Doing good in Malawi

BEAR VALLEY BIBBLE INSTITUTE MALAWI – MARCH REPORT

Introduction

We are in the second month since the school started this year! Lot of subjects have been taught like; writing skills, Introduction course, Scheme of redemption, the book of Acts, How we got the Bible and Hermeneutics. It is always encouraging to see great zeal in students wanting to learn.

Teaching work

Every teacher is busy with the notes, looking forward to teaching when his turn comes. It was an interesting week from 12th to 16th when Marc Veary (the overall Director) was teaching Hermeneutics. The class was full of laughter as the students came a cross to lots of passage of scriptures they have been misinterpreting for a long time. They have realized that it is easy to miss what the context mean, but it is always good to look to the context and explain it Exegetically. We still ask for library books if possible. We are lacking some very important books that could help the students in their research work. 

Students preaching

As you are aware that we have planned to conduct several campaigns this year, as part of the student’s practical work, still we take them out on Sundays to help the young congregations like Lupaso, Chankhombo and Chisangano. We are glad that some of the students have been preaching in their home congregations for more than 5 years. Therefore, it is very helpful to use them every Sunday in these small congregations mentioned above as they are still babies in Christ.

Good News

Brother Saliwa Nkosi a former graduate, always share with us good news of saved souls! The man can preach and lead many souls to Christ. Since he graduated in October last year, he has baptized more than ten people. We were happy to see Takesure Nkhoma retaking Hermeneutics class, he shared with us again the good news about the congregation he established end of last year after graduating. He said, he was with his fellow 9 starting the congregation, and now they are 39 in total. We praise God for the wonderful job these graduates are doing.

Thanks to a generous donation we have also managed to buy some more sewing machines for the tailoring vocational training. Most of the students enjoy the vocational training.

Thankfulness

We are always thankful to all who support the work of Bear Valley. Lots of good work for the Lord’s church is being done because of you.

By: Ephron Vincent Mbano (Local Director), on-behalf of the staffs. 

New Alumni Encouragement Plan in Accra

Praise is Him for the end of another month, February. The staff and the students are grateful to the Lord and to the Bear Valley Bible Institute for the kind and prayer all days to the growth of the school and the propagation of the gospel.

Regular Class

Classes are highly in session with all students and instructors. To our surprise, we had 9 students report at early start while gradually 3 men also have reported. We now have in sum of 13 men under training for the studies.

Staff Meeting

As part of the progressive report for the proper management of the school, the staff body; E. O. Larbi, Kwabena Gyan-Mante, Amo-Gyimah E., Kojo Acquah Beenyi and Samuel Ntim Sasu) has met on 28th February, 2018 to discuss the Dinner and Graduation Ceremony which is nearly to take place in April 13th and 14th.

Having met, the following conclusions were made on the programme for the day:

·         Guest of Honour: Steven Ashcraft

·         Chairman for the occasion: Adu Anane Antwi (Dr)

·         Guest Speaker for the graduation: Gary Fallis

·         Lectures on the day for the Dinner: Gary Fallis

·         M.C.: Yaw Amo Gyimah

·         Address: Emmanuel Odeng Larbi, the current Director of SIBS, Accra

Staff Visit to recent and past students

Also, the staff has added up to occasionally visit the past students in their congregation to check on the effectiveness and the growth of the church. A few days now, the director and his administrator visited one his students congregation thus Asuaba in the Eastern Region of Ghana. This student is by the name Afum Kwame Botwe who has just completed his two years course in Accra.

On his visit, he (Director) encouraged the church to pray and support their preacher in all means to enable him work hard and to instruct according to the gospel upon which they were called. Also, they should endeavor to abstain from all manner of life that does not bring fruit to the Holy Spirit.

Chapel Hour

On the curriculum of the school as the school’s chapel time, students and instructors participate effectively as in exhortation, songs leading, prayer and reading of the scripture. Having done, assessment is carried out to check on vocal, style of presentation, clarity, etc.

This period has improved the students in their boldness before audience and in their outing programmes.

Conclusion

We are always glad for your concern for remembering us in your prayers as we do here.

Keep praying with us.

Southwest Institute of Biblical Studies

Mass evangelism in New Zealand

Last month, BVBINZ had our third door-knocking campaign, which was organised by John Jones. We worked in the Wellington Region in Wellington city, Petone, Carterton, and Masterton to drum up some contacts for Bible study for the local Christians. We had about a dozen participants, including guests from the USA, Brittany and Scott Simpson. Unfortunately, we were all so busy with the campaign and fellowship, we forgot to take a group photo. The statistics from the campaign are:

• Days worked: 4
• Doors knocked: 1,132
• Conversations: 487
• Bible study contacts: 23

The BVBINZ students are over halfway finished with their Personal Evangelism 1 course, which is being fulfilled through the Make Disciples Training Program. You can read about the latest news at this link.

Thank you to everyone who is involved in making anything related to Bear Valley possible. To God be all the glory!
 
Lance Mosher, BVBINZ Director

Progress in Togo

TOGO MISSION FEBRUARY, 2018 GOD GIVES THE INCREASE It is always a joy to see people respond to the gospel invitation through baptism. During the month under consideration the Lord blessed our efforts with eight (8) baptisms. These conversions have been made possible through radio programs, church activities, personal work, public morning devotions using the Chariot, tract distributions and World Bible school correspondence course.

I was personally glad to witness one of such conversions after my preaching at Akata church of Christ, while there to inspect the newly constructed meeting place. BVBI IN KPALIME Front view of Bear Valley Bible Institute We thank the almighty God that all the twenty students continue to attend classes regularly. We had one incidence of sickness but the school took him to see a doctor. The principal and the staff spent time to read out and explain the rules and regulations governing activities of students in the school.

STUDENTS ASSIST THE AKATA CHURCH OF CHRIST All the men in this picture are students of BVBI who have come to assist the Akata Church complete work on the place of worship. On Wednesdays, classes end at noon to prepare for midweek bible class. 

RESOURCE CENTER During the month under review, the resource center’s record indicates that 1,047 tracts were handed out and 47 bible studies held. WEEKLY RADIO PROGRAM Attah Piere an instructor at the BVBI is also the presenter for this first quarter of the year. He has been teaching on the subject of worship. MONTHLY PREACHERS MEETING Unity of the preachers is very vital to the growth of the church in the region. This unity has been sustained over the years through the monthly meetings which ended with a meal fellowship. The recent graduates were inducted into this group recently.

Report by: H. WILLIE GLEY

Leadership Seminar in Nigeria

Beloved in Christ Jesus.
Greetings from BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan and fellow WBSFUW in South West States of Nigeria. 
Below is the summary of the 15th annual leadership  Seminar held at Doug Wheeler Event Hall, Butubutu village from March 12 through 16,2018 .

The participants trooped in on Sunday evening and the class took off on Monday morning immediately after the welcome speech by me, the Director of Bear Valley Bible Institute Nigeria and Southwest School of Evangelism, Ibadan.

The class was divided into two session, the diploma and advanced diploma between 8:00am and 11:00am followed by an hour break and classes continue from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm and general class by 4:00pm to 6:00pm and 7:30pm to 9:00pm daily. 

The theme of our five days lectures is How to study, interprets and preach The Bible. Our speakers are :Bro.. Isaac Olaniyan, Bro. Abiola Joseph Olusoji, Bro. Kayode Solomon Eniafe, Bro. Ezekiel Okorougo, Bro. Mfon Etim and myself, Bro. Makinde Ebens. 

The program was attended by about 95 brethren from the Lord 's church in Oyo, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Delta and Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria. The remaining 3,500 VOTI volume 95 from World Evangelism / Voice of Truth International, USA and Bibles from Bro. Doug Wheeler and associates was freely distributed to 88 church leaders .

Brethren, we thank you all for your partnership and love toward the growth of the Lord 's church in Africa. May the Lord keep on using you and us for His glory in Jesus Christ name, amen. 

Your fellow soldier of Christ, 
Bro. Makinde Ebens (Director of Studies and Chairman of Administrative Council, BVBIN and SWSE, Ibadan and fellow WBSFUW)

Good news in Ghana

The beginning of the year 2018 saw 23 preachers meeting in a village called Agona Namanwura. The church in this village was established a year ago with an average attendance of 18 adults. The week-long stay in the village saw dawn preaching, where the loud speakers were used. There was daily house to house preaching and distribution of tracts. There was a nightly street preaching which most time ends at 12 midnight, those evangelistic activities resulted in 22 baptisms and 3 restorations. This congregation was highly blessed and pleaded with us to make it a yearly program to the church there.

Bible School

The beginning of the year 2018 marked the beginning of another school year of the Accra Bible School. It is a 2-year program. Over 20 brethren were interviewed but 12 have now reported. This is a boarding department and the students stay in the school for a term of 3 months and then go home for a month holiday. About 6 of the 12 are already preaching for congregations. I am teaching the “The Cost of Discipleship.

The part-time department is having 38 students, whereas the regular program is two years, this part-time program is for 4 years and currently we are in the third year. Classes are held on Friday from 4 pm to 8 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm. As the moment, I am teaching “The Scheme of Redemption.” The Tamale School has students’ population of 18 and currently they are on holidays for a month. This holiday is for the students who are mostly farmers to prepare their lands for planting. They are coming back on March 19, 2018.

Children – School: The re-opening of the school in January is the second of the three terms in a year. Currently, the children are using three of the six classrooms, down-stirs of the story building. We are yet to put a stir-guard on the steps as a guide to the three top floor classrooms. We have gotten new students since the re-opening of the school in January, 2018.

Baptisms: Our Mission congregations reported 6 baptisms and the Campus Ministry also recorded 4 baptisms.

We are blessed to have brother Travis Hardesty, Minister of Oak Street Church of Christ visiting the school in March. Oak Street Church is instrumental in helping the school get permanent building. We wish him a blessed stay in Ghana.

We are planting a new congregation in March in a village call Immuna on the coast, south of Mankessim.

Please pray with us, we really need it. Thanks.

Kojo Acquah Beenyi,    Minister,   Church of Christ,   Agona Swedru,  C/R,  Ghana,  West Africa

Upcoming courses in Myanmar

Dear brethren,

Greetings. I hope and pray that you are doing well and has been busy in the work of the Lord.

I am happy to inform you that our school begins on March 19 and ends on April 20, for five weeks in this session. The students are coming and we will have ten students. Five subjects will be taught in this session by three visiting instructors: NT Church and Life of Christ I by Dr. Steve Christian, Acts and Personal Evangelism II - Church Planting by Jerry Bates and The Godhead by John Lucius.

We are expecting and praying to have a good school again and covet your prayers.

After this school session, we plan for campings again with the students who can join and those who cannot join, they may have their own plan of evangelism.

Yours in His service

Philip Van Biak Lian

Director, BVBI-Myanmar

A guest teacher in Sierra Leone

Hello Brethren in Christ,

We salute you in the name of our lord and savior Jesus Christ Amen.

We are pleased to send pictures of our activities undertaken for the month of February this year in which a lot has happened. Students sharing the undiluted word of God to the people in the community where we are planning to take our next campaign. Students holding group studies from house to house as they reason together with community members about Jesus.

Learning in the classroom ended with a short course conducted by Bro Robert Dahn Jr of Bear Valley Bible Institute of Liberia who is also acting on behalf of Bro Steven to see that there is uniformity in the three schools: Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea in terms of teachings, comportment and spreading of the gospel in these schools

Bro, Steven held a brief meeting with students and staff of Bear Valley in Sierra Leone with Bro, Robert Dahn who reiterated on the teachings and method to be used by all the Bear Valley Schools in order to be on the same standard of learning the undiluted word of the gospel.

He also reemphasized the importance of Bear Valley Bible Institute certificate requirements for the course. The meeting ended with a review of the Budget and setting up of a proper filling system for the school by recording all properties of the school and works to be done by individuals for a proper book-keeping record of the school assets.

Thank you,

Submitted: Bro, Ishmael S. Bangura

Good work in Malawi!

The Bear Valley school started here at Mzuzu Bible College in February 2016.  We have two full time teachers, Clegynton Harawa and Patrick Nsalira, who was interviewed to take over from Francisco Wabuda Phiri, (though we don’t tell that these are special for BV and these for MSOP, as we all work together as a team. All teachers can teach in both departments),and two voluntary staff which includes the school’s director.

 First Graduation 2016-2017

 At the end of October 2017 our first Bear Valley class graduated.  We are proud of what they achieved and thankful to all of the Bear Valley sponsors for making this happen.  Since the graduation, two new congregations have been established by some of these students.  Indeed, one student who failed his first year and was not going to continue, then made a real turnaround in his attitude and dedication.  He caught up with his studies and assignments; he is one of the students who has, after graduating, has gone out and established a thriving new congregation of the Lord’s church! This congregation is in the Mzuzu city and is called Mzuzu airport Church of Christ.

The 2018-2019 Student Intake

The new academic years started at the beginning of February 2018.  We have a class of 15 new students from up and down Malawi, and two of them are in their late 60s which shows people are having zeal and eagerness to study and learn God’s word.

The next few months up to the end of May, the students will proceed with academic work only.  We ensure that they have a basic solid foundation before we take them out into the field with gospel preaching work.

Gospel Preaching

During 2018 the students will be involved in 6 gospel preaching campaigns in all three regions of Malawi.  Last year (2017) the BV students were involved in baptizing over 276 souls and the establishment of three new congregations of the Lord’s church.  We were facing some problems with transport for gospel preaching work during 2017 as the Malawi government refused to allow us to continue transporting students using our truck.  This significantly increased the costs of doing this work to the point that we were thinking to cut back the number of campaigns. 

However, the Lord helped us in our need and a generous donor purchased a bus for us so we could continue this vital work.  All of us here are committed to training preachers and while the academic side of this is important; it is also important that practical experience be gained by these students.  Fear is the great weapon which Satan uses to shut the mouths of Christians, the only way to help students not having this fear is to send them into a practical work, after almost four months of theory work in class.

We are thankful to be part of this work! We also do appreciate those who support the school financially. Special thanks should also go to Brother Donnie and his family for the work they are doing in Africa (Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia). They are few people of his heart that can sacrifice themselves to come and help in the work of training preachers in a far distanced place from home like this. We hope that we shall all be rewarded when our Lord appears on that day, if we indeed remain faithful, steadfast and unmovable.

Students regards!

Ephron Vincent Mbano (Local Director, BVBI-Malawi)

(On behalf of the BVBIM - staff) 

Big news in Ukraine!

In Bila Tserkva, Ukraine to school continues to do very well. This month's report contains some especially good news that now a Ukrainian congregation has begun supporting the school! This is an important step and these brethren are to be commended. You will enjoy reading the rest of the update HERE. 

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