Earlier this year the campus of Obafemi Owolowo University in Ile-Ife was closed unexpectedly for some time. Did our campus staff assigned to OAU just sit idle during that time? Of course not! For a month they went instead to the O.A.U. Pre-degree centre at nearby Moro for evangelism and discipleship. This was a strategic move, because more than 50 percent of these young students may eventually get admission into OAU next session so follow up and discipleship with them would be possible.

The six who were going to this campus (four missionary staff, a volunteer and a student) were able to witness to 158 students through one on one method within these 4 weeks and out these 23 indicated decisions to receive Christ. It was a good experience trying to help these students understand how to receive Christ. They met many who were not sure if Christ was in their lives so they had to take special time to explain to them from the Bible about assurance of God’s salvation.

An example of how God’s timing is right is the young lady whom one of them came across, who had tears in her eyes. The very night before she had had a dream in which she saw that she died after getting admission into Obafemi Awolowo University and she was understandably upset. As the conversation continued, it came to light that she was a recent convert from another religion. We taught her to hold on God’s word and prayed against every wile of the devil.

The team also met many students who belong to another religion and who struggle with the fact that Jesus is the Son of God and He is the only way to heaven. Some made comments which made it difficult to even continue with the witnessing. Nevertheless, a number of these did hear a presentation of the good news of salvation. Please join us in trusting God to bring forth fruit from the Word they have heard.

MORO OUTREACH

While Obafemi Awolowo University was closed earlier this year, the staff there were going to the O.A.U Pre–degree centre at Moro for for evangelism and discipleship. This is a 10-15 minute drive from Ile –Ife. Here is their report:

It was  a privilege to witness to these young and tender youth who are seeking admission into Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The premise behind doing ministry here was the closure of O.A.U and  also the fact that it is strategic because more than 50 percent of these students may eventually get admission into OAU next session (few months away). So it is easy to continue follow up and discipleship with those contacted during this period . Six of us were going to this campus (4 missionary staff, a  volunteer and a student). Within 4 weeks we were able to witness to 158 students through one on one method and out these 23 students prayed to receive Christ. It was a good experience trying to help these students understand how to receive Christ. There were so many students who were not sure if Christ is in their lives. We had to take special time to explain to them from the Bible about assurance of God’s salvation.

We also met many Muslim students who struggle with the fact that Jesus is the son of God and He is the only way to heaven. I cannot forget an experience with a Muslim boy who said it was not true that Jesus lived a flawless life. He said, “Jesus cursed an innocent tree; that is very unfair, so Jesus committed sin”. I managed not to burst into laughter. I simply explained to him the lessons Jesus was teaching his followers by that action. There was also an experience with a young lady whom one of us came across, who had tears in her eyes. The night before she had a dream in which she saw that she died after getting admission into Obafemi Awolowo University. So she was so worried. It was so timely that one of us came across her and witnessed to her and prayed with her. She was also taught to hold on God’s word for long life and prayed against every wiles of the devil. It was nice to know that this lady was a recent Muslim convert.   It was a great privilege ministering to these youths. Please pray that as many that have heard the word that it will profit them unto salvation. Also, pray that we will be able to continue what we have started with these students when they eventually get admission into O.A.U campus.

MISSIONARY ENGINEERS

God is faithful. He is blessing the work in our hands as we labor among students who are tomorrow’s leaders. Here is a story from one of our campus staff:

In our usual one on one evangelism efforts to students’ hostel at University of Lagos, God made my path to cross with six young intelligent and energetic mechanical engineering students who love the Lord and are willing to grow in their faith. I started discipleship meetings where we study God’s principles for living and training on how to share their faith with others. For over two years of mentoring, I have witnessed life change and growth in their spiritual lives also affecting other areas of their lives. Now, they have started multiplying what they have learnt over time…

They met for several days praying, brainstorming, mobilizing fund and strategizing on how to impact the junior colleagues in their department. Since almost all of them are on a 1st class, they came up with the idea of organizing an Evangelistic Academic Excellence and Orientation Summit for 100Level Mechanical Engineering students. The hall was almost filled with students as they with rapt attention listened as their seniors’ unraveled subjects like Time Management, Good Foundation & How to Calculate G.P. The summit ended on a surprise note to participants. A 15 minute gospel presentation was made and 9 students gave their lives to Christ as 1 rededicated his life to Him. These missionary engineers have started follow-up with the converts and other students who are interested in their spiritual walk with God. 

ASABI VILLAGE FOLLOW

Another story from the campus staff in Ile-Ife: On April  29 and 30, 2011 we had a village outreach at Aba store. This is a village at the outskirt of Ile-Ife, within Ife East Local Government, Oke –Ogbo, a 25 -30 minutes drive from O.A.U campus. This is a follow up to the outreach we had in 2009 in this same village when some American friends from University of Idaho were around in Ile-Ife for a project. We partnered with a local church called Well of Salvation Church.   The outreach started on Friday on the 29th April, 2011. On this day, we had medical mission. This involves witnessing and counseling people, giving them free health-care services free medications and free reliefs in form of clothes, shoes and household utensils. Over 24 adults and 40 children were available on this first day. Among these people 3 adults gave their lives to Christ who have not made this decision before.   On Saturday we had film shows. We started with a Jesus film show in Yoruba language to ensure that there is no one remaining who has not yet given his life to Christ. We later had a discipleship session with all the converts showing video clips on discipleship titled “Walking with Jesus”. We taught discipleship topics on assurance of God’s salvation and the importance of fellowship with other believers. After each video clip, people asked questions on the subject matter and shared their thoughts about the issues. It was encouraging that this village people are eager to grow. We concluded the program with giving more reliefs to the villagers. Many of them could not wait to grab good items from all that we brought for them. For me, I guess there is no better way ending the month of April than touching the lives of those Jesus loves dearly and whom He died for. It is nice going back to the place we once done ministry to see how they are doing and how the village church is faring. Please pray that all these effort among the people of Aba Store will last.