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About
pastor joseph agba in a blue suite
Pastor Joseph Agba

About Pastor Joseph Agba

I am a pastor serving with Grace Bible Ministry in Obudu of Cross River State, Nigeria, West Africa. I hold the Nigerian certificate of Education (NCE) from the federal college of Education Obudu and a certificate in theology from Bible Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP) in Calabar Nigeria, a centre which was facilitated by Dr. Daniel Hill (USA). I am a teacher and a missionary who has been into mission trips to the Republic of Cameroun several times with a passion to help others know the Lord. The vision of this foundation is born from the fact that I myself only was able to attain college by the generous kindness of Pat and Daniel Hill. I have been in ministry since 1999. I am married to my beautiful wife Agnes, who is currently a student of school of Nursing and Basic midwifery. Together we have three beautiful children: Anita, Bliss and Emmanuel.

Bear A Burden Foundation

Bear a burden foundation international is a nongovernmental and nonprofit organization founded based on the principles of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Who during His earthly ministry did not only minister to the spiritual needs of the people as He is still doing today, but He also ministered to the sick by healing them as He had power to do. He provided food for the hungry. He was also a comforter to those who lost their dear ones in other words, we can confidently say that Jesus responded to the emergencies of His day. He as well accepted the rejects of the society of his day who were the tax collectors and prostitutes.

In God’s own plan and economy He had mapped out cogent strategies for those with various needs in the society to be properly cared for by those He had blessed as found In Deuteronomy 15:7-11 which reads:

7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shall not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: 8 But thou shall open thine hand wide unto him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanted. 9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou gives him naught; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee 10 Thou shall surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou give unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou putts thine hand unto. 11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shall open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

I see these to be God’s agenda for the less privilege in the society. I believe strongly that God had made some rich and others poor, so that those who have could share with those who do not, by this way we will not have the needy in the society because God provides for the few so that those few will in return provide for others. This is what the early church also understood and the Bible has this to say about them: Ac 2:44 and all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart 47 Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. ACTS 4:33-37 and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, the son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Jas 1:27 pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep him unspotted from the world.

From the foregoing scripture, it is obviously clear that the early church had a person centered ministry not that of building gigantic structures so there prospered and greatly impacted their world. This also could be said to be the reason why the church grew in the manner it did, but the reverse is the case today, the church that is meant to care for the people is in turn the one asking for care of people, and many Christians today would tell you that’s not my area of calling. The helps ministry is not a spiritual gift but an obligation upon every child of God to provide for the needs of those around us. God has given us a mandate to fulfill but we must devise strategies to facilitate the job. A certain saint told his followers thus” Preach the gospel always, if necessary use words”. (Saint Francis of Assisi) there are many approaches to spreading this gospel of Christ; it is the failure to realize this that has led to the inability of the church to take this generation for Christ. But all hope is not lost because it is to this end that Pastor Joseph Agba of the Grace (VMI) Bible Ministry based in Obudu of Cross River State in Nigeria founded this foundation as a platform through which Christians philanthropist and Christian faithful could minister to the needs of those around them and beyond. So Bear a burden today and make a difference in your world.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to encourage kind hearted individuals like you to give cash or kind to help us:

  1. Feed the hungry around the world
    2. 2) Send children to school whose parent can’t or those who do not have parents at all (orphans)
  2. Build orphanage where destitute children would be housed and shown the care they deserve
  3. Respond to emergencies like flooding, windstorms, earthquakes etc.
  4. Organize medical professionals who will willingly give their service for free to treat those with various health challenges
  5. Help pay hospital bills for those who can not

OUR VISION

  1. See lives being changed through the preaching of the gospel of salvation
    2. To raise more than 50 thousand children across the continents of the world through quality education.
  2. To reduce the number of those suffering around the world
  3. To empower women across Africa and other third world countries through raising capitals for them to do business
    4. To create or reawake in believers the consciousness to care for those in need

OUR STRATEGY

In other to be able to fulfill this great assignment, we are willing to allow partnership with any Christian individuals or organizations that share a common vision with us. Also, our basic goal is to advance the gospel of our Lord Jesus. But, we shall be doing that through meeting the needs of the people, i.e.what we have to give becomes the bait to get them.

OUR APPEAL

Jesus left us with a great task to fulfill so it is left for us to device strategies which will help facilitate this task. I strongly believe that the needy would better believe and accept the gospel from the God who shows them care and we are His hands here on earth through which God can reach through and give a touch of Love and care for somebody, therefore I’m strongly appealing to you to join us, as both of us can make a great difference today God bless you Amen. For further information about this foundation or Pastor Joseph Agba, you can contact us through the following media:

Address: Grace Bible ministry PO BOX 236 Obudu Cross River State Nigeria
Phone: +2348059155040, +2347084208743
E-mail: pjagba72@gmail.com

General Policy

  1. Before any gift shall be given to any individual or group the Gospel shall be first presented (Gospel first).
  2. We do not solicit or accept donation from individual or organization with anti- Christian views or policies.
  3. Should any person in Government or the Government itself wish to partner with us regarding any project, the finances involved shall be paid into the organization’s account and such project shall be strictly supervised and implemented by the organization in order to maintain the integrity and image of this organization.
  4. We shall take strict action against any person or organization that shall inflate on the figure donated to the foundation through any media publication.
  5. In as much as the organization shall be grateful to all her donors, all donations and projects that shall be executed through this organization shall be in its name alone.
  6. In as much as we do not discriminate against politics, but this organization shall have nothing to do with donations or projects that are politically motivated or campaign oriented.
  7. Should any of the beneficiaries of the organizations, scholarship scheme becomes pregnant or impregnate a girl or be found in any immoral activities including social vices the organization shall without regrets discontinue such assistance as was given to such a beneficiary.
  8. We shall not be bound to revisit anybody who was settled by this organization who loses such due to mismanagement or misappropriation. Hence we appeal to all beneficiaries to manage effectively whatever God provides them through us
  9. As long as the president and founder shall live, he shall remain the leader of this organization

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Grace Bible Institute (GBI)

GBI is committed to training pastors and Godly church leaders who are well equip because we believe that whatever a person is specially trained for performance would be better and when proper understanding of a thing is not there abuse would be inevitable Our Lord and Savior himself molded it to us in that he choose 12 man whom he will later entrust to bear witness of his death, burial and resurrection. But first they were him for about three and half years heard him teach, watch him perform miracles of all sorts and later send them out to practice what they have learned the twelve first then the seventy two. GBI is a one year and six month programme aimed at impacting God's word and every other leadership skill into pastors and church leaders so that, biblical doctrine will be maintained GBI believes and hold totally to the evangelical theology and we are strictly a bible base church who believe in God's word. Salvation: we believe that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone and that the death of Christ was enough payment for sin and that believing in him brings eternal life (Eph2:8, Act 4:12).

  1. Scriptures: we believe that the bible is the inspired word of God, 2tim (3:16), and that it is the only and final authority which all truths must be judged by,
  2. Eternity of the believer's salvation: we strongly believe as the bible teaches that ones saved a believer can never lose his or her salvation again (Jn 3:16, Eph 2:8-1 Rom 11:29),
  3. God head: we believe in one God who reveals himself in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit who are co-equal, co-eternal (Gen. 1:26, matt. 28:19),
  4. Holy spirit: as the third person in the trinity and very active in the church age today who convicts, and convert people of sin, (Jhn16:8) the seal of the believers at the moment of salvation Eph. 1:13),
  5. Ordinances: we believe that the Lord's supper and baptism are this two ordinance commanded and practiced by the early churches believers (Matt. 28:19 Act 2:41-ETC) as would be taught in bible doctrine survey.

Note: we strongly advice that as long as you are admitted into this institute you automatically accepts, to live by this statement of faith as teaching others wise would be seen as being confrontational. At the moment, by the end of the programme graduates will be awarded a certificate of completion.

Courses Available

  1. Bible study methods/interpretations (40 hours)
  2. Personal spiritual life (40 hours)
  3. Bible doctrine survey (60 hours)
  4. Church ministry/ admiration /education (40 hours)
  5. Teaching principles and methods. (40 hours)
  6. Old testament survey (60 hours)
  7. New testament survey (60 hours)
  8. Church history (60 hours)
  9. Mission / evangelism and discipleship. (60 hours)
  10. Language and communication skills. (60 hours)
  11. Understanding leadership-p and management (60 hours)
  12. Understanding guidance and counseling. (60 hours)

Courses with 60 hours credit with have 2 hours weekly for at least 30 sittings.

  • While courses 40 hours credit load will meet 2 hours at least 20 hours sitting
  • Every 3 months students who are not already pastors with churches for practical’s
  • Before the end of the programme each student will plant a church as a course requirement for graduation for mission evangelism and discipleship.

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Doctrinal Statement

I. The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures in the original autographs, to be God’s inspired Word, inerrant, infallible, authoritative and sufficient in all matters upon which it touches. The Scriptures are solely and inclusively the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21; Matt 5:18; John 16:13; Heb 4:12).

II. The Godhead

We believe in one Triune God, existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, eternal in being, equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes (Deut 6:4; Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14).

III. The Person and Work of the Father

We believe the Father is the planner of creation and redemption, that His plan for the human race is one of grace and that He works all things in accordance with His will (1 Cor 8:6; 12:6; Eph 1:11).

IV. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

The Person and Work of Jesus Christ We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man; that He accomplished redemption for all mankind through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice; that eternal life is guaranteed to Believers by His literal physical resurrection from the dead; that He is now in heaven, exalted and seated at the right hand of the Father, where, as the High Priest for His people, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor and Advocate (John 1:1-2,14; Luke 1:35; Rom 3:24-25; 1 Pet 1:3-5; Heb 9:24; 7:25; Rom 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2).

V. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity who ministers to mankind in these ways:

  1. He convicts mankind of the sins of unbelief and unrighteousness, warning of judgment (John 16:8-11).
  2. At the moment of salvation, He permanently regenerates new Believers, baptizes them into the body of Christ and indwells and seals them unto the day of redemption (John 3:3-7; 1 Cor 6:19; Eph 1:13; 1 Cor 12:13).
  3. He leads into Truth (John 16:13).
  4. He fills the Believer except when He is grieved (Eph 4:30) or quenched (1 Thes 5:19) by sin, which is a failure to “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7). Breach of fellowship with the Holy Spirit is restored by confession of sin (1 John 1:9; 1 Cor 11:31), resulting in fruit (Gal 5:22-23) which becomes more apparent as the believer grows in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18).
  5. Spiritual gifts are bestowed by the Holy Spirit on every believer at the moment of salvation (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:7-11, 28-30; Eph 4:11). These spiritual gifts are the means by which every Christian fulfills their full-time ministry in the Christian way of life. While God can and does supernaturally intervene in the affairs of mankind, the “temporary” gifts of Apostleship, healing, miracles, speaking in other languages and interpreting them, prophecy and discerning of spirits, wisdom, faith and knowledge are no longer operational (1 Cor 13:8-13).

VI. Creation

We believe the literal Genesis account of Creation in which God created the universe out of nothing by His spoken word (Gen 1:1 ff; Psa 33:6-9).

VII. Satan

We believe that Satan is a real created being, the fallen angel, Lucifer, who is the open and declared enemy of God and man until his final and ultimate demise in the lake of fire forever (Matt 4:2-11; Job 1:6-7; Isa 14:12-17; Ezek 28:14-18; Rev 20:10).

VIII. The Total Depravity of Man

We believe that man was created in the immaterial image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God. Man is not capable of redeeming himself (Gen 1:2-27; Rom 3:22-23; Rom 5:12; Eph 2:12).

IX. Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to men by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who died for the forgiveness of our sins (1 Pet 1:18-19; Eph 2:8-10; John 1:12; Eph 1:7). God does not overrule man’s free will in accepting or rejecting His provision of salvation (2 Pet 3:9; John 3:16, 18). Man appropriates this salvation on the simple basis of belief in Christ’s literal death for sins, His burial and literal, bodily resurrection from the dead (1 Cor 15:1-4; Acts 16:31, 4:12; John 20:31; 1 John 5:11-12).

X. The Eternal Security of Believers

We believe that all believers are kept secure forever, meaning that salvation cannot be lost or taken away (Rom 8:1, 35-39; John 10:27-30; 1 Cor 1:4-9; 1 Pet 1:3-5; Jude 24; 1 John 5:11-13).

XI. The Church Universal

We believe that the Church, which is the body of Jesus Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again believers from the Day of Pentecost until the Rapture, distinct from Israel and irrespective of affiliation with Christian or ecclesiastical organizations (Eph 1:22-23; Eph 5:25-27; Col 1:18; 1 Cor 12:12-14).

XII. The Church: Visible, Local, Autonomous

We believe that the body of Christ is visibly

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