Dear Fellow Servants of God,
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from the students and staff of BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN, Oyo State, Nigeria.
We are most grateful to God for granting us a successful 23rd Annual Bible Lectureship and Graduation Ceremony of the BVBIN students from Ibadan, Agege, Ikorodu, and Ondo campuses. The program was held between August 21–23, 2025 at both the Doug Wheeler Events Center and Chad Wagner’s Hall in Butu-London, Butubutu Village, Ibadan.
We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our supporters, both home and abroad, for their prayers, encouragement, and financial support which contributed greatly to the success of this program.
Below is a summary of our activities for the month of August 2025 in Christ Jesus:
OVERVIEW
1. Students’ One-Month Practicum/Teaching Practice
2. Beginning of First Semester Classes (2025/26 Session)
3. BVBIN Degree Program
4. 23rd Annual Bible Lectureship and Graduation
STUDENTS’ ONE-MONTH PRACTICUM/TEACHING PRACTICE
The Practicum/Teaching Practice took place from July 5 – August 3, 2025 across 19 congregations.
* Total Conversions: 39
* Total Restorations: 36. We give God the glory for this fruitful effort.
FIRST SEMESTER CLASSES (2025/26 SESSION)
The first semester began as scheduled on August 4, 2025 and will, by God’s grace, end on September 26, 2025.
* 8 instructors are currently teaching 16 subjects.
* 3 instructors are serving at the BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN Extension Program in Sabo-Sagamu, Ogun State, handling 3 subjects.
WEEKEND EVANGELISM OUTREACH
In line with our tradition, the students resumed their Weekend Evangelism Outreach on August 8, 2025.They are actively evangelizing and edifying the saints every weekend in 15 different centers.
BVBIN DEGREE PROGRAM
The previously suspended BVBIN Degree Program resumed on August 11, 2025 with 7 students and concluded on August 22, 2025 with 14 students, many of whom are gospel ministers serving in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ibadan.
* Greek Class was taught by Bro. Durojaiye Odeyemi.
* Congregational Development was taught by Bro. Ayobami Akanji (August 17–22, 2025).
23RD ANNUAL BIBLE LECTURESHIP & GRADUATION
The 23rd Annual Bible Lectureship was held at the Doug Wheeler Events Center and Chad Wagner’s Hall.
* Attendance: Over 300 brethren from Western States of Nigeria, Kwara, and Edo.
* Registration: Over 200 participants had registered by Thursday afternoon.
* Theme: “The Secret of Faith”
* Speakers: 10 able ministers of the gospel.
The Graduation Ceremony of 45 successful students was conducted on Saturday, August 23, 2025, concluding by 1:35 p.m.
* Materials Distributed:
* About 2,000 copies of Voice of Truth International (VOTI, Volume 123)
* Cartons of Mission Prints Gospel Literature
* Local tracts freely shared to congregations
Graduation Awards & Gifts
* All Certificate & Diploma graduates received: A Bible and Study Materials.
* All Advanced Diploma graduates received: A Preacher’s Box (Mission Printing International) + A Bible.
* 17 out of 45 graduates received Special Awards as follows:
1. Best Ministerial Student (In honor of Bro. Doug Wheeler)
* Bro. Isaac Joseph Ukpong (BVBIN–Ikorodu)
* Bro. Osarenren Joshua Nosahare(BVBIN – Ibadan)
2. Best Academic Student (In honor of Bro. Keith Kkasarijian)
* Akanmu Solomon (Ibadan)
* Bro. Felix Sani ( Ondo)
3. Evangelism Awards (In honor of Bro. Joel Coppinger & Tulare Community COC )
* Bro. Udo Itie -Obong Okon (Ibadan)
* Bro. Akerele Michael Adebayo (Agege)
* Bro. Meshach David (Ondo)
* Bro. Eyakeno Etim (Ikorodu)
* Bro. David Magaji (Ibadan)
4. Most Improved Student (In honor of Church of Christ, Mile-12, Lagos)
* Bro. Joseph Oluwabamiwo (Ondo)
* Bro. Olaleye Josiah (Ibadan)
5. Leadership Award (In honor of late Bro. Ebenezer Aiyela)
* Bro. Afolabi Olajide Emmanuel (Ibadan)
* Bro. Owonikoko Taiwo John (Ibadan)
6. Precillia Award ( In honor of Sister Ronke Kila)
* Sister Glory Obanla (Agege)
7. Best All-Round Student (In honor of Zach and Kim Van Tasell)
* Bro. Ogaji Isaac Emmanuel (Ibadan)
8. Most Humble Student (In honor of Bro. Chad Wagner )
* Bro. Shiyanbola M. Kayode ( Ibadan)
9. Most God-Fearing Student (In honor of Bro. Chad Wagner )
* Bro. David Nwankwo ( Agege)
10. Most Hard Working Student( In honor of Makinde Family)
* Bro. Dada Augustine (Ibadan)
11. Most Reliable and Trustworthy Student (In honor of Ayobami Akanji)
12. Most Discipline Student ( In honor of Bro. Larry Goodin and WBSTC)
* Bro. David Magaji (Ibadan)
ABOUT A STUDENT
Bro. Ibrahim Shehe Lere
* Native of Kaduna State, born in 1972 to the family of Chief Imam Shehe Lere.
* Converted to Christ in 2022.
* Joined BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN in 2023.
* Happily married, with a mission to expand the Lord’s Church in Southern Kaduna after completing his training as a gospel minister.
OUR NEXT DREAM
By God’s grace, we plan to install solar lights and panels in Chad Wagner’s Hall before the end of this year with the assistance of Bro. Zach & Sis. Kim Van Tassell of Gahana -Jefferson Church of Christ.
CONCLUSION
We pray that the Lord of blessings will continue to prosper all our labor in Christ and richly reward all our supporters and stakeholders—spiritually, physically, and mentally—in Christ Jesus’ name, Amen.
I remain Yours In Christ’s Service as a servant
Makinde Ebenezer Olufemi
The Chief Servant of BVBIN & SWSE-IBADAN and WBSFUW
