Category: Bear Valley Bible Institute

Makinde Olufemi’s October 2023 Report

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Dear, fellow soldiers of Christ.

Grace, peace and mercy be multiplied unto you all from God our Father and from Christ Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer.

Below is the report of some of our activities in the month of October 2023.

OVERVIEW:

1.FIRST SEMESTER CLASSES CONCLUDED

2. ARAMOKO-EKITI, EKITI WBS SEMINAR

3. REPORT FROM FELLOW-MINISTERS

4. CHAD WAGNER’S OPEN HALL READY FOR COMMISSION

5. SOUTHWEST KIDDIES ACADEMY

6. BVBIN-DEGREE PROGRAM

FIRST SEMESTER CLASSES CONCLUDED

The first semester for the year 2023/2024, which began on August 14, concluded on October 6, 2023. Our year-1 students were sent for different Vocational Studies, while our year-2 students were dispatched to congregations within the Southwestern States of Nigeria to assist in evangelism and the edification of local congregations that requested our help.

Lord willing, the 2nd Semester classes will commence on November 6, 2023, and run through January 24, 2024, with a two-week break from December 16 through December 31, 2023.

 ARAMOKO-EKITI WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL SEMINAR/ REVIVAL 

In continuation of the four WBS Seminars sponsored by Rob and Robin Thornton, five of the BVBIN & SWSE-Ibadan instructors, named Bro. Israel Tajmavwo, Bro. Odeyemi Durojaiye, Bro. Oladokun Samuel, Bro. Eniafe Kayode, and myself (Bro. Makinde Ebens), along with the company of five of our year-2 students and two WBSFUW members (Bro. Shotola Dele and Bro. Adedoyin Sola Rotimi), conducted a three-day WBS Seminar in Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti State from October 19 through October 22, 2023.

The three-day seminar featured Mass Evangelism from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm and Open-Air Bible Lectureships from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm daily. Some of us stayed behind after the Saturday Open-Air Bible Lectureship to worship with the church in Aramoko-Ekiti.

Other Ministers/WBSFUW members who attended the event were Bro. Emmanuel Godwin, Bro. Amos Olusegun, Bro. Adeyiwolu Isaac, Bro. Akinola Lawanson, Bro. Akinyemi Jacob, and Bro. Ajibade Oluwansola.

Even though there were no conversions, we give thanks to the Lord that a couple who had left the church a year ago returned with their four children.

Our final scheduled event is coming up on November 10 through 12, 2023, in Asejire, Osun State.

REPORT FROM FELLOW WORKERS

REPORT FROM BADEKU

Dear Brothers in Christ,

I extend warm greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is a report from the Church of Christ in Badeku. With the grace of God, the church is making significant progress as we spread the word of God throughout our town.

We’re blessed to have the unwavering support of our fellow brothers and sisters, as well as the brethren at Bear Valley Bible Institute Butubutu, through the help of Brother Makinde E. Olufemi and Brother Kayode Eniafe. Together, we successfully conducted open-air evangelism in our area from the 29th to the 1st of October. We’re grateful for the positive outcomes and the restoration of faith in some individuals.

Furthermore, during the evangelism, the church visited neighboring congregations to evangelize. Our assistance to the Ojoku congregation led to the conversion of a young man named Gbenga, hailing from Benue State. We also took the opportunity to visit the congregation that was recently planted through our efforts in Badeku.

As we continue to grow, we’re working towards acquiring a plot of land for our church. Currently, we rent a space at an annual cost of N24000, and we recently invested N80000 for maintenance at our current place of worship.

Your support and prayers are invaluable as we move forward with this endeavor. May the peace of God continue to dwell with us. Amen.

In Christ’s service,

Bro. Adedoyin Oluwasola Rotimi 

MONTHLY REPORT FROM ERINLU

Grace, mercy and peace be unto you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May it be well with our souls in Jesus name. Amen (2 John 1:3). I am grateful for having the privilege to write concerning the church of Christ in Erinlu, Ijebuode, Ogun State, Nigeria, for September. 

In the past month, Lord’s Day worship attendance and collections were as follows:

We had an average of 5 believers and a total collection of 5,920 Naira. We also learned some new hymns, and by the grace of God, we have felt His presence among us.

The edification topics covered during Lord’s day teachings included overcoming spiritual challenges and learning how to pray.

Report on other activities of the church is as follows:

Monthly Congregational Family Forum: We continue to make progress through this platform, addressing our challenges, offering advice, and engaging in collective prayer.

Erinlu Church need:  Our needs remain consistent.

Evangelism: Our evangelism efforts are on the rise, with encouraging responses. We believe the Church will thrive here, but we must ensure that we remain available to preach the truth to those receptive souls, respecting the necessary time and process for building a strong church.

Baptism: There were no baptisms in the month of October, but we rejoice as a soul returned to the Lord’s church after many years of self- disfellowship.

We deeply appreciate the financial support that allows us to spread the gospel. We do not take it for granted and do not feel entitled to anything. We will continue to express our gratitude and pray for the source or providers of our financial support, with hope for an increase in the future.

Thank you so much, beloved brethren. May God bless us all more and more in Christ’s name. Amen.

Yours faithfully,

Bro. Gospel S. Opeyemi (Evang.)

OTHERS

Bro Israel Tajomavwo one of the instructors @ BVBIN & SWSE-Ibadan reported the conversion of two souls on Oct. 13, 2023

Bro. Olorode Samuel, one of the fellow WBSFUW and the minister of the Church of Christ in Ajagba, Ondo State, reported the conversion of a young lady in the early weeks of October 2023.

Bro. Eniafe Olukayode, one of the instructors at BVBIN & SWSE-Ibadan, as well as the minister of Asejire Congregation in Osun State and Felele-Rab in Ibadan, Oyo State, reported the conversion of two individuals and the restoration of three erring brethren between September and October 2023.

Bro. Alaba Oladejo reported the extension of his labor from Erelu in Oyo to the Koso area of Oyo town since the month of September, twice every month.

Bro. Akanmu Solomon is the present minister of Ajia Congregation. He reported the restoration of two families that had left the church since the beginning of this year.

 CHAD WAGNER’S OPEN HALL READY FOR COMMISSION

Chad Wagner’s Open Hall, which started as a child’s play in March 2023, is now ready for commissioning by Bro. Chad Wagner (SWSE-Patron & International Director of BVBIN Schools) in the first quarter of 2024, by God’s grace. The remaining tasks include the electrification of the hall and furnishing the restaurant area, which is estimated to cost roughly 1.5 million Naira ($1,900).

 SOUTHWEST KIDDIES ACADEMY

Southwest Kiddies are moving into the middle of the term following the resumption in the third week of September. After resuming, the school has made some changes to its building, such as adding new paintings in the kindergarten classrooms to aid learning. They’ve also acquired TV for displaying studies as an instructional aid, though it is not yet mounted due to certain hindrances.

Additionally, the school has taken necessary steps to facilitate learning by obtaining materials, organizing seminars, and adjusting classroom doors for the security of materials. There are also plans to hire new staff for more efficient results for the term.

THIRD BATCH OF BVBIN DEGREE PROGRAM

The 3rd batch of our degree program will commence Lord’s willing on November 27 through December 8, 2023 with Research and Writing-1 and Fundamentals of Faith-1.

Hopefully , eight of the successful students in the 2nd batch will be graduating during our 21st Leadership Seminar in March 2024.

REPORT ON WVBS PROGRAM 

I would like to provide an update on our journey with the World Video Bible School during the First Semester of 2023 (August through October). Our experience thus far has been promising, as we’ve delved into a variety of insightful topics and initiated valuable serial lessons.

Here is a summary of what we’ve accomplished this semester:

1. Social Media Evangelism (Strategies)

2. Social Media Evangelism (Effectiveness)

3. Pornography and it’s Effect

Additionally, we embarked on two sequential lessons:

1. Thirteen Lessons on Angels – We successfully completed up to lesson 5, which delves into the roles and functions of Angels.

2. Coping with Life’s Challenges – By the grace of God, we’ve managed to cover two lessons in this series, with plans to continue our exploration in the upcoming semester.

In the following semester, we intend to focus exclusively on completing the “Thirteen Lessons on Angels” series. This approach aims to ensure a well-paced and effective learning experience without overwhelming ourselves. We look forward to continued growth and enlightenment in our studies.

OUR ACHIEVEMENT IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2023

We give glory to God for our progress in the capital project slated for 2023/24 at BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN. The construction of Chad Wagner’s Open Hall, designed for events during warm weather, is now complete, with only the finishing touches remaining, including the electrification of the hall and the furnishing of the restaurant area, which is estimated to cost approximately 1.5 million naira($1,900). 

Also, we were able to purchase three motor bikes for three WBSFUW in Ibadan from Rob & Robin Thornton’s contribution .

We are grateful for all those whom the Lord has used to turn this dream into a reality. Most especially Bro. & Sister Ralph Williams, Bro. & Sister Doug Wheeler, Dorman & Donna Lough; Rob & Robin Thornton; Bro. & Sister Chad Wagner and associate.

May the Lord continue to bless all our endeavors in Christ Jesus. Amen.

OUR SPECIAL CHALLENGES

We are now in debt to the sum of 15.8 million Naira to which was incurred between March and October 2023 for the construction of Chad Wagner’s Open Hall , WBS seminars and palliative/relief for fellow servants of God and students of BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN due to the high cost of living in our country, Nigeria as a result of fuel subsidies removal by the present government in Nigeria.

ABOUT A STUDENT

Bro. Murphat Victor Chinagorom is one of our year 2 students. Born on March 11, 2001, in Mbutu-Ngwa, Abia State, he became a member of the Lord’s church on May 28, 2017, through the efforts of Bro. Uzoma Alozie, the evangelist of the Church of Christ in Mbutu-Ngwa, Abia State. He gained admission into our ministerial program in August 2022. 

Currently, he is assisting the Lord’s church at Felele-Rab, Ibadan, alongside Bro. Eniafe Olukayode. His mission after his training is to become a competent and sound minister of God.

CONCLUSION

We thank you all for your partnership, encouragement, and support. May the Lord continue to bless all our work together in Christ Jesus’ name. Amen.

I remain yours in His grace and love as a servant,

Makinde Ebens Olufemi 

The Chief Servant of BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN and WBSFUW 

Bernard Osita Akokwu’s October 2023 Report

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Greetings in the Precious name of Jesus Christ.

The Nigerian Institute Of Arts And Theological Studies/Bear Valley Bible Institute (NIATS/BVBI) community is on vacation now to resume academic activities next month (October). Before their second semester exams, both the staff and students went on a three-day evangelism outreach at Afikpo in Ebonyi state. The outing was intensive but there was no immediate baptisms. Some prospects (three persons) attended the worship.

The 2023/2024 academic session will take off from next month (October). We have conducted the first entrance examination and have arranged for a supplementary exam in order to get more candidates.

The Board has approved a weekend program to accommodate those who did not have the time for the regular system. A preliminary program has also been approved to take care of those who are deficient in their entry requirements.

This is our effort to find a way to remove the impediments before many of the brethren who have the zeal to serve as a gospel minister.

The 2023 NIATS annual lectureship is slated for the 14th to the 16th of December. In order to save on costs, the Board has decided to shift the graduation to next year as we have only 7 students this year.

The pictures are as follows:

The first – the Director preaching at the burial of one elderly sister who died at the age of 95 years. The second and third the evangelism outreach at Afikpo. The fourth picture- the NIATS/BVBI students taking their second semester exams. The fifth and sixth pictures- the burial of our students’ leader who died after a brief sickness. May he rest in peace.

From NIATS

Bro Bernard Osita Akokwu

Makinde Ebens Olufemi’s August 2023 Report

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August 19, 2023

Beloved in Christ Jesus,

Greetings and appreciation from the staff and students of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Nigeria (BVBIN) and Southwest School Of Evangelism-Ibadan (SWSE-IBADAN) for your partnership and support that resulted in the success of today’s graduation of 20 servants of God.

We are very excited for your concern and love.

May the Lord continue to bless all our work together in Christ Jesus name,

Amen.  

Sincerely yours in His grace as a servant,  

Makinde Ebens (The Chief Servant of BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN)

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi’s August 2023 Report

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Dear fellow servants of God,  

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you all from God our Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord and Redeemer.

Here is the report of some of our activities for the month of July 2023.  

IGARRA, OMU-ARAN, AND IDOFIN-AYEKALE TRIP: “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” – Acts 14:21-22. With this in mind, we (Bro. Makinde Ebens & Bro. Eniafe Kayode) embarked on a week-long visit to Igarra in Edo State to pay a visit to the wife of one of us who received his last Degree (RIP) on August 2022. We also visited one of our graduates ministering in that part of the country on July 5th. We later moved to Omu-Aran in Kwara State and Idofin-Ayekale, where we worked with one of our students, Bro. Adeyemo Olusegun (in the company of Bro. Amos Olusegun and Bro. Adeyiwolu Isaac) before returning on July 12, 2023.  

REPORT FROM STUDENTS IN PRACTICUM (TP): The report from some of our students in practicum (teaching practice) shows that 18 souls were added to the Lord’s church as a result of our students’ efforts with the brethren in the congregations where they are serving, along with 25 restorations as of the time of filling this report.  

BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN ENTRANCE EXAMINATION AND INTERVIEW: The Bear Valley Bible Institute Nigeria and Southwest School of Evangelism Ibadan conducted the entrance examination and interview for new incoming students on July 15 and 22, 2023, in which five (5) students succeeded in the test. This will increase the number of year-1 students to 15 and year-2 to 6. Supplementary examination and interview will come up on August 17 at 6:00 pm, Lord willing.  

OUR ACCOMPLISHMENT: Great is thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies  I found, All I have needed thy hands have provided ,  Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me…… With the sale of our former SWSE-IBADAN building at Otunolode in Lagelu Local Government Area, Oyo State, for the sum of 5 million naira in late June, we were able to put up a roof on the proposed Chad Wagner Open Hall with a sum of 3.6 million naira. Additionally, we used the remaining money to offset some of the expenses for this capital project. The final stage involves plastering the building, installing sliding windows, iron doors, and completing other finishing works.  

ABOUT A STUDENT: Bro. Ayobami Daniel Salvation is one of our year-2 students. He was born on August 25, 1996, in Ogbe, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State. He grew up with the church of Christ in Ileteju Quarters, Ogbe, and got baptized on January 10, 2010. His major reason for coming to BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN is to improve his knowledge of the Bible and become one of the effective ministers of God within and outside Nigeria.  

UPCOMING EVENTS: I – The Second Batch of BVBIN Degree Students will complete their two years of studies on August 17, 2023, if all things work as scheduled. Lord willing, the Greek class is coming up between August 7-11, and Advanced Homiletics-2 is between August 12-17, 2023. Greek class will be handled by Bro. Isaac Ikperi while Advanced Homiletics-2 will be handled by Bro. Makinde Ebens. II – The BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN 21st Annual Bible Lectureship and Graduation is coming up on August 17-19, 2023, Lord willing. This year’s Bible Lectureship will center on “Walking in the Spirit of God” (Galatians 5:22-26). Seasoned ministers in Nigeria will be ministering during this year’s Bible Lectureship.  

GREAT WORKSHOP 2023: Despite the challenging time in our country, Nigeria, due to the removal of fuel subsidies, 451 brethren actively participated in this year’s Great Workshop. Through the open-air Bible Lectureship and mass Evangelism on July 26 and 27 respectively, nine souls were added to the body of the Lord within and outside the Rumukrusi area of Port Harcourt. All glory be to God. The next year’s Great Workshop is scheduled to be held in Ogoja, Cross River State, Lord’s willing. This year’s Great Workshop was held between July 26-29, 2023, at the Church of Christ, Rumukrusi, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. The theme of the workshop was “The Mandate of The Master.”  Our guest speaker, Bro. Chad Wagner, used the occasion to meet with some evangelists and WBSFUW to discuss how to be effective ministers of Christ and His church. Congratulations to our able, capable, competent, dedicated and glorious man, Brother Chad Wagner, for the success of this year Great Workshop.  

FUEL PRICE INCREASE AGAIN IN NIGERIA: President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidies in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023. Following the announcement, fuel then sold nationwide for between N500 and N570 per litre, an over 200 percent increase from the initial price below N200. Now, within two months of the new government, the cost of petrol increased again to N617 per litre at NNPC outlets, and over N617 in most of the filling stations. The hike immediately triggered an increase in transportation fares and prices of goods and services by various percentages. Presently, we, the masses, are being suffocated by all means by the capitalists who are in power. From day one of this new government in our country, Nigeria, the poor have become poorer, and there’s not one thing done to favor the living conditions of the suffering Nigerians. In fact, the number of less privileged is increasing daily. May God intervene speedily.  

SWKA PUPILS – END OF THE SESSION EXAMINATION: The prestigious institution,”South West Kiddies Academy” of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, resumed her third terminal academic session of 2022/2023 on 02/05/2023 precisely. It was an atmosphere of eulogy as the students turned up in uniform. Class studies began on the same day with an effort to prepare the students for their academic success. During a period of about twelve weeks, intensive class studies took place and there were positive trends in regards to the intellectual performance of the students. A report received after the third term examination, which spanned from July 10-21, shows a colorful performance of the pupils/students ranging from kindergarten, nursery, primary, junior/senior college with exception of primary five(5) which underwent a  common entrance examination which is a test before their entry to junior high School. Their performance too, on this respect, was amazingly colorful as the report entails. God’s willing, the school shall vacate on the 4th of August 2023 till September 4 for the next academic session. The entire management of the school hereby use this medium to appreciate all our supports most especially Bro. Zachary Van Tassel and the Gahanna – Jefferson congregation, Sister Cherry Lloyd and family, Bro. Chad Wagner and associates, and all our well-wishers who partner with us in training the less privileged children to plant their foot on academic ground. May the good Lord continue to bless you all in Christ Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi

Fasonu Victor’s August 2023 Report

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Report of Gospel Activities in Ondo City for June to July, 2023.  

Dear brethren!  

Glory, Honour, and Majesty be to God of all flesh for His blessings and care upon all His children! May the name of the Lord God Almighty be exalted forever in Jesus’ name, Amen.  

I am grateful for your love and concern! When l remembered your love and support for me and the work of God in my hands, l would continue to offer my prayers to God on behalf of my brethren and the Church at Katy! God will continue to bless the church, Amen.   Gospel activities in the course of the months (June to July) is a bit interesting! Our God has been blessings my ministry with souls who are willing to obey the command of Jesus about their salvation. The church at Oka baptized two souls in the course of the months!  

  • Radio Program: The program on Radio will be three years old in this coming December, Lord willing! The program is now going very well with the help of God. The brethren here in Ondo City are doing very well too. The preaching program on Radio has been a beacon for the church in the Ondo area and neighboring lands! We are blessed by God with this program!
  • World Bible School (WBS): As l reported in the last report, brethren, if you are  interested in WBS, l am readily available! I have some courses on ground that need teachers as study helpers. I was there at the great workshop in Port Harcourt that was held from July 26-29, 2023! It was a gathering of preachers who are follow-up workers with WBS! I am back in Ondo City! Brother Chad Wagner was present at the workshop too.
  • Bear Valley Bible Institute: The Bible training program is going on as planned! Thank God that we are in the third year of study this August, 2023! We are practically doing our best to encourage the students to continue till the end of the program! Also, we want to organize our 2nd annual Bible seminar on the 26th of August this year! We need your prayers for a successful outing to the glory of God, Amen.
  • Television program: The gospel preaching program is going on as well. We are now on 23 episodes as l write this report! We hope to continue with the program to the glory of God! So far, we have heard reports of brethren making advertisements for the television program! We are making progress.
  • Challenge: First, the Church at Oka needs your prayers! We are looking for a sound gospel preacher who will continue the work, so l can move to another earmarked area for planting of the church! Second, I would love to continue with the work on ground such as the Television and Radio program. This program needs support in order to continue to be on the air! I will appreciate any help in that area, my beloved brethren!

Beloved brethren, l have always appreciated your love and support for me for the propagation of the gospel in my area for the Lord Jesus and His Church!   

May the Lord God Almighty continue to bless the church and allow His blessings to abound unto the church at Katy in Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Your brother in Christ,  

Fasonu Victor

Emmanuel Chukwuka Odo’s July 2023 Report

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BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE NIGERIA AGEGE STUDY CENTRE

REPORT FOR SECOND QUARTER 2023.

May all glory and honor be ascribed unto God Almighty for His grace and mercy towards all of us at Agege Centre during the second quarter of the year 2023. We glorify the name of the Lord for giving us the required enablement to carry out all our activities and programs as scheduled and in line with the Bear Valley Bible Institute established rules and standards.

CLASS ACTIVITIES

All class were carried out and completed as scheduled and as required by the Bear Valley Bible Institute in the quarter under review.
Three courses were successfully completed during the quarter in the following order:


The book of I Corinthians was taught by Brother Gbenga Ilori in the month of April.

In the month of May, Brother Suleiman Yusuf taught the course – “How We Got Our Bible.”

The quarter rounded off with Hermeneutics, which was taught by Brother Etim Mfon. To God be all the glory that the courses were completed in line with the required procedure, with tests, assignments, and examinations completed at the end of each month.

CAMPAIGN (EVANGELISM)

The centre continued to evangelize Aboru, a town in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, in an attempt to support and strengthen the newly planted church (congregation) in the area. We, however, need prayers for all of us so that the gospel will penetrate the area as the area is highly populated by Muslims. This made it more difficult to preach there. We believe that with prayers and hard work, we will very soon start having positive results to the glory of God!

APPRECIATION

One thing very obvious is that without the efforts and supports of our sponsors and directors, the programme would witness set-backs and may not operate successfully. We therefore appreciate the efforts of our sponsors and directors, especially Brother Keith Kkasarjian who has made it a point of responsibility to visit on regular basis to ascertain the progress and challenges we face and give suggestions on how to improve on our activities. He made such visit this quarter; precisely in the month of May. May God continue to bless all of you. We also appreciate the support of Chad Wagner on his relentless efforts to keep the programme going, as well as every other supporters and sponsors of the programme; may God Almighty continue to bless you in your endeavours to expand His kingdom on earth.

STUDENTS’ POPULATION

We owe God all the gratitude for adding more students to our centre. We started the quarter with ten (10) students, but by the grace of God, we ended the quarter with fifteen (15) students. Our prayer is that God should continue to increase the number of students more so; those who truly desire to learn and preach the word of God (the gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection) in order to expand the kingdom of Christ on earth and prepare the world populace for eternal life in heaven.

CONCLUSION

We once again appreciate the blessings of God Almighty and the support of our directors and sponsors which has enabled our centre to thrive in our programmes and activities. Our prayer is, May God almighty continue to empower and enable all of us to relentlessly continue to contribute our parts in training dedicated men and women who desire to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Emmanuel Chukwuka Odo
Bear Valley Bible Institute Agege Study centre Lagos State, Nigeria.
emmaodochukwuka@gmail.com

Makinde Olufemi’s July 2023 Report

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Beloved in Christ Jesus,

Grace, peace and mercy be multiplied unto you all from God our Father and from Christ Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer.

Below is the summary of our June activities in the Lord Jesus Christ. OVERVIEW

  1. Weekend Outreach
  2. Fourth Semester Classes Concluded
  3. Church of Christ, Ijero-Ekiti restored
  4. World Bible School follow-up team

WEEKEND OUTREACH
The students and staff of Bear Valley Bible Institute In Nigeria (BVBIN) & SWSE-Ibadan continued in the evangelization of both rural and urban areas of the Western States of Nigeria throughout the weekends in the month of June and the Lord added five souls to His body and two erring brethren restored to the Lord’s glory! FOURTH SEMESTER

CLASSES CONCLUDED
The last semester for the 2022/2023 session began on May 08 and ended on June 30, 2023. Bro Isaac Olaniyan handled LOC-4 (Book of John), Pastoral Epistles and Research-2; Bro. Kayode Eniafe handled Homiletics-2 (Practical), Church History and the Book of Revelation; Bro. John Makinde handled Islamic Religion and Elementary Greek; Bro Samuel Effiong handled Christian Ethics and Bible Geography; Bro. Israel Tajomavwo handled Fundamentals of Faith-1, Church Growth 1&2 while I, Bro. Makinde Ebens handled Foundation of Mission, Homiletics-3 (Advanced) and Church Leadership and Administration. The next academic class will begin on August 14, 2023 Lord’s willing.

CHURCH OF CHRIST IN IJERO-EKITI RESTORED
With the financial assistance from the brotherhood, we ( BVBIN & SWSE-Ibadan staff and some students) and some WBSFUW brethren were able to restore the Lord’s church in Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti State which was planted in 1993 by the efforts of one of SWSE-foundation members being Bro. Adebowale Olayisade. The congregation was disbanded ten years ago due to the sickness and financial incapability of Bro. Adewunmi Funso, the preacher. We worked in the evangelization of the town of over 10,000 populace from June 15 through 18 with three evangelists from Ekiti and one from Osun State in house-to-house evangelism during the morning time and Open-air-Bible Lectureship in the evening time. To God be the glory, our efforts were blessed with two restorations and conversion of two young ladies! The school provided food and water plus transportation fare to all the participants while Bro. Adeyiwolu Isaac (one of our graduates and a present Degree students) accommodated all the participants (Nine from BVBIN & SWSE-Ibadan).

WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL FOLLOW-UP TEAM
Our WBSFUW were able to distribute over 2,000 WBS Introduction lessons in the months of May & June to get more students to enroll for the free Bible Correspondence Courses in Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti States. To God be the glory, over 500 were returned to the WBS Office in Lagos in May and over 200 in this month of June plus other WBS lessons from the students. Brethren, some of our team workers are in need of a motor-bike to run-around in this business of leading souls to Christ Jesus, now that the present Nigerian Government have removed the fuel subsidy which resulted into chaos in our country-Nigeria. With the removal of fuel subsidy, without any cushioning yet, many of us are finding it extremely difficult to stay afloat financially. Fueling 50 litres per week costs between ₦ 24,000 and ₦ 28,000 weekly depending on the area of the country. A litre of petrol in Badeku presently is ₦530 and the school here uses between 38 and 48 litres weekly. And a 5 kilometre distance of ₦100 before is now ₦400 to ₦600 depending on the type of vehicle. Therefore, we are in need of a motor-bike to ease our day-to-day exercises.

REPORT FROM ONE OF THE VOTI RECEPIENTS:
Good morning brother Makinde.
These are my new converts.
Please kindly send me some materials and Bibles for the new converts
Five souls has been baptized for Christ
By M B Archibong

ACCOMPLISHMENT
We were able to redig our first borehole that stopped functioning in the early days of May 2023.
In fact,”…God caused all things to work together for good to those who love Him…” Rom.8:28.
The problem with the first borehole in May, now give birth to the second borehole in the school community. A second borehole for the School in Butubutu Village, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria will be opened for use in two or three weeks’ time.

ABOUT A STUDENT
Bro. Asang Abel Rimamnda was born in the year 1998 to Mr & Mrs Asang Samuel at Badji village located in the Northwest region of Cameroon. He was converted into the Lord’s church in the year 2016 at a refugee camp in USSA Local Government Area of Taraba State by Bro. Japhet. He gained admission into BVBIN & SWSE-Ibadan in the year 2020. He is presently one of our year-2 students. His purpose of coming here is to be a sound gospel minister both in Nigeria and Cameroon.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  1. Our students will embark on a six-week practicum; that is, teaching practice on July 1 through August 13, 2023.
  2. Our WBSFUW will make a visit to Igarra in Edo State, Idofin and Omu-Aran in Kwara State between July 6 and 14, 2023 if the Lord wills to encourage the brethren and Churches of Christ in these two States of Nigeria.
  3. Some of the BVBIN & SWSE instructors will participate in this year’s Great Workshop; a program for WBSFUW, evangelists in the Southern states of Nigeria, and Abuja (FCT) between July 26 and 29, 2023 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

CONCLUSION:
We deeply appreciate you all for your moral and financial supports toward the growth of the Lord’s Church in Africa; Nigeria in particular. May the Lord keep on blessing all our work together in Christ Jesus, Amen.

Sincerely His & Yours……Bro. Makinde Ebens (The Chief Servant of BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN and WBSFUW)

Fasonu Victor’s July 2023 Report

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Report Of Bear Valley Bible Institute Weekend School, Ondo State (April to June, 2023).  

Dear brethren,  

I am very grateful for the grace of life given to us all. I want to express our thanks to our esteemed Bear Valley Bible Institute, Denver, Colorado, and the leadership of the Church at Bear Valley for their massive support in the spread and training of gospel preachers in Africa -particularly Nigeria! We are grateful and l know the rest of the schools here in Nigeria will continue to appreciate this gesture as well. Thank you.  

Evangelism Report: The School in Ondo City center with the assistance of the Church, Yaba, Ondo City have established the Church of Christ in Oka, Ondo City! Three days of evangelism and Open Air preaching was organized April 14-16, 2023 with all the students in attendance! All glory, honor and majesty is returned to God for the grace given for His work. God’s worship started on April 16, 2023 with 17 members in attendance. The Church at Oka is growing with two more members becoming a member of the Church! All our evangelistic activities are geared toward the Oka area now! All the instructors and the students were on ground for this April evangelism work for the school! The Church at Oka needs continuous prayers for massive growth.  

Also, the Gospel Chariot team was invited to Ondo City by the School and the Church in order to assist us more with massive evangelism work! The team arrived in Ondo City on the 17th of May, 2023! They spent two weeks with us in Ondo City! We preached open – Air in Six locations in Ondo City. More than 50 prospects were contacted and gospel engagements is still going on with them! We pray and believe our God will harvest their souls for Him, Amen.  

Also, in Akure center, they are not left out in this evangelism fervor. Akure center also, through the help of God, has established the Church at Alade, in Idanre local government area. The evangelism program was organized by the Church at Leo with the Bear Valley School as partners in progress from March 31st to April 2, 2023! The Church at Alade started on the 2nd of April, 2023. All the students of Akure study center were present in the gospel exercise! Thereafter, two of our students were sent to assist the Church every Sunday after the establishment of it there! Reports gathered that the Church at Alade is growing gradually to the glory of God. Beloved of God, we have established two congregation of the Lord already! Glory be to God Almighty, Amen.  

Classroom Activities: In Ondo State, Classroom Activities were carried out successfully. In April, 2023, Brother Godwin Emmanuel taught “Personal Evangelism.” While in Akure center, Brother Victor Fasonu taught “Homiletics-1.”  

In May, 2023, Brother Victor Fasonu taught “Homiletics-1 in Ondo Center while Brother Godwin Emmanuel taught “Personal Evangelism in the Akure study center.  

In June, 2023, Brother Victor Fasonu taught “Christian Home in Ondo City center” while in the Akure study center, Brother Rowland Matthew taught “New Testament Church-2.”   

Brother Sunday Odiagbe is a member of the Church at Ayeyemi in Ondo City! He is 48 years old! He is married with kids. He is a humble brother in the Church! He is a good and honest Christian. He’s learning very fast in God’s righteousness more through the School. His aim of studying with Bear Valley Bible Institute is to know the Scriptures with certainty! For him, knowledge of God’s Word is more important than anything else in the world! I hope he will be become a preacher in the near future!  

Financial Report: As a School, we are blessed with our needs! All thanks to all our supporters! Thank you, all.  

Miscellaneous: We are enjoying God’s grace and provision from the school in Denver, Colorado! Thank you for your support! We truly appreciate.  

Beloved of God, thank you brethren for your help in the work of training sound and Bible-based preachers in the 21st Century! We will continue to work with the strength the Lord God Almighty has given! We will not disappoint our God in this assignment and continue to be the best to the glory of God, Amen.       

Fasonu Victor, Coordinator

Bear Valley Bible, Institute, Ondo City, Nigeria

Chinedu Akandu’s July 2023 Report

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BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE NIGERIA, OWERRI CENTER REPORT APRIL-JUNE 2023

It is with gratitude to God that we are privileged to be found useful in the service of helping to mold great men for the service of God and humanity. We encountered several challenges this quarter ranging from security to economic challenges, but it didn’t deter us in our resolve to be consistent in our efforts to maintain high standards in making sure we produce disciplined and productive, Bible teachers.

It is unfortunate that 3 of our students have been out-of-class during this quarter: one had a domestic accident that led to a fracture, the second one is suffering from a partial stroke, while the third one is suffering from an unconfirmed ailment as the cause of the sickness is yet to be ascertained after going for several medical tests. We keep praying for them for God’s healing mercies.

Due to our prevailing security situation, we still have lessons sometimes on weekdays and Sunday evenings depending on the situation on the ground.

Not minding the challenges now, the students are dedicated and in high-spirits. Presently we have 12 students. Although the high cost of petrol and its scarcity in the country is taking its toll on the students as the cost of transportation has skyrocketed, they still attend lectures.

So far, we have concluded course 116 and the students are doing well. Next month we will commence with course 117

EVANGELISM

Based on our discovery of disunity and lack of love and cooperation among preachers and congregations here in Imo State occasioned by a lack of well trained teachers, preachers and leaders in congregations, evangelism efforts have been adversely impacted. However, we visited several places last quarter to see how we can foster unity among brethren and congregations, the visits yeilded results às we hosted the first Preachers and Church leaders Bible summit in May with the Theme:- PROTECTING THE CHURCH FROM DESTRUCTIVE ELEMENTS.

This being the first in a series of seminars, workshops, lectureships and gospel meetings that we are embarking on. This is because when you go and evangelize and win souls into disunited congregations, the convert will leave.

Also, we are happy to inform you that the school played a very vital role in restoring peace in Umueze Mbutu congregation which had a crisis between the preacher and two factions in the church leading to non-members coming to mediate. To the glory of God, sanity has been restored and the preacher and few others in the congregation will soon be our students as they promised.

We have also started arrangements for our anniversary lectureships which we intend on hosting, God willing, from September 29th to October 1st. We are still working on how to be of help to brethren from far off locations from Owerri city requesting if arrangements can be made to come to their locations and give them lectures. This solely depends on the number of interested students.

INSTRUCTORS

One of our instructors dropped due to circumstances he didn’t reveal to us. We had to quickly get a replacement in the person of OGBONNA ONYEKACHI VINCENT; a graduate of School of Biblical Studies, Jos who is highly cerebral and dedicated.

We still remain eternally grateful to God, the parent body and the school authorities for giving us the privilege of having a study center in Owerri, Imo state. We will continue to create awareness as we have started advertising for new admissions. We believe and trust God to make a way for all who are interested but having distance as a barrier to benefit from the school.

We reaffirm our promise to maintain a high standard and surely we will make the school proud.

Yours because of Christ,

Chinedu Akandu, Director

MBANABO MISSION 1ST QUARTER WORK REPORT 2023

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Sin causes trouble, pains and death for mankind, Jeremiah 14:4-14, 17-18. The high corruption of the politicians and those in authority of the country are now causing much trouble, pain, and death of many people in Nigeria.  The situation has resulted in the need of hard work and preaching to people for salvation in churches of Christ in Mbanabo Mission.

Instead of the fear of insecurities in some parts of the country, we depend on God’s strength and protection to go about preaching the way of salvation and working to uplift those who are backsliding because of the hardship of living in the country (Psalm 121:2, 7-8, Hebrews 15:5-6).

The following is the result of our work in the first quarter of the year 2023 including six baptisms recorded within three of our congregations:

  1. Two women and one man at the church of Christ at Oduma town, one woman and one young man at Church of Christ at the town, and one woman at Church of Christ at Effeche town; a total of six new souls baptized into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. Mission Building Project work now beginning at Amoli Town Church of Christ.  The building is 30ft long by 15ft wide. The work is now at the foundation level
  3. Four hundred cement blocks have been molded to add to the one we had before at Effeche Town Church of Christ.  We want to enlarge the Church building to 30ft long by 20ft wide as the Church membership has grown in number and the old building no longer contains them.
  4. Work is on-going on at the Preachers’ houses at Ihe Town.  The building is 80% complete.  I will send the picture of these buildings before the next work report
  5. With great joy in my heart, I report to you of the Grandson Church of Christ.  This is the second congregation where God blessed me to plant the seed of God’s Word in Gariki in Enugu Urban.  It is now established.  Another congregation of the Lord’s church is established at Akwuke Town near Gariki in Enugu has been established by the long evangelism work with the students of Bear Valley Bible School in Enugu. The congregation that began last year in February, 2022, now has twelve members.  Thank God I can support them to pay for their meeting building hall in the town.  I paid for the work rate for this year 2023; I also paid for the preacher’s house at the church meeting Hall at Amaoha town for this year.
  6. The Mission’s Benevolence Work: We were able to reach 30 members with financial support for some of the sick where we were blessed to help buy malaria drugs and helped some who do not have money for food.  This was because of the change of currency bills by the Federal Government with a lack of cash in circulation due to bad government policies. Chinaecherem Ndubuisi is a motherless and fatherless girl whom the father brought to the church at Amoli Town before he died.  The girl is doing her junior final exam this year and she has no money to register for the exam.  She also has no relations to help her and that is why I paid the exam registration for her.  I also promised to help her with the remaining part of the school fees because she is very much faithful in attending church worship and Bible classes. The attached picture is that of Chinecherem Ndubuisi.
  7. Community Bible Learning Centre: This is a free Bible learning Center and free basic computer training center for youth using World Bible School (WBS) Courses.  The ten lessons from WBS class helps the students know Basic Bible Lessons that will help them to understand how to become Christians; while the free Basic Computer Lesson enables them to work via their phone to further do their Bible lesson on the internet.  The two days in a week part-time school is aimed to help solve the problem of a lack of interest of young people to study the Bible and that of Christian youth’s lack of interest in Bible Training to work as Evangelists.  Every place of our work now has its particular problem.  For example, in Enugu State, young people do not have interest to do preaching work now.  We have a part-time, one day Bible school in Enugu Urban.  However, only the older, un-trained Preachers are attending the class. Bear Valley Bible School in the USA is helping us with study materials. Thank God, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, we have young men from the Church who have an interest to study and preach in churches.  We have eighteen students. who by God’s Grace, will graduate this year. Brethren, please continue to pray for this work here as we are having many struggles now in Nigeria, but we are depending on God’s mercy and grace, your prayers, and support to work and move about here (Lamentation 3:20-29).