Thursday, 6 December 2012
Monday, 3 December 2012
Prayer letter for December
Dear friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Colleagues
Last year we mentioned Dr. Gabriel Olaniyan was joining the faculty but we have just heard he is leaving in January to start work at the Baptist Seminary. This is disappointing since he was helping to teach education courses here but the other Seminary will, no doubt, be pleased to have him on board. Pray we get someone else to strengthen the education department at the Seminary. Three of the faculty members who were working here on a contract basis are also ending their contracts this year and the Seminary is recruiting two more people on contract. We are expecting another two new faculty members and have heard that another two will be leaving to work elsewhere with ECWA (Evangelical Church Winning All).
The number of expatriate missionaries here is set to increase by one. Dee Grimes, from the US, has been working in Jos and is moving here in January. Her master’s degree is in ‘spiritual formation’ so she will be teaching primarily in that area.
So it looks like there will be quite a few changes in the new year and we would appreciate your prayers as these people bring their gifts, skills and experiences to the Seminary and as the faculty adjusts to the changes.
Fellowship meal
Our provost likes to encourage the faculty, non-teaching staff and students to consider ourselves part of a community. In line with this, each semester he arranges a meal for everyone here. This is quite an undertaking since we have over 300 students and 50 people working at the Seminary. When you add in the families of these people the number exceeds 500. It was a good time which started with worship together, then indoor and outdoor sports and finally the meal. Most of the cooking was done by the traditional method of burning wood under large black pots sitting on three stones each.
One of our colleagues, Dr. John Habu, studied in Korea and has a black belt in Taekwondo. During the sports time, he introduced a group of students to some of the basic moves.
Graduation 2012
One hundred and twenty one students graduated on 24th November 2012. This is the highest number of graduates who have graduated from here on one occasion. One of them was the first student to complete the new one-year Post-Graduate Diploma programme. Pray for these graduates as they determine where our Lord would have them work or study next and that the things they have learned at the Seminary will help them in their future ministries. The graduate with Debbie in the photo is Pastor Micah Goje who is in pastoral work and also coordinating the work of the Prayer and Worship Team we mentioned last year.
Seminary Management
Since returning to Kagoro I have been back in the registry. Our deputy provost left to pursue further study in South Africa in September and with that post vacant, I have been doing extra administration at the Seminary in recent months. The Seminary will appoint a new deputy provost soon (the person still has to be chosen) and that will take the pressure off. I hope this means I will be able to do more teaching in the new Semester.
Building projects
A foundation in the US has donated $25,000 towards the completion of the two-storey married students’ dorm. They have also promised to give a ‘matching grant’ of up to $50,000 if the Seminary can raise the same amount before December 2013. It would be great to have that building finished and such amounts would go a long way to seeing that happen. We thank the Lord for this generous gift and ask you to pray along with us that our Lord will provide the extra amount targeted.
Christmas
We are going to spend our Christmas here at Kagoro. I am taking a series of three messages in a church near Kafanchan on 17, 18 and 19th December and then speaking on Christmas Day at the same church. Pray these messages will help us celebrate the arrival of the Son of God and all He accomplished during the time He was physically on earth (John 17:4).
Please note we are not sending out as many Christmas cards as we used to these days and hope this prayer letter will serve as our expressed wish for you that this will be a blessed season.
Thanks for your prayerful support.
In Christ,
David and Debbie Colvin
We send you greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Colleagues
Last year we mentioned Dr. Gabriel Olaniyan was joining the faculty but we have just heard he is leaving in January to start work at the Baptist Seminary. This is disappointing since he was helping to teach education courses here but the other Seminary will, no doubt, be pleased to have him on board. Pray we get someone else to strengthen the education department at the Seminary. Three of the faculty members who were working here on a contract basis are also ending their contracts this year and the Seminary is recruiting two more people on contract. We are expecting another two new faculty members and have heard that another two will be leaving to work elsewhere with ECWA (Evangelical Church Winning All).
The number of expatriate missionaries here is set to increase by one. Dee Grimes, from the US, has been working in Jos and is moving here in January. Her master’s degree is in ‘spiritual formation’ so she will be teaching primarily in that area.
So it looks like there will be quite a few changes in the new year and we would appreciate your prayers as these people bring their gifts, skills and experiences to the Seminary and as the faculty adjusts to the changes.
Fellowship meal
Our provost likes to encourage the faculty, non-teaching staff and students to consider ourselves part of a community. In line with this, each semester he arranges a meal for everyone here. This is quite an undertaking since we have over 300 students and 50 people working at the Seminary. When you add in the families of these people the number exceeds 500. It was a good time which started with worship together, then indoor and outdoor sports and finally the meal. Most of the cooking was done by the traditional method of burning wood under large black pots sitting on three stones each.
One of our colleagues, Dr. John Habu, studied in Korea and has a black belt in Taekwondo. During the sports time, he introduced a group of students to some of the basic moves.
Graduation 2012
One hundred and twenty one students graduated on 24th November 2012. This is the highest number of graduates who have graduated from here on one occasion. One of them was the first student to complete the new one-year Post-Graduate Diploma programme. Pray for these graduates as they determine where our Lord would have them work or study next and that the things they have learned at the Seminary will help them in their future ministries. The graduate with Debbie in the photo is Pastor Micah Goje who is in pastoral work and also coordinating the work of the Prayer and Worship Team we mentioned last year.
Seminary Management
Since returning to Kagoro I have been back in the registry. Our deputy provost left to pursue further study in South Africa in September and with that post vacant, I have been doing extra administration at the Seminary in recent months. The Seminary will appoint a new deputy provost soon (the person still has to be chosen) and that will take the pressure off. I hope this means I will be able to do more teaching in the new Semester.
Building projects
A foundation in the US has donated $25,000 towards the completion of the two-storey married students’ dorm. They have also promised to give a ‘matching grant’ of up to $50,000 if the Seminary can raise the same amount before December 2013. It would be great to have that building finished and such amounts would go a long way to seeing that happen. We thank the Lord for this generous gift and ask you to pray along with us that our Lord will provide the extra amount targeted.
Christmas
We are going to spend our Christmas here at Kagoro. I am taking a series of three messages in a church near Kafanchan on 17, 18 and 19th December and then speaking on Christmas Day at the same church. Pray these messages will help us celebrate the arrival of the Son of God and all He accomplished during the time He was physically on earth (John 17:4).
Please note we are not sending out as many Christmas cards as we used to these days and hope this prayer letter will serve as our expressed wish for you that this will be a blessed season.
Thanks for your prayerful support.
In Christ,
David and Debbie Colvin
Prayer letter
Dear friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Colleagues
Last year we mentioned Dr. Gabriel Olaniyan was joining the faculty but we have just heard he is leaving in January to start work at the Baptist Seminary. This is disappointing since he was helping to teach education courses here but the other Seminary will, no doubt, be pleased to have him on board. Pray we get someone else to strengthen the education department at the Seminary. Three of the faculty members who were working here on a contract basis are also ending their contracts this year and the Seminary is recruiting two more people on contract. We are expecting another two new faculty members and have heard that another two will be leaving to work elsewhere with ECWA (Evangelical Church Winning All).
The number of expatriate missionaries here is set to increase by one. Dee Grimes, from the US, has been working in Jos and is moving here in January. Her master’s degree is in ‘spiritual formation’ so she will be teaching primarily in that area.
So it looks like there will be quite a few changes in the new year and we would appreciate your prayers as these people bring their gifts, skills and experiences to the Seminary and as the faculty adjusts to the changes.
Fellowship meal
Our provost likes to encourage the faculty, non-teaching staff and students to consider ourselves part of a community. In line with this, each semester he arranges a meal for everyone here. This is quite an undertaking since we have over 300 students and 50 people working at the Seminary. When you add in the families of these people the number exceeds 500. It was a good time which started with worship together, then indoor and outdoor sports and finally the meal. Most of the cooking was done by the traditional method of burning wood under large black pots sitting on three stones each.
One of our colleagues, Dr. John Habu, studied in Korea and has a black belt in Taekwondo. During the sports time, he introduced a group of students to some of the basic moves.
Graduation 2012
One hundred and twenty one students graduated on 24th November 2012. This is the highest number of graduates who have graduated from here on one occasion. One of them was the first student to complete the new one-year Post-Graduate Diploma programme. Pray for these graduates as they determine where our Lord would have them work or study next and that the things they have learned at the Seminary will help them in their future ministries. The graduate with Debbie in the photo is Pastor Micah Goje who is in pastoral work and also coordinating the work of the Prayer and Worship Team we mentioned last year.
Seminary Management
Since returning to Kagoro I have been back in the registry. Our deputy provost left to pursue further study in South Africa in September and with that post vacant, I have been doing extra administration at the Seminary in recent months. The Seminary will appoint a new deputy provost soon (the person still has to be chosen) and that will take the pressure off. I hope this means I will be able to do more teaching in the new Semester.
Building projects
A foundation in the US has donated $25,000 towards the completion of the two-storey married students’ dorm. They have also promised to give a ‘matching grant’ of up to $50,000 if the Seminary can raise the same amount before December 2013. It would be great to have that building finished and such amounts would go a long way to seeing that happen. We thank the Lord for this generous gift and ask you to pray along with us that our Lord will provide the extra amount targeted.
Christmas
We are going to spend our Christmas here at Kagoro. I am taking a series of three messages in a church near Kafanchan on 17, 18 and 19th December and then speaking on Christmas Day at the same church. Pray these messages will help us celebrate the arrival of the Son of God and all He accomplished during the time He was physically on earth (John 17:4).
Please note we are not sending out as many Christmas cards as we used to these days and hope this prayer letter will serve as our expressed wish for you that this will be a blessed season.
Thanks for your prayerful support.
In Christ,
David and Debbie Colvin
Sunday, 28 October 2012
November update
Dear friends,
We send you greetings from a bright and sunny Kagoro. The rains are gradually easing off and the temperatures are rising.
Thank you for your prayers for us. It's been a busy month especially for David, with many committee meetings and minutes to record. Thank the Lord for the health and strength to serve Him here at the Seminary.
Our mid-semester break went by quickly. In Jos I got part way through the process of renewing my driving license and will hopefully get a bit further on our next trip. It was good to get the car serviced although it meant David had to sit at the mechanics for the whole day! They were very busy.
As we look ahead, the diary is full of activities alongside our normal teaching responsibilities.
David is preaching tomorrow, Sunday, 28th October, in the Seminary church. He will also give a paper on Thursday during our morning service with the students. There will be a management meeting on Monday morning as certain things have to be in order for the Board meeting and Graduation.
On Wednesday afternoon we are having a time of food and fellowship as a community. Coletta Shelly is chairperson of the committee in charge of this huge event which means organizing the purchase, cooking and distribution of food to hundreds of students, staff and their families. Please pray that everything will go smoothly and that we enjoy our time of fellowship together. There will also be games and our normal morning service.
Our good friend, Dr Paul Todd, who is serving with SIM and is Senior Editor for ACTS (Africa Christian Textbook Service), is visiting in November so we plan to go to Jos to see him and do our shopping during the weekend of the 9th November.
David will be taking the minutes of the Seminary Board meeting on the 16th November and the following day going to Jos to take part in the SIM Group Board meeting. SIM Group is SIM's in-house vehicle insurance organization.
Plans are underway for the Graduation exercise which will take place on the 24th November. Committees are working on the various details and I am working with Dr Dennis Shelly on the production of the annual Seminary Newsletter. We would value your prayers for the students to have everything done on time so they are eligible to graduate. This is a lot of work for David and his secretary as well as for the Academic Dean's office. It is always a great day of celebration for the graduates and their families.
The ACTS Board meeting will be held on the 29th November and I will travel for that and the executive meeting on the 28th.
That's a lot going on in a short time! We are much in need of prayer for successful meetings, safe travels and stamina to keep going. Please continue to pray for peace in the nation. We are thankful that our area remains calm. It is a great answer to the prayers of many. Thank you.
May you know the Lord's peace and the abundant supply of His grace as you face the challenges of life (John 1:16).
With Love in Christ,
Debbie and David
We send you greetings from a bright and sunny Kagoro. The rains are gradually easing off and the temperatures are rising.
Thank you for your prayers for us. It's been a busy month especially for David, with many committee meetings and minutes to record. Thank the Lord for the health and strength to serve Him here at the Seminary.
Our mid-semester break went by quickly. In Jos I got part way through the process of renewing my driving license and will hopefully get a bit further on our next trip. It was good to get the car serviced although it meant David had to sit at the mechanics for the whole day! They were very busy.
As we look ahead, the diary is full of activities alongside our normal teaching responsibilities.
David is preaching tomorrow, Sunday, 28th October, in the Seminary church. He will also give a paper on Thursday during our morning service with the students. There will be a management meeting on Monday morning as certain things have to be in order for the Board meeting and Graduation.
On Wednesday afternoon we are having a time of food and fellowship as a community. Coletta Shelly is chairperson of the committee in charge of this huge event which means organizing the purchase, cooking and distribution of food to hundreds of students, staff and their families. Please pray that everything will go smoothly and that we enjoy our time of fellowship together. There will also be games and our normal morning service.
Our good friend, Dr Paul Todd, who is serving with SIM and is Senior Editor for ACTS (Africa Christian Textbook Service), is visiting in November so we plan to go to Jos to see him and do our shopping during the weekend of the 9th November.
David will be taking the minutes of the Seminary Board meeting on the 16th November and the following day going to Jos to take part in the SIM Group Board meeting. SIM Group is SIM's in-house vehicle insurance organization.
Plans are underway for the Graduation exercise which will take place on the 24th November. Committees are working on the various details and I am working with Dr Dennis Shelly on the production of the annual Seminary Newsletter. We would value your prayers for the students to have everything done on time so they are eligible to graduate. This is a lot of work for David and his secretary as well as for the Academic Dean's office. It is always a great day of celebration for the graduates and their families.
The ACTS Board meeting will be held on the 29th November and I will travel for that and the executive meeting on the 28th.
That's a lot going on in a short time! We are much in need of prayer for successful meetings, safe travels and stamina to keep going. Please continue to pray for peace in the nation. We are thankful that our area remains calm. It is a great answer to the prayers of many. Thank you.
May you know the Lord's peace and the abundant supply of His grace as you face the challenges of life (John 1:16).
With Love in Christ,
Debbie and David
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
October update
Dear friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus our Lord.
Thank you for praying for use as we settled back into life at Kagoro. It has been six weeks and things are now starting to settle into a familiar pattern.
I have been quite busy with administration since our deputy provost flew to South Africa to pursue further study and our provost went to Oxford for three weeks to attend a conference and conduct some research. Since the registrar is the third in line, administratively, I have ended up doing parts of all three jobs. Thankfully the provost should be back soon and please pray for him as he selects a new deputy provost.
The total number of students registered for study this semester has increased slightly to 335 for which we thank the Lord.
On 15th October Dennis and Coletta Shelly, Debbie and I are to give a report to the Seminary community of our time back in our home countries earlier this year so pray that goes well. One other meeting I have this month is the SIM Area Council on 5th October. Debbie and I will go up to Jos for that and stay for a few days to get some things sorted out like the renewal of her driving license.
Things have been peaceful here in the Kagoro area but there are still occasional attacks on Christian churches elsewhere in the country so keep on praying for peace and stability here. Thanks.
It is good to be back and we especially enjoy the teaching (Rom. 12:7b). Thanks for praying.
David and Debbie
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus our Lord.
Thank you for praying for use as we settled back into life at Kagoro. It has been six weeks and things are now starting to settle into a familiar pattern.
I have been quite busy with administration since our deputy provost flew to South Africa to pursue further study and our provost went to Oxford for three weeks to attend a conference and conduct some research. Since the registrar is the third in line, administratively, I have ended up doing parts of all three jobs. Thankfully the provost should be back soon and please pray for him as he selects a new deputy provost.
The total number of students registered for study this semester has increased slightly to 335 for which we thank the Lord.
On 15th October Dennis and Coletta Shelly, Debbie and I are to give a report to the Seminary community of our time back in our home countries earlier this year so pray that goes well. One other meeting I have this month is the SIM Area Council on 5th October. Debbie and I will go up to Jos for that and stay for a few days to get some things sorted out like the renewal of her driving license.
Things have been peaceful here in the Kagoro area but there are still occasional attacks on Christian churches elsewhere in the country so keep on praying for peace and stability here. Thanks.
It is good to be back and we especially enjoy the teaching (Rom. 12:7b). Thanks for praying.
David and Debbie
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Update for September
Dear friends,
We're in the middle of a thunderstorm right now and I'm glad I made a pot of soup yesterday to warm us up during the rains! You can gather from this that it hasn't been too hard to adjust to the rainy season temperature in Kagoro!
Thank you for your prayers for us as we travelled and got our home in order. Everything went well. Most of the unpacking is complete, the kitchen is functioning and the cook is on duty (most of the time)! We thank the Lord for answered prayer in this transition process. It wasn't as difficult as we anticipated and we are happy to be back.
Thank the Lord we have completed our first week of teaching successfully. Our workload will be a bit lighter this semester as we are both teaching one course less than expected because there were not enough students for these courses.
By next week, David will be back in the Registry office. Please pray for a good handover process with the Acting Registrar. David would appreciate prayer for his new course on Expository Preaching. Pray for good understanding for the students. Pray for David as he preaches on the 4th September at the Seminary devotional service. The theme is 'Fix your eyes on Jesus' (Heb 12:2).
On Mondays I (Debbie) teach 57 students Old Testament Poetry at Diploma and Degree level and on Tuesdays I teach 3 students the same subject at Certificate level. Pray for the Lord's help in communicating His truth to the different groups of students.
At the end of September we will observe Spiritual Emphasis week where there is usually an invited speaker. Please pray that the Lord will make an impact on all our lives as we hear what He has to say to us.
For the first time in many years we have six missionaries and three children at Kagoro. This is a great answer to years of prayer for the growth of the missionary team here. Thank you for praying. The Creightons are settling in well and Dennis Shelly's health is stable. There are also new national colleagues so we praise the Lord for strengthening the faculty at the Seminary. Please pray we would work well together as a team for the progress of God's Kingdom.
We value prayer that we would 'fix our eyes on Jesus' in the midst of our busy schedule.
Thanks again for your faithfulness in prayer.
Debbie and David
We're in the middle of a thunderstorm right now and I'm glad I made a pot of soup yesterday to warm us up during the rains! You can gather from this that it hasn't been too hard to adjust to the rainy season temperature in Kagoro!
Thank you for your prayers for us as we travelled and got our home in order. Everything went well. Most of the unpacking is complete, the kitchen is functioning and the cook is on duty (most of the time)! We thank the Lord for answered prayer in this transition process. It wasn't as difficult as we anticipated and we are happy to be back.
Thank the Lord we have completed our first week of teaching successfully. Our workload will be a bit lighter this semester as we are both teaching one course less than expected because there were not enough students for these courses.
By next week, David will be back in the Registry office. Please pray for a good handover process with the Acting Registrar. David would appreciate prayer for his new course on Expository Preaching. Pray for good understanding for the students. Pray for David as he preaches on the 4th September at the Seminary devotional service. The theme is 'Fix your eyes on Jesus' (Heb 12:2).
On Mondays I (Debbie) teach 57 students Old Testament Poetry at Diploma and Degree level and on Tuesdays I teach 3 students the same subject at Certificate level. Pray for the Lord's help in communicating His truth to the different groups of students.
At the end of September we will observe Spiritual Emphasis week where there is usually an invited speaker. Please pray that the Lord will make an impact on all our lives as we hear what He has to say to us.
For the first time in many years we have six missionaries and three children at Kagoro. This is a great answer to years of prayer for the growth of the missionary team here. Thank you for praying. The Creightons are settling in well and Dennis Shelly's health is stable. There are also new national colleagues so we praise the Lord for strengthening the faculty at the Seminary. Please pray we would work well together as a team for the progress of God's Kingdom.
We value prayer that we would 'fix our eyes on Jesus' in the midst of our busy schedule.
Thanks again for your faithfulness in prayer.
Debbie and David
Friday, 3 August 2012
August update
Dear friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus.
Thank you for praying for Debbie. Her nose is healing well and we are able to return to Kagoro leaving Northern Ireland on 14th, flying overnight from London to Abuja and then being driven to Kagoro arriving mid-morning on 15th, God willing. Our colleagues, Dennis and Coletta Shelly, will be on the same flight from London and the journey by road to Kagoro. We thank the Lord Dennis does not need surgery and that his health concerns are not as serious as earlier thought. Thank you for praying.
We have two farewell meetings at our home churches. The evening service at Ballynahinch Congregational Church on 5th August (6:30 to 7:30pm) is the first of these with Mike Ewan (SIM Ireland director) speaking at that service. On the following Sunday (12th), there will be a short farewell service at Coagh Baptist Church at 7:45pm right after the evening service. There will be tea after each of these services, we hear. Our role at each service will be to give a short update including prayer requests. Everyone is welcome at these services and we look forward to seeing you there if you are able to attend.
The academic dean at the Seminary has let us know which courses we will be teaching. Debbie will be covering three courses all of which she has taught before while I have been asked to teach a new course on spiritual formation and one on expository preaching. Although this second course is not new, I have not taught it before so I have been working on both courses and look forward to teaching them this semester. The Provost wants me to resume work as the registrar at the Seminary so I will have to find out from Dr. Paul Bidoli what has been happening in the office while I have been away.
We would appreciate your prayers as we pack (six suitcases to take with us on this trip, two of which are full of things for the seminary). It is always hard to say farewell to family and friends and we would appreciate your prayers for us and them as we head off to Africa again. Pray also for our adjustment to being back at Kagoro. It will take some time to get our systems up and running again.
Thank you to all who have been praying for us and contributing towards our financial support. We could not continue our ministries without you and are confident our Lord will reward those who are seeking the extension of His kingdom (Col. 3:23-24).
Yours in our Lord,
David and Debbie
We send you greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus.
Thank you for praying for Debbie. Her nose is healing well and we are able to return to Kagoro leaving Northern Ireland on 14th, flying overnight from London to Abuja and then being driven to Kagoro arriving mid-morning on 15th, God willing. Our colleagues, Dennis and Coletta Shelly, will be on the same flight from London and the journey by road to Kagoro. We thank the Lord Dennis does not need surgery and that his health concerns are not as serious as earlier thought. Thank you for praying.
We have two farewell meetings at our home churches. The evening service at Ballynahinch Congregational Church on 5th August (6:30 to 7:30pm) is the first of these with Mike Ewan (SIM Ireland director) speaking at that service. On the following Sunday (12th), there will be a short farewell service at Coagh Baptist Church at 7:45pm right after the evening service. There will be tea after each of these services, we hear. Our role at each service will be to give a short update including prayer requests. Everyone is welcome at these services and we look forward to seeing you there if you are able to attend.
The academic dean at the Seminary has let us know which courses we will be teaching. Debbie will be covering three courses all of which she has taught before while I have been asked to teach a new course on spiritual formation and one on expository preaching. Although this second course is not new, I have not taught it before so I have been working on both courses and look forward to teaching them this semester. The Provost wants me to resume work as the registrar at the Seminary so I will have to find out from Dr. Paul Bidoli what has been happening in the office while I have been away.
We would appreciate your prayers as we pack (six suitcases to take with us on this trip, two of which are full of things for the seminary). It is always hard to say farewell to family and friends and we would appreciate your prayers for us and them as we head off to Africa again. Pray also for our adjustment to being back at Kagoro. It will take some time to get our systems up and running again.
Thank you to all who have been praying for us and contributing towards our financial support. We could not continue our ministries without you and are confident our Lord will reward those who are seeking the extension of His kingdom (Col. 3:23-24).
Yours in our Lord,
David and Debbie
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