WEI Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Twenty years ago, WEI was just a dream. The teaching materials had not been
written, and there was not a single WEI student in the world.
Today, twenty years later, God is using WEI to teach hundreds of thousands
of people about Christ in 199 nations. Only two tiny nations remain
untouched: Samoa and San Marino.
During these twenty years, thousands of people have been baptized into
Christ, and dozens of churches have been planted.
Increasingly, churches of Christ in America are using WEI to bolster their
mission efforts. They are using WEI on short-term mission campaigns. Jail
ministers are using WEI to lead prisoners to Christ. Long-term missionaries
and national preachers are using WEI in their local outreach ministries.
Marvelous things are happening in the kingdom. WEI belongs to God, and he is
using it powerfully.
Please join us in celebrating what God has done through WEI during the past
twenty years. To him be the glory.
Steve Cate Uses WEI in
Indonesia
Steve Cate, missionary in Indonesia, writes: “Last August, I announced on
the radio program that we would start a new series of English/Bible classes
in Bekasi starting in September. Maria came to my house, as did other
students who now study with us.
“Maria originally came from Papua. She was a teacher in a university at
Jayapura in the communication faculty and was planning to go abroad for
post-graduate study sponsored by an NGO. So she became a student in our
class to reach her goal and master the English language.
“She comes three times a week, and she pursues both the English and Bible
lessons. She always asks about the Bible.
“One day in November, she asked me where we have worship, and I told her it
was at my house. She continued to worship with us until one day she told me
that she wanted to be baptized. She now worships with the church regularly
just like Ida, Rider, and Abdi, all of whom have been baptized as a result
of studying the WEI courses with us.”
Maria Is Baptized into Christ
Testimony of Indonesian Student
Abdi, a former WEI student in Indonesia, writes the following: “In 2005, I
moved from Bogor to Bekasi and began to study English with WEI. I had
studied English since junior high school until I graduated from university,
but my English was nothing. I can speak English today because of WEI. My
sister also said that WEI is the best.
“The method of Bible teaching is also useful for a beginner like me because
we learn from the basics and also about the history so that we can
understand the Bible correctly.
“Before I learned in WEI, I had trouble making Bible exegesis. My exegesis
was often different from my priest’s. One day I gave my Bible to someone who
needed it. I thought it would be good for me if I stop reading it and listen
to my priest. But now, I’m very confident to read the Bible and make
exegesis according to the instructions of WEI.
“Right now, I worship with the church of Christ in Bekasi. I also have a
chance to help serve the church. I’m very happy to have this opportunity. It
makes me want to do better in Christ.”
Laureta Baptized in Tirana
Sadete Hoxha, WEI secretary in Tirana, Albania, writes: “On June 23, Laureta
Malaj, the mother of Franceska Malaj who you studied with last summer, was
baptized at 5 pm. Laureta continued her studies this year with brother Art
Hitt. “May God bless her in her new life with Jesus. I thank God for my new
sister in Christ.”
Laureta Malaj is Born Again
Peru Preacher Baptizes American
In May of this year, Mark Sheffield, went to Lima, Peru to marry a fine and
devoted Christian woman by the name of Nathaly.
On the day before the wedding, Julio Valverde, and the
bride’s brother, Anyelo, talked to Mark about the importance of becoming a
Christian. Prior to the wedding, Mark was baptized. Nathaly’s brother and
father are both gospel preachers.
Mark Sheffield Becomes a Christian in Peru
Jail Ministries Bear Fruit
Larry Ware and Johnny Wilson are using WEI materials in their prison
ministry in Granite, Oklahoma. They are sowing the seed, and God is blessing
them with a fruitful harvest.
On May 7, Larry and Johnny wrote, “We had the privilege to baptize into
Christ five inmates this past Sunday during church services in OSR”: David
Grissom #564293, Jeremiah Sears #593284, Barry Burt # 583668, Randy Shoopman
#507304, and Derrick J. Albers #590098.
On July 1, we received another e-mail from Larry and Johnny reporting the
baptism of four additional inmates: Jeremy Womble #584153, Richard Stewart
#587087, Chebonne Saggert # 2522571, and Daemond Bell #457786.
The angels in heaven are rejoicing.
A similar jail ministry is being conducted by Virgil Weare in Santa Rosa,
California. Using WEI materials, Virgil has taught and baptized an
undisclosed number of inmates, many of whom are now worshiping with the
Sonoma Avenue Church of Christ in Santa Rosa.
Two New Christians in Kenya
Brother Nkurunziza De Le Paix, a WEI teacher in Nairobi, Kenya, says: “I am
writing to report two new baptisms that took place yesterday. One was in the
morning hours, and another one was at 2:00 p.m.
“The one in the morning was Josephat Mang’era Ombati. Josephat is 24 years
old. He enrolled in WEI 19th May, 2009. He is single, and he lives at Kino,
near my area.
“The one in the afternoon was Samson Angose Jarega who is 46 years old. He
enrolled with WEI on 9th July, 2008. He stays at Kawangware.
Josephat Is A Happy Man
337
Students Baptized in Tanzania
About four years ago, Mike Hale began teaching Samuel Mzawsungula, a
preacher in Tanzania. Since then, Samuel has used the WEI courses to lead
hundreds of people to Christ.
In a recent report, Samuel summarized his work as follows: “I have baptized
67 souls in Arusha, 193 in my local area, and 71 at the Moravian Vocational
Training Center. Nathaniel [the Pentecostal preacher whom Samuel converted
several months ago] has baptized six students at the school which we have
established at our local congregation. Through this program, many people who
are coming to learn English and the Bible will come to know the truth of
God’s word and be added to the Lord’s church.
“The total number of people baptized since I started working with WEI is 337
people.”
Another Christian in China
Bob Patterson, our volunteer webmaster, has been teaching WEI students in
China for several years. Two of them have completed the WEI courses and have
earned Master of Biblical Studies degrees through NationsUniversity. Both of
them are now preachers of the gospel.
Last month, Bob received the following e-mail from one of his students:
“Sorry for late reply. Here is the good news. I am going to be baptized next
Monday. Stephen will baptize me. Jonah will arrange the time and place.
“Thanks for the teaching. Thank God’s grace! My sins will be washed away in
baptism. I am going to have a new life and walk in newness of life.”
Growing Churches in Nigeria
Aniefiok Akpan writes, “WEI grows congregations in Nigeria. Our WEI student,
Samson Alex, accepted Christ and was baptized into Christ recently. He is
worshiping with us at the Uruk Otong Church of Christ.
“Rhema Summit [in April] 2009 was a harvest time. Four precious souls came
to the knowledge of the truth, accepted Christ, and were baptized into Him
during the Summit. The converts include Monday James Udo. He is a cook. He
enrolled in WEI last year. Prior to his conversion, Monday James worshiped
with a denominational group called Christian Holiness Church where he served
as church secretary and Sunday school teacher.
“The names of the other converts are Ima Linus Udondok, Godwin Thomas Umoh,
and Idorenyin Sunday Akpan.
“We have received text messages from the brethren who help us distribute WEI
lessons in Ika, Okurikang, Port Harcourt, and Cameroon, that many of our
students in those areas have been baptized into Christ recently.
We are delighted to be associated with the work of growing churches in
Nigeria. We know there are more baptisms and restorations resulting from the
WEI ministry in many places that we are not aware of.
“TO GOD BE THE GLORY!”
Aniefiok Baptizes Godwin Thomas Umoh
“Great News”
from Cambodia
Julie Broyles writes: “Great news! Wednesday night, we had four baptisms!
Let me introduce two of them.
“The young man, Sarim, is a student of Nita’s and was also a student of
Sharon’s in the past. He is a very quiet young man who always makes a
perfect score on every test! Nita just asked him what he had decided to do
with Jesus, and he said, ‘I want to be baptized!’
“The lady is Minea’s sister. Minea is a Christian and has been bringing her
sisters for a long time. It is thrilling to finally have one of her sisters
become her eternal sister as well!”
A New Sister in Christ
New Christian
in Cameroon
Obed Anthony writes: “Sunday was a fine day as the young lady, Ability
Nsept, was baptized after studying with WEI.
“Please pray for us, and we need support for the work in Cameroon. I have
introduced WEI in three secondary schools.”
Note: Obed Anthony is working without support and is looking for a
sponsoring church.
Bob & Jan Towell
Bob & Jan Towell
WEI’s Internet Program has sent the story of the
Prodigal Son into 193 nations. 99.996% of the world’s population resides in
those 193 nations. WEI is indeed reaching into “all the world.”
We have tools to reach into parts of the world where missionaries have not
gone. Our Lord’s command to “go teach” applies to every Christian. In His
story of the talents, one servant did not work because he doubted his
ability. Maybe you can’t write an English course illustrated by the Bible.
Maybe you can’t go to another country. Maybe you can’t build a website, but
please don’t use what you can’t do as an excuse for doing nothing. Our Lord
accepts trying and failing, but He does not accept not trying. If you can
send and receive e-mails, you have enough computer skills to teach around
the world.
God has always used man for His purposes. He used Alexander the Great to
spread the precise Greek language throughout the world. He used roads built
by the Roman Empire to spread the Good News about Christ. In the 17th
through 19th centuries, He used the British Empire to spread the English
language throughout much of the world. In the 20th century, He used America
to make English the language of commerce and science. Now, He has made it
possible for us to use the Internet to spread the Good News to far corners
of the world without having to travel or learn another language.
During the 2nd quarter of 2009, WEI’s Internet provided the Introductory
Lesson to more than 8,000 people. Of these, more than 1,400 returned answers
and were assigned to a teacher. These are being taught by 20 new teachers
and by existing teachers who increased their load. Some teachers have
between 200 and 400 students each.
WEI’s teaching website is working well. Evidence courses can now be offered,
and audio and visual illustrations will soon be added. The Beginner’s
courses in Spanish and French are expected in the near future. Please
prayerfully consider dreaming and working with us!
---Bob and Jan Towell
Bianca, Tom, Angie, & Brianna Langley
Many exciting things have happened since the last
newsletter. WEI is growing in every facet of our ministry. Our postal
correspondence ministry is reaching thousands of students all over the
world. Several churches in the U.S. are starting local outreach ministries
using our materials to reach international residents in their communities.
Our Internet correspondence ministry has exploded in growth. Our short-term
mission efforts are expanding into new areas of the world with each passing
year. For the first time, we have 3 teams and a total of 14 teachers from 6
congregations teaching in Guatemala City this summer.
We had an exciting meeting at Maryville on April 26th for our WEI
correspondence and short-term mission teachers, and anyone interested in
learning more about WEI. Over 40 individuals attended the lunch and meeting.
Several were inspired to become teachers. It was unanimously decided that we
should get together once a quarter for this time of fellowship and
encouragement.
I just returned from a very fruitful 5-week teaching trip to Tirana, Albania
and Oradea, Romania. In Tirana, I had the privilege of speaking several
times. More than 150 young people attended the national youth rally hosted
by the Tirana church. I asked how many had taken WEI courses, and it seemed
that everyone in the auditorium enthusiastically raised their hand. In
Romania, I studied for two weeks with 14 of the most responsive WEI students
I have ever taught. It’s so exciting to witness God and the Bible come alive
to the students as they read the WEI material.
So many opportunities exist for YOU to become involved in fulfilling the
Lord’s Great Commission. We are planning some fall short-term mission trips
to Romania and possibly other sites.
The economic downturn has affected our financial needs. Please give
prayerful consideration to WEI in your giving. We are confident that God
will provide what is necessary for us to move forward with his work. Thank
you for your continued support and prayers.
---Tom and Angela Langley
Dick & Maudine Ady
Join us in celebrating WEI’s twentieth anniversary. In
June 1989, Maudine and I moved from Santa Rosa, California to Gresham,
Oregon and launched World English Institute under the oversight of the
elders of the Metro Church of Christ. Not one word of the materials had been
written at that time. WEI was just a dream.
Today, twenty years later, eighteen books have been
written, and God is using them all over the world. The Beginner’s English
and Bible courses have been translated into five languages: Albanian,
Chinese, French, Romanian, and Spanish. The Lord has blessed us with such
rapid growth during these twenty years that WEI is now under the oversight
of a board of directors made up of elders, former elders, and former
missionaries. In reality, WEI is under the oversight of God.
During these twenty years, we have been joined by outstanding colleagues.
Bob Patterson has developed the www.weiady.org communication website and has
served as our volunteer webmaster. Jan Towell has launched our e-mail
teaching ministry—a ministry that she and her husband, Bob, have developed
into a powerful Internet teaching program. Tom and Angela Langley have come
aboard in a leadership role, and Tom has done a marvelous job of promoting
WEI in the eastern states, training teachers, and overseeing WEI’s
short-term mission efforts. More recently, the Towells’ grandson, Jonathan,
and his friend Colby, have developed the
www.worldenglishinstitute.org
teaching website which makes it possible for one person to teach hundreds of
students. Praise God for his providential care during these twenty years.
WEI’s expenses have turned upward as the nation’s economy has turned
downward, and we are feeling the pinch. If you have not yet contributed to
this outreach ministry, please help celebrate our 20th anniversary by
sending $20. If your congregation has not had fellowship with WEI, please
encourage each member to contribute $20.
To our supporting friends, we say, “Thank you. We are grateful, and we love
you.”
---Dick and Maudine Ady
Interesting Story from India
On June 2, Prabhu Kumar wrote the following account of an interesting
experience: “On Saturday, May 30, 2009, early in the morning at 4:00 a.m., I
started to go to the WEI class in Samalkot. But the atmosphere was not good.
Suddenly, there were thick clouds, and heavy rain fell with a wild wind. But
I did not stop. I started my bike and reached the Vijajawada station by 5:50
and caught an express train named Ratnachal to go to Samalkot.
“I reached there by 11:30 and taught a class for our WEI students. I found
14 students [of the twenty-five students] in this branch. In fact, I was a
little disappointed at that time, when suddenly a 46-year-old man came to me
and asked me to baptize him. He said he had a degree and a good job with a
private company, but he still had not married anyone because he wanted to
know the truth before marriage. I taught him, and he made a decision to go
for baptism.
Prabhu Baptizes N. Venkateswarlu
“Instantly, we took him to a local pond where there
was water (but a little bit dirty), and I baptized him. After getting
baptized, there was happiness in his eyes. On that same day, I returned and
reached Vijayawada by 10:00 p.m. in the night.
“Thank God. If I had feared the wild rain fall and postponed this class
visit, it would have been my mistake in saving this soul. God is great.”
So many exciting reports are coming in from Prabhu that we can’t mention
them all. In April, he wrote, “Yesterday, while everybody was celebrating
Easter, WEI teachers were celebrating the new births of two very important
souls: K. Solomon Raju and G. Vajaya Raju.” More recently, Prabhu wrote, “We
are so happy to inform you about two more baptisms of our last batch of WEI
students at Kankipadu and Tenneru. Their names are K. Sundaram, 42 years,
and K. Sarada Kumari, 36 years.”
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