The Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver is officially connected with the work in Kpalime, Togo. Togo is located on the eastern border of Ghana. However, the journey between Ghana and Togo is far from an easy one. We traveled approximately 22 miles from Ho, Ghana to Kpalime, Togo and it only took about 3 hours. Not even pictures could describe the conditions of the roads we traveled.
However, the journey does not compare to the powerful opportunity afforded us when we arrived to meet the director and students of the Center for Biblical Studies (CBS). The time we shared in answering questions and discussing matters surrounding the school were uplifting and insightful.
Ten men are beginning their second year of classes at CBS. Nine of these men entered the program as members of a denomination and six of the nine were preaching for denominations. While this is not Bear Valley’s approach in training men to preach, we were impressed with the news to follow.
All of these men have been converted to Christ and four of the six men have been involved in converting the entire congregation where they were working. Additional teaching is being done with the other denominations. Several hundred new brothers and sisters now exist as a result of the work being done.
We are excited to be connected with the work of training these men to preach in Kpalime. We are also excited about the potential for the future. Future students will be produced from these congregations that now belong to Christ.
The vision for the school in Togo is the result of a man by the name of Willie Gley. Brother Willie was converted after picking up a World Bible School brochure sticking up out of the dirt. He began searching for the truth and found the answers in God’s word via World Bible School correspondence.
Several years later, after receiving an education in Bible through the Brown Trail School of Preaching, he returned to work in his native country of Ghana. Willie’s vision has expanded to train other men in preaching the gospel. The school was born out of this vision a few years back with three men who are now working in the field. One year ago, the number of students increased to twelve, however, two were not able to stay in the program for various reasons.
The future of this work is very promising. In the months ahead, they will recruit for the next class of students for the summer of 2011. We pray, and ask you to pray, for the development of this program as Bear Valley joins hands with the tremendous work of training men to preach in Kpalime, Togo.
Coordinator Updates
Remember Howell and Mary Ferguson as they work in Chimala, Tanzania. They will be at the Chimala Bible College working with Garry Hill for the next few months.
Jerry and Paula Bates are in southern India working with various congregations. They will be in India for two more weeks. We will have a full report on their work upon returning to the U.S.
Denton Landon returned this past week from teaching in Takoradi, Ghana at the West Coast School of Preaching.
The following report is from Gary Fallis about his work in the extension program over the last month. The address is http://www.bvbid.org/PDFs/ExtensionReports/Fallis9_10.pdf
Donnie Bates’ monthly report regarding the work in Honduras and Guatemala is located at the following address: http://www.bvbid.org/PDFs/ExtensionReports/Bates9_10.pdf
Extension Reports
Siem Reap, Cambodia
The International Bible Institute of Siem Reap and the work of the local congregation continues to grow. The news is always exciting from Phanat Ouch who serves as the director of the Bible Institute. You can read more at the following address: http://siemreapchurchofchrist.webs.com/apps/blog/
Final Thoughts
There are never enough words to describe how thankful I am for the opportunity to see and share in this work. I am constantly amazed at God’s guidance and faithful hand to work in so many ways to take the gospel throughout the world.
I truly believe the answer to world evangelism is based in training men in their own country to preach the gospel to their own people. As we continue to develop the extension program, I thank you for seeing and sharing in the same vision.
Without your help, we would not be able to do what is needed to develop and complete the task before us. Thank you for your labor and generosity to the work of training men to preach the gospel. I hope you know how thrilling it is for me to report the news weekly connected to the extension work.
God bless
Bob