Volume: 3 • Issue 11 • November 2003                   

Fall Conference Highlights

With Rev. Robert Ridley as MC and the Varga/Ross Family as Praise and Worship Team, the 2003 Fall Conference at Camp Overton focused on magnifying God’s love and grace, while each speaker defined an aspect of CCBI’s calling and responsibility to teach that love and grace where God directs us.

Mr. Peter K. Nyagrowa, National Director for Kenya, was warmly welcomed by all. World views were stretched not only by his participation, but also with a Power Point presentation by graduate/missionary Steve Farris documenting educational and other needs in India, and a dramatic video sent by Ugandan graduate Bishop Nelson Onono-Onweng displaying the desperate need for an end to civil wars in Northern Uganda. God spoke to the group also through anointed messages from Rev. Larry Self, Dr. Cynthia Essex Walker, Mr. Lance Even, Dr. Desmond Rose, and Pastor Shawn Gansham.

Candlelight vespers, a traditional intimate conclusion of both evenings, brought the ministry into spiritual unity and responsibility to pray for each other.

Board Mega Meeting

The Board of Directors met for over four hours on Saturday but still was not able to conclude all the business matters, with several committees appointed for further study. Dr. Rose’s report emphasized the necessity of National Directors submitting routine reports and fees every month in order to maintain sufficient income in the main office. He expressed gratitude for his office manager Paula Replogle and the efficient work she has been doing recently. His daughter Aimee Rose is now working with Paula.

Mr. Peter K. Nyagrowa was introduced as Kenya’s Director and conference guest. He brought out administrative concerns which he had not presented when airport mixups prevented his visit in 2002, as well as important current issues. Following his address Bob Ridley, Executive Vice president, requested the board to affirm both CCBKenya and Peter Nyagrowa personally for the phenomenal growth and development of the Kenya division in the past two years, which they did with much applause. Kenya, the largest CCBI division, reports around 80 active students currently.

Dr. Cynthia Essex-Walker presented the rationale and proposal for a Bible institute for the training of new believers in under- developed parts of the world where many have been saved but drift away because trained leaders are not available. A committee was appointed to meet and study with Cindy the feasibility of this proposal.

Jan Saunders and Margaret Ridley announced that they would be producing the newsletter every other month instead of monthly.

The board unanimously approved Camp Overton for the 2004 Fall conference, with the date set for September 17, 18 and 19.

Instructor Comments

From the Desk of the Dean of Faculty:

* Our annual Fall Conference at Camp Overton was a wonderful time of praying, planning and praising. As board member Beverly Tyler sang “Nothing’s Too Big For My God”, I thought of Gen. 18:4 which asks, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” I envision seeing CCBI spread to more third-world countries with sound Bible training. As CCBI’s theme verse says in II Tim. 2:2 “and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” I thank God for teachers who are a part of CCBI helping to fulfill the Great Commission through going by way of correspondence courses, and teaching. The Holy Spirit will open the doors. Let us be faithful to walk through them, because truly there is nothing too hard for the Lord!

~Dr. Cynthia Essex-Walker

* Dr. Clifford Dane, Baptist missionary retired from Belize, had strong words of encouragement for CCBI’s Ugandan student Rev. Murumba: “I feel sure that you now have a firm understanding concerning the cults and false religions which are based on mankind and his needs and desires rather than on God...Thank you for sharing about the cult Eastern Lightning in Uganda...I am glad to learn that through your demonstrated courage and tenacity you were able to minister to [three cult members] and help them find the forgiveness of God the Father...I will continue to pray with you as you work with those who were influenced by your good witness...I thank the living God for persons such as you who have dedicated themselves to His task and are willing to further prepare themselves for the Lord’s task through their study with CCBI...

Ministry Reports

Trinidad: Kevin Martin ministers to “the young children and teenagers in a community worn out by drugs, violence and teenage pregnancies.” (Doesn’t this sound sadly familiar?) Following a home-to-home evangelistic series during which many decisions for salvation were made, Martin’s team realized that the converts were not coming to church. He writes, “It has been necessary to commence an evening Sunday School, but the recruitment of teachers has been very difficult. I have been made aware of how ignorant many young persons are as to who Jesus is and what he has done for them. I have received a fresh zeal for this Sunday School so that the community might be transformed through Christ.”

Kenya: Milcah Nyaga testifies, “Praise the name of the Lord. I have been saved for 20 years. Jesus Christ has meant so much in my life; I have seen my life being transformed daily. I no longer live but Christ lives in me. I have trusted God in my education, my life and my family and God has proved to be very real in my life. I have passed many difficult exams and I give glory to God. My Christian life has grown tremendously and now I can trust God even when things look impossible. The Holy Spirit of God has taught me to be patient and to wait upon God, which gives me a lot of joy and peace. I can face life with confidence because Christ Jesus lives in me.

Thank You: