Steven Ashcraft, former missionary to Ghana, is the Regional Director of the West Africa and he does and outstanding job of both working hands-on AND overseeing this vast work! To see a comprehensive overview of the West Africa extensions, take a look at his latest report HERE
Preparing for graduation in Togo
Evangelism in the Kloto Region has seen a lot of improvement since the Gospel Chariot came in a little over three years ago. We are reaching more people with the gospel and several have been led to Christ. As a result, we have been able to plant more congregations in the region.
Activities of the gospel Chariot include, gospel campaigns, tract distribution exercises, dawn preaching etc. Recently, we introduced the use of motor bikes and megaphone in our outreach programs. The motor bikes access areas that vehicles cannot go. The preaching of the gospel is an urgent matter, thus every available means must be employed. There is no excuse for not preaching. This is the message these pictures seem to convey.
We practiced street preaching in a village, This type of preaching starts as early as 5:00 am. Most people listen while in bed and then come out to ask questions. A megaphone and a motor bike-powerful tools in evangelism.
We have continued touse every available means to preach the gospel. Our tract ministry is very vibrant and our goal is to get these tracts into every house in Kpalime by 2020. Since we do not have the French tracts readily available in large quantities, we print them on a Risso machine provided by GOSPEL CHARIOT MISSION in Ghana and transport them to Kpalime, Togo. At the resource center the tracts are stapled together for distribution.
During the last month , there were five baptisms. Some of the area preachers, who meet on the first Monday of each month to pray, deliberate on pertinent issues affecting their individual congregations and also enjoy a meal together to strengthen their fellowship.
This was a recent staff meeting atBVBI,inKpalime. The meeting was used to discuss the final quarter courses, the forthcoming graduation, and the on going recruitment exercise. List of the courses for the last quarter at BVBI
1 The book of Revelation 2 The Major cults 3Comparative Religion 4 The book of numbers and Deuteronomy 5 History and Geography of the Bible 6 Biblical Teachings
The Agou Nyogbo Agbetikor Church of Christ used to be a denominational church but was converted last year. It continues to grow and make a lot of impact in the community. Top right picture is the ladies Bible Class of the Church
GRADUATION! GRADUATION!! GRADUATION!!!
Bear Valley Bible Institute is going to graduate ten men on Saturday November 11, 2017 in Kpalime, TOGO
Willie Gley, Director
Graduation in Nepal
Greetings to Brothers in the Kingdom:
Thank you for your generosity, the charitable and spiritual love that precedes your gifts, your prayers, and the hard work that is motivated by a heart of love and results in benefits to those in need, both spiritually and with the problems of life.
Earlier this month we had the graduation program for our six students. It included a four-day Lectureship. Over 100 people attended the classes and celebrated with us. Gajendra, Arun, and I met Monday to discuss a 2-3 week campaign trip to re-evaluate the current earthquake needs and to incorporate 2-3 days of Bible classes at various areas. Unfortunately we can also add Flood Damage to the natural disasters from which people are suffering. At the present time we have 18 village congregations in 4 districts that top the priority list.
100% of the funds will be given for [a] rebuilding homes of Christians, and [b] repair of damage to meeting halls [church buildings]. The campaign trip begins on Friday, October 6. I will return on October 19. Gajendra and Arun will continue to a Nepal village on the border with Darjeeling, India. There is rebellion in the India tea plantation area resulting in violence. Gajendra's wife is from this area. We have graduate students here and we work with a few congregations in the middle of this dangerous area.
They hope to visit these villages if ... IF ... it is safe, which will be determined when they get close. They will return to Kathmandu on October 23. Final decisions regarding amounts sent to each area will be made once we are back in Kathmandu. The funds will be sent bank-to-bank in early November. This is after a national holiday time where cultural customs present temptations that may deflect the focus on the immediate want rather than on the long term need.
We have selected the books of James and Philippians as the theme of our spiritual lessons. The local leaders are to have their members read these books three times before we arrive. The teachers need to come prepared. The audience needs to come prepared! Each class day will have six lessons ... 3 in the AM, 2 after lunch, and 1 evening devotional. Each selected district village will have 2 or 3 days of lessons. Some of our graduate students will teach a few lessons in their local areas. A beautiful lesson is taught when the audience sees their example of progress in Biblical knowledge, understanding, and maturity. The foreigner can't teach that much needed lesson and provide the purity of that encouragement.
Although the bus rides and some of the beds may be less than desirable, we are looking forward to our time with our sisters and brothers. I began by saying Thank You. Realism teaches us all that there will never be enough funds, supplies, or workers for earthquake/flood relief or for spiritual needs. However, we give thanks for what we have as we also give thanks for the sacrifices of those brothers and sisters we will never meet this side of heaven. We give thanks to our God who gives us the eternal victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Your fellow workers in Christ,
Jerry and Gajendra
New preacher's wives program in Cameroon
We are reporting today from Cameroon Mbanga, from the church in Mbanga, and from the Bear valley school of preaching in the French region. The Gospel is also to be preached in the French world.
We were busy last week teaching the students their last short course. We also taught the preachers’ wives their first ever course. We have started the preachers’ wife’s program with this new batch of students here in Mbanga.
We began the training with the wives of the student preachers as well as with some preachers’ wives who have never had the opportunity to take this course. It was great to have them here to enjoy their first time in class in Mbanga. This started on Monday the 11th and ended on Friday the 15th of September 2017.The instructor of the women class was brother Bekwike Norbert and the translator was brother Bodja Giress. We needed a translatorbecause the course was written in English and some of the students’ wives speak French, some speak English, and some are multilingual. We shall be glad to have the notes in French and in English.
Eight of the women were present with two coming from the North of the country precisely in Garoua and one from the Weh village in the Northwest region (Bamenda). We are happy to tell you that all went well as we ended with the general class. The men and the women took their final exams at the same time. The exams were written and oral. The course for the women was titled, “The Basics of the Bible.” We pray for their presence next December, and we are happy that everyone arrived home safely. These will be powerful women to help their husbands as they teach the gospel to the universe.
The students studied their short course in the Church rented building so that their wives could have class in the new classroom in the new campus. You can't imagine how time flies. A few months ago, we graduated our first batch of students and now we are already planning for another graduation come 2019. It is like I am kidding but in less than no time we shall be inviting people to come for another graduation. The boys are growing both in faith and strength as many are already acquainted with the weekend evangelism. They have started gaining more interest in going on evangelism to various assemblies.
We also ended with the short course on the “NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH.” This course was taught by brother Ename Paul. Through my close observation I realized that the students spent much time to understand very well about the New Testament Church and its pattern of worship. On Wednesday, a lesson was developed on "God Desires Mercy," which explained more about the church. It was really great to see that a lesson could be delivered that was right on course and followed the program.
Our students traveled immediately after their exams on Friday to their various destinations for field work. They are currently doing great as reports come from some their congregations. This time around they are currently active in eight different congregations including MBANGA. My fellow workers in the vineyard of the Lord, I beckon you to pray for the work in French Cameroon because the Francophones are not as easy to penetrate with the gospel as the Anglophones. We wish a great success in their missions to any Christian who is on a mission anywhere in this world.
Remain blessed my beloved one. Yours in the Lord,
Evangelist ITITI BENEDICT
ACSOP attracting students from South Sudan
Student outreach program at ACSOP:
It is always an honor for me to share with you the good things that are happening at Andrew Connally School of preaching each week. We are in our third quarter and studies are going on, men are equipped for the good work. The school is now becoming more international, we have six applications from south Sudan which we are considering them for next years class. Most of our students have been coming from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Since the East Africa community has expanded its border and now South Sudan has been added in the community we can receive students from that side. A total of 13 applications have been turned in so far for the Swahili program next year. This is good news for the school, it is happening this way because of the good integrity men of God have built over the years. We pray that the Lord will be glorified through what we do at the ACSOP.
This year a total of 15 men are going to graduate and go back to their local congregation and help to teach others to love God more. ACSOP has a total number of 24 continuing students, nine are from the first year class. These students are involved in outreach each week as part of the school program. I have been receiving calls from preachers and evangelists from these 13 local congregations that our students are involved. We continue to give thanks to the sponsors and the school faculty for making this program so successful. Each week every student turns in a report, telling us what has happened while they were out. This past week I received many reports, let me now share with you in brief what had happened. Here are the statistics: three Baptisms, 87 Active Bible classes going on each week, 103 Bible correspondence courses. Please keep this wonderful work in your daily prayers as we strive to train these faithful men of God to win more souls for Christ.
Let us continue to hold our hands together and pray that more souls could be won for Christ. The evangelism team has now put much emphasis on strengthening local congregations around the area. For the past few years several gospel campaigns have been conducted which resulted into more souls added to Christ. The TEAM now revisits all the established congregations and encourages the Christians to continue with the faith.
Thank you again for your support and prayers as we all continue working for Him and the Kingdom.
In Him,
Godfrey Mngoma
Dean of Students, Andrew Connally School of Preaching
A Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver extension school
Arusha, Tanzania.
Continued growth in Cambodia
International Bible Institute of Siem Reap
Greetings from Siem Reap. We continue to study topics that help us in converting other Cambodians to become Christians and gain salvation. The school will have a short break for Pchum Ben holiday for a week. Most of the students will go to their homes during this time.
Serving Our Family & Gaining New Opportunities
Our students have helped one of our couples to move to their new house in Battambang, about 3 hours southwest of Siem Reap. Phearum, Phally and their new baby will be working with Phanat Ouch and his family to strengthen and build the new church there. The student body not only moved them but also helped them actually build their new home! In addition to that, the Siem Reap church of Christ helped them by giving $160 to purchase things that they needed. Phearum is a current student and Phally is a graduate. Phanat and his wife Aya will have faithful Christians to work with when he and his family move there next year. This will be a great team for the Lord in that area!
Bible Training & Refrigeration Training
Students join together in Darat’s class on “How to answer Bible questions when someone asks you”. This was a two week course that equipped them with the confidence and knowledge in studying with their native Cambodians.
Phanat has completed his training on refrigeration repair in the U.S. and received his certificate. He has returned to Cambodia to train the students, staff and some of the older orphans at Hannah’s Hope in these HVAC skills. Our goal of self-support is an important goal to us. Phanat does an awesome job of thinking of others at his expense. The students and staff are to be praised for their willingness to learn to support themselves as opposed to just asking for outside support. This was a week long course that is a part of the curriculum. It gives us a good work ethic and new skills that we would not ordinarily have.
“We want everyone to know how much we appreciate your prayers and support as we continue to try and build a Bible school that converts souls and trains faithful preachers.”
God Bless You,
Darat and Piseth
Grand Opening in Mbanga!
Dear Brethren,
It is so sweet to work in the vineyard of the Lord. Greetings to all our family members out there. We are doing great in Cameroon and all is well with the Church and the school of preaching.
Beloved brethren, the first picture is with brother Benjamin who is a graduate from our school. He was in the first batch of students and this was his last service with our congregation. Benjamin is making his way back to Tchad with his family. He is married and the father of a son and a daughter. He is planning to settle back in the capital city of Njamena to begin evangelizing some localities in and around the city. Beloved, it was long ago when they left their country of Tchad to settle in to Cameroon as refuges. Now they are going back to begin a new life of preaching the gospel. I believe that our prayers will be very urgent and very helpful in this new beginning for them.
Picture 2 is with some instructors and their wives who attended the inauguration ceremony in Mbanga for our new campus which was funded by the Frisco Church of Christ with the collaboration of our Coordinator David Ballard and the Pattonville Church of Christ where he preaches. The ceremony was marvelous! As you can see, there is a lot of mud in the hall as there was a lot of rain and a lot of people present on that Sunday morning.
Picture 3 gives us the smile of the preacher, myself, Ititi Benedict after the whole event is over. The hall is ready to be washed to come back at it initial stage beauty. The fellowship and opening ceremony was a huge success. We had two of our quarter-heads present as well as two of the block-heads present. A representative of the chief of the village was also there. God has blessed us to be neighbors as we are next door to the personal residence of the chief. A lot of other people in the town were present and even though there were heavy rains that morning, many other members of the church from other congregations were present including our sister school in Wotutu.
The school of preaching in Mbanga has gone through with its final exams for the quarter. We are taking our last short course which is “The New Testament Church.” This began today as well as the first preacher wives class. These will be going on at the same time. The one is in the church premises with the students. Ename is the lecturer.
The women are in the school campus with Brother Norbert teaching and Brother Giress as the interpreter because we have some wives who speak only English, some wives who speak only French, and some wives speak both. The wife of Evaristus from Bafoussam is here. The wife of Rromario from WEH in Bamenda is here. The wife of Victor and the wife of Raul who came all the away from Garoua are right here. My wife Mary, the wife of Yakoba, and the wife of Philip are here. Due to the rains this early morning, the wife of Abraham and the wife of Bea are not here yet. Maybe by tomorrow they all will come.
The students are greatly improving in their health situation, even though Azor went to Douala last week to get an x-ray his foot. Today we are waiting to see if the doctor will be proposing surgery for him or if he will just prescribe him some drugs to take.
By His grace, we shall be going out for field work this weekend to 10 villages in French speaking areas.
Thanks for your concern and keep on praying for them.
Ititi Benedict
A lot happening in Wotutu
Dearest in Christ,
Greetings from your brothers and sisters here in Cameroon. We are doing okay except for our student John Abeya who is sick. He is having some difficulties in urinating. Please keep him in your prayers.
Last week in BVBIC-Wotutu went on well and it was busy as student’s wives came to Wotutu to attend their ladies class. This time around the topic was “BASIC BIBLE KNOWLEDGE.” Thanks to sister Robin for building up the study materials for our sisters here. It is helping them know how to function along-side their husbands in congregations after graduation.
Our students ended the quarter with two short courses. They studied “Galatians and “Christian Evidences.” It was great. Brother Itali and I taught the courses. Our students are now on their way to their evangelism sites and many have already gotten to their destinations. Keep them in your prayers.
Our students are out of Wotutu for their third mission assignment as they endthe third quarter of their training in BVBIC-Wotutu. They are going to 19 different communities. They will be there for two weeks preaching and teaching. Some of them will be touching two villages within this period before they return to school.
Our van took some students, while my small car took other students, a long distance and dispatched them to start moving towards their different locations. The reason for this was for our students to get to their location on time. These days, because of the current political situation in Cameroon, cars will not be in circulation Mondays through Wednesdays. Therefore, if they don’t get to their destination today while taxis are running then it will delay their mission efforts in several locations.
Plans
More mission invitations are coming our way for next month. Also, the annual Bible lectureship will be coming up from the 23rd to the 26th of November 2017 in Nso Khakilaki village. We are invited to be part of it and to help with house to house evangelism.
Appreciation
Thanks for your prayers and support. You have supplied many items that help to make this work move along. God bless you for all you do. Please share our report with others.
Elangwe and family,
By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu
EVANGELISM IS OUR MISSION AND OUR MISSION IS EVANGELISM.2TIM2:2 2TIM4:2
Plans and progress in Sierra Leone
Hello brethren.
We are very grateful to all of you, who in diverse ways support the mission of the work here in Sierra Leone. May God richly bless you for your relentless efforts towards the school. May our Lord continue to keep you from danger and tribulation wherever you are as the days are evil.
Number of students
Presently, we have 17 students in school one has been hospitalized undergoing medical treatment.
Campaign for Christ: Campaign for this quarter is cancelled due to heavy rain fall in our areas of activities. We have rescheduled the campaign after the end of the rains in October. School will be closing down for the third quarter on the 17th September, and reopens on the 9th October, for the fourth quarter of school.
Achievements: We have made some strides in soul winning campaign and restorations as follows:
In Kailahun at the Levuma church of Christ we won 21 souls for Christ.
In Kenema churches of Christ we are strengthening their membership with new converts
In our campus ministry in Kenema, we have added four souls through baptism.
Students were restoring church members during holidays in various localities in their villages.
They were baptizing members and adding them to churches of Christ in their villages.
We have introduced computer studies in our curriculum with the help of cash donation from our sponsors. We intend to offer an additional class for members in the churches of Christ comes next year.
Thank you,
ISHMAEL
Tamale returns to class
BEAR VALLEY ISTITUTE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES, TAMALE, GHANA.
AUGUST 2017 REPORT
School on Break:
By His grace we have come to the end of the first term course successfully and the students are gone on break to see their families and farms for five weeks. We are wishing them happy home visit and hard work for the Lord’s Churches.
They will be coming back to school on the 11th of September 2017 to continue with their studies.
Administrative Work:
The administrative work of the school is ongoing as usual while the school still on break. We are still on campaign trip for more students to increase the number already in school. The campaign trip will ever continue till the end of 2017 for our set goal to be realized. The three management members will in the school to set things in other before the students get back to school. Francis will be teaching and the other two, Kojo and Alex will be working on getting the paper work on the school property done.
School Farm:
As part of our plan to develop Bear Valley Institute of Biblical Studies, Tamale, Ghana, we made the school farm to off load some burden from the school as far as the financial expenses of the school is concerned. The farm so far is growing well, except that the Army worms that are now destroying the farm crops in the country is disturbing the farm. However, we are also taking every step to control them.
Please keep on praying for the work here for God’s plan is working.
Thank you,
Alex Jabado
More progress from Zimbabwe
INTRODUCTION
Our students spent the month of August in the field doing their practical. We thank God for guiding them through this period. This practical was the major activity of the school in the month of August. This report, therefore, is mainly on the activities from the field.
1.0 APPLICATIONS FOR NEXT INTAKE
BVBIZ is welcoming applications for the 2018 May intake (second intake). Those wishing to study part-time are encouraged to apply. Classes for part time students are scheduled to start in January 2018.
2.0 FIELD PROGRAM CONTINUES
The field program started on the 15th of July and shall come to an end on the 10th of September 2017. Teachers followed up on the students to assess their progress and carry out their evaluations. The word continues to be spread. Those who had left the church have been brought back. Counselling sessions were held. Some of the lost have been brought to Christ. Many hours have been put into this effort.
3.0 EVALUATION BY PREACHERS
Students have been in contact with preachers in the field during their practical. They stood to benefit from their experience. The following are comments made by 2 preachers who came into contact with our students;
When I paid a visit to BVBIZ students currently stationed at Gokwe Center and Gokwe Nembudziya, I was impressed with their level of competency in execution of their ministerial duties. Thank you BVBIZ staff for preparing men and women for their ministry (by George Muhura, the preacher at Kadoma church of Christ and BVBIZ ambassador for Mash West).
Students showed abilities in planning their work and were conducted themselves with their communities. They were working well with resident ministers with all humility. They had zeal to teach and preach and had sound content to deliver (By Auswich Mashaba of the Gospel Chariot after having worked with students at Chikuku and Gokwe).
4.0 STUDENT REPORTS
At BVBIZ students are taught report writing skills and are mandated to report their work every month. This month we one of the reports from students who are in the field. Please see the attached report.
CONCLUSION
We thank God for the development we keep witnessing in our students. We appreciate the sacrifices congregations have been making for the upkeep of our students. To you all for you spiritual, moral, material and financial support we remain grateful. To God be the glory!
In Him,
Mathew Muchingam
Director, BVBI-Z
A new enrollment in India
Dear brethren in Christ,
Greetings to you in the precious name of Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. We are doing good, and the Lord’s work is going on great.
Faculty meeting:
The new batch of students have started taking classes from the first week of July, that is on the 3rd. We have 14 students enrolled for this batch so far. On the 19th of June we held faculty meeting to discuss about our new academic year and corresponding place. We also discussed about who teaches what subjects. We spent whole discussing these things in two sessions, we are thankful the God is giving us knowledge to enhance our capability in training the next generation evangelists.
Gospel Campaign Week:
Last week our students spent a week long time in the villages near Pydikonda. Gospel campaign week, its a program to hold personal Bible Studies, gospel meetings and Bible classes. They have travelled from Visakhaptanm to Pydikonda on train from there they travelled on Auto to reach the destination.
It was a team work for those days by the faculty and the students. Daily schedule begins with a Prayer and devotional. They start the program with a prayer, divide into groups and walk in the streets of the villages.
Some of the near by preachers have also joined with us. Our students have visited 1600 homes and distributed gospel tracts. Our students and faculty have divided up into groups and held 54 personal bible studies during this campaign. This campaign also given opportunity to visit hundreds of family who are not Christian but have asked to pray for them.
This given opportunity to our students to learn and understand the need of evangelism also comforting. We truly believe that so many people are in need of comfort, because our modern India’s economical benefits are not reaching several millions of people especially those who are farmers and lives on small businesses and daily labour are facing it more. So the prayer of comfort and strengthen the soul was done during our campaign. Our students have learned to encourage those who are without hope and faith.
In addition to personal bible studies, gospel tract distribution and offering prayers, during this campaign we held three gospel meetings in the night, one final meeting at the end of the campaign. As a result 3 souls have been added to the Church, we have given bibles as a token of welcoming them in to our Church family. Attached are the pictures showing the activity of the gospel campaign held last week.
Truly our students are blessed to learn to about the one on one study and also public evangelism. Our task of training the next generation evangelists has begun for this year with this new batch of students. We are hoping that they will gradually learn the word of God in the class room and evangelism work through the out reach programs. Hoping to see them completing their two year program. Kindly continue your prayers.
Gratitude:
We are thankful to the brethren at Strickland for their continued support, we do thank the Elders for overseeing this work also for sending Bro. Jerry Bates to check on the work in real time. We highly appreciate the Elders and members of the Church at Lake Houston Church of Christ for their continued trust and confidence.
We have been hearing in the news about the flooding caused due to hurricane Harvey, we are mindful of those victims, may God comfort them and provide them. I have been in touch with brother James Brown, one of the Elders at Lake Houston to find out the welfare about the brethren living in the Houston city, especially in Humble area.
Things are keeping us so busy, they are just indescribable, your continued prayers would be highly appreciated.
Thanking you all so much, in Christ and His service,
M. Samuel Raju, Director
John Dean M, Dean
Visakha Valley Bible College
20 students in Ukraine!
As it nears its 20th anniversary, the Bear Valley extension in Ukraine has never been healthier! It is hard to believe that not long ago, the school in Ukraine had only 3 students and its future was uncertain. God has blessed BVBIU and the latest update can be seen HERE.
Good news in New Zealand
This month, we welcome Nathan Franson from California, USA, as BVBINZ’s newest instructor. He is teaching the students Biblical Interpretation 2 through Skype. The feedback from the students has been great so far. We are thankful for technology and those who helped finance our tech.
We are also happy to welcome Robert Fiddes as the newest full-time student.
As I type this, Mark and Mindy Reynolds are in Auckland, New Zealand, awaiting their flight to Wellington, where I will pick them up. Mark is the regional director of extension studies of Bear Valley that includes New Zealand. It will be his first time visiting the school here, and we look forward to his work for the next week.
If the Lord wills, the Porirua church will have a new meeting place starting in mid-September. For the past six years, the church has been renting a school hall for two hours a week. If this works out, we will have access to a building 24/7. In addition to all of the evangelistic and edification opportunities this building will open up for the Porirua church, we will also plan to use the building as a new BVBINZ hub, rather than having it in Wellington CBD. It will be a much closer commute to 90% of the students and 100% of the New Zealand instructors.
We are thankful to the Lord for you and your love for training men and women of God.
Keep serving Him,
Lance Mosher, BVBINZ Director
Upcoming plans in Nepal
Greetings to everyone in the hope of our calling:
Friday of next week we are having graduation for our present students. They began in November 2015. The graduation is also highlighted by a lectureship from Monday through Thursday. Jerry Bates will be teaching those classes. His wife Paula will be assisted by Sunita in teaching classes for the ladies on Monday and Wednesday. We expect about 100 guests from many parts of Nepal.
Each year Nepal has a huge Hindu festival time spread over five weeks during late September to October. Many things [maybe most things] either come to a complete stop or are greatly slowed down at this time. It is centered on family and many people travel to their ancestral villages. Nothing gets done. Today it is about 20% religious and 80% cultural, maybe like Christmas is in the USA.
However, we try to make good use of this time. We will have a five day Youth Camp that is very popular and will attract teens and early 20's from all over Nepal. After that we will have campaign visits to many villages. Our goals are to [a] teach, [b] evaluate needs [earthquake and recent floods], and [c] to encourage unity and fellowship within the brotherhood. It is unwise to distribute any relief money until after this holiday festival. Budgeting and wise use of money isnot a strong Nepali culture trait. What we learn will help us to use the funds available in a more wise manner. Our personal encouragement and discussions with church leaders will helpthem use the funds in a more appropriate way.
September and October will be planning, setting priority goals, and discussing how to accomplish those goals with local leaders. We anticipate distributing the majority of funds available in November and December. They will be much more focused and serious about these matters after the holiday season.
Tomorrow we will have a fellowship, classes, and lunch in my apartment. The theme is centered on .....
Because Jesus Died For Me ... I want to and need to respond in these ways. or how we should live each day.
Because Jesus Lives ... with the message being the promise and hope we have for eternity.
Being in our new building is a tremendous blessing. We are 100% moved in and functioning while still doing some of the finishing touches.
Thank you for your love as expressed in your actions. Thank you for the funds, for your prayers, as well as for the example of Christian commitment and compassion.
In service to God and to others,
Jerry Golphenee
A new year in Haiti
A New Year at IST: Year four has started at the International School of Theology - Haiti. This year we have expanded our facilities to accommodate our new students. While we have almost finished the new facilities, there is still much to be done. There are twenty-five students in the first-year class and fourteen of the sixteen second year students have returned. We are now moving into the growing phase for IST. We have a first year and a second-year class and in 2018, we plan to add a third class. We will have our next graduation in May of 2019 and from that point forward, we will have a graduation each year.
Meet our Haitian Faculty: We now have one full-time teacher who will also serve as the administrator for IST and we have four part-time teachers.
Jean Claude Lemours has a degree in education from the University of Haiti. Brother Lemours is a 2016 graduate of IST and was our valedictorian. He has served as the minister for the Butte Boye church of Christ in Haiti for almost twenty years. He plans to continue his education toward a master’s degree in Bible.
Jean Yves Desmosthene has several years’ experience of preaching and teaching and holds a degree in administration.
Derrises Alin is a graduate from the school of preaching in Cap-Haitian and he attended one year at IST. He has served as an evangelist for many years.
Saint Hubert Felix has been a gospel preacher for thirty-eight years and he is the director of our elementary school and serves as one of our directors at IST.
Martial Viciere is a graduate from IST and serves as the director of the Sunlight Children’s Home. He oversees an education program that includes about 125 young people from kindergarten through collage age. He also is the director of the nutrition center where two hot meals are served five days a week to more than 100 children.
Church Plant: Beaubrun Origene, one of the directors at IST, and Martial Viciere have agreed to serve as the evangelists at the La Tremblay church of Christ on the campus of IST. Plans are being made to start a congregation at the school in January of 2018. The students and faculty have already started contacting people in the community and one person has been baptized into the body of Christ. Please pray for this new work. I will keep you updated at the work progresses.
As the school grows, so do the needs. We need both one-time and monthly support. If you would like to know how you can help, please contact me directly at lwaymire@gmail.com or 731-798-0136. You are also welcome to contact Bear Valley Bible Institute. May God continue to use each of us as we continue to serve Him.
We are thankful for the help of Bear Valley Bible Institute and so many individuals and congregations who have made this possible. The glory belongs to God for all that has been done.
In Him,
Larry Waymire
Graduation upcoming in Zambia
Greetings!
We bring Christian greetings from Bear Valley Bible Institute- Zambia. We are always happy to share with you concerning the work here in Zambia, and Luanshya in particular. The work of the Lord continues to grow from one degree of glory to the next. And we grateful to God for the opportunity we have in this noble task.
The six out of the ten students have finished their two years of study with Bear Valley –Zambia. For the past two years, we have seen these men on every curve of their spiritual growth. We can say with all our hearts that these men have turned to be very able preachers. And it is undoubtedly they will indeed make a meaningful contribution to the profile of the Kingdom of God. This has only been possible because of the existence of BVBI- Zambia. We have set 13th October 2017 as a graduation day for these men. Preparations are underway for the success of this day.
Recruitments of new students have intensified. With two refuges from Angola wanting to be trained, We have so far interviewed fifteen prospects students. All things being equal, we would love that all these come and be part of the student body here at BVBI-Zambia.
Some of these of grandaunts are traveling with the rest of other men in Zambia to Kalomo, Southern Province of Zambia for Men’s conference. This meeting starts on 31st August 2017 and ends on 3rd September 2017.
We are eternally grateful to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for the financial support that comes to us each month. May God continue blessing you in all your endeavors!
Thank you once again.
In His service,
Cephas and Fred
Graduation and lectureship in Nigeria
Beloved in Christ Jesus,
Greetings from BVBIN and SWSE, Butubutu, Ibadan and fellow ministers of God in Nigeria.
In one month the students teaching has resulted into the conversion of forty souls and restoration of over forty erring brothers and sisters and the planting of four congregations.
This year annual lectureship and graduation was attended by over two hundred people from Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Akwa -Ibom, Cross River, Abujaand USA.
4,000 VOTI and 2,000 WBS introduction lessons were distributed to 150 congregations that graced the occasion. A carton of books from Mission Printing, Thompson Reference chain Bible, Bible Dictionary from Bro. Steven Ashcraft, Books from Bro. Doug Wheeler, and books from Bro. Jerry Bates were distributed to the 27 graduates .
Four of this year graduates(Bro. Obey Rimamsikwe, Bro. John Serimam, Samuel Peter and Bro. Ukori Godwin, pic attached) will now be ministering in four of the congregations the Lord planted by the school efforts in Taraba and Ondo States of Nigeria.
In conclusion, we deeply appreciates the support from Bro. Doug Wheeler and associates and the support from Bro. Steven Ashcraft and associates and your great partnership and love towards the growth of the Lord 's Church in Africa most especially in Nigeria. May the Lord of blessings continue to bless all our joint efforts in Christ Jesus, amen.
I remain your fellow soldier of Christ..... Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi
(Director of Studies & Chairman of Administrative Council, BVBIN & SWSE, Butubutu, Ibadan and WBSFUW)
Wotutu Director travels to Nigeria
Dearest in Christ,
Greetings from your brothers and sisters here in Cameroon, Wotutu. We are doing great and we return all the glory to God. I am sorry to send my last week’s report late. I was out of Cameroon to Nigeria. I was invited by a local congregation to officiate in a funeral program of late sister Alice Idemokon. She was so nice to me when I was in the Bible college in Nigeria. She took me like my mother away from my mother, so when she gloriously passed on, her children and the congregation of Church of Christ Ikot Idem Udo decided to invite me to join with other ministers there for the funeral program. I took my wife along and it was great to travel with her again. The program in that village went on well and we also went to Uyo town to be part of the Akpa Ube congregation.
I hope this report meets you in good health and sound faith as usual .
As students were going to different locations for weekend evangelism my wife and I were also on the road to Nigeria. We drove to the border in Ekok, packed there and went across the border to Akwa Ibom state as our invitation stipulated. Some students went to the newly established congregations and return with great news, like in Owe congregation 3 souls were added, a man, his wife and their son all obeyed the gospel without hesitation. We are planning for a mass evangelism in Owe village. There is also great improvement in Nfaitock, Bakebe ,Ashum and Eyang as the Christians there are praying and appreciating God for the truth that they are enjoying now. Please, we need some urgent help to get benches and sign boards to these congregations. They are very promising. Brother Derrick was also added to Wotutu the congregation. The fruits of the VBS and the “Friends and Family Day” have started coming us.
PLANS
We are planning a mass evangelism campaign in Owe village before our general campaign. There are many demands for us to send our students to many places.
We are also invited by our sister school in Mbanga to join with them to evangelize a community in the French area. A lot of English people live there as well. We shall finalize that soon.
APPRECIATIONS
Thank you very much for your prayers, your concern over souls here, and your support for us to go out and reach out to souls. God bless you and keep you strong, for there are more days to serve Him. Do your best to share our reports with others.
Thanks very much for standing with us.
Elangwe and family
By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu
EVANGELISM IS OUR MISSION AND OUR MISSION IS EVANGELISM.2TIM2:2 2TIM4:2
Campaign results in Malawi
The table below is a summary of the evangelism work done since we started the BV programme. You will notice that there are three remaining campaigns before the students graduate. Here at Mzuzu Bible College, all of us are strongly committed to the BV focus that 'we train preachers'.
It should be noted that the number reflected here are the work of both departments here at Mzuzu Bible College: BV and MSOP
2016 campaigns
1. Katili – Karonga
This is a place where one of the former student of the Mzuzu Bible College was coming from, seeing the few Christians, he asked the College to come for a campaign and the results were as follows:
a. 9 souls were added to Christ.
b. 2 souls were restored.
2. Lupaso – Mzuzu
This was a new congregation we established
a. 5 souls were added to Christ.
b. 6 souls were restored.
3. Chisangano – about 35km from the college (Mbano’s home village)
This was a new congregation established
a. 24 souls were added to Christ.
b. 5 souls were restored.
4. Chankhombo – Mzuzu
This was a new congregation established
a. 5 souls were added to Christ.
b. 3 souls were restored.
5. Kalimira – Kasungu
This was a new congregation established
a. 35 souls were added to Christ.
b. 5 souls were restored.
2017 campaigns
1. Zarewa – Blantyre
This is a new congregation established in May this year
a. 9 souls were added to Christ.
b. 10 souls were restored.
2. Kamphenda – Rumphi
This is a new congregation established in last month of July
a. 12 souls were added to Christ.
b. 10 souls were restored.
3. Chiseng’ezi – Mzimba
This is a new congregation established last month as well of July
a. 21 souls were added to Christ.
b. 5 souls were restored.
4. Chinombo – Ekwendeni (September – 2017) not yet
5. Kasungu – Central Region (August – 2017) not yet
6. Lilongwe – Capital city of Malawi (August – 2017) not yet
Looking forward, we will have a new intake of students in February 2018. Already we have over 120 student applications for 2018/19 (for BV we have about 35 applications).
Marc Veary