The WATS Online web site has been rejuvenated! Check out the new look at www.watsonline.org.

1. WATS was blessed in May by Dr. Ira and JoAnn Pence (retired engineer, from Atlanta, Georgia), who along with their granddaughter Celeste worked hard to make numerous physical improvements on campus. They single-handedly funded the construction of our two-room tool building, and then worked hard to help get it up. In addition, they did a considerable amount of landscaping near the entrance to the campus. Thanks, Pence family! For more information and pictures check out our recent construction page.

2. It was a great delight to visit a WATS graduate in Antwerp, Belgium last month. I spoke four times in a first-year anniversary celebration of the End-Time Harvesters International Ministries, founded by WATS alumnus Simon Khan (a native of Cameroon). Simon is doing a very creditable job in the heart of this city of 800,000, where there are many African immigrants. Simon and his wife Timi (herself a fellow Cameroonian and long-time Belgium resident and noted Gospel singer) minister to both Africans and Europeans. Their congregation has already established mission branches in Yaounde, Cameroon, and Calcutta, India. Thank God for WATS graduates like Simon, who are nowadays working with integrity on at least four continents!

3. May 13 witnessed a gala celebration at WATS honoring the Director for Graduate Studies, Dr. Charles Osume, on his 70th birthday. Dr. Osume and his wife Florence have served at WATS for five years, since returning from Dallas, Texas, where Dr. Osume pastored fifteen years. He is transitioning to part-time service at WATS and is now translating the Bible into his native language (Okpe). Congratulations, Dr. Osume!

4. As usual, numerous Masters modules were taught at WATS in May, including Doing Theology in Modern Africa (with Dr. Charles Osume), New Testament Introduction (with Solo Obasi, who is expected to complete her Doctor of Ministry degree at the University of Wales Bangor within a few months), Greek Syntax and Grammar (with Kalu Okechukwu, working on his doctorate at Delta State University, Nigeria), and History of Israel (with Dr. Ola Adeogun of f L.I.F.E. Theological Seminary, Lagos). Thank God for these special people!

5. The events of May 24 were GREAT! We welcomed a crowd exceeding 1,000, even if not the 2,000 we hoped for. At the last minute the Vice President of Nigeria decided to go elsewhere, but we were greatly honored by a host of Nigerian and international special guests. The Guest Speaker was the Most Rev. M. Kehinde Stephen, Archbishop of Ibadan, Methodist Church Nigeria. Most Rev. Joseph Ajayi, Archbishop of Lagos (Methodist Church Nigeria) was also present, as were special representatives from several other churches. Dr. C. O. T. Ugwu, head of the religion department of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), brought words of greeting and commendation. US guests included Eric Rochester (representative from Heartland Community Church of Overland Park, Kansas), Bruce and Dee Richardson (Facilitators International, of Greenwood, Indiana), David and Jewel Byrd (Phoenix, Arizona), Dr. William Sillings (Friends of WATS chairman, from Oklahoma City) and the Pence family. The highlights of this great celebration included:
   1. The graduation of 107 WATS students. This included both undergraduate students and Masters students, as well as several students from our WATS satellite campus in Owerri, Imo State.
   2. The breaking of ground for our four-story Africa Center for Urban and Holistic Ministries and for our new chapel. The building of the chapel is expected to begin within the next thirty days, while the Africa Center for Urban and Holistic Ministries will hopefully start by September.
   3. The inauguration of first fully-endowed faculty chair at WATS: the Earl and Mabel Hunter Muslim Ministry Chair. Earl and Mabel Hunter, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, served as missionaries in Nigeria in the 1960s. Last year they gave a generous endowment for this chair, and the interest will be used for many years to come to fund this chair. The first occupant is Ruth Veltkamp, who has served at WATS for fourteen years and who is celebrating FORTY YEARS of mission service in Nigeria this year.
   4. Presentation and display of a rare antique Bible and Christian book collection, including more than a dozen books ranging from 400 to 500 years old, including a leaf from the Gutenberg Bible—the first book ever printed, in 1455. David Byrd represented the family that is making this donation to WATS.
   5. Raising of funds for the completion of Phase Two of our WATS campus. N5 million was given on the spot, and other donations continue to flow in.
   
   For more information, including pictures and speeches, go to WATS Graduation.

1. Pray for a record number of WATS short-term missionaries leaving for six weeks to six mission fields in June. THIRTY-TWO Springboard missionaries are going to two mission fields outside Nigeria (Sudan and Gambia, where they will work with Calvary Ministries [CAPRO] and The Great Commission Movement [Campus Crusade for Christ]), and four inside Nigeria (Niger State [with the Anglican Missionary Diocese], northern Nigeria [with CAPRO], Akaeze in Imo State [with TETMIO], and Lagos [with Love a Muslim mission]). In each case our missionaries have raised funds for their transportation and are supported on the field by offerings raised over the past eight months by WATS students and staff. They will assist resident African missionaries. This program is in its eighteenth year. Hooray for WATS Springboard missionaries! We are praying for you.

2. Pray for the first of two work teams coming this year from 12Stone Church of Lawrenceville, Georgia. This small team arrives June 8, and is headed by Tim Powell, making his third trip to WATS. They have been scheduled to start work on our new chapel building, but due to last-minute delays they will instead focus on starting the huge job of library remodeling, including roof repairs, putting in a drop ceiling, etc. Flexibility is the name of the game here! Pray for this work team, even as other teams are preparing to be with us in July.

3. June Masters modules include Background of the New Testament (Dr. John Lotzgesell, missionary to Nigeria with International Institute for Christian Studies), two back-to-back modules in Systematic Theology (Dr. Victor Reasoner, Southern Methodist College, Orangeburg, SC), and Pastoral Theology and Counseling (Dr. Anthony Headley, Asbury Theological Seminary). Pray for these wonderful people!

4. Finally, pray for my dear wife, Emma Lou, as she faces serious physical needs, including the possibility of thyroid surgery. God willing I will return to the US by June 10. The best of all . . . God is with us!