December 11, 2015
It is an honor and privilege for me to use my column this quarter to introduce to you the newest member of our staff at WEI. For the last several years Dick and I have seriously discussed the need to hire another staff member. We both recognized that we desperately needed full-time help in teacher recruiting, support, and professional fundraising.
After much prayer and counsel, the executive committee of the WEI board agreed on one candidate: Lee Allen. Lee is an elder at the Maryville church of Christ and he is also the co-Chairman of the Maryville mission committee. He’s a people-person with a background in professional management and finance with strong public speaking skills. He is intensely mission-minded, and he has taught WEI for over 17 years in Albania. In fact, he is on the board of directors for WEI-Albania. His prayer life and passion for God’s mission is unsurpassed and truly inspirational.
Lee and Jan have future plans to relocate to Nashville, TN to be near family. This was important to the board and to Dick and me because Nashville is considered the heart of the Bible belt. Their upcoming move to Nashville is a positive.
We have the utmost confidence in Lee’s ability to quickly learn and become effective. He’s anxious to refine, improve, and grow our WEI teacher base and fundraising network. He officially began working full-time with WEI on Nov. 1st and played a major role in our successful 2015 direct mail campaign. You will see him waving the WEI banner at lectureships and mission workshops moving forward. Please get to know Lee. You will be spiritually blessed.
Dick Ady welcomed Lee with the following words: “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you will be working with WEI full-time. I am elated. . . . WEI is just beginning to evangelize the world. The greatest limitations are (1) the shortage of teachers, and (2) the shortage of funds for growth and expansion. Now, the Lord has brought you on board to fill the gap. Our prayers are with you and Jan as you transition into this important Christ-centered ministry.” Contact Lee at his new email address: lee@worldenglishinstitute.org.
—Tom & Angie Langley
