38 students in Arusha

It’s my hope that things are going well with each one of you, and that you are all working hard in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope that the gospel is being preached and taught by the faithful servants all over the World. This is only possible because of the ability that our God supplies through His faithful sons.

At ACSOP things are going well. We started our first quarter on February 5, and it will conclude on March 9, 2018. The total number of students in ACSOP this year is 38, and includes men from Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

We started teaching them the book of Genesis and Life of Christ 1, taught by Desdery Massawe, “How We Got the Bible” and “Intertestamental Period” taught by Godfrey Mngoma, “Biblical Interpretation (Introduction to Hermeneutics)” and “Public Speaking 2” taught by Ahimidiwe Kimaro, “Spiritual Disciplines” and “Godhead” taught by Charles Herbeth.

My fellow teachers and I are working hard to mold and strengthen these students by imparting to them the skills of the Word of God.  We really appreciate this great effort which is being undertaken here in this part of the world because of your prayers, and great financial support which helps make these things possible. May our God of our Lord Jesus Christ supply all your needs as you do to us. Amen.

Your servant in Christ Jesus,

Losotwa Michael
Dean of Academics,

Andrew Connally School of Preaching

A Bear Valley Bible Institute International extension school

Arusha, TZ.

Plans for the future in Zimbabwe

INTRODUCTION

Many exciting things are happening at BVBIZ. God’s favour continues to be seen with the passing of each month. February had her share of these. Space may not permit to detail all. This report is a summary of what transpired in February together with some upcoming future activities and programs.  

CLASSES CONTINUE

Classes at BVBIZ are progressing well. All short courses have so far been completed. These includes; Geography of the Bible, Foundation of Missions and Community Development and Poverty Alleviation. The following courses are still in progress;

·         Revelation

·         Minor Prophets

·         Christian Evaluation of Contemporary Ethics

·         Preacher’s Life and Work

·         Elementary Hebrew

LAUNCH OF STRATEGIC DOCUMENT

BVBIZ now has its blueprint. This strategic plan document was commissioned on the 24th of February 2018. This was done during a board meeting that took place on the same day. This document was produced after many hours of intensive work by the board, management and other stakeholders in the period from December 2017 to January 2018. Keith Kasarjian, the Bear Valley Bible Institute International Director was there to witness the commissioning. The following pictures show what transpired.

KEITH VISITS BVBIZ

BVBIZ was blessed to have Keith Kasarjian from the 24th -27th of February. He last came into the country 2 years ago to survey the possibility of having a school in Zimbabwe. It was a blessing seeing him back to see the school for the first time and assess its progress. He had an opportunity to meet the students and teachers. On the 24th he was part of the Board meeting, that saw the commissioning of BVBIZ’s strategic plan. On Sunday, the 25th, he preached at Nashville church of Christ. On the 26th he taught students, preached in chapel and had a meeting with the teachers.  BVBIZ was indeed blessed by this visit. 

APPRECIATION

Our appreciation goes to Brother Noel Nyemba in East London, South Africa for donating a projector to the school. This has been one of our needs for a long time. Thank you Noel for standing in the gap.

FIELD PROGRAM

BVBIZ emphasizes on practical. This has been done through a number of ways which include weekend evangelism and field program. The first filed program was done for eight weeks in 2017 from 10 July-10 September. During last year’s eight week program, there were 40 restorations, 56 baptisms, 1223 prospects reached with the gospel one on one besides other methods used. This year’s program shall take place in April and May. Applications from congregations are already in for the program.

GRADUATION

This month we repeat a notice which was in our January report. The proposed graduation date for our current class is the 2nd of June 2018. Details regarding this ceremony shall be furnished as time progresses. This first batch of students will be ready to work anywhere (in existing congregations or starting new ones) starting in June 2018. If there is a congregation in need of a preacher (either married or single) please contact the school.

CONCLUSION

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

Your brother,

Mathew Muchingam, Director BVBI-Z

Another new school!

Dear brethren,

We are glad to inform you that Bear Valley has officially established another extension school in Guinea. The opening ceremony was successfully held on last Sunday, 25th February 2018 after the regular worship service in the town of Gueckedou.

Besides the Bear Valley personnel – Steven of America, Robert of Liberia and Peter of Sierra Leone, various government personalities including the head of the prefecture, the city major and his assistant, the press and a large number of invited guests and other religious leaders all attended this historic program. 16 of the 18 students and 7 of the 9 staff present at the ceremony.

Steven, Robert and Peter assisted us in designating the facilities for the various work areas such as the class-room, the dormitory, the library, visiting instructors' room and the director' office.

Other preparations are being made to ensure the start of classes on Monday, the 5th of March. We are grateful to the US administration of Bear Valley. Our appreciation equally go to Steven and his able men from Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Brotherly,

Francis Sahr Musa, Director, BVBI-G

My visit to Zimbabwe

It has been my pleasure to be with the staff and students at Bear Valley Bible Institute - Zimbabwe. I first began working on this new school in 2015, made the survey trip in January 2016, and the school began June 2016. It has impressed and excelled every step of the way. 

Director Mathew Muchingami and his team of Howard Suwari, Ishmael Mutichu, and Hope Karigoka are doing an outstanding job of making this school reach its fullest potential. They are hard-working, driven, and have a great vision for the future of this school and how it will benefit the church in this country.

I was also able to sit in on a school board meeting and was so impressed by the seven men who came from different parts of the country to attend the meeting, because they believe in the value of the school and what we are doing. 

The students are set to graduate in early June, after finishing a 2 month (April and May) practicum. I was able to share encouragement and admonition with them, as they will soon be beginning their respective ministries. 

Please continue to pray for these good brethren, this school, and the new group of students that will soon begin their journey

See the video of the students and staff singing in the local language of Shona.

From Gweru,

Keith Kasarjian

The Great Workshop in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus, 
Greetings from BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan and fellow WBSFUW in South West States of Nigeria. 
Our two weeks break / vocational training weeks end on Friday, February 9,2018. The two weeks break and vocational training results in to conversion of 13 souls and restoration of 15 erring brothers. Bro. Anana Abasiama Effiong and Bro. Emmanuel Godwin recorded three conversions each while Bro. Ukori Godwin Johnson and Bro. Agbefa Dickson recorded the highest restoration of five each. TO GOD BE THE GLORY AND HONOR !

Brethren, this year Great Workshop 2018 held in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State between February 6-10 witnessed the present of over 600 brethren across the country, Nigeria. Our guest speaker, Bro. Chad Wagner was another blessing to the Workshop and he spoke on REPOSITIONING THE CHURCH TO BUILD RELATIONSHIP AMONGST OURSELVES...... while our elderly brother, Bro. Monday John Akpakpan admonished the brethren on PREACH THE WORD on February 8 before we went out to fished for the souls of men and women for the Lord. 

On Thursday evening, the remaining 4,000 copies of VOTI volume 94 and 3,000 three powerful doctrinal books written by one of our best friends in Africa, Bro. Jerry Bates (Worship, Bible Covenants and Godhead),over 1,000 WBS correspondence courses and 400 BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan 2018 Calendar were freely distributed to all the participants while all the participants went home with copies of Bible, books and the Workshop materials sponsored by Bro. Doug Wheeler and associates and The Bill Pennell family at the end of the programs. 

Beloved, we thank the Almighty God for granting us safety to and from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Also, we appreciate you all for your moral and prayers supports. May the Lord keep on using all of us for His glory in Jesus Christ name, amen. 

I remain your fellow soldier of Christ.....

Bro. Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi (Director of Studies  Chairman of Administrative Council, BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan and fellow WBSFUW)

Nearing the end of the 4th quarter in Mbanga

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

How precious it is to be in the house of God. We give God all the glory for He is the reason we are living. Accept greetings from our lovely family in Mbanga and that of the church in Kiboum that God added to His kingdom some weeks ago.

We request a series of prayers for our country Cameroon, for our school of preaching and for the congregations in the French speaking part of our country, as well as for my family.

The work in the Bear Valley School of preaching in Mbanga is growing as we are rounding up with long courses of this fourth quarter. This will mark the end of year one. How time flies! Very soon we shall be inviting you again for our second graduation ceremony and to our third matriculation ceremony come March 2019. Plan to come and be part of this great event in Mbanga.

Recruitment is on-going for those for male Christians who are bilingual or speaks just French who will love to be trained in our school of preaching in Mbanga. The forms are now available. You can contact any of the staff for more information.

Our students are growing both in preaching and in administration. We can observe them now and begin to compare and picture their first days on campus. Our computer lab is also helping the students to study and get details on some lessons and courses. The few books from the library are helping as well. We have more books and tracts on the way from Mission Printing and French World Outreach.

Weekend evangelism is the key to training and success of our students as they will not pass by a week without going to many, even some very remote, areas where they may travel for very long distances just to go and preach to young converts or to make some prospects or new converts.    This really brings out a lot of motivation both intrinsic and extrinsic.

This year started with lots and lots of blessings as many souls are already added to the church and with the assistance of our students. New congregations are being established. One new congregation is in Awing village were seven souls were added to church and another in Kiboum village. These were established the same weekend. Kiboum is a village in the central region of Cameroon. We have a congregation only in capital city in the central region. This could be the first village in the central region to accept the undiluted gospel. Nine souls are already baptized into Christ in that village and as of now, 32 persons are worshipping with the Kiboum church of Christ. We pray this will be a new beginning in the central region. Two were added last week in at Mbanga who will worship with the Bonaberi assembly in Douala.

We are planning for another mass evangelism in two other villages during this dry season. We pray that you commit us in your prayers to have the funds and the technics to go about this work. Evangelism is our mission and our mission is evangelism.

I thank the almighty God for his grace and strength and I thank the many great teachers and mentors whom God used to help bring me into this great work in Cameroon, for which I was trained and prepared since the days of my youth.

Shalom to all from evangelist Ititi Benedict, the slave at work.

More progress in Takoradi

Dear Brethren,

Again, we are very much thankful to the Almighty God for leading us safely into another year, 2018. It is our prayer that as He did to us in the recent year past, He will continue to grant us peace, wisdom, strength and desire to be able to go through this new year successfully. We also trust that just as He granted our supporters all they needed to assist this school, He would continue to grant them His will and enable all our supporters receive double portion of His blessing. Very thankful to Him again.

CLASSROOM WORK

We returned into session after the end of year break in the middle of the month (January). As has been our usual practice classes for both the regular and part-time students commenced immediately. We are glad to say that teaching and learning have continued successfully as both instructors and students have been present and on time to go though the time table.

PART-TIME SCHEDULE

Before we went on break, brother Steven Ashcraft had made us aware that this program must conform to the schedule of the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, which the school in Accra is also following. Instead of all the instructors reporting to teach a class this day, (Saturday), one instructor must complete his course and another continues in that order. The Director, Matthew Ackah has begun to take the first schedule, continuing for twenty Saturdays. While fulfilling the schedule of Bear Valley, we also have observed that this has also given our students better concentration on the course

EVANGELISM/BAPTISM

Both instructors and students’ effort contributed in the conversion of twelve (12) souls during the break. The students, upon their return to school are continuing with their evangelism in the villages around the school. They continue to preach also in the village’s information Center. We stated this in our last report.

HHI SUPPORTED POULTRY PROJECT

We are glad to report to you that this project is going on successfully. As we send this report, about a hundred of the two hundred and seventy one birds have been sold. We continue to search for market to sell the remainder. We remain committed with our plans to keep the project running. We have booked another three hundred (300) day old chicks to be delivered in the third week of March, 2018. We pray plans for our suppliers do not change.

MOTORCYCLE

The donation of the motor bike had helped our course tremendously. While providing transportation for our evangelism in the areas around the school, it has also supported some urgent needed errands of the women in the kitchen. It also has helped the school carry sick students to the nearby hospital even at odd times. We once again wish to thank the donors. It has been a wonderful assistance to the school.

Finally, we again thank you all, especially our most cherished sponsors for your readiness and willingness to you all and pray the Father to grant you all your heart desire to be able to see us all through another successful year. Once again we say “THANK YOU” and our special greetings to the entire brethren.

CHARLES MENSAH

Director, West Coast School of Preaching

Personal Evangelism in New Zealand

We are happy to report on another busy month for the students and staff of Bear Valley Bible Institute-New Zealand. This quarter is very demanding for the students. For one, they will be taking two biblical language courses (not at the same time!), plus they are also taking my Personal Evangelism course, which requires them to close the books, go outside, and talk to people! In addition to that, next week, we will begin a local campaign to help up to four different congregations drum up some contacts for follow up work.

I am currently teaching my largest class yet with Personal Evangelism 1. I have thirteen eager students. The word training may be a more appropriate word, rather than teaching. Training requires doing that which is taught. The students are having to step out of their comfort zones this week to begin spiritual conversations with at least three people using the tools we have given them in class. I am taking them through the Make Disciples Training Program.

As always, we are very thankful to be a part of this work, and we’re thankful you are, too! We hope this brief report has encouraged you. Please continue to pray for us. 
 
Lance Mosher, BVBINZ Director

Classes resume in Fiji

BIBLE INSTITUTE AT RAIWAQA, FIJI REPORT

17 February 2018

By: Rocco Hugh Pierce

Things are shaping up for a good year.  School starts back on Monday the 19 of February 2018.  We are looking forward to a great year.  Debbie and I arrived back in Fiji on February 10th and have been very busy settling in and trying to get ready for the coming school year.  

We have two new international students enrolled for the 2018 school year.  Alphonsus comes to us from the Solomon Islands.  He brings with him his wife, and two children ages 9 and 5.  Alphonsus has been preaching for the Honiara Church of Christ and comes to us highly recommended by Rod Kyle, a missionary to the Solomon Islands.  We have been busy helping him to find a place to live and started the process for his student visa. 

Our second new student comes to us from the island nation of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, Asher, is a single man in his fifties and an active leader in the church in Pohnpei.  Debbie and I are headed to Nadi this weekend to pick him up from the airport, along with Wayne Parker, the missionary to Pohnpei who is traveling with him.  

We should have 7 returning students from last year.  We also expect to have 2 students readmitted to the program that had to drop out last year due to family or personal issues.  All total, we are looking at 11 students for our first term of 2018.

In this first term, I will be teaching three classes: The Sermon on the Mount, Congregational Development, and Beginning Greek.  Jason will teach, Old Testament Prophets 1, General Epistles, and Christian Evidences.  The subjects this year are upper division and may serve as a bit of challenge for our students, especially those who are entering the program this year.  I know our students would appreciate your prayers! 

I just got word from Healing Hands International, that our books for our library have been picked up from their warehouse in Nashville, for their journey to a sea port in the U.S.A (either New Orleans, San Francisco, or Los Angeles).  The shipment contains nearly 2,000 pounds of books in 72 boxes.  Cargo ships leave the U.S. every two weeks heading for Fiji.  Once the books are stowed in the cargo hold of the ship, it will take another 45 days for the transpacific voyage.  Hopefully, they will arrive by the end of April or 1st of May.  Our students are very excited about having access to the resources that these books will provide.

We are so grateful to God for the opportunity to serve in this work.  We are also thankful to Bear Valley for their support and encouragement.  We appreciate the dedication of our students to learning Gods word.  Truly, God has been gracious! 

Graduation in Togo

THE 5TH BVBI GRADUATION IN TOGO.

It was a great joy and relief to see the students march down the Isle at Crystal Hotel where the ceremony took place. This ceremony was scheduled to have taken place on November 11 2017 but had to be postponed indefinitely due to the political tension in Togo. However,  in December the date was tentatively set for January 27 2018.

The occasion was graced by Keith Kassarjian (the director of extension studies at Bear Valley Bible Institute), Steve Ashcraft( Coordinator of Bear Valley extension schools in West Africa) and Dr. Augustine Tawiah( former director of the Ghana Bible college and a member of Parliament in the current government of Ghana), he was also the the guest speaker.

 Among the special guests were preachers and elders from Lome and several church members. There were four hundred and fifty people in all who came to witness the ceremony. At the end of the program seven men received diplomas.

Some of the invited guests posed for a picture with the graduates. Keith handed the diplomas to the students and Steve, the coordinator, also delivered a speech. 

TWENTY (20) MEN ENROLLED AT BVBI IN KPALIME,TOGO.

This has been the most difficult enrollment exercise we have organized so far. We were not certain we could get even eight men to attend. For the first time we had to use radio announcements running for over a month, visit congregations, make announcements during our weekly broadcast etc. The response this time was very good because we have introduced livestock and organic vegetable farming as an encouragement to those who will enroll in the Bible Training Program. However, the ultimate goal of introducing the livestock and the organic vegetable farming is for the school to become self supporting in the near future.

Brotherly,

Willie Gley 

Mike Reese visits Kenya

God Continues to Bless the Work in Kenya

The Kenya School of Preaching is alive and well and continues to equip faithful and able men for works of ministry under the careful guidance of Charles Ogutu, director, and Elias Omallo, academic dean.   I was in Kenya January 4-19, 2018 (along with Dr. Denny Petrillo) and was able to teach two classes at KSOP: one Master’s class, “The Spiritual Formation of the Preacher” to nine students and “Education Program of the Church” to the 18 undergraduate students.  Both classes worked extremely hard in their respective classes.  While all performed in the classroom these men are applying what they are learning in “real life” ministry.  Let me share some of the most recent works of KSOP graduates and current students.

Raphael Okuma (2016 KSOP graduate) conducted a campaign January 26-28 at the Kibuye  Church of Christ in Siaya, Kenya.  Preachers who joined in this campaign were David Wasonga (Andrew Connally graduate and KSOP short course teacher), Joseph Patric Tuju (elder at Ahono), Paul Odemba (2016 KSOP) and John Paul Ochieng (2016 KSOP).  The Lord blessed their efforts with ten baptisms.

Victor Boy current KSOP student has committed to working with the newly planted church in Bondo, Kenya.  After several weeks of Bible study God gave the increase of two souls being baptized into Christ January 20.

A short evangelistic campaign January 14 by four current KSOP students and Elias Omollo (academic dean) at the Malele Church of Christ resulted in God giving the increase with four baptisms and two restorations.

Zachary Ouma (current KSOP student and former street boy) continues to minister to those living on the street in Nakuru.  Having been a former street boy himself due to being orphaned at a young age, Zachary knows what these “street boys” and “street girls” are experiencing.  His personal success and faithfulness to God serves as a bright and guiding light to those he is teaching and mentoring who have been outcast by Kenyan society.

On Saturday, January 27, Simon Bett, Philip Langat, Nehemiah Molel and Gilbert Langat (all current KSOP students) traveled to their home area in the Rift Valley and met from 2 p.m. – 8 a.m. with 18 elderly men from five different congregations.  The agenda was restoration to faithful worship practices of the New Testament.  Simon Bett reported, “after lengthy discussions they agree to stay faithful to (the) Gospel.”

In January 2018, eighteen  KSOP students, two American teachers and two African teachers visited 19 local churches, preached 34 sermons, taught 38 classes, performed 26 baptisms, restored 7 area churches to the New Testament pattern of worship, were involved in 22 individuals being  restored, participated in 17 evangelistic trips to local churches and around Hellena Court and preached in 6 gospel meetings. Elias Omollo, KSOP Academic Dean commented, “If this is what we can accomplish in a month, how about in a year's time? God knows our plans and goals!”

This is just a small sample of the mighty works being done by current and alumna of the Kenya School of Preaching.  It is an honor for me personally to be associated with these men. To God be the glory great things He hath done!

Michael P. Reese Ed.D.

Coordinator Kenya School of Preaching

A new class of students in Arusha

The year 2017 existed and ended marvelously with a lot of success at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. Many encouraging report have been written by Faculty members and missionary and to give you updated of what the Lord has been working through his ministers here at Arusha. My Gospel ministry and entire mission work was amazing especially working with my fellow preachers and faculty members at ACSOP.  We have been able to accomplish much for the Lord and His kingdom for the past year. 

We are very happy everyday to read reports from our graduate students who are always working faithfully in their local congregation. Over the past 15 years a total of 172 students have graduated in which out of these 163 are still faithful in the Lords church. As you have been reading on our recently report, we are glad to have a group of 36 students in both Swahili and English program. Please continue to pray for these faithful men who have left their family to come and be trained for two years.

This is our first quarter and classes are in session, instructors are getting very busy everyday in teaching and grading students quizzes. We are expecting to have our student working with congregation around the area. This program is very helpful to both our students and these congregations. Please continue to pray for this work. We will never stop to thank you with all your support. 

 In Him,

Godfrey Mngoma

Dean of Students, Andrew Connally School of Preaching

A Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver extension school

Arusha, Tanzania

Mass evangelism in Cameroon

How precious it is to be in the house of God ,we give God all the glories for He is the reason we are leaving. Accept greetings from our lovely family in Mbanga and that of the church in Kiboum that God added to His kingdom some weeks ago.

We request a series of prayers for our country Cameroon,to our school of preaching and to the congregations in French speaking part of our country and to my family.

The work in the Bear Valley school of preaching in Mbanga is growing as we are rounding up with long courses of this fourth quarter and this will mark the end of year one,how time flies very soon we shall be inviting you again for our second graduation ceremony and to our third matriculation ceremony come march 2019. Come and be part of this great event in Mbanga.

Recruitment is on going for those who will love to be trained in our school of preaching in Mbanga for male Christians who are bilingual or speaks just French . The forms are available you could contact the management board for information.

Our students are growing both in preaching and in administration.we can observed and begin to picture their  first days in campus.our computer lap is also helping the students to study and get details on some lessons and courses including the few books from the library.

Weekends evangelism is the key to our students as they will not pass by a week without going even to some remote areas were they will travel for very long distances just to go and preach to young convert or make some prospects and this is really brings out a lot of motivation both intrinsic and extrinsic.

This year  started with a lot and lots of blessings as many souls are already added to the church and with the assistance of our students,new congregations are been established.one in Awing village were seven souls were added to church and the other at Kiboum village that same weekend.kiboum is a village in the centre region in Cameroon.we have congregation only in capital city in the centre region and this  could be the first village in the centre region to accepting the undiluted gospel.9souls are already baptised to Christ in that village and as of now 32 persons are worshipping in Kiboum church of Christ.we pray this will be a new beginning in the centre region,2 should were added last week from mbanga and will worship with the bonaberi assembly in Douala.

We are planning for another mass evangelism in two other villages in this dry season.we pray you commit us in your prayers to have funds and the technics to go about this work.evangelism is our mission and our mission is evangelism.

We thank the almighty God for his Grace and strength to be a part of this great work in Cameroon from the days of my youth.

Shalom to all from evangelist Ititi Benedict the slave at work.

New Director in Accra

Great is He who has made seasons always new with full of strength, glory and merciful. Indeed with the Lord all things are possible. Happy New Year to all the brethren, the board and the instructors both in USA, Ghana, Togo and other countries, we always hear from you and your endeavor in remembrance in your prayer.

STAFF MEETINGS

Structure Academic Activities: such as having chapel period, periodic evangelism on school premises.

Reaching the past students in contact: This was to check on how they are doing as to whether they are making headway in their preaching work. The instructors could visit their congregation as means of knowing their activeness. Also, to create a database for all their contacts details.

Soul Winning: Concerns was discussed and that the Year End Numbers were not encouraging therefore more effort should be put in order to have the gospel preached all round and to win more souls.

NEW APPLICANTS

We are grateful to receiving application for the Third Batch. Twenty (20) students applied for admission for the academic year 2018/2019. Among these, we currently have Eleven (11) students for Regular Department and Four (4) for Weekends / Distance Learning Department.  We are firmly hoping that the rest of the Five (5) would be reported as we endeavor to reach them in contact daily.

Currently, we have in total of Thirty-four (34) students for Distance Learning / Weekends and Eleven (11) for Regular Department. In total, there are Forty-five (45) students currently for Accra School excluding those we are preparing for the graduation.

BEGINNING OF CLASS

School resumes on 22nd January, 2018 and we have our first term study with full curriculum. The curriculum in the first term captures Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics, How We Got The Bible, Cost of Discipleship, Pentateuch, Communication Skills and Introduction to Computers. All the Instructors are healthily present on the period assign them and having their classes effective. Our students are very active desiring to study what’s the truth though they are few days old in class.

DONATION

School Van: The Southern Institute of Biblical Studies, Dobro – Accra has successfully received a Van which could hold 18 persons. This will enable us to make trips to various places for our evangelism activities. For instance, that which is coming forth 5th March, 2018 in Central Region of Ghana. The staffs together with the new students say may your kindness be blessing to you and the church.

Information Center For Our Public Preaching Activities: having put forth the authorities about P. A. System for preaching, gadget such as horns, microphones, amplifier and cable has also reach the school for constructing Information Centre which is about to be done. This will aid our down preaching and other evangelistic ativities

Projector: A brand new Epson Projector has been donated to SIBS – Accra Campus to facilitate teaching in class, evangelistic activities and other activities that will demand for its use.

Other Donation: Much has been received from you in kind or cash which is helping for the progress of the school and more excellence for glorifying the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

CHANGE IN DIRECTORSHIP AND HANDING OVER

As authorized by the National Coordinator, Br. Steven Ashcraft proposed that with effect from 1st January, 2018 bro. Seth Osae Larbi, the former Director for SIBS in Accra to be changed to bro. Emmanuel Odeng Larbi, the Assistant to Brother Seth.

Currently, we have our new director for Accra School, namely, bro. Emmanuel Odeng Larbi.

To add to the above, bro. Kojo Acquah Beenyi has been asked to serve as the Regional Coordinator for all the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Ghana with effect from the January 1st, 2018.

Hand over activities has been made to the new director and his administration. All ministries are effectively in progress for the year.

Samuel Sasu Ntim

STUDENT’S PROFILE

This is Samuel Sasu Ntim. He is a young of age 32 and a student of the second batch 2016/2017 academic year. He is single. Samuel is the evangelist of Panpanso No.1 local congregation with 33 believers. 18 members within two years were added to the church. Though they do not come in full number due to traveling and unemployment matters yet regular members of 26 meet weekly. Samuel is always proud of SIBS for the wonderful studies he has had through the Devine guidance and the knowledgeable instructors.

To add to his achievement, Samuel has been able to write a Bible Tract in Twi language which is titled “}kwan a Onyankop]n nam so de gye onipa nkwa” (the Scheme of Redemption) with the help of the institution.

Currently, he has devoted to transport and tracts sharing evangelism for the glorification of God.

He says may you, the Southern Institute of Biblical Studies and all the brethren be blessed.

From the staff at SIBS

Fishing for men in Arusha

“And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of me.”

As the Lord was about to begin His ministry, He saw it fitting to train up men who will take His course far beyond imagination, He knew that those people being well trained for three years, will have great impact to the world for many generations to come. This is what we also have been blessed with. He has called us to be “fishers of Men” and bring many to Him everyday. Not only bringing but also training them up to be able to teach as many as they can meet.

The Lord has honored us (Andrew Connally School of Preaching) with another opportunity this year of training faithful men from three countries: Tanzania, Kenya and South Sudan (we are also expecting some from Ethiopia to join us soon). 28 congregations represented and the total of 36 students. Truly, God is so good.

We have started our classes this past Monday, please keep both the instructors, staffs and students in you prayers as we begin this journey of “Making them Fishers of Men.”

We also thank our Almighty God for giving us such good, selfless and generous donors like you, we thank you so much for your prayers and support. All these could have not been possible if it could have not been through your support to the Lord’s work here in Tanzania. Many souls will be in heaven one day because you decide to share. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

May the Lord continue to bless you all every day.

Your servant in His Kingdom, 

Till all have heard

Charles H. Mwanga

Director,

Andrew Connally School of Preaching

P.O. Box 14041, 

Arusha – Tanzania

+255-754-917-481

Classes resume in Ukraine

It is very cold in Ukraine and the students all wear coats and hats IN the classroom, but that doesn't dampen their spirits. Things continue to go very well in Ukraine and you will enjoy this update from Director, Denis Sopelnik. Click HERE.

A plan for the year in Sierra Leone

BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE KENEMA, SIERRA LEONE
                                           
The Bear valley Bible Institute Sierra Leone greets you all in the name of our lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We want to appreciate all those who in diverse ways supported the work here in our country. We say  thank you once again to our Regional Coordinator and Keith whose visits in sierra Leone were a blessing in disguised by bringing the gospel  closer to our doors through Bear Valley Bible Institute. 

THIS YEAR'S PROGRAM
The first year program has ended with lots of events undertaken last year. We have started another new year with evangelism campaigns, lectureship, personal visits,  house to house, restoration and cooperative evangelism with churches of Christ in Kenema. We also agreed to send student preachers on a routine basis each month to the churches in our area. We hope with these strategies as a preacher's training school will help us achieve better results for this year. 

ACTION PLAN FOR THIS YEAR.
We have engaged on a mass evangelism campaign on every Saturday within Kenema township at a place call Dauda Town on church survey for the possibility of  church planting in that community. We are planning a three day lectureship and public preaching campaign at the end of this month on that venue before going for our election  break. We also intend to take Kenema urban and rural as our new JERUSALEM. (ACTS 1:8)  this year.

CONVERSION FOR JANUARY
The students ministry at campus have converted four souls for the month of January 2018.
Bro.  Emmanuel F. Focko was  preacher for that service. He captivated the hearts of these converts through an inspired message preached on the theme “ who is a christian”?

Bro. Focko is born some 25 years ago in a small village call Yaladu near Koindu.

He has lost both parents and was staying all by himself. But due to his heart burning desire to do God's work he was picked up by his leaders in his congregation and was recommended for biblical training in the Bear Valley Bible School. He was nurtured and baptized under the church of Christ Koindu in 2009

This brother is a church planter and has planted one congregations in his community before coming to school. He is single and ready to work for the lord if given the support after completing school. He is a pleasant person to work with. 
The photo below shows Bro, Emmanuel F. Focko holding a bible with a young congregation as the shepherd of that congregation.

PHOTOCOPIER
One of our main constrains was the printing and coping of teaching materials for students.
But with  the purchase of a canon copier through the help of our sponsors we can now boast of having teaching materials on all the modules for our students. We thank our sponsors for such a wonderful gift to our school.

Your brother,

Ishmael Bangura

Director, BVBI-SL

A new program in Zimbabwe

INTRODUCTION

It is another year! 2018 has brought with it expectations of better things in our effort to do our part in Kingdom. BVBIZ looks back and cherishes the lessons learnt in 2017 whilst growing out of the things we did not do well. In January, continued to advance our as highlighted hereunder.

CLASSES RESUME

Classes resumed on the 15th of January 2018. All students came back. This will be their final term with us. We wish the students and the teachers and enjoyable term.

PART TIME PROGRAM

The much publicised part time program roared into life on the 5th of January. This means that we will now be having both fulltime and part time students. The total number of part time students is 17. Lessons are done during weekend (Saturdays and Sundays after service). These do not go on break and their studies take 6 more months to complete. The target had been to have at least 20 students. The composition of these include;

·         Men serving as preachers in congregations but had not received formal training

·         Preacher’s wives who had not received formal training

·         Those who cannot leave their employment to come full time on ground

EVANGELISM

Students were active during the holiday in various congregations. BVBIZ would like to thank the following congregations that invited our students for holiday preaching;

·         Tongogara church of Christ (sponsored by Mufakose church of Christ)

·         Borrowdale church of Christ

·         Kambuzuma church of Christ

These efforts have so far resulted in 10 baptisms.

GRADUATION DATE AND PREACHER PLACEMENT

The proposed graduation date for our current class is the 2nd of June 2018. Details regarding this ceremony shall be furnished as time progresses. This first batch of students will be ready to work anywhere (in existing congregations or starting new ones) starting in June 2018. If there is a congregation in need of a preacher (either married or single) please contact the school.

CONCLUSION

We thank God for what he has been able to do through BVBIZ in January. Our appreciation continues to go to our sponsors for their unwavering support and to many others for their moral and spiritual support. May God continue to bless every one of you. To God be the glory!

Mathew Muchingam

Director, BVBI-Z

Prayers requested in Cameroon

Dearest in Christ,

      Greetings from your brothers and sisters who are in Wotutu Cameroon. We are on and we give thanks to God for the light of the day. Things are moving on well in Wotutu. Politically, other parts of our nations are living in fear and doubt. Many are doubting the unknown. We spend time praying because we know God placed our leaders in authority. If they are not working in accordance to His will, then He will decide what to do.

In BVBIC-Wotutu all is well except for the fact that some students and staff are sick. I was also sick but I keep going with my work. Students have gone down to see the doctor in Limbe if things are above our nurse here. Our nurse, sister Senge is so knowledgeable in her field. Only the worse cases can make her need to make referral of a student to see a doctor.

Keep my father in your prayers. He is getting much better. As of yesterday, after fighting with very high white blood cells because he was having an infection, God is helping him get better through the medicines being administer to him.

Our students are okay and are doing their best to gather knowledge as they study. They are in the first quarter now in their second year. They are preparing for their exams by the end of this month which will transition them into field work, but that will only be after they take the short course, II Corinthians, in March.

We were in the west coast of Cameroon for the west coast mission. We are looking on the possibility to establish a new congregation in Idenau which is the chief town of the west coast of Cameroon. Keep this in your prayers.

APPRECIATIONS

I will now and will always thank you for your prayers and your help. If not of your inputs, it would not have been easy to do what we are doing. God bless you and replenish and supply more for you.

Do your best to share our reports with others.

Elangwe and family

By His grace director BVBIC-Wotutu

 EVANGELISM IS OUR MISSION AND OUR MISSION IS EVANGELISM.2TIM2:2 2TIM4:2

Mark Reynolds goes to SE Asia

Trip Report for Cambodia and Myanmar

January 14-31, 2018

Norman Light (an elder and close friend for many years) and I arrived in Siem Reap, Cambodia the evening of January 16. We began teaching the next morning. I taught The Preacher and His Work each morning from 8:30-12:00, and Norman taught the book of 2 Corinthians each afternoon from 1:00-3:00. We also enjoyed a time of singing and preaching each evening.

On Saturday, January 20, the local brethren had organized a lectureship using Norman and me along with several Cambodian brethren. Although we could not understand the brethren when they preached, we could certainly tell they were well prepared and that their lessons were well organized by viewing the PowerPoint presentations they had made, the handouts they used, and their outlines they wrote on the white board. The students did well on their exams and took exceptional notes. Their genuineness and desire to learn was easily noticed. Three very capable men, Phanat, Darat and Piseth, lead the school. They will hold their graduation ceremony later this year.

Myanmar

We left Cambodia on January 24 and arrived in Yangon, Myanmar that evening. We were greeted at the airport by Philip Van Biak Lian, the director of the school of preaching and Winsome the secretary for the school. We enjoyed dinner at the hotel and discussed the plans for the week. I taught Old Testament 1 to the students four hours each day, and Norman taught the account from Jacob to Joseph’s death in great detail two hours each day. Since these students (eight men and one woman) are from various parts of Myanmar where different dialects are spoken, the common language among them is English. We enjoyed getting to teach in our native tongue. 

In all we enjoyed five days in the classroom, a gospel meeting on Saturday, and two worship services on Sunday where Norman and I both spoke. The church meets in the homes of members each Lord’s Day. Their worship, especially their singing, was very uplifting. The school is brand new, but is way ahead of schedule as far as their organization, quality of students, and foundation. There are some wonderful brethren who have been working in Myanmar for many years without whom this work would not be possible. We stand on their shoulders!