November 23, 2007
Thanks to all who have volunteered to teach with WEI’s Internet Program. By the time you read this report, eleven new volunteers will be teaching via the Internet. That will bring the Internet staff to 40.
There are now two methods of teaching via the Internet: (1) teaching by email, and (2) teaching via the new web site. Teaching on the web site is as easy as teaching by email, and it removes the burden of keeping and backing up student records.
During years 2002 through 2006, WEI’s Internet Program grew slowly from 2.7 to 4.4 registrations per day. In 2007, WEI began advertising with Google. From January through July 2007, an anonymous donor spent $100 per month for the Google ad, and the registration rate increased to 10 per day. With this success, the amount spent on the ad was increased to $200 in August, and the registration rate increased to 15 per day.
In September, ads were placed in an English magazine in Myanmar and in an Arabic newspaper in Amman, Jordan. The registration rate in September reached a high of 35 per day with an average for the month of 30 per day. This kept us working 15 hours a day, recording students and assigning teachers
.
Now, Jonathan Towell and Colby Blaisdale have finished Version 2 of the new web site which automatically records students and sends them WEI’s Introductory Lesson. This eases our work load.
The future growth of this Internet ministry is almost unlimited. In order to reach our goal of 500 new Bible studies per month in 2008, we need $900 a month for Google ads and 60 additional Internet teachers. “Arise, the Master calls for you, the harvest days are here.”
If you wish to contribute to WEI’s Internet Program, please make your checks out to WEI/Internet and send them to the Gresham office. Please don’t divert money from your regular contribution to WEI to the Internet Program. WEI’s print, postal mail, short-term missions, and ESL programs depend on the continuing support of regular donors.
—Bob and Jan
