School expansion

Both Nigerian Christian Schools (with a total of 2000 students) are having 4 classrooms added. The schools are rated number one in their province and are noted for both their high moral and academic standards.

Click here to see a slide show about the schools and the expansion projects.

Cornerstone Acadamy

Teach the Child the Truth: By Rev. Daniel Pever

The concept of providing Christian education in Nigeria started out of compassion for our children and because of the Biblical injunction, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov.22:6). Although there are many similar biblical references, we chose this text as our call and memory verse. It is out of this verse that we derived our motto, Tese Wanye Minn, which means teach the child the truth. We emphasize the whole Christian truth in our ministry.

Rev Daniel Pever is the Director of Faith and Freedom Ministry, our partner in Nigeria

The first school was established in 2000. At that time, because of lack of funds, we used traditional round huts roofed with bamboo and grasses as classrooms. Big tog of woods were used as seats for the children. The situation and the facilities were not good for school but the people were happy because, as we say, half bread is better than none.
Coming into partnership with Word & Deed was a big blessing. We started receiving funds for the development of the school. A permanent site was bought and modern classrooms were built and furnished.
After two sets of students graduated with Primary 6 Certificates, we needed to provide secondary education. These children could not find good Christian secondary schools to enroll in, and with only Primary 6 Certificates, they could not find any job. In 2003, we started secondary education in the two campuses. Now, we are offering both primary and secondary education and it has been very encouraging.
In order to prevent the beneficiaries of our educational and humanitarian services from becoming over-dependent, we have introduced tuition fees. The idea is for the people to take ownership and to value and learn to appreciate our services to them. If we continue giving everything free our aim to make them become responsible citizens will be defeated. In light of this we have created some ways to generate funds to help supplement the efforts made by Word & Deed Ministries. My desire and hope is that in the near future, each of the four schools should become self-reliant, self-supporting, and independent. This is a big dream; but with God all things are possible.
Though Nigeria is corrupt, I can testify that many people like good things and truthfulness. I also realize that many people speaking of knowing God; the problem is worshiping Him in Spirit and in Truth. But even if parents do not know the Lord, they are attracted by Cornerstone Acadamy’s commitment to truthfulness and our emphasis on morality. Cornerstone Academy is well-received due to its strategic locations and the type of services we offer.

In Nigeria, cultism is growing at an alarming rate, but in our schools such practices are not allowed. The academic, spiritual, and moral standards of the children have been very impressive, such that even government officials, parents and the community are strongly behind us. Church members, including pastors and elders from different congregations, have been praying for our ministry.During a recent trip to Nigeria, Bernie Pennings receives a very special present!

The Word of God is preached to the students every day during assembly. Students are taught Christian songs which they sing during our morning devotion. Even in our class work and extra-curricular activities, everything is centered on Christ.
Just as it is written, the Word of God is a two-edged sword. It shall not come back empty. Many students are responding positively to our messages. Many have cultivated the habit of going to church on Sunday and some have joined catechism classes. Some have learned to obey the fifth commandment, and many parents have testified about the change in their children's lives. Another student, a child of estranged parents, had vowed not to have anything to do with her father. Now she has been helped to reconcile with him. She is also trying hard to persuade her mother to return to her father.
Positive stories like this are numerous. Our efforts and the support from Word & Deed are yielding great results. Over 40 staff members have been provided full-time employment, and about 1400 children are receiving quality Christian education.
On behalf of the staff, parents and students of Cornerstone Academy, Nigeria, I say thank you and God bless you for your support.

Rev. Daniel Pever is the Director of Faith and Freedom Ministry, our partner in Nigeria

Nigeria Projects

Nigeria – Christian Education (Budget - $107,000)

School in Koti-Yough

(Standard Nursery & Primary school)

Adult Education Koti-Yough

School in Makurdi

(Cornerstone Academy)

There are 2 Christian school campuses with one in Koti-Yough (pronounced ko-tee-yoe), a very poor area “in the bush” as well as one in Makurdi (Ma-kur-dee) which is a little more urban. Both schools have a local pastor from the Presbyterian church acting as a chaplain and each teacher also teaches Bible lessons. There are a total of 560 children ranging from k – 9.

Nigeria – Expansion of Makurdi Chrisitan School

One of the two Cornerstone schools, Makurdi Christian School, has grown rapidly to 750 students with 75 crowding into each classroom. Parents in the area are attracted by the moral and academic standards of the school – they see a big difference in their children’s lives. Four new classrooms will be built for $70,000 (US) / $84,000 (CAD). Can you help?

Building a Biblical Foundation

By Rick Postma

Background

It surprises most people to hear that one in four Africans is Nigerian. Nigeria has a population of well over 120 million people. Unfortunately, it also has a well-earned worldwide reputation for scams and swindles, especially via email. In addition, the country is faced with ongoing political turmoil, poverty, dishonesty, and other forms of immorality. There is increasing pressure from Nigeria’s Muslim population (50 percent) to impose Islam and Sharia law on the nation. Islam is often not content to coexist with other religions and is also more militant in the northern half of continental Africa (Nigeria’s location) than in the southern half (Malawi’s location).

Until recently, Word & Deed Projects Director Bernie Pennings was finding it increasingly difficult to get a visa from the Nigerian embassy in Ottawa. As well, on a recent trip to Nigeria, he was accused of being in the country illegally and was almost arrested. But his paperwork was in order and it turned out that the government official’s main purpose was to uncover international scams headquartered in Nigeria. The official visited one of the schools with Bernie and was very impressed. In a separate development, Bernie has now established a relationship with the newly arrived Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, Lyorwuese Hagher, who is a Christian. Ambassador Hagher has immediate knowledge of our projects and endorses them. He has extended an invitation to Bernie to meet with him.

Bernie Pennings with members of Faith and Freedom Ministry Board

Christian Education

In light of the above, the Christian education projects that Word & Deed supports in Nigeria under the able leadership of Nigerian Rev. Daniel Pever and his carefully selected staff is critical in providing (in his words):

- The hope of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone can save from sin.

- Transformed lives leading to Christian families characterized by biblical fathers and mothers, and obedient children.

- A biblical foundation for morals.

- A comprehensive education from a Christian perspective, taught by Christian teachers who model what it is to be a God-fearing man or woman.

Faith and Freedom Ministry

Word & Deed has a policy that projects in each country report to a board with supervising authority. The Faith and Freedom Ministry was established to oversee the Word & Deed projects in Nigeria. In addition to having representation on the board, local churches provide spiritual oversight of the staff members and are involved in providing chaplain services.

There are two Christian school campuses. One is in Koti-Yough (pronounced ko-tee-yoe), a very poor, rural area. The other is in Makurdi (ma-kur-dee), which is a little more urban. Both schools have a local pastor from the NKST church (a denomination with Dutch Reformed roots peculiar to the Tiv speaking people of Nigeria) acting as school chaplain. Subjects are taught from a Christian worldview, and the chaplain and teachers also provide Bible lessons.

A major goal for both schools is that operating costs will eventually be covered by parents, and that Word & Deed will help with infrastructure costs.

The primary school system in Nigeria consists of Kindergarten, pre-primary, and primary grades one through six (a total of eight years). Secondary school consists of four grades.

Koti-Yough

The Koti-Yough Christian School began in 2000 and has 300 children in the primary school and 200 children in the secondary school (see picture). The school year runs from September to July, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. After eight years, Word & Deed is only providing $3,000 in 2008 for this school. Parents are covering 95% of the operating costs, a major achievement. There are no infrastructure projects running at Koti-Yough this year.

Makurdi

Makurdi Christian School has 400 students in Kindergarten up to primary level four. The school is adding primary grades five and six this year. A secondary school wing is also being started. After four years of operation, 75% of teacher salaries are being covered by school fees.

There are 32 staff members working at the two campuses. Both schools have been accredited by the government, a process which took some time and challenges given government corruption.

Orphans and Vulnerable Children Assistance Program

The orphan population in the school areas is increasing due to HIV/AIDS. In response, the local Makurdi NKST congregation started an assistance program for 20 orphans. Word & Deed is supporting a further 12 orphans, for a total of 32. The fund covers their school fees, books, medical bills, food and other items.

Rev. Daniel Pever

Pastor’s Forum

Daniel writes: “In order to promote spirituality and unity, I have introduced a special meeting for pastors (Pastor’s Forum). At first we are started with only pastors but now we have included pastors’ wives. We meet every two months for Bible study and discussion. The attendance is usually close to twenty-five and everybody is happy about this.”

Budget (Makurdi)

The budget of $103,000 covers:

_ Salaries

_ Purchase of a lot next to the school for expansion

_ Five-classroom building

_ Furniture

_ Playground equipment

_ Orphan fund

_ Secondary school government fees

_ Textbooks and school supplies

_ Administrator costs

Conclusion

The threat of sin and Islam make Christian Education a critical ingredient to bringing hope to this large and troubled nation. Pray that Daniel and his team will be equipped and blessed by the Lord and that their ministry will be effective in the schools as well as in the communities around them. May they be used by the Lord to bring in a large spiritual harvest in Nigeria! Would you like to support this project?

Rick Postma is the Director of Public Relations for Word & Deed Ministries.