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April Update from the Nigeria Mission Team:
It's so wonderful to watch God work through what looks like insurmountable problems. God is moving in Nigeria, in the missionary work of Rev. Ari Biu. But the opposition is moving also, and growing, as radical Islamists and the push for Sharia law gain more and more popular support.
Recent comments by the Archbishop of Canterbury, urging the British Parliament to somewhat allow British Muslims to practice Sharia law have served to strengthen the voices of radicals in Ari's community. "Even Christians in England see that our law is superior," they taunt the Christians in Biu. This is a clear example of how words can travel around the world and sometimes reap unforeseen consequences, and the importance of speaking only the true Gospel.
Bay Presbyterian Church provides a doctor for the Maitaimako Hospital in Biu, Nigeria. But much more is needed. As of December 2008, there will be no more hospital if Ari can't find a new location. His landlord will not renew his lease, largely because Ari is a Christian and his work is done in the name of Jesus Christ. Earlier this year, our congregation generously donated about $7,000 to Ari because a piece of land became available. That property was lost; however, because before we could wire Ari the funds the land was sold to someone else. We've instructed Ari to keep the money in the bank, and not use it for anything except land with a building for relocating his clinic. Please pray that he finds that property in time. Pray also that the price will not exceed his resources.
The Nigeria Mission Team gets together four times a year to discuss Ari's needs and ways we can help the mission work there. We welcome all and anyone who would like to join us. Email Ed Moore at eroom@oh.rr.com to be included in our e-mails and meeting notices. God Bless BPC and all they do around the world!
 Gospel Mission to Nigeria's Beginnings Ari Biu's father, the late A. P. Mai-Sule ("King Solomon") Biu, was from the ruling dynasty of the Biu Kingdom and a Muslim. Biu is located in Northern Nigeria, which is predominately Muslim. Ari's father contracted leprosy as a child and was taken to a mission hospital for treatment. Similarly, when Ari's mother contracted leprosy as a child she was taken to the same hospital as Ari's father. The result was that both Ari's father and mother were cured physically and spiritually. They became Christians and married. Ari's father, having accepted Christ, could never go back to Biu to claim his position as the heir to the throne. Instead, Ari's father attended a four-year Bible training program at a mission school. Ari's father later became the president of all the protestant Churches in Northern Nigeria with a membership of 6.5 million before his death in December 1999. The late Rev. A. P. Mai-Sule Biu was often called the “Nigerian Christian Evangelist.”
 Gospel Mission to Nigeria's Vision
Ari Biu accepted Christ as his personal savior at the age of ten. He grew up with the desire to bring people to Christ just as his parents had brought him to the Lord. Ari, mentored by his father, discovered his gift of evangelism early in life. He later traveled to Ashland, Ohio to attend the Ashland Theological Seminary in 1994 and 1995. Ari’s professor at Ashland suggested that he work on developing a ministry to evangelize the unreached peoples in Northern Nigeria. As a result, the Gospel Mission to Nigeria was born. Ari is driven by a total commitment to the great commission, believing that the Holy Spirit will empower him to preach the Word to all the people of Nigeria. His courage is extraordinary given the fact that Nigeria is the center of Islamic affairs in West Africa and the home country of Othman Dan Fodio, a man who was regarded as related to the Prophet Mohammed and the founder of Islam in Nigeria. By preaching the Gospel in Nigeria, Ari puts his life on the line every day.
 BPC and the Gospel Mission to Nigeria
The most powerful tool Ari Biu has to spread the Word is his Mai Taimako ("King Helper") Clinic. BPC has provided support, both spiritually and financially, to Ari and his Clinic in Nigeria for several years. In fact, Pastors Carol Rettew and Tom Madden, and Dr. Dave Eberlein traveled to the Clinic in 1999. In 2001, several members of BPC formed the "Nigerian Mission Team" to address Ari's requests for the Clinic and pray for his needs. Because of the shortage of health care in the area, people travel from miles around to receive treatment at the Clinic. The staff at Ari's Clinic prays twice a day with the patients, and with each patient before surgery. When the Clinic is fully operational, approximately 20 to 30 patients per day are treated, and about 10 patients stay overnight. Ari tries to have the lowest prices and no one is denied treatment. BPC has primarily supported the Clinic by providing for the salary of a medical doctor. Having a doctor is so important because there is only one doctor for every 5,000 people in Nigeria compared to one doctor for every 250 people in the United States.
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