lagos Island Center Director

Students take personal evangelism personally

September, 2023 Report

INTRODUCTION

May the grace of our Master be with you as 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.

1.     BVBI-Zambia (Evangelism)

Students have intensified evangelism as assigned by the School. They have been given targets of people to preach to during each week. They are currently taking “Personal Evangelism” as a course of this quarter with Brother Cephas Mwamba. And they are determined to translate what they are learning in class to put it into practice.

And as the result of this work we have recorded a number of souls being added to the sheepfold for the past one month. We have also recorded a good number of restorations

Three of our current students namely Tryvin, Levy and Richard spearheaded evangelism in Kitwe district working with other members of the Church in that area for one day. This work resulted in six souls being added to the church.

2.     Vital Signs:

i.                 Number of Bible studies conducted during the month of September, 2023 – we have recorded hundred and twelve (112) households visited in the month of September. We conducted fifty-five (55) household Bible studies

ii.               Number of Baptism during the month of September, 2023 – we have recorded thirty-three (33) baptisms, out of this nineteen were recorded in Kitwe district and twelve were recorded in Luanshya district, two were recorded in northern province in Mbala district.

iii.             Number of Restorations during the month of September, 2023 – we have recorded twenty- three (23) Souls restored back to sheepfold. All on the Copperbelt province and in three districts were we have done our evangelism 

3.     Meeting all the youths on Copperbelt in the Lord’s church

Youths from Copperbelt Churches of Christ are meeting on 27th to 29th October, 2023 at Church of Christ in Kitwe district for helping youths to understand better their participation in the ministry of our master Jesus Christ. Brother Cephas Mwamba will be teaching on the Title the Timothy Generation today. This will include taking the example from Timothy and His service to God.

In readying for this program our students have been encouraging youths in the Churches of Christ on the Copperbelt, and the meetings so far have been very encouraging. During this meeting some of the students will be given time to speak.

4.     Our alumni work

i.                  We have very exciting news of our former students who worked in a paramilitary area here on the Copperbelt province to revive back the congregation which ceased to exist in the area for more than twenty years. Two of our former students spearheaded in reviving members and repossessing a building structure which was hijacked by Pentecostal group known as “prophetic ministries”.  

ii.               Gershom Chansa and Vincent Simwanza both 2022 graduates worked tirelessly for the whole month of September in restoring and reviving this congregation. Missionaries like Rod Rutherford, eddy Crookshank and others established this congregation in the early 70s and bought the place in Kanfisa constituency of Kitwe District where they used to congregate with the locals. But when they left in the late 80s the locals just stopped meeting probably due to lack of Leadership, this gave the opportunity to this Pentecostal group to start using the Church building for over 20 years.

The good news is that this year in the month of September and by His power the building was repossessed without any difficulties. Vincent is also a gifted artist wrote on structure as seen in the picture below.  A restoration of more than eleven members was done and baptizing of fifteen (15) new members. Gershom Chansa is now a preacher to help this congregation to grow and also to avoid mistakes. The church is now meeting as seen in the picture below.

Blessing of marriage:
Once again we had a blessing of Marriage in Kitwe which was done by brother Cephas Mwamba. The church invited us for this occasion which was at Church of Christ Kitwe Central. A young brother to brother Fred Kanangu by the name of Sekwila Kanangu and Hellenic Banda were blessed into holy matrimonial on 5th October. We remain a blessing to the Church as we continue to receive such invitations. 

CONCLUSION

Indeed there are numerous things that can be done in our service to God to build and revive one another if we would just do it when we see it.

We as part of the Bear Valley Bible Institute International are very grateful for this partnership and our hearts are forever indebted to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for their monthly financial support and all the encouragement they offer in this noble mission.

God bless you all! 

In His Service,

Cephas and Fred

Attached are some of the pictures taken during the month of September, 2023.

New congregation planted in Tirupati, India

October 7th,2023

Respected  director Mr. Keith Kasarjian and our coordinator Mr. Mark Reynolds and all the prayer partners, greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ. We pray that this letter finds you well. We thank you so much for your prayers for our BVBI extension centre.   We would like to submit the brief report for the month of September-2023.

Class room work:-   We are happy to share with you that our classes are going on well. Students are happy to attend for the classes and follow the notes and do their memory work and write their  assignments on time.   We have given the break from September 15th to October 15th. In India all the secular schools will be closed until third week of October 2023.

October 16th & 17 th Youth camp arrangement:-  Our BVBI extension centre is giving top priority to train up young people in India.  As schools and colleges are closing in the month of October on account of Hindu festivals . We approached  30 local churches in our two districts. We request them to send  4 young people from each congregation. We expect 120 young people for the 2 day youth camp. We plan to train them how to reach lost  souls with the gospel of Christ while they are in secular colleges or jobs. We request you to pray for this 2023 youth bible camp.

BVBI-Involving and encouraging local preachers:- We identified local preachers who work in rural areas without proper training. On September 15th we have invited 20 village preachers from the coastal areas and conducted a one day bible class at Vidyanagar . We taught the outlines of the  book of Matthew and also provided a platform to discuss their field work report to learn from one another. We request you to pray for these gospel preachers’ work with rural people and their spiritual welfare.

BVBI- Campaigning  for the blind people :-  We conducted a one day Bible camp for the visually challenged people on September 14, 2023. After the camp we distributed 25 audio bibles for blind people. We humbly inform you that some of the blind people travelled 500 K.M to receive audio bibles.  So far we have baptized 42 blind people, and a few other people are studying with us. We request you to pray for the visually challenged people in India who are interested to study the word of God. One of the BVBI graduated students has been active in doing ministry among the blind people.

Blind person ‘s funeral service : In the month of September on behalf of BVBI we were able to attend the funeral service as one of the blind brother died in Nellore city. His wife is totally blind as we. They have 2 children . 

Planting new local congregation: In the month of September we started a new local church at Sathyanarayapuram . This place is located in the east side of Tirupati City. We encouraged our last batch BVBI  student Mr.Yovel and his wife Sujatha for the progress of this new local church.

Campaigns :- We have conducted 2 campaigns in Abedkar colony, Tirupati rural  in the month of September . Mr.Yesurathnam is Jeep driver who supported for the success of the campaigns in this place.

Back to the Bible classes:- We try to help denominational people to bring them to the NT doctrine.  We have conducted 4 classes for the Pentecostal denominational people in September. The leader and his wife there are seriously studying the word of God. We request you to pray for their conversion.

Visiting local universities  :-There are seven secular universities are located in our city where thousands of student are studying their secular studies. We are continually seeking interested students  who want to study the Bible with us. We have come across one of the  men who came from Nigeria for his Ph.d education . We started a personal bible study with him. I taught these following lessons with him regarding the church as he belongs to a denomination which was established by a human being . Lessons I taught : 1.Meaning of the church, 2. Coming of the church, 3. Establishment of the church, 4.Identity of the church, 5. The Name of the church, 6.Organization of the church, 7. Entering the church, 8. Worship of the church, 9. The Work of the church, 10. Unity of the church, 11. Creed of the church, 12. History of the church and 13 The church today.  We request you to pray for him so that his soul may be converted and added to the lord’s church (Acts 2:47).

Staff meeting:- We conducted our staff meeting in the month of September. We discussed several things for the development of the BVBI extension centre . We distributed responsibilities for October 16th and 17th Youth bible camp.

Thanks meeting : Our BVBI library in charge Mr.Jaswanth has received his first baby so we travelled to his wife‘s native place, Venkatagiri town, and attended the thanksgiving meeting on September 26, 2023. We request you to pray for the new baby and family. In fact his brother’s father-in-law is a preacher with the church of Christ. There were several local preachers who were able to attend for the meeting.

Home Bible studies at labor colony:- After the class our staff and active students work in conducing the home bible studies in the labor colony.  Home Bible study is the  wonderful tool for converting the lost souls in India. We are very interested in home bible study ministry which helps us to  share the gospel to unsaved and equip the saved people in .

Guest teachers:- We are happy to share with you that our guest teacher Mr.S.Vijay Prakash has booked his train tickets today to travel to our Bible School. Lord willing in November he will be teaching .

We are ever grateful to BVBI for your continual prayers and encouragement. This BVBI is the blest platform where we can cultivate young people to use their talents for preaching the gospel of Christ . We need your continual prayers and encouragement. We love and appreciate your love.

Thanking you.

Your brother in Christ.

Vijay and staff  from BVBI- Extension centre  Tirupati- India

Well-Rounded education in Gweru, Zimbabwe

SEPTEMBER 2023 NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

God’s favor continues to be seen with the passing of each month at BVBIZ.. September had her share of these. Space may not permit to detail all. This report is a summary of what transpired in September including evangelism (with 34 baptisms and 19 restorations, beginning of a new term, projects, exchange programs, resumption of a new term among some other developments. These and more are reported below.

1.0 SCHOOL RESUMES

All students came back from their field practicum on 24 September to begin a new term. The school began with training in entrepreneurship skills development, Advance Hermeneutics, Greek and Hebrew. The following is the full list of subjects and their teachers;

Hebrew                                                                K.Madira

Advanced Hermeneutics                                     K.Madyira

Greek                                                                   K.Madyira

Hebrews                                                               D.Estep

Phenomenology of Religion                                H.Suwari

Entrepreneurship Skills Development                 S.Chiunga

Biblical Counselling                                            M.Muchingami

Marriage and Family Development                     I.Mutichu/M.Muchingami

Minor Prophets                                                     I.Mutichu

African Traditional Religion                                I.Mutichu

Introduction to Systematic Theology                   I.Mutichu

The following seminars and workshops are scheduled for this term

Tree Nursery Management and bee keeping                              Forestry Commission

Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation                             S.Chiunga

Communication: Report writing and Phone Journalism             J.Kumunda

Theology of Disability                                                                 M.Moyo

Administration (for staff only)                                                     M.Chitendeni

Strategic Management for Churches                                            LT Zungunde

Drug Abuse                                                                                  L.T Zungunde

Preachers and leaders who wish to participate in the seminars above are highly welcome

 2.0 EXCHANGE PROGRAM

For the second time, BVBI-Malawi and BVBIZ-Zimbabwe embarked on an exchange program where our full time instructor, Ishmael Mutichu visited the school in Ekwendeni, Malawi from the 16th to the 23rd of September.  He went to teach the Synoptic Gospels for one whole week. Great appreciation to brothers Ephron Mbano and Clergyngton Harawa for hosting Ishmael during his stay. We also thank our Regional Director for making this possible. These programs have been important as ideas are exchanged in the process

3.0 FRUIT TREE NURSERIES AND BEE KEEPING TRAINING

The school’s drive to inculcate life survival skills to students continued with training on tree nursery management (including budding and grafting techniques) and bee keeping. Both students and staff attended the training from the 29th to the 30th of September through a partnership with the Forestry Commission. Aside from the training, the school is going to be assisted to set up a nursery for fruit trees. Students were taught how they can begin such projects as income generating projects for their families and communities.

4.0 PROJECTS UPDATE

4.1 HORTICULTURE

Harvesting of tomatoes in the greenhouse began towards the end of the month. It is projected that more sales will be made in October. More sales were also realized through lettuce and butternuts.

4.2 LAYERS

The layers projects picked up in the month of September. The last week saw production of eggs averaging between 80-90%. The project has 250 hens. At 55%, the project is able to break even. Students are exposed to this project as well as part and parcel of their training in life survival skills.

4.3 MUSHROOM

The month of September saw the arrival of 10 mushroom start up kits sourced through the school’s projects manager. Harvesting will begin in October.

4.4 GOATS

The goat head currently stand at 17. Here and there, some are slaughtered to provide meat to students. These goats have been essential as students are able to see and be taught on how they can survive through the project.

5.0 EVANGELISM

The field program ended on the 17th of September. BVBIZ wishes to thank all congregations that hosted the students. These congregations were able to provide food, accommodation and transport costs for the students. This was a great partnership indeed. The practicum for those on the parallel program is still ongoing. There were 19 restorations and 34 conversions The following are comprehensive results of the work that was done since the program began.

6.0 DONATIONS

The school continue to appreciates many, far and wide, for the donations being made. Donations are welcome both in cash or kind. Such partnerships enable the training and preaching of the word to continue. One time donation are welcome as well. This month we would like to thank brother Hezelton and Kudzi Chirenda for their consistent support of $100, Katie and Nkosi Mpofu for their regular $500 and brother Manyati’s $100. May God bless these families.

CONCLUSION

We thank God for what He has been able to do for His work through the school in September. We look back and see God’s guidance. Furthermore, this would not have been possible without your financial, moral and spiritual support.To the partners and sponsors, may God continue to bless you.  We always look to the future with hope that indeed, through these efforts, the gates of hades will not prevail against the church (Mt 16.18).  To God be the glory!

Growing despite challenges

Dear brethren,

I  bring you greetings from the school in Taraba. It is another opportunity to share with you what the Lord is using his servants to do over here.
The last quarter ( July - September 2023) was full of trials of our faith as insecurity in Taraba state escalated. Cases of kidnapping, robbery, killings was so rampant. As a result of the stated above, we limit our evangelism to Jalingo metropolis alone; except those places that without our students go there, they cannot conduct worship own their own.

In total, 52 studies were conducted involving 39 people and 2 baptisms were recorded. Two new congregations were planted in Bali and Kona Hawaii.
In the months under review, Terkule Aorabee taught the Life of Christ (the gospel according to John ). Bala Egbwakoteh taught the Pastoral Epistle (1& 2 Timothy, and Titus),  while Elkanah Madaki took the students on African Traditional Religion (ATR).
Three new students were enrolled and we have also received application from eleven candidates outside Jalingo seeking for admission into the school. We are working with the local congregations here to see how we can accommodate them.

Upcoming programs:
1. Three days evangelism Lissam town : October 23rd - 25.
2. Indoor lectureship at Church of Christ Gullung:  Nov. 11th - 15th.
3. Taraba state edification December 26th - 28th.
Our 30 minutes Radio program " let the bible speak is scheduled for every Saturday at 4 pm on Rock FM 90.3. to commence this week.
We continue to solicit for your prayers and support as the work here is much and most of the local congregations here are looking unto the school.

Thank you for your time and support.

Elkanah Itom Madaki 

Helping churches in Nigeria

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

Beloved brethren,

All thanks goes to God Almighty through Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His immeasurable blessings, safety and divine mercy upon all His Children particularly Bear Valley Bible Institute family worldwide! Special thanks also goes to Bear Valley Bible Institute, Denver, Colorado and the leadership of the Church at Bear Valley for their vision and support. We are fully grateful for this opportunity to be partners in progress in the propagation of the gospel through training of preachers! Thank you.

Evangelism: In the cause of the months under reportage, we organized evangelism activities twice in three months! We went to go preach in July ending and September ending because those months has five Saturdays each! In Ondo center, 11 students and their instructors went to preach in Oka and Ayeyemi area of Ondo City respectively in July and September, 2023! Infact, serious prospects were contacted and delivered their names to the nearby Church for further follow up!

In Akure center, they gone to preach today in Leo area with 9 students and their instructors! The Students went to Alade in July, 2023, while students do their evangelism exercise in September, 2023 at Leo area of Akure City! Prospects were handed over to the Preacher at Leo Street Church of Christ for further follow up! We are grateful for the Lord's help so far! 

Bible Seminar: Bear Valley Bible Institute, Ondo State organized her 2nd Annual Bible seminar on August 26, 2023 on the theme: Evangelism: the New Testament Pattern. Brethren from within Akure area and beyond were present in that seminar! The seminar was aimed at creating interest and make more advertisement for the School in Akure City! In all, around 90 brethren attended the program! The Churches of Christ in Akure City was represented in the Seminar! The outcome was encouraging! Brother Timothy Iwe and Elder Ayobami Akanji was our resources person! Brother Makinde graced the occasion! We are grateful for Brother Makinde's attendance!

Classroom activities: In Ondo City, Class room activities went well as usual! In July, Brother Rowland Matthew taught "New Testament Church". While in Akure for same July, Brother Victor Fasonu taught "Christian Home".

August, 2023, Brother Oke taught "Church History" at Ondo City, while brother Victor Fasonu taught "Research and Writing 2" in Akure center.

September, 2023, Brother Victor Fasonu taught "Research and Writing 2" in Ondo City while Brother Oke taught "Church History" in Akure center that same month. We are happy that our students are in the third year of study!

Brother Diamond Owohfasa is one the students in Ondo Center! He is very inquisitive in the Classroom. He is growing in the knowledge of God's word! He is 58 years Old, with a family of Six! He is happy as he is learning the word of God now! He is sure of the truth he has learned so far in the Bible with the School. He is very fervent in Evangelism! I strongly believe he will want to preach after graduating from the School.

Financial Report: We have received support for July to September, 2023! We are very grateful for your love, concern  and support! 

Miscellaneous: The School is going on well. The movement of the School is encouraging! We have what will want for now! God has been helping us through your support to continue toward the progress of the School.

Beloved, once again, we are happy for been part of this grace of history in Ondo State! We are grateful Bear Valley has blessed our students and all that comes our way! The experience is wonderful to behold! Progress is our aspiration as a School. We are moving toward God's glory, Amen. 

Fasonu Victor, Coordinator,

Bear Valley Bible Institute, Ondo State

Challenges in Nigeria

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE NIGERIA, OWERRI CENTER REPORT  JULY - SEPTEMBER 2023

We will continue to give thanks and praises to God that we are privileged to be found useful in the  service of helping to mould great men for His service and humanity. 

This quarter was laced with more security challenges based on what is happening in the state and also economic challenges based on the current situation in the country but the collective resolve of both the students and instructors motivated us to keep moving.  We are also strongly committed in being consistent in our efforts to maintain high standard in making sure we produce disciplined and productive  Bible teachers.

It is unfortunate that the only remaining female student have been out of class since this quater due to ill health but to the glory of God, our instructors have gone the extra mile of recording lectures and sending to her for her to catch up, this is based on her commitment to the school and the work of God. We are glad to also inform you that the other students that were away last quater due to ill health are back healthy and strong.

We still have lessons sometimes weekdays or Sunday evenings depending on situation on ground due to the security situation. 

Even though there are challenges especially financially on the part of the students, they are dedicated and in high spirit. We will like to  appreciate one of our students Dr Obinna Nweze who severally have assisted some students financially.  Presently we have 11 students attending class now and the sister that is down making them a total of 12.

We have concluded the first year academic session this September and will start lectures for both year 2 students and the new students next quarter.

We deeply express our sincere gratitude  to God, and we really appreciate 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 do our best in this service of moulding men for the service of God and humanity.   

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

Yours because of Christ 

Chinedu Akandu 

5 more souls converted in Ikorodou, Nigeria

The students and staffs of Bear Valley Bible Institute Ikorodu Study Centre greet everyone of you in Jesus Christ Name, Amen.

The number of students we have in Ikorodu Study Centre is 20. The subject treated so far from June 2023 to September 2023 are:

June: Scheme of Redemption, teacher was bro Monday Unoke

July: Prison Epistles, teacher was Mfon Etim

August: Christian Evidences, teacher was Akanimoh Archiving

September: How we got the Bible, the teacher was Suleiman Yusuf.

Campaign on the month of September 30th 2023, all the students and the staffs participated in door to door and open Air Lecture. Five souls were baptized and three were restored back to the fold (Church of Christ) The internal lectureship was organized. The topic: CHURCH MANAGEMENT AND EVANGELISM TECHNIQUES. One Hundred and forty five were in attendance.

Ikorodu Study Centre, we have three instructors: Bro Mfon Etim, Bro Chinyere Okoro and Israel Tajomawo. There were six students that graduated on August 2023 at ButuButu Ibadan. They were:

Etimefiok Akpan

Eyakeno Etim

Isaac Joseph Ukpon

Chidera Clement

Ifiok Thomas

Christiana Agung Owanyi.

We are grateful to God for your support and steps taken to promote our skills in Bible Study and Evangelism in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. We say thank you for the opportunity given to work with Bear Valley Bible Institute. Thank you for your support.

God bless Bear Valley Bible Institute and God bless our supporting team in Jesus name.

Bro Mfon Etim Adeh

Director Ikorodu Study Centre

Bear Valley students conducting WBS seminars

SEPTEMBER 2023 FIELD REPORT

Dear fellow soldiers of Christ,

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 activities in the Lord for the month of September 2023

OVERVIEW:

1- FIRST SEMESTER CLASSES CONTINUE

2- WEEKEND EVANGELISM/OUTREACH SERVICES

3- WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL SEMINARS

4- CHAD WAGNER’S OPEN HALL ALMOST COMPLETED

5- SOUTHWEST-KIDDIES ACADEMY RESUME CLASSES ON MONDAY 18TH OF SEPTEMBER 2023

FIRST SEMESTER CLASSES CONTINUE:

The first semester session is entering its 7th week of studies. Bro. Isaac Olaniyan is handling Life of Christ-1 (Matthew) and 1, 2, & 3 John. Bro. Eniafe Olukayode is teaching Evangelism-1 and OT Wisdom-1 (Job & Eccl). Bro. Makinde John is responsible for NT Church -1 and Research and Writing-1. Bro. Samuel Effiong is teaching Godhead and Pentateuch. Bro. Oladokun Samuel is instructing on Scheme of Redemption, Bro. Israel Tajomavwo is handling Church Problems and OT History -1,Bro. Durojaiye Odeyemi is handling  Denominational Doctrines and OT & NT Survey while I, Bro. Makinde Ebens, am handling Prison Epistles and Systematic Theology. Bro. Folorunsho Richard and Sis. Esther Oyenuga are in charge of the computer system

WEEKEND EVANGELISM /OUTREACH SERVICES

In spite of the cost of transportation in our country , Nigeria as a result of fuel subsidy removal , our students and staff continued in the evangelization of both rural and urban area of Western States of Nigeria in fifteen different centers.

Thanks be unto the Lord that six souls was added to the body of Christ as a result of our joint efforts with brethren of this fifteen different congregations.

WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL SEMINARS 

With the financial assistance from a close associate of our Grand Patron (Bro. Doug Wheeler) named Rob and Robin Thornton, we are able to organized two WBS Seminar in the month of September. One in Ajia-Ibadan between September 8-10, and the second one at Badeku-Ibadan between Sept. 29- Oct. 1, 2023.

Thanks be unto the Lord that the program was blessed with two baptism and two restoration.

Our next outing will come up on Oct 19-22 at Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti State and Asejire- Osun State on Nov. 10-12, Lord’s willing.

ABOUT A STUDENT

Bro. Oluwagbohun Tumise Nathaniel is a native of Ilesha in Osun state born 9th of October 2007 to the family of Brother and Sister Osungbohun of Ileayo, Iweta community, Ilesha,Osun State. He became a member of the Lord’s church in June 2022. He is presently one of our year-1 students. His mission is to be one of the bonafide ministers of God after his tertiary institutions.

In Conclusion: Please, kindly help us to achieve one goal in this coming academic session.

Thanks for your great commitment to serving the Lord. Stay blessed, safe and healthy.

Your fellow labourers in God’s Vineyard.

Bro. Makinde E. Olufemi

Student campaign in Nigeria

We have concluded the second semester exams. Before the semester exams the staff with the students embarked on a three day evangelism at Afikpo in Ebonyi state. It was an intensive outing but there was no immediate baptisms. Some prospects (three persons) attended the worship.

The 2023/2024 academic session will take off from next month - October. The board has approved that weekend programme be started in order to accommodate those who cannot  be involved in the regular programme because of their time. We hope that this arrangement will enable more people to enroll.

Bro Bernard Osita Akokwu for NIATS.

Kenya students do great work while on break

Dear brethren

This marks the beginning of first quarter of second year of the Kenya school of preaching sixth intake students. 

The number of students has decreased to 19 due to dismissal of one called Jared Odhiambo for having committed an infraction. So the report that we give now concerns the work done by the 19 who maintain their commitment to study the Bible.

Mark Reynolds from America, is the instructor who is now in class with the students, teaching Foundation of Missions as a short course. Other teachers in this quarter are Charles, Nixon and Elias. Other courses to be taught are: Greek 1, Wisdom Literature II, Romans and Galatians, church history, The book of James and the Intertestamental Period.

When we closed for September holiday, two students from bordering regions- (Richard from Eastern and Kadzitu from Coastal) had organized gospel campaigns and invited Francis from Mombasa to help them and as a result they baptized 4 and 6 respectively. Among the ones baptized by Richard were 2 denominational preachers and his own wife. Kadzitu on the other hand used the 6 he baptized to begin a new sound congregation since his former church which sent him to school has been liberal all the years and has refused to change her denominational worship.

Another two students from the western region of Kenya - Patrick and Jimmy, also conducted gospel campaigns in their area and baptized 7 souls into Christ and restored 2 back to Lukhuna congregation. Still others reached for lost people, edified and did restoration: Alex one baptisms, Jason three baptisms, Daniel one baptism, David 3 baptisms, Dominick one baptism and others. All the total number of baptisms conducted in the last holiday are 28 while those restored backsliders are 16. They did plant 2 new congregations.

We still hope and request that brethren will continue to pray and support the work at K.S.O.P which is for the Lord's glory. Thanks to each one of you and may the Lord Almighty bless you all.

Your brother and His servant,

Elias Omollo

Accra East staff and students plant new congregation

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE INTERNATIONAL, ACCRA EAST

THIRD QUARTER REPORTS- 2023

Course taken

The third quarter started on the Saturday, 1st July 2023 and ends on Friday 30th September, 2023. The following are the courses studied within this quarter:

·        The Book of Acts (concluding part)

·        The Book of Romans

·        The Life of Jesus in the book of John

Report on the students

The attendance was stable in this second quarter and the average attendance was eight (8). One person was admitted as a student to the school within this quarter.

 House to House Evangelism  

The house to house evangelism took place at Gomoa Asebu and Awutu Breku.  As usual the students were sent to Gomoa Asebu on rotational bases to support the church both in their evangelism and worship. In the third quarter the major evangelism work took place at Awutu Breku, in the Central Region of Ghana because it was the community which Accra East chose to plant this year’s church.     

The New church planted at Awutu Breku on September 24, 2023 by Accra East

It was such a joyful moment when we met at Awutu Breku the first time to worship as a church which marked the beginning of Awutu Breku Twie-me church of Christ. All those who took part could not control their joy on that day. We sang songs of praises unto our God, we preached we gave and showed love to each other and had a group picture for future records. We thank God for His love and the opportunity given to us to unveil the church of Christ at Awutu Breku Twie-me which He established, a long time ago before the foundation of the world. We also thank him for given this great opportunity for the people of Awutu Breku Twie-me to know and receive Christ.  We thank the Co-ordinator, Ghana and his team, that is the Bear Valley Director and Coordinator in Ghana and our International Directors for this wonderful vision. May God bless all of them.

We set up the journey from Accra on Saturday 23rd September early in the morning. By 7.30-8.00 we reached the town. On the Saturday evening, five of the students left Breku to Accra. Three of them were as a result of lack of accommodation, because we all could not sleep at the hall of preacher Amo. (there was no money to go and lodge in a hotel). Two of them returned to Accra to go and respond to their congregation’s appointment. The rest (seven in number) stayed to see the inauguration of the church.  I handled the adult Bible class and preacher Isaac Amo did the sermon.

The attendance at the time of announcement was nineteen (19). Three children and sixteen adults. Five visitors came late when we were about to close, two adults and three children. (making the total number of twenty-four)  Nine (9) of the worshipers were from Accra (Bear Valley students & Kotobabi church) the rest of the members were from that community. We had two hundred and twelve Ghana cedis (Ghc212.00) as offering. 

The following are the things we carried them along to Awutu Breku

1.      Lord’s Supper Tray

2.      Lord’s Supper Plate

3.      Lord’s Supper Bread and Grapes

4.      Collections Sacks

5.      Hymnbooks

6.      Temporary pulpit (but do not use it because of lack space)

7.      Lord’s Supper Table 

8.      Signboards

9.      Plastic chairs  

The next action

I have planned that in every week two of the students will be sent to Awutu Breku for evangelism and worship to help the stationed preacher till the church is matured.

All the students of Accra East occasionally will also prepare to go there in our numbers to help in evangelism.

I have asked the students to go and ask their various congregations to help Awutu Breku financially to be able to put up the structure on the land.

We have discovered where we fall short and where we did well so we are going to correct that errors and as we will soon plan the next year church planting, that we may not face the same problem as we had this year.

Nsawam, Ghana school enjoys a good reputation

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE, NSAWAM, GHANA

THIRD 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 third quarter of 2023.

Classroom Activities

There were three courses offered this quarter. First, How We Got the Bible, which was taught by Emmanuel Amoo-Gyimah. Second, Pastoral Epistles, which was taught by Emmanuel Aidoo and finally, ICT, which was taught by Samuel Sasu-Ntim. 

Evangelism

On the 16th of September, our students embarked on a door-to-door campaign in the Nsawam Adoagyiri area as part of their practical training requirements. We believe that God has been glorified and our students have picked up valuable experience in this regard.

Impact on Congregations

Most of our students preach and teach in their local congregations and what we hear of our current students is nothing but praise. Compared to others Bear Valley students are never mentioned when hands are being pointed at preachers and Bible teachers who are engendering the “change agenda” among Ghanaian congregations. This we believe is due to the quality and soundness of the instruction our students receive. Long may this continue.

New Students

This quarter we admitted three new students; Daniel Obeng, Stephen Yaw Nyarko and Joseph Oppong Danso. These admissions have taken our total tally of new students to six for the year.

Student Profile

Isaac Ahadzi is the student we are focusing on for this quarter. He was baptized on the 11th of January 2015 at the Lomnava church of Christ and is currently a member of the congregation that meets at Nsumia. His commitment to the cause of Christ is seen in the fact that he is a Bible teacher for a ministry that regularly visits the Nsawam Prisons to worship with the inmates. In addition to the work of ministry, he works as a quantity surveyor and an architect. He is one of the student leaders in the group. He had this to say about the school: “I am very happy to be a student in this school because the instructors take their time when teaching the Bible and allow the students to ask questions. One thing I love about the school is that all the courses are biblical and in line with what we see in the Bible.”

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.

Evangelistic students in Mombasa

Dear brethren,

Greetings in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. We believe that the Lord has been good to you and all the brethren. We are all fine and doing well in the Lord, He being our guidance in all things pertaining to His Glory.

The school is doing well, and the program is still running as scheduled on Saturday basis. the students have just concluded the Book of Job as part of Wisdom Literature which was a class taken by Pau and will begin the Class of Bible Geography in the month of October. we hope that the students are going to enjoy the October course as they have been doing to all the others. 

For the quarter that has just ended, the lessons that were taught included: Godhead, 1st and 2nd Corinthians and the Book of Job.

Francis has been helping two KSOP students do evangelism in Kilifi County as well as Makueni County. as a result, two new congregations have been planted. The Kilifi Church is located at Matanomanne and is called Matanomanne Church of Christ. The preacher at Matanomanne Church is brother John Karisa, who's also a student at KSOP. the area is ripe for the gospel of Christ and we will be helping to evangelize the area. Another church planted is in Makindu area in Makueni County. The preacher at Makindu Church of Christ is brother Richard Tumbo Kiema, whose area is also ripe for the gospel and for evangelism. Richard is also a student at KSOP. 

There has been a number of seven baptisms so far to the glory of God. we believe God is going to be with these young souls throughout their lives as they also grow in the Faith. Glory to God!

The Bear Valley Mombasa students are also doing personal evangelism and thus most are studying the Word of God with the prospects. Unfortunately, one of them, Edward, lost a prospect through death. We're really saddened by this, yet we're praying for more souls to be receptive to the saving Gospel of Christ. We thank God for the efforts everyone is making towards the spread of the Gospel of truth in Coast region as well as Makueni County. 

Moreover, together with like minded Churches of Christ, we're planning to evangelize Mombasa for Christ as well as teaching in liberal Churches that are willing to change for the Right Way. 

We thank you for every support and to everyone who supports the work here. May God bless them all. 

Thank you very much and God's blessings be upon you all.

Shalom.

Yours Faithfully, 

Francis and Paul

Classes forced to move online in Ukraine

Greetings, dear brothers and sisters,

News from the Bible Institute.

God has blessed us with the new academic year at the Bear Valley Bible institute -  Ukraine. This year there 5 students on the program. All of them and their families are from the territories where the active warfare is taking place. We are trying to provide some financial aid for them and pay their rent. By taking care of the physical needs we let the students study and devote themselves to the educational process without distractions. We are grateful to the brethren and congregations in the USA who provide the opportunity for our students to be get training and become the qualified preachers in Ukraine.

If you remember the history of our Institute in Ukraine it was founded in Kramatorsk and from 1997 to 2007 it rented a place from a private college and started training preachers. That was the time period of church growth in the Donetsk region. Almost every city would have a congregation and there were dozens of baptisms every month. Then the Institute moved to the city of Gorlovka and it started a new chapter in the history of the Bible Institute. And the building in Kramatorsk that we used for 10 years is now destroyed by missiles. Unfortunately Satan destroys what's dear to us and has value for us.

The first subject that our students had was Hermeneutics (taught by Dennis Sopelnik). Now Jim Sherman is teaching The Scheme of Redemption and Family Life. These are important courses necessary for the future ministers of the church.

We are also starting the Masters' program for our graduates.  We have 6 students as of right now and we are in the process of developing the schedule for them. This will be the first recruitment of the last 5 years. We are in constant need of Ukrainian Instructors and for this reason it's very important for us.

News from Bela Tserkva Church of Christ.

We are trying to spread the Gospel with the help of food packages distribution.  A lot of people are signing up for their turn and we are using the contacts as the opportunity. Also we ship the food packages to the terrorists that were reclaimed after the occupation. Mostly to the people we know personally and the people who are connected to our Christians. This is also a good way to demonstrate the Lord's love.

Last Saturday we had a seminar for our students and the church members on Apologetics. It was conducted by our American brother Michael Houts who works for the NASA. It was very interesting and educational.

Our government is preparing us for the hard winter. Most likely there will be shortages of natural gas, electricity and water because the Russians keep destroying the infrastructure of our cities with the missiles' strikes.

We ask you to keep praying for us and for our Instructor Valentin who is serving in the Military Forces of Ukraine. Please also pray for the speedy return of peace to our country.

Last month I had to have a knee surgery connected with meniscus tear. Please pray for me as the post surgery recovery is accompanied with some difficulties.

Thank you for your help and support. May God keep you.

Your brother, 

Dennis Sopelnik

Guest teacher in Malawi

Hello everyone!

It is amazing to see how days are ending so quickly. We have almost 3 months before the year ends. Many good things have happened this year and we wish they could continue and the year shouldn't end so soon. However, we respect the seasons given by our good God and Lord Jesus Christ to us.

During the past 2 months lots have happened and we sometimes fail where to start because we are so excited about good news we are receiving from our former students who are doing good work in their respective homes. Within these two months 35 souls have been added to Christ and 18 more restored! We always thank God who works in us all for this course of winning souls to Christ. We also had a short course teacher from our sister school in Gweru - Zimbabwe. It was a blessing to have him teach and he too was excited to receive a warm welcome in Malawi which is rightly nicknamed as "The warmheart of Africa"!

Teaching

As we all are aware that the purpose of our school is to train men become faithful preachers of the sound and health doctrine, we have covered a lot of course since we started our second semester in July, this year. Brother Ishmael Mutichu from Gweru taught the "Synoptic gospels" from the 18th through 22nd of September. This is a good thing as it does strengthen the relationship between the sister schools within central Africa and beyond.

Evangelism

We have had lot of preaching campaigns in August and September. The results of these campaigns is that 35 souls saved and 18 souls restored. We have brothers who are our graduates and are doing a good job of winning souls to Christ. Brothers Saliwa, Takesure, Mateyo, Shadreck just to mention but a few. The other campaign will be from the the 28th through 1st of October, 2023. This campaign will be in the district of chitipa near the boarder of Zambia and Tanzania. Our students are looking forward to going. We ask for your prayers . 

We are so thankful for the support we receive from the Bear Valley Bible Institute International and also from the Hillcrest Christian family. The bold between us is beyond our imagination. We pray that God continues blessings your families as we still need your involvement in this work of training men and winning souls to Christ. As far as we have souls still not saved, we have the responsibility of reaching out to them - 2 Timothy 2:2!

"Eternity Is Forever, Think Souls

In Christ,

Ephron and Clergynton

Lusaka, Zambia students preach to prisoners

The Courses Covered

 The courses covered in the third quarter of the year 2023 were 3 giving us a total 21 covered so far.

1.    The New Testament Church  

2.    Denominational Doctrines

3.    Church Leadership

Twelve students attended classes in the quarter under review.

Outreach programs

1.    Through the Bear Valley Bible Institute outreach program, one of the students (Michael Sitwala) continued preaching to the incarcerated at Lusaka Central and Kamwala Remand Correctional Facilities.

2.    Students were involved in the evangelism programs, teaching of the new converts, Bible classes and preaching in their respective congregations.

3.    In the quarter under review, students were sent in pairs to the new congregation planted in June 2023 every after a week.

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

Accra, Ghana students conduct campaign

Accra Monthly Report, August 2023

Glory be to God for another month ending in success. We are always grateful to our God that He began with us and ended in peace. Our Lord has done greater things in us as He provides with our needs in times of crisis yet in all things He encourages us to hold firmly to Him in the doctrine and our way of life. To report to you the challenge of health challenges as our brother Gyan-Mante is challenged with mild stroke, Kojo with consistent health challenges, and Sammy. We glorify God for how far He has brought us and we are praying for healing and good strength.

CLASS ACTIVITY

Regular class

All the instructors are endeavoring to complete their courses with their exams and quizzes followed by the school’s campaign program.

Master’s Program

As with their normal class, they met for two (2) weeks with Brother Jerry Bate on the course, World Religion. Eleven students participated in the program.

CAMPAIGN

Doryumu follow-up

As we reported in our previous report for our next campaign location, Duayedeng, Paanor, and its environs, we saw the need for another place in Doryumu to embark on follow-up evangelism to strengthen the church and to restore some of the fallen brethren which commenced on 14th to 20th August 2023. Our past student, Philip Abruquah is the Evangelist for this church. Our students both rescent and past students, the Legon University campus church, Nsawam Road congregation, and the host brethren together, did work on campaigning both day and night preaching for one week. The campaign was successfully completed and the Lord added to the church with six baptisms.

We thank God for this successful occasion in strengthening us throughout the week. We pray that the new members will be strong in the Lord until He comes.

Bear Valley Top Radio Program

We are always proud to be preachers of the gospel of Christ and  supporting the program with our funds. As we always report to you, the radio program keeps yielding fruit. Almost every week after preaching, we have numerous calls and private calls for further studies. As we reported in our previous reports, we are also invited to different places to help in teaching and counseling most listeners on some of the topics that were not clearly understood by them (listeners) and other social matters bothering them. This program has further sent messages on the advertisement of the school to brethren who are showing interest in attending the school. We have three prospects who are willing to pick forms to register for the academic year.

This month we had one baptism in addition which took place at Nsawam Road church.

Mode of funding the program

We are grateful to our Lord who has endowed us with understanding in the ministry. The staff of the school is doing well to sacrifice some amount from their monthly allowance, an amount of four hundred cedis each to pay the monthly installment of three thousand cedis for the ongoing preaching work.   

We are using this medium to inform you of the wonderful work the Lord is doing in this program.

We will be also grateful to receive your contribution to this programme.

We request that you pray with us.

Port Harcourt, Nigeria celebrates graduation

 ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT ON THE FIRST GRADUATION CEREMONY OF BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE NIGERIA, WEST AFRICA

The Director, teachers and students of Bear Valley Bible Institute Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria are very grateful to the Almighty God and to our sponsors for the great success of our recently concluded first graduation ceremony which was held on July 29th 2023.

NUMBER OF THE GRADUATED STUDENTS

A total of 36 students from our two centers completed the mandatory 48 courses and participated in the graduation ceremony but only 34 of them received the diploma certificate, four of them did not get the  certificate due to their low scores in some of the courses and their inability  to score  the required  70%  total average. Those students have been asked to come back for the courses they failed.

PRE - GRADUATION DINNER HELD ON FRIDAY JULY, 28TH 2023.

The graduation ceremony started on Friday, 28th July, 2023 with a pre-graduation dinner to celebrate the success of Bear Valley Bible Institute in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. About 150 persons including the directors and teachers of Bear valley Bible Institute from various States in Nigeria were in attendance.   

Chad Wagner the Representative of Bear Valley Bible Institute International was the Chairman of the occasion. The dinner programme was a great one. It featured: - songs, prayers and speeches from the participants. The highlight was the presentations of a projector, teaching materials on hard disks and flash drive to our school by Chad Wagner.

MASSIVE TURNOUT FOR THE GRADUATION CEREMONY ON SATURDAY 29TH JULY, 2023

The graduation ceremony attracted a massive crowd of people from many states in Nigeria. Those who attended the ceremony included the bishops, deacons, preachers and very many members from various congregations in Rivers State and beyond.  Also in attendance were the directors and teachers of Bear Valley Bible Institute from other states in Nigeria. The chairman of the occasion was Engr. Gorge Chukuwlewa Okoroma and the special Guest of Honor was Chad Wagner who also represented Bear Valley Bible Institute International.  

Special graduation lecture was presented by Aniefiok J. Udoudo a Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria. The topic of the lecture was “The 21st Century Challenges of the Church, the Preacher and possible Solutions”.

The ceremony which lasted for about 3 hours was very colorful, orderly and well organized.  The highlights of the ceremony included: – Presentations of Diploma certificates of Bear Valley Bible Institute to 34 students, Presentations of special awards to some students that merited such awards, Recognition and Appreciations of some brethren who provided support and encouragements to the school.

It is worthy to note in this report that one of the graduates by name Job Emperor Umeshem was the overall best academic graduate.  He graduated with a total average of 94.56% and GPA of 3.89. He was applauded by the crowd in the occasion. Beside the award by the school, he received a lot of monetary award from the audience.

THE AFTERMATH OF THE SUCCESSFUL GRADUATION CEREMONY

The success of the first graduation ceremony is good for the image of the school. Right now the way the churches of Christ in Rivers State was seeing the school has changed for the better. They now understand that the school is very important. Many brothers in Christ are coming to be admitted. We had done 8 new admissions after the graduation and more are requesting for the application form.  The students are now more committed to study and the director and the teachers are more determined to give their best.   Moreover, our normal Friday and Saturday lectures are going on without hitches.

CONCLUSION

The graduation ceremony of Bear Valley Bible Institute Port Harcourt Nigeria was successful. We are grateful to God who gave us the strength and we are also grateful to our sponsors in the United States of America for their financial support.

Reports from:

Anthony Ejike Oluria,