Souls Added To The Kingdom...

The first week of the summer arrived, graduates moved to new locations in ministry, and returning students now travel to see family and supporters during the break. Fourteen potential students will spend the next few months preparing to move to Denver and begin the first quarter of the new school year in August. I know they would appreciate your prayers as they seek to find financial support and prepare for the two-year journey ahead of them.

We received several reports this week with updated information on the work in each location. The news is always encouraging. On a special note, in addition to their recent graduation, the report from the school in Bila Tserkva, Ukraine shares news of a soul added to the kingdom, baptized by one of the current students. The brethren in Ukraine are excited and we rejoice with the increase provided by God. We pray you are also encouraged by the reports from other locations where God continues to give the increase, souls added to the kingdom and the brethren strengthened in the faith.

Other news indicates the growth of the program as students learn various skills and farming techniques they can use to sustain their families and aid the church. This also becomes a great outreach tool. Several locations benefit from the ongoing training they receive, in large part due to the great work of Healing Hands International. Please remember to pray for our brethren who do the Lord’s work in some difficult circumstances.

If you have not done so already, remember to update your files to include Keith Kasarjian. He needs to receive your weekly or monthly reports, and if there is information to discuss regarding the extension program, please write Keith. He serves as the new director of the extension program. His email address is kkasarjian@wetrainpreachers.com. 

Now on to this week’s incredible reports...

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is http://www.wetrainpreachers.com/extension-schools/

Extension Reports

A Break For Current Students And Perspective Students Take Exams: While current students are on break, entrance exams were taken by the potential 2017 Delta class.

Three Students Complete Their Courses And Graduate In Ukraine: In addition to the celebration of completing their studies, a soul was added to the kingdom.

School In Nigeria Purchases A New Tool For Evangelism: After selling some property, the school in Nigeria purchased a van to aid in the work of local evangelism.

Children’s Seminar And Local Evangelism Make An Impact In Tanzania: Justin Maynard reports on the progress of the outreach program in Arusha.

Planting A Church In Njiro And A Graduate Reports Growth: The staff report from the Andrew Connally School Of Preaching shares encouraging news about the work.

Tanzania Missions - Hochdorf Report: Sean Hochdorf provides and update on Cy Stafford, his wife, Anita, and the growth of the work in Arusha, Tanzania.

Final Thoughts
A final expression of thanks: I’ve assembled the weekly report for the last seven and a half years. What a blessing God has given me to be involved in this great work. As I pass the task on to Keith Kasarjian, I want to thank each of you for the wonderful privilege of serving in this way. I pray you were encouraged and uplifted. You are blessing in my life and to this entire program. Without you it would not exist. Please continue your prayers for the program and for us as we move into a new phase of our ministry in the kingdom. 

God bless
Bob

A Break For Current Students And Perspective Students Take Exams...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from this part of the globe. We continue to thank God for the peace and love we enjoy in Cameroon now. We do hope you are doing great in all that you do also in the Lord.

Last week was a busy one for the staff and students of BVBIC-Wotutu as we were off from classes after exams. We attended a scholarship lectureship in Kumbo, about 400 miles from Wotutu. It was a success as many students were exposed to good topics that they can also add more to in order to teach in other places.

We returned this weekend. On Saturday we scheduled entrance exams to BVBIC-Wotutu for the Delta batch. We were blessed to have more prospective students who came with the mind to enter into our very rich and intensive program. Some came late and were given exams even after the regular exams were finished. We are left with the option now to check academics, recommendations, and scores during the oral interview. From there we will be able to select 20 who will be our Delta batch of students in 2017. The number is to meet up with our space and means. Keep us in your prayers so that as we have always done we shall select those the Lord Himself has selected to come and be equipped to serve.

Our prospective students took the exams on the Bible, English language, and also an oral interview for us to know from their hearts why they want to preach. It took us hours to go through this exercise.

They were served with breakfast and lunch because some students came a day before the day of exams due to their distance from Wotutu. With a heavy down pour of rain they were determined to make it to Wotutu. Our humility and hospitality were an added advantage for the Delta batch of students to anticipate what awaits them if they pass the exams.

Nor matter the conditions of roads from where they came from, they demonstrated an evangelistic spirit by taking cartons of Mission Printing tracts to their home congregations. By so doing, they used one stone to kill two birds.

Pa Jeremiah listened to our programs and read a track, What Must I Do to be Saved? The question was good enough for him to declare to us that he is old and to him old age was a sign of living an evil free life. So he is doing what is good. That is why he is of age, but we were able to expose the truth about this life and the life to come to him. He asked many questions for the past one and a half months now, started worshipping with us two weeks ago, and obeyed the gospel. Our van was there to take him and other witnesses closer to the river.

As he came up out of the water he said, “God is too good,” and he just found God at this ripe age. He is 70 years of age now. Keep him in your prayers to grow with the knowledge of the truth and one day serve as a good teacher and an elder.

God blessed our congregation in Wotutu this week with 3 precious souls. They smiled as they were equipped with brand new Bibles, the tool that will help them as they wage war against the world of errors and denominationalism.

Brother David and brother Jonathan are already in Cameroon preaching and teaching, and were at the central prison today.

Plans
Students are off for vacation before the short course as we wait for the short course instructors to arrive this week.

We are thinking of a new work in the Kumba area during our mission work.

Appreciations
God bless you and keep you strong, for what you are doing is great, and the work is making progress. What if you were not here? Thank you for all you do.

Share with others the news emanating from this end.

Elangwe and family
By His grace Director BVBIC-Wotutu

Tanzania Missions: The Hochdorf Report...

Greetings brethren,

It is our sincere hope that this short report finds each of you in good health and busy in the kingdom of Christ. We praise our Father for your continued support of the work in Tanzania.  

As you are aware, we have been continually offering petitions on behalf of our beloved Cy & Stephanie Stafford. Cy returns to UAB for his final chemo treatment beginning June 15th. He and Stephanie have been through an emotional roller coaster while fighting Cy’s leukemia. We plead with each of you to continue to pray for this worthy couple. 

We were recently able to visit with Cy and Stephanie Stafford in Birmingham, AL while Cy was recuperating from his chemotherapy. Cy goes in for his last treatment June15th. Please keep them in your daily prayers.

Many of you have asked how Anita’s is progressing after her stem cell procedure. At this time, she is still quite uncomfortable but it is to be expected. Her doctor says she should start having consistent pain free days in about three more months. We are praying that he is correct. Thank you for your genuine concern and encouragement, it means a great deal to both of us. 

The work in Tanzania continues to improve. The farm project has grown to a point where we are almost able to provide 100% of the food necessary to feed the Andrew Connally School of Preaching student body, staff and faculty! Justin Maynard, alongside many of the ACSOP staff, has done an exceptional job bringing this project to its present state. In addition to this great blessing the project provides a platform for training the student body in the areas of gardening, livestock and poultry. Our hope is that this training will aid our brethren when they graduate and begin their work as local evangelists.

Campaigns are well underway with visitors coming from several states. Currently, groups from Hoover and Tuscaloosa, Alabama are campaigning in Njiro Chini. For those of you who have been to TZ the Njiro Chini congregation meets at Elly and Neema Martin’s house. For those who have not been to Arusha, Elly and Neema are pillars of the Lord’s church in the Arusha area. Elly has been the go to man for taking care of everything official with the work which has kept him on the road and away from home a great deal. Neema is his rock solid wife and one of the funniest ladies you've ever met. They have 4 children but always show up at church with more than their own. They have taken in countless relatives and children over the years and are just super brethren. Please keep the campaigns and campaigners in your prayers. If you'd like to see some pictures, check out the Maynard's FB page.

As we conclude we need to mention that we have reached a point in our work that we need to renew our residence/work permit and we need to purchase some plane tickets. If you are able to help us with these expenses we would be grateful. 

We pray that you are growing closer to the Lord each day and that you will continue to be blessed in service for the kingdom.

Until next time,

Take care and God bless,
Sean & Anita Hochdorf

Planting A Church In Njiro And A Graduate Reports Growth...

Planting a church in Njiro…
Luke records these words for us “Therefore, those who had scattered went about preaching the word” Acts 8:4 [NASB]. It is a great thing to see the church growing and many souls added to the Kingdom day by day. Within the past few years, Christians from congregations around Arusha have been involved in planting new congregations in the area. To this moment, over 50 congregations have been planted by the members of the Arusha church of Christ. Faithful men and women who visit Arusha from time to time have assisted in strengthening this congregation to a level of maturity and leadership. This year we are blessed to have two groups from Alabama, who will be working with the local team of evangelists in winning more souls to Christ in the Njiro Chini congregation. We held a pre-campaign last week and set up over 80 Bible classes. Among those, four souls were added to the church last week. We are praying that the Lord has still many souls to add to his church as these men go out next week.

Therefore we continue to ask for your prayers for more open doors as the preachers go out to win more souls to Christ in the Njiro chini area “… And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” Acts 2:47 [NASB]. 

Graduate News
Along with this, I would like to share with you what I have just read from one of our graduates here at ACSOP last week: “I thank our Lord God for using me in his Kingdom. Since I graduated from the school I was full time working with my local congregation here in Kyela. Last month I asked the church to allow me to move to another area near by to live and preach there. I finally arrived at Tukuyu, the place where I was born and started to preach there for two weeks. The Lord has been so good and there were eight people who were baptized and now with my family the church is meeting in this area with the total of 14 adults without counting children. I am asking for your prayers as we continue to win more souls to the Lord.” Emmanuel Burton.

Thank you all for your prayers, support, and love for this wonderful work. The Lord is using His servant in His kingdom. 

In Christian love,

Godfrey Mngoma
Dean of Students-ACSOP
An Extension ofBear Valley Bible Institute
Arusha, Tanzania

Children's Seminar And Local Evangelism Make An Impact In Tanzania...

Mt. Meru Children’s Seminar
This month we had the opportunity to hold our children’s seminar up the mountain at the Mt. Meru Church of Christ. It was a fruitful day. 

We started the morning out assisting the women of the Church with lunch. By 10 a.m. over 100 children were present in the small church building! Anna presented a lesson on the Bible and the wonderful things it tells us. Haley then presented a lesson on creation. We were thrilled and appreciative to have Anna Byrd from Kensington Woods COC with us. She was a great help. 

As the children’s classes were going on the men split up into personal Bible studies. Many people came out to study God’s word and two men made the decision to have their sins washed away and put the Lord on in baptism. Mungu ni mwema. 

Njiro Chini Evangelism: 
We are thankful for all of the visitors already on the ground here and those on their way. We have had the privilege of working with Brian Anderson, Brittany Anderson Higgins, and Anna Byrd from the Kensington Woods congregation. The group started out working in the Namonga area, where one of their team mates, Tom Watkins, is still out evangelizing, but have spent the last 5 days working in Njiro Chini. Monday the Northport group arrived and hit the ground running! We are excited for all the visitors and for the work they are doing for the Kingdom of God. Many Bible studies have already been conducted in the last week at Njiro Chini. Many more are to come, Lord willing. 

Anna and I have split up and been studying with individuals together. Please be praying for these efforts. Today, Lord willing, Anna will have the opportunity to share the Gospel with some Muslim women she has befriended. 

Several baptisms have already occurred from the studies in the last week. Mungu ni mwema, the Church is growing! Tuesday a young woman and her friend were studying with the Northport group. After lunch, the group came back to study with the young woman, Debora, and her friend again. When Debora’s friend did not show up, she and the translator went to check on her. What they found was tragic. The woman’s husband was beating her for studying God’s word and would not let her return. That afternoon Debora chose to give her life to Jesus and have her sins washed away in the waters of baptism. Please pray for Debora and say an extra prayer for her friend and her husband. Everyone is broken-hearted. 

The Lord continues to bless this work. Please keep us, and all of the campaigners coming, in your prayers. 

Justin Maynard

To see the Maynard report with pictures, please click here.

School In Nigeria Purchases A New Tool For Evangelism...

Beloved in Christ Jesus,

Greetings to you all from Nigeria. We, the staff and students of the BVBIN & SWSE, Ibadan evangelized Oniyangi and Arikusa villages of Ona-Ara Local Government of Oyo state on Saturday, June 4, 2016 between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm.

Lord's willing, we will work with the church at Ikoyi this weekend in Osun state using our new school van and brother Kayode Eniafe 's and brother Dele Shotola 's bike to convene people to the venue of the program.

The School Van:
Our new school van will be on the road this coming weekend. It cost the sum of =N1,301,000 ($6,100) to purchase and get all the necessary papers concerning this van. (Bought price =N950,000; Custom papers=N166,000; Plate number, Proof of ownership and Police papers =N80,000; Local Government and State permit and Mobil advert =N15,000; Rewiring, Servicing, Floor mats, and car radio and speakers =N80,000; Sign writer =N10,000). I borrowed the sum of =N750,000 ($3,700) to add to the other money I received from the sales of my plantain plantation and the former school van, which is =N550,000.

Report from Three of our Graduates:
Brother Adedoyin Sola Rotimi of Osi-Ekiti and brother Gbenga Ilori of Igbara-Odo in Ekiti state reported the conversion of three souls, each in their respective station, while brother Lucky Meya and brother Lawrence Abiodun reported the spreading of the gospel to their neighboring towns and villages of Edo and Ogun state.

Fourth Semester Classes At BVBIN & SWSE, Ibadan:
Brother Abiola Joseph Olusoji is teaching on Revelation and Psychology / Christian Disciplines, brother Isaac Olaniyan is teaching on Romans and Evangelism 3, brother Kayode Solomon Eniiafe on Evangelism 2, Old Testament Prophets-Minor, and Homiletics 3, brother Abraham Idu Yeje, our campus minister, on the Pastoral Epistles and Life of Christ-4, while I, brother Makinde will teach on Research Method, Methodology, Church Administration & Leadership, Discipleship Training & Practical. Classes resumed May 16 and go through July 14, 2016 before our students will embark in a month Practicum (Teaching Practice).

In Conclusion:
We thank you all for your moral and financial prayers. May the Lord continue blessing our joint effort in Christ Jesus, Amen.

I remain your fellow soldier of Christ,

Makinde Ebens (Minister)
For & on behalf of BVBIN & SWSE, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

Three Students Complete Their Courses And Graduate In Ukraine...

Hello dear brothers and sisters. 

I want to share with you some news of the joyful events in the life of the Institute and some churches of Christ. 

First of all, we had graduation 2016 on May 28. This year there were three men prepared for the ministry: Alexander Drogaitsev, Ivan Lushnikov and Sergey Pavlenkov. These brethren got into the program when the Institute was still in Ternopil, and fortunately, having received the needed experience and knowledge, they are ready to start ministering. 

Alexander Drogaitsev joined the Master’s program after receiving his Bachelor’s degree. Most likely he will stay in Bila Tserkva and help the local congregation in their ministry. During the time of his studies, we discovered many of his talents; he can preach, encourage, give good advice and cook wonderful meals. I’m sure the church receives a very good and wise minister. 

Ivan Lushnikov is going back to his local congregation in Kramatorsk where he will also help to minister and work with young people. He had a great attitude towards the process of studying. 

Sergey Pavlenkov will most likely continue his ministry in the church of Christ in Nikopol, where there is a rehab center. Right now he is still in the process of negotiation with this congregation, and they discuss the details of Sergey and his wife moving to that town. During the times of studies he proved to be a brother who loves God and is well organized. 

Also in May we had American brothers come and teach at the institute. Gary Fallis taught Jeremiah; Jim Sherman taught James and Preacher and His Work. We are grateful for their service and for sharing their experience and wisdom in the knowledge of Gods word. 

Right now we a have a period of summer practice. Usually students go to their local congregations and they have assignments for each summer month. They have to preach, visit the sick and spiritually weak, evangelize and participate in summer camps. It’s a wonderful time for the students to receive practical skills of working with local congregations. Sometimes the students are invited to continue helping the work of the local congregation after they finish their studies at the Institute. 

Several men and women have contacted me concerning the next school year, and we have 7-8 potential students. I ask you to pray with us for their decision and willingness to study at the Institute. Sometimes it happens in Ukraine that a person has an interest to become a part of the program, but after some time they no longer answer our phone calls. That’s why it is a raw spot for me. I hope it happens only in Ukraine. 

Ministry of the churches of Christ in Ukraine

We have yet other good news. In May there was another baptism at the Shevchenkivska church of Christ in Kyiv. The young man’s name is Arthur; he has been studying the word of God for a while and came to the only right conclusion. It is wonderful that our student Yuriy Romanov baptized him. I have already mentioned that Yuriy is a wonderful brother who is ready to share the gospel at any time. He has a wonderful family, and I hope that he will become a full time preacher in his local congregation after his graduation in February. 

We continue to minister actively and preach the gospel in Bila Tserkva. The church here reached the point where they want to grow spiritually and in number. We started using the various methods of reaching out to people. Some brethren started visiting the hospitals (the ones where they treat cancer patients), and others are actively preaching on the streets of the town. Unfortunately, we don’t see new faces at the church now, but we’ll continue doing God’s work. 

As for the building of the Institute in Gorlovka, as you know, it is now on the territory that is not under the control of Ukraine, and it doesn’t belong to us either in fact or by the law, since there are different laws there in action. However, we decided to ensure our rights in case this territory goes back to Ukraine. I inquired what we need to do to start a legal procedure of the fact of illegal confiscation of the building, and it seems that we have done all we could. We have admitted petitions to the police, and government officials have to do something. 

We are grateful for all those who help the ministry of the Institute in Ukraine. Together we do a great work. It won’t be an exaggeration to write that we still have a lot to do and to suffer much, but if God is with us, then who can stand against us. 

Your brother and coworker,
Dennis Sopelnik

To see Dennis’ report with pictures, please click here.

First Graduation For The International School Of Theology In Haiti...

Students in Denver now enjoy a break for the summer. After a successful graduation last week, remaining students left to visit supporters, see family, and rest before beginning another quarter of study in August. A new class of students also prepares this summer to begin their journey in August. Please remember to pray for these men as they strive to get funds raised, prepare to leave their homes and jobs, and enter an intense two years of study.

This weekend also marked the first graduation for the International School of Theology in Haiti. We are thankful to partner with Freed-Hardeman University in the training of men to preach in this part of the world. Twenty-two men completed their training and enter the work of preaching the gospel. Another class of students prepares for their training and will soon begin classes. Please pray for these men as they serve in the kingdom. 

Other reports this week indicate the great progress occurring around the world as students continue their studies and reach out in evangelistic efforts. We pray you are encouraged by the news of the increase God provided in each location. This week highlights several locations where souls were added to the church. Please take time to read through each report and give thanks to God for His blessing in this work.

Please remember to update your files to include Keith Kasarjian. He needs to receive your reports, and if there is information to discuss regarding the extension program, please write Keith. He serves as the new director of the extension program. His email address is kkasarjian@wetrainpreachers.com. 

Now on to this week’s incredible reports...

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is http://www.wetrainpreachers.com/extension-schools/

Extension Reports

The Boys Are Growing And Everybody Is At Work: The school in French-speaking Cameroon demonstrates the growth and work of the students in Mbanga.

Another Student Obeys The Gospel In Kpalime, Togo: The power of the Gospel, as it is taught in the school in Togo, has touched the heart of another student.

Five Day Seminar On Leadership Development In Nigeria: One of the great needs in every location is leadership development and the focus in Nigeria was on this need.

Ladies Empowerment Seminar Encourages The Ladies In Ghana: The wives of the program in Tamale, Ghana came together for an encouraging seminar.

Safari For Souls Campaign Prepares To Begin In Arusha, Tanzania: With students out for the summer break in Tanzania, the focus turns to the campaign season.

Graduates Of The ACSOP Continue To See Growth From Evangelism: This week’s report from Arusha highlights news from a graduate about souls added to the kingdom.

Final Thoughts
As we close out another week, we want to thank each of you for your continued involvement in the Bear Valley extension program. The work enjoys such great success because God has blessed these dedicated men who share the gospel. We are thankful to our Lord for using you to help this work advance the cause of Christ.

God bless
Bob

Safari For Souls Campaign Prepares To Begin In Arusha, Tanzania...

Greetings fellow workers,

With the preaching students returning home this weekend for summer break, our attention turns fully to campaign season. We currently are enjoying having Brian Anderson, Brittany Higgins, Anna Byrd, and Kendyll Covington visiting and working here in Arusha with us, while Tom Watkins is here working near the Kenyan border. As I type, a group of eight campaigners from the Tuscaloosa, AL area should be very close to arriving in Tanzania. Also, a large group from Hoover, AL will be arriving later in the week. They will all be joining the efforts at the Njiro Chini congregation.

Speaking of Njiro Chini, there was standing room only for worship this morning. Elly Martin had to provide additional chairs from his home to help accommodate the full house. Please join us in praying for God to provide a good harvest for his reapers. 

I shared with you recently that we had an opportunity to preach a seminar at an area Pentecostal church. In the aftermath, one of the elders of that church was baptized and has begun attending at N'gordoto. I'm happy to further report that yesterday his daughter was also baptized. That makes at least seven members of that church that have responded to the gospel recently. 

Final Reports: If you would like for me to visit with your congregation to give a final report on our time here, then I have dates available in September. Please contact me if you would like to be included in our schedule

To see this report with pictures visit our blog at: http://tanzanianmissions.blogspot.com/2016/05/short-report-may-29.html

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. Your are valuable partners in the efforts here. May God continue to bless our service together.

Till all have heard...
Daniel Gaines

Graduates Of The ACSOP Continue To See Growth From Evangelism...

I hope all is well with everyone. God is good and the source of all success in His work at ACSOP, for the Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.” Without the grace of our Lord Jesus nothing can be achieved by a man. Also, I have not forgotten what an awesome team you and I have at ACSOP, through the Christian love we have in Our Lord Jesus. Without forgetting the great player, brother Cy, as you know the devil tried to harm him, but as you believe the devil cannot win. We have a strong belief that he will recover and come back to finish the race that God plans for all the righteous.

Friday, May 27th, was the last day of class at ACSOP in this quarter, and all of our students traveled to their home congregations to help for two and half months. They will be back for class in August. We would like to thank all the instructors for their great effort to equip these men for the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. Moreover, thanks to our brother Daniel for the heart of serving God for three years at ACSOP and the church in general. He has been helping us serve in our position well by making us communicate well, especially in the time of challenges. He is playing a great role in leadership at ACSOP during this time that our brother Cy is not available. Please pray for him as well, and his family, that God will give them long life as they are fixing to go back home.    

On the evangelism side, I would like to share with you what the Lord has done through our brother Ibrahimu Mrutu this May at the Kisongo church. 

“I greet you in the name our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s my hope that God is good to you                     spiritually as well as physically. I am very happy for our spiritual unity in this tough work of the gospel, that I am able to reach the lost souls. In this month l was able, by the help of our God, to reach many souls and one of them was Janepher Mathias. God added her to His church as she learned the gospel of Christ this month. Also, this month we have a pre-campaign at Njiro Chini, and this will take place two weeks before the campaign. I would like to offer my great thanks to you for all you do, and thank the Lord for the great opportunity to serve Him.” 

Yours lbrahim
Kisongo Church

Please help us pray for the up-coming campaign, that God will add many souls to Him. Many evangelists and various church members will meet for one week to reach souls at Njiro Chini area.

Thank you for your effort and time to read this short report. God will bless you as you join hands with this effort. 

In His service

Ahimidiwe Kimaro
Director, Andrew Connally School of Preaching
A Bear Valley Bible Institute International extension school
Arusha, Tanzania

Ladies Empowerment Seminar Encourages The Ladies In Ghana...

Hello everyone, 

Once again I greet all the servants of the Lord.

I am sending pictures taken at the Ladies Empowerment Seminar. It shows some of the ladies presenting lessons with the knowledge obtained during the two-day seminar.

As mentioned in an earlier report, this seminar was to prepare our ladies with knowledge and skills for public speaking, which will be used for a seven-day workshop that will be handled by brother Jerry Bates and his dear wife starting the 26th of June, 2016 for five days.

Thanks to all.

Baah Joseph Okyere
Director

Five Day Seminar On Leadership Development In Nigeria...

Beloved in Christ Jesus,

Greetings from your fellow brethren in Nigeria. This year’s leadership seminar that was held at the premises of BVBIN & SWSE, Ibadan was attended by 85 brethren from 43 congregations of our Lord Jesus Christ. Brethren came from Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta states of Nigeria.

The five day seminar centered on Leadership Development. Brother Abiola Joseph Olusoji taught on the book of Revelation. Brother Isaac Olaniyan taught on Evangelism. Brother Dairo Joseph Abiodun on How To Establish Biblical Authority, while I, brother Makinde taught on Leadership Development and Methodology.

Brothers Gbenga Ilori, Samuel Ishikwu, Kayode Eniafe, Victor Fasonu, Aloye Nasamu, Stephen Okesami, and Emmanuel Godwin moderated the morning and evening devotion, while brothers Adedoyin Sola, Jeremiah Dasa, James Gbolahan, Ajiteru Oluwafemi, Momoh Onipe, Sunday Adekunle, and A.D. Bamiduro admonished the brethren Monday through Friday morning on Soldiers of the Cross, We are Debtors, Cooperation and Working Together, Christian Ethics, Be Ready, etc.

On Thursday evening by 5:30 pm, the Southwest Institute building for circular education was commissioned by brother A.D. Bamiduro, assisted by the school BVBIN & SWSE instructors.

The remaining 1,500 copies of VOTI vol. 87 were shared with the congregations represented.

By 12:30 pm on Friday, May 27, 2016 this year’s Leadership Seminar was declared closed by the director, brother Makinde Ebens with a closing prayer from brother Lucky Meya. All the participants were feed twice a day Monday through Friday. To God be the glory.

Beloved, we thank you all for your moral and financial support toward the growth of the Lord's church in Africa. May the Lord of blessing continue to bless all our joint effort in Christ name, Amen.

Your co-laborer in Christ’s vineyard,
Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (Minister)

Another Student Obeys The Gospel In Kpalime, Togo...

BVBI Students Receive Thompson’s Chain Reference Bibles
Bear Valley students received Thompson Chain Reference Bibles to facilitate their studies. Bibles were donated by the coordinator, Steve Ashcraft. 

Work Continues On The Vegetable Farm
Bear Valley Bible Institute has continued activities on the vegetable farm project. The volunteers on the farm are mainly preachers and some church members from the Kpalime area who come twice a week to work on the farm. The beds have been raised and some seedlings have been transplanted.

Gospel Chariot Continues To Impact Kloto
During the month of April, the Chariot team revisited some of the towns and villages that were evangelized. Some of the towns visited included: Alikpodzi, Agou, Kpadape, Wome, Ekloh, Akata, Agave, Nyiveme, Kpeglonu, Kliguekonji, and Adeta. 

BVBI Students Enrolled In Computer Training Program
Plans are advanced to enroll all the students in a computer training program. They had the choice to determine the vocational program they would like to engage in. All the eleven students demonstrated interest in ICT. The instructor has agreed to come over to the school to teach them three times in a week for two hours per class session. The training will cover software, hardware and networking. The entire program will take almost a year to complete. 

Abandoned Denominational Church Building
On my recent trip to Kpalime, brethren took me to a community in Kpalime an abandoned meeting place is located. It used to belong to a denomination that left town. One of the preachers started meeting in the structure, including the one who owns the land. Our plan now is to negotiate with the one who built the structure to allow the church of Christ to use it, maybe at a fee. We want to also assess the cost of renovation. 

Courses For This Quarter At BVBI
1) The life of Christ
2) General Epistles
3) The book of Mark
4) The book of Luke
5) Authority of the Bible 6 Teaching methods 

Motor Bike For Cephas
In order to facilitate the work of Cephas (my assistant at the BVBI), I made an appeal on his behalf for a motor bike. Fortunately, someone responded by sending funds through Bob Turner. He appreciates the kind gesture and promises to even do more in the future than he has done in the past. God bless the one who provided the funds. 

House For Sale
There is an old house located in the city of Kpalime. The owner is selling the buildings and the land for CFA 7,000,000.00 (Seven million French francs) about $12,000. The location is good, not far from where the church presently meets. All available lands in Kpalime are very far away. The land is large enough to contain a four hundred siting capacity church building and a portion could be used for pre-school. We need brethren to come to our aid in securing this property for the growth and expansion of the work in Togo. Our goal is to build one large congregation in Kpalime where inter-congregational activities can take place. The Nyiveme congregation has outgrown its current place of worship. 

Visit To The U.S.
I plan to visit the US in August, Lord willing. 

BVBI Student Is Baptized Into Christ  
The strategy of admitting denominational men into BVBI has always yielded fruitful results. The school started in 2005 with three denominational church leaders, who after completing the WBS lessons asked for an advanced lesson. These men started the Bible school and in less than six months were baptized. Since their graduation in 2007, they have remained faithful to preaching the gospel. Yes it works! 

One of the students recently submitted himself to baptism. This fellow has been so overwhelmed by the class lessons that he had no other alternative but to yield. All the eleven students are now Christians. We admitted eight from the church and two from the denomination. We were hoping to have twenty students, but lack of financial support for most of our preachers, greatly demoralized prospective students, thus affecting recruitment exercises for 2015-2017. We were blessed with only 12 students but one was forced to discontinue due to ill health. It is our prayer that the situation will change in 2017. 

Report by:
H. Willie Gley

To see Willie's report with pictures, please click here.

The Boys Are Growing And Everybody Is At Work...

Hello, my people of God.

We are happy to be on the Lord’s side. Hope you are doing great. For the past two weeks we have been very busy with a lot of activities and that is why I have not been able to send my reports, but all is well as I am sending my reports this morning all the way from Kumbo where we are currently attending a lectureship for scholars.

The congregation in Mbanga is doing her best to do some evangelism and visitations every Sunday after worship. This is to empower our few Christians and also keep love reigning among us. We pray for this vision to be a great help in this locality that is very difficult these days to win a soul, but the Lord’s hands are upon us and we shall keep on doing His will.

The church and the congregation is also preparing to host the first annual preacher's wife forum that will begin on the 27th of May to the 29th of May 2016. This event will mark a great turning point in the lives of our student preachers whose wives are to be of great advantage to these studies. The theme for this year is on prayer, which is a vital instrument to the preacher and wife.

The school has been in serious business these days, such as exams which also include traveling out on mission work, preparation for short courses, and campaigns just to name a few.

The students are doing great in their studies even though some of them were really disturbed, which almost affected their studies, such as brother Datouji who spent about two weeks at the hospital in Douala with the wife, who was detained at the hospital for some complications after delivery. Also, Estephan, whose wife was pregnant, but by the grace of God just put to bed a baby girl this morning.

After the preachers forum in Buea, we continued with mission work where we spent time this weekend to begin a new work in Sancho. Three of our students were on a serious mission. After I made a trip there on Monday for the growth of the work to prepare the minds of the few members that we have been working with. Even though we talked on phone, the need for a face to face talk was still very important and, by so doing, the need for a new beginning was a second thought. Church Planting is a very nice course that the students enjoy and they love going out for practicals. Brother Benjamin was able to express his joy when he had the opportunity to deliver a sermon for the first time on a first day to a newly created assembly.

We offered benches and a table for Lord’s supper to this our new born baby that needs a lot of support to realize her growth. This can be morally as some members of our sister congregation worship with us and some from the Dscang assembly are also planning to visit next week and are very happy with the work, spiritually or financially, as it is still a need for this work. Brother Bernard from Nkonsamba one of our instructors offered a place for worship even though it is temporal, but we really appreciate the effort of everybody who is doing his or her part to see that the work of the Almighty should keep on growing. 

The students transported benches from Mbanga to Sancho and the day of worship proper.

Upcoming Events
The preacher's wife forum: We already went to Kumbo for the lectureship. The seminar on agriculture from Healing Hands International and also the short courses that will begin in June. We commit all of these into God’s hands and the newly created assembly in Sancho. Special prayers for the newborn baby of Estephane.

I am sending this from Kumbo, many miles away from Mbanga. The boys are growing and everybody is at work.

Remain blessed
Ititi

Graduation 2016...

Today, the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, CO, witnessed the graduation of 24 students. Jon Arvin, Ben Carter, Collin Henderson, Rob & Carol Melton, Dale Pollard, Max & Haley Turner, Daniel & April Vogt, and Scott Robinson finished the program and will enter the ministry in various locations. Additionally, Cory Landholt, Matthew & Tracy Threlfall, Sage & Alexis Bridges, and Mario & Bonnie Saldana also walked for graduation, but will return to complete the remaining two quarters of course work beginning in August. Nadia Lee completed one year of courses in Denver and, combined with previous college course work, will receive a Bachelor’s of Arts in Biblical Studies. Also completing the wives’ program, Monica Gibson and Abigail Warnes, graduated today. Three men completed their studies in the Master’s degree program: Terrance Brownlow-Dindy, Jerry Groves, and James Pfiffner. The celebration was beautiful and we are excited to see these individuals reach their goal in completing the program at Bear Valley.

News from reporting locations in the extension program continues to indicate growth in the work. This week’s report provides updates on the recent activities surrounding the outreach efforts of students in each location. Keith Kasarjian is in Zimbabwe finalizing plans for the start of a new school in Africa. Other locations in Fiji, New Zealand, and Liberia also move closer to opening day for new classes.

As the year unfolds, these new locations and the number of prospective students enrolled in these locations will expand the opportunities for the program globally. We ask you to pray for the graduates in Denver, each location where we currently partner in training men to preach, and for the development of the new schools this year.

Please remember to update your files to include Keith Kasarjian. He needs to receive your reports, and if there is information to discuss regarding the extension program, please write Keith. He now serves as the new director of the extension program. His email address is kkasarjian@wetrainpreachers.com. 

Now on to this week’s incredible reports...

Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is http://www.wetrainpreachers.com/extension-schools/

The latest report from Jerry Bates can be read by clicking here.

Extension Reports

After Final Exams, Students In Cameroon Prepare For Upcoming Campaigns: As students in Wotutu complete the end of the quarter exams, they ready themselves for practical application.

Two Souls Added To The Kingdom Studying The Way Of Salvation: The growth of the work in Nigeria is encouraging as studies in salvation produce fruit.

Eighty Preachers And Church Leaders Assemble For A Special Study: The influences of Pentecostalism in Ghana were studied at a recent special event in Tamale.

Evangelism Continues To See Fruit In Arusha, Tanzania: Combined with the agricultural development, the Maynard family reports of evangelistic success.

The Providence Of God Is Witnessed In East African Studies: The outreach program in Arusha continues to see the providence of God at work.

Final Thoughts
Thank you for all your continued encouragement and support of the work. Training men and women for greater service in the kingdom is an incredible opportunity to share as coworkers with God in advancing the cause of Christ. Your involvement in this program is appreciated far more than words can express on a weekly basis. We give thanks to God for you.

God bless
Bob

After Final Exams, Students In Cameroon Prepare For Upcoming Campaigns...

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings from this part of the globe. We praise God. Today was great and we had a great worship of our God. We do hope that you are doing great and God is blessing you for all that you are doing.

Last week in BVBIC-Wotutu went on well, except for brother Nguty who is still struggling with sickness. Please keep him in your prayers.

Last week was examination week in BVBIC-Wotutu, the exams went on well and students will be traveling to Kumbo tomorrow morning to attend a scholarship lectureship there for four days. Thereafter, when they return, we shall sign them out for vacation. We just modified our calendar a little bit, so that our students will go for vacation, return, and take two short courses on the book of 2 Corinthians and the book of James. Afterwards we shall send them to different locations for field work.

Brightland Christian Academy kids finished their exams for classes also. They took one public exam already which guarantees them to advance to secondary education. One is coming up in June for the same purpose. This lone christian school in our community is preparing for our graduation ceremony coming up on the 7th of June. This is another great day were the kids expose to the public what Brightland Christian academy is all about. Graduating classes for both the nursery and primary will have rhymes, memory verses, and many other things.

A group of Roman Catholic students and their leader visited the orphanage. They allowed our children to sing praises to God, and they observed that our children were not clapping nor dancing. Afterwards the leader, who calls himself Priest, started talking and was advising that when next you sing, use your hands and clap, but our kids who are barely a year in the home said in chorus, “We don’t clap hands during worship in our church hall and during our devotions.” What a day, as I stood before these children with joy and pride. I said within me, “God thank you for passing through us to bring these children closer to you and to make you known to them.” Nurturing for eternity is our passion, vision, dream, and we are ready to make sure this happens with no stone unturned.

Rainy season is back and it has started making our mission work, not only expensive, but very difficult, where our cars cannot continue. We continue with motorcycles because we don’t have cars with four wheel drive. God alone will provide it to us one day, so that in all the seasons, the gospel message will not have stumbling blocks.

Plans
) Students and staff move to Kumbo for the scholarship lectureship.

2) This Saturday, the fourth entrance exams will take place and we have many prospective candidates, almost 50. We need just 20 freshmen to start in January 2017.

3) Brightland Christian Academy graduation will bring the parents closer to the dream of why the Christian school was established. They will watch and admire their children how they are grounded with the truth about Christ and His church. |Some parents started worshiping with us due to their children in the school. This is and can be an open door, if we invest spiritual and physical things into this dream.

Appreciations
God bless you. Thanks very much for making this work as smooth as it is now. God bless you and replenish your efforts. Thank you for being there for us. Share this news with others.

Elangwe and family
By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

The Providence Of God Is Witnessed In East African Studies...

Greetings Fellow Workers,

I hope this note finds you well. We continue to enjoy seeing God's hand of providence at work here in East Africa. For the past few several weeks, Nester and I have had a series of Bible studies in the home of a local Pentecostal preacher. The studies have progressed well and he has been very receptive to the things we've shown him from the scriptures. He invited us to conduct a seminar last Sunday afternoon at his congregation. We (Daniel, Justin, and Mason) spent two hours exposing them to the gospel of Christ, and they were very receptive. Meanwhile Tiffany, Anna, and Haley did a class with the children. We've been invited back again to teach more at a future occasion. The efforts are already bearing fruit as one of their elders was baptized yesterday, and intends to encourage his family to do the same. This is an exciting opportunity, and we hope that you'll pray with us that God will continue to open doors for the gospel and give increase where the seed is planted. 

I also wanted to make you aware of a couple of pressing needs that the work has:

•We have urgent need of a copy machine at ACSOP. Our old one has breathed it's last breathe after years of faithful service. This is the machine that we use to produce materials for the students, as well as for printing tracts for evangelistic outreach. It will take $1,300 to replace it. If you would like to contribute to this cause, then funds can be sent to either Lehman Ave. or Bear Valley.

•As you know, the work here is in a period of transition. Five new missionaries are in the process of transitioning in (Todd and Susan Storks, Wesley Storks, and Mason and Haley Norman). Wesley especially has struggled to raise his support and could use help. Also, Justin and Anna Maynard will soon be concluding their initial year with us, and will be returning to the US to raise funds to return for another 3 years. The Maynard’s have proven to be invaluable assets to the work here. As my family returns to the States in July, these seven individuals will be left as the stewards of the work here. Please think prayerfully about whether you might be able to help them in some way.   

As you may have noticed, Cy Stafford was able to send out a short report himself this past Sunday. We are encouraged by the progress that he has made and continues to make. He is even talking optimistically about making a trip over here later this year. We will continue to pray toward that end. 

Campaign season is getting kicked off as our first campaigners are arriving this week. Tom Watkins and his team (Brian Anderson and Anna Byrd) got here last night, and will be spending their time working in the Namanga area. Brittany Higgins will arrive Saturday to join that effort also. Meanwhile the local evangelists are gearing up pre-campaign efforts in Njiro Chini in order to have plenty of bible studies set up for the groups arriving in the coming weeks. Pray that God provides lots of good soil for His laborers. 

Thank you all for being such great partners in this work through your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. I believe that God is being glorified through our joint efforts. We pray that He will continue to bless the work.

Till all have heard...
Daniel Gaines

See this report with pictures at:

http://tanzanianmissions.blogspot.com/2016/05/short-report-may-18.html

Evangelism Continues To See Fruit In Arusha, Tanzania...

This month our full-grown egg layers enjoy having the large new coop to themselves. We are growing out chicks who, in a few months, will join the current egg-layers at 6 months. There will be 500 before we begin growing out 500 more. We are doing this for two reasons: One, so we can slowly ease ourselves into the market and two, so we can rotate old layers 500 at a time as opposed to all 1,000. The calves Ruby, Otis, and Leroy are growing and doing very well. Milk production is in full-swing. We are currently getting around 40 liters a day from our 3 cows. This is a huge up in production from the 4-8 liters a day per cow they were getting prior to our arrival. Anna also taught Agnes to make butter from the cream this week. Butter is very expensive here and it is nice that we can make our own. 

The corn and beans continue to thrive – all glory to Him. Mungu ni mwema.

Evangelism:
You will receive a second report from us, as always, at the end of the month. It will include this upcoming Saturday’s children’s seminar at Meru. Please keep this evangelism opportunity in your prayers. 

This month both Anna and I have continued to conduct personal Bible studies with the locals. Please pray for these efforts. 

Evangelism in Njirochini is going well. We are preparing for the upcoming campaigns. Please remember the upcoming campaigners in your prayers and pray that all of our efforts be fruitful. 

Anna and Tiffany taught at the Preachers’ Wives meeting on the first Saturday of this month. Anna taught on Abraham and on how God keeps His promises. Her goal with all of these classes is to connect the patriarchs with Jesus and in this lesson the women saw clearly God’s early promise of Jesus and redemption. Tiffany then presented the same lesson, except for kids, and gave the PW’s materials to use when teaching Abraham to the children. 

We welcomed another member to our team this month! We are so excited to have Wesley Storks here. We know he will be a huge asset to the work here. 

As we have previously reported, an opportunity presented itself with one of the locals, Nester, and missionary Daniel Gaines. Together, they have been studying with a Pentecostal preacher for the last few months. As a result, Anna and I, along with the Gaines family, Mason and Haley Norman, and Wesley Storks had the opportunity to go and teach the Gospel to one of the local Pentecostal churches. 

Mason began by preaching on authority in the Bible and the difference in the Old and New Testaments. I followed his lesson by preaching on sin and repentance. Daniel then followed my lesson by preaching on the one true baptism. You could see on the crowd’s faces that this was the first time they had heard the Gospel. 

While the men preached Anna and Tiffany taught the children outside. We did not get an official count but there were at least thirty children (or more) present. It was clear they had never learned any children’s songs. Anna and Tiffany taught them: Yesu anipenda (Jesus loves me), Siku ni hii (This is the day), Yesu apenda kuzunguka nyuma (Jesus love is a bubbling over), Nina furaha furaha ndani ya moyo (I have the joy joy in my heart), and a few others! One mama in the back was trying her best to learn the songs and as a zawati (gift), Tiffany gave her copies of the songs in Kiswahili. We hope she will continue to sing them with the children! 

Tiffany taught the children about the Bible and how it tells us wonderful, true stories about our God and Him sending His son. Anna taught them about creation. None of the children had heard the story about how God created the world in 6 days and their eyes were wide with excitement. 

We ask that all of you pray diligently for this effort. We are already trying to plan personal Bible studies at this congregation next month and a children’s seminar. We feel like these people are eager to receive the Truth. Please pray for them and us. 

**As I was about to send out this report we were made aware of exciting news. One of the men who was an elder in the Pentecostal congregation has asked to be baptized. Brother Nester is on his way (literally right now) to baptize the man. Please pray for our new brother and for the others who heard the Gospel that the Lord’s words may prick their hearts and that they will obey the will of our Lord. Acts 2:38 1 Peter 3:21** 

Justin Maynard

To see the Maynard’s report with pictures, please click here.

Eighty Preachers And Church Leaders Assemble For A Special Study...

Greetings from Tamale to all workers in the Lord's vineyard.

This weekend was full of joy as the Institute hosted over eighty preachers and church leaders from the three Northern Regions of Ghana. Also in attendance were the current students.

The Institute organized a seminar on the theme, "The Threat of Pentecostalism in the Churches of Christ in Ghana.”

This seminar became necessary because of the fast rate at which some members are developing interest in issues related to Pentecostalism.

Speakers for the 3- Day Seminar were:

Brother Francis Ayine - “What is Pentecostalism?”
Brother Gyan - Kesse (Elder, Bomso Church of Christ) “The Purpose of Miracles in the New Testament.”
Brother Baah Joseph Okyere - “Miracles in the New Testament  have Ceased.” 
Brother Steven   Ashcraft -  “Speaking of Tongues is not Gibberish.”
Brother  Agyei - “Water Baptism and Not the Holy Spirit Baptism is the One Baptism.”
Brother Jacob Yeboah - “The Need to take the Lord's Supper.”

Apart from these topics, a forum was created for participants to discuss prevailing problems they encountered in the various congregations and the possible solutions to these problems.

Another issue of significance was a briefing on the National Registration of the Churches of Christ in Ghana. On this, the speaker Brother Gyan Kesse advised participants not to be part of any strange activity, but to continue to live only by the teaching and practices of the New Testament.

Participants went to their various destination spiritually satisfied.

Baah Joseph Okyere

Two Souls Added To The Kingdom Studying The Way Of Salvation...

Beloved in Christ,

Greetings from my co-WBSFUW and staff and students of BVBIN & SWSE, Ibadan.

The WBS seminar held at the Onikokoro / Gbongudu area of Ibadan on May 14 was attended by 56 youth out of which 16 WBS students present. Brother Kayode Eniafe spoke on “Heaven / Hell,” while brother Lawrence Dada spoke on “Steps unto Salvation,” and I, brother Makinde, spoke on “Worship of the New Testament Church.” The first ten participants were blessed with Bibles. All the participants went home with a copy of VOTI. vol. 87 and a light refreshment was served at the end of the program to all participants.

At a day WBS seminar of May 18, 2016 at Butubutu village, I, brother Makinde, and brother Kayode repeated our topic of May 14, while brother Dele Shotola spoke on “Way of Salvation.” Over 50 people sat down to listen to that preaching which resulted in the conversion of two young boys.

Copies of VOTI vol. 87, tract on “Identification Marks of NT Church,” by Mission Printing, and light refreshments were freely distributed to all participants at the end of the exercise, plus ten Bibles to the first ten participants including the two converts.

Brethren, we thank you all for your partnership and cares. May the Lord continue to use us for His glory is our fervent prayer in Jesus name, Amen.

Your co-laborer in Christ 's vineyard,

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (Minister)