Submitted by dcswinford on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 20:56
Greetings.
We rejoice in letting you know that Jacob Achinefu, the Director of NIATS in Nigeria (an associate school of SIBI), has been released and returned his family. A ransom was paid, he was beaten and bruised, but he is grateful to be back with his family and the school there. We rejoice in his release and pray that God will bring a measure of peace to this area so filled with conflict. We at SIBI appreciate your prayers on his behalf. There is a fund to help with the costs incurred in releasing Brother Achinefu. If you are interested, please contact me.
Submitted by dcswinford on Wed, 03/10/2010 - 16:02
Dear Brethren,
Your prayers are needed. Jacob Achinefu, the Director of the Nigerian Institute for the Arts and Theological Studies our SIBI associate school in Nigeria, was kidnapped and is being held for ransom. Jacob lives and works on the same compound as Dr Bob Whitaker who was kidnapped earlier and they suspect that it may be the same group of kidnappers. Jacob and the NIATS van were taken while he was on the road to Aba, Nigeria. No demands have been given yet, and I will update you as I know more. Jacob is a faithful preacher, a capable leader and a faithful husband and father of 8. He is also a good friend and co-worker. Kidnappings and tensions have escalated again in this region of Nigeria and prayers are needed for the Christian of Nigeria. I will relay more information as I receive it. Please pray for Jacob and the Achinefu family.
Submitted by Sunset Alumni on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 14:45
8/05 9:00 a.m. Please remember “America” in your prayers. America is the watchman who was shot. America has lost both an arm and a leg so far. Please pray for him and his family.
8/04 5:00 p.m. - Update - We have just received word from Nigeria - They have cleaned Bob's wound. The humerus in his left arm has been shattered, but he is able to move his hand, which is a good sign, possibly no permanent damage. They are working on plans to get a flight for Bob and Annette to travel to London or come to the U.S. for further treatment. We should have more information tomorrow regarding the condition of the watchman who was shot. His name is America.
8/04 3:00 p.m. - Update: Dr. Whittaker has been released and he is at Nigerian Christian Hospital receiving care for his wound. More information to come later.
Submitted by Sunset Alumni on Tue, 08/04/2009 - 14:42
Friends,
We have just received the news that on Sunday evening Dr. Bob Whitaker, missionary doctor at Nigerian Christian Hospital, was abducted by armed gunmen and is being held for ransom. He was shot in the arm in the attack but latest communiqué indicates that his wound, though needing treatment, is not life threatening. Bob’s wife, Annette was slightly injured also but was left at the compound with their son. Apparently, she has talked with Dr. Bob as the ransom negotiations have begun. The night watchman at the hospital was seriously wounded and has lost an arm but is being treated at the hospital in a nearby city.
As some of you may know, we partner with a preacher training school on the Christian Hospital compound. Several of our international teachers have been there to teach recently, including Jerry Hogg, most recently and Chris Swinford before that. Others are scheduled to go there to teach in November. Please keep this very serious matter in your prayers. Feel free to forward this message to others and ask for their prayer support.
Submitted by Sunset Alumni on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 15:32
While in Nigeria I was reminded so many times of the terrible situation that our brothers in NT times had to deal with, from persecution to wickedness to cities & towns dedicated to a total disregard for doing what is right. Even in Corinth, with its terrible history of wickedness, there was the "church in Corinth."
While I saw and heard of things in Nigeria that no country should ever be proud of, I also witnessed first-hand a church that had a strong sense of hope for the future, a loving spirit of fellowship, a determination to evangelize and to make a difference among their own people. It was an absolute joy being part of the sweet fellowship that I experienced with the churches and at the school compound in a country that has been so torn asunder by so many things, even by the very thing that should bring hope...religion. I saw the "business" of religion everywhere, with every kind of church name that one could ever imagine. There were even trucking companies, taxis and delivery vans or cars with the name of God or some type of religious motif being part of their name.
Submitted by dcswinford on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 19:28
We have received a letter from Sunday Ekanem Jr. regarding the burial arrangements for Sunday Ekanem Sr (pictured here).
As you will recall, Sunday was a graduate of SIBI (class of 1973) and was working with the External Studies Division and International Studies Division of SIBI in Nigeria at the CAO Essien School of Evangelism. I will share the letter with you in the space below, but want to first let you know that if you would like to help the family with a monetary gift to cover funeral expenses, that would be appreciated. You can send it to SIBI and write on the memo line "Sunday Ekanem family" or send a note with your check. Thanks in advance for your generosity.
Submitted by dcswinford on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 19:27
I just found out that a former Sunset graduate, gospel preacher and the Dean of the CAO Essien Bible School of Nigeria, one of our 57 SIBI International ministry training schools, passed away suddenly at his home in Nigeria. Sunday Ekanem was a beloved graduate, a beloved co-worker and a great man of love and faith. He will certainly be missed.
The funeral details are still to be determined, but we certainly want to be praying for his wife Joy, his children, and all of the Christians in Nigeria who love him and have depended on him.
I was blessed to be with Brother Ekanem at the school and have witnessed his impact in ministry. I was proud to have him as a brother, proud of our common heritage with Sunset and grateful that he was willing to work with us. Soon we will have to see the possible impact this has on the school, but for now we just thank God for this brother and pray for his family, both physical and spiritual.
I will pass along more information as it becomes available.
