REPORT OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES/ BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE – NIGERIA
NTIGHA- ONITCHA NGWA
FEBRUARY 2025
INTRODUCTION
The struggle for the soul of NIATS/BVBI continues. The month of February has come and gone. We are grateful to God Almighty for his abundant grace and mercy. We are also thankful to the great Bear Valley family for their constant support. The burden of rebuilding the school is heavy both on material resources and human resources. However, it is the case that with God all things are possible. When gratitude is expressed, it is not to be taken as mere words of expression. We really mean it. We will make sure that monies provided for the running of the school will be religiously applied. The truth is, there is work to be done and there is work on every hand.
Classes
Year 1 Class
The following are the teachers and their courses.
1. Teachers: Mr. Orji Onyeanulam: Life of Christ and Acts of the Apostles.
2. Teacher: Mr. Nwokemba O. Meshack: Literature in English 1 and Igbo Language.
3. Teacher: Mr. Anayo Ohama: Christian Evidence and Denominational Doctrines/Godhead.
4. Teacher: Mr. Innocent Nwandiche: How We Got Bible and Hermeneutics.
5. Teacher: Mr. Michael Okogbua: Pentateuch and General Epistle
6. Teacher: Mr. Blessing N. Esiaba: English 1 and Practicum
7. Teacher: Mr. Akokwu B. O.: Homiletics and Church Planting
8. Teacher: Mr. Chiwendu Onyema: Research Writing (Methodology) and Prison Epistle.
Year 2 Class
1. Teachers: Mr. Orji Onyeanulam: O. T. History and World Comparative Religion
2. Teacher: Mr. Nwokemba O. Meshack: Literature in English II and Igbo Language 2
3. Teacher: Mr. Anayo Ohama: Hermeneutics and Ministerial Counselling.
4. Teacher: Mr. Innocent Nwandiche: Scheme of Redemption and English II.
5. Teacher: Mr. Michael Okogbua: O. T. Wisdom Literature and Systematic Theology
6. Teacher: Mr. Blessing N. Esiaba: Practicum
7. Teacher: Mr. Bernard O. Akokwu: Major Prophets and The N. T. Church
8. Teacher: Mr. Chiwendu Onyema: Research Writing (Long Essay) and Personal Evangelism.
From the foregoing, as gleaned from the timetable for next month’s examination. The above courses were taught. There was no space to accommodate the course on Godhead as an independent course. The course is merged with Denominational Doctrines. There is the existence of English, Literature in English, Practicum and Igbo language and so on. Some of these courses (Practicum and Igbo language) may give way to more core Bible courses. However, they may have a reason for the inclusion. It is hereby proposed that to have a standard diploma programme that will enhance a near perfect training of gospel preachers, the diploma programme should be stretched to three (3) years. It’s difficult to spend so much money without adequate training of the gospel preachers.
LIBRARY
There is a need for a functional library. The students have not been writing term papers. Their long essays show that they are not abreast with writing compositions. As a school, we have started picking good books as we see them. It is important that the students read good materials from the brotherhood. This will enable them to have a good understanding of what the church believes and practices. To this end, the good news is that Chad Wagner has provided us with a digital library. this will go a long way. The school has informed the students of the need to secure mini computers, as the case may be, to enable them to connect and use the resources in it. The school continues to appeal for more books.
HOSTEL
The student hostel needs careful attention. The hostel has capacity but would need tiling, window work, plastering and painting of some parts. There is a need to gather the iron bed frames and fix them and direct the students on how to use them properly. Cleanliness is next to godliness. The foregoing idea must be instilled in the students.
EVANGELISM
The nature of student evangelism as I have observed it is different. They usually go weekends and preach on Sunday mornings in either their home congregation or somewhere else. There appears to be no door-to-door evangelism. Moreover, the students are invited by different congregations on invitation. Sometimes, they are invited during class days. Thus, for the month of February the report is as exemplified by one of the students’ reports.
“In the following programmes, events and meetings, aside from normal routine, I participated fully during every church service. On Sunday, second of February, 2025. I handled sermons using the topic “WORK CHOP” text was 2 Thess 3:10 at Nenu church of Christ, a topic that thrilled hundreds of people and moved over 98% into positive action. Moreover, on the 16th of February, I presented a sober reflecting mild speech on the topic “purify thy heart” during Lord’s Supper.”
From all the reports turned in by the students, there was no baptism.
This is the way and manner of the evangelism for now. We hope that this will change in the near future. Subsequently, the students will embark on weekend evangelism. They will go to one village and establish studies. This will continue through the semester. It is believed that this method would help the students improve in their ability to conduct studies and manage prospects relationships. Door-to-door evangelism is key.
PROGRAMMES IN THE SCHOOL
GRADUATION / LECTURESHIP
The 12th and 13th of February saw the influx of many brethren into NIATS. The theme of the lectureship was, “Repositioning the Church for the Contemporary Challenges.” Series of paper presentations were made and brethren were duly edified. The 14th of February was the culmination of the programme. About 16 students graduated. It was a great reunion as many brethren trooped in for the first time in a long time. It is hoped that next year will be even better.
NAITS SISTERS’ LECTURESHIP
The sisters from the congregations around Southeastern Nigeria and beyond usually have their annual lectureship every 27 to 1st of March. Theme of the lectureship was “Our Potential, Our Divine Purpose.” The lectureship was well attended and the record was about a thousand in attendance. On Friday, the 28th of February, we had about 8 baptisms while on the 1st of March we had 19 baptisms. There were a total of 27 baptisms. It was a rewarding experience and the participants were excited about the new looks of NIATS and hope to see more improvement the next time they visit.
CHALLENGES
It has been a tough ride with mixed feelings the past two months. The fact of neglect for a long time has necessitated the difficulties experienced. To God be the glory we are getting there.
SECURITY/FENCING
The issue of fencing of NIATS is on the front burner. From investigations, many people want to come to the school to study but for fear of unforeseen circumstances. The villagers (Landlords) appear to be the problem as they complain of the attitude of the management and stakeholders. However, the management and stakeholders have their own arguments about the people, too. Recently, some disgruntled elements from the village came and created a scene on the campus. They insisted that the school removed beacons from the portion of land they sold. Well, we handled the situation and obviously the community leaders were not aware of that incident. The management had since agreed to schedule a meeting with the villagers and also the youth group, part of whom were present during the struggle. However, it is a good development because the youths requested that the new director, Solomon Usim, should come to the Council of Youths and address their grievances.
From the look of things, the land was legitimately acquired and as such, the landlords cannot stop the school from building the fence. We hope that at the end of the meeting, both parties will reach a compromise and the fence will be urgently attended to before any other encroachments happen.
PART-TIME TEACHERS
It is interesting that the director of the school lives on campus. The presence of the Director and the Dean of Students have further added security to the students and serves as an encouragement to them. However, it is observed that most of the teachers live far away and come once a week, take their classes and leave. It is hoped that subsequently teachers would live on campus.
POWER SUPPLY
The power supply situation is epileptic. The power supply and the bill has been borne whole and entire by the Nigerian Christian Hospital. However, it’s obvious they can no longer foot the bills. The last bill for January was 4, 800, 000. In fact, the February bill is about 3 million naira. It is quite an outrageous bill. The hospital summoned a meeting with the board and the High school. The school was willing to contribute but NIATS had nothing at the time. There has been a power outage since the 19th of February. The school has survived by the use of plants (Generator). This has also increased the purchase of gasoline. Thus, the school adjusted to only putting the plant only for a few hours at night. This will enable the students to satisfy their energy needs during the time. Subsequently, there is a need to purchase solar energy for some aspects of the school. These solar polls would ignite the compound whether there is power supply or not. Market survey shows that one pole of solar energy street light is about a hundred thirty thousand (130, 000) only. We need about 10 of them to keep the school lighted at night. Since its solar light, it will last a long time.
PRINTING
Upon resumption of office, the director observed that all typing, printing and photocopying work were done outside the school and as far as Aba town. The complaint was made in the January report. Thanks to God, Chad Wagner raised nine hundred thousand naira (900, 000) and an all-in-one printer was bought. To this point, the school has a laptop, and an all-in-one printer. We are grateful for the prompt response.
STATISTICS
1. Number of Students: Sixteen (16) Year 1 (10) Year 2- six (6)
2. Number of Graduates (if any this year) sixteen.
3. Number of Campaigns: None.
4. Number of Baptisms: 27 baptisms.
5. Number of any New Churches Planted: None.
6. Number of any Churches Restored: None.
7. Number of Teachers: Eight (8)
8. Number of Restorations: None.
CONCLUSION
The journey so far has been one of many challenges as well as a sigh of relief. The journey is still long but there is hope. Next week is the week of examination, we pray that God will be with the students all the way. Gratitude goes to the international director of Bear Valley Bible Institute, Keith Kasarjian for all the support. The Assistant international Director, Chad Wagner and all the Bear Valley Family for the partnership and awesome support. Until all have heard!
