August 3, 2005
I come to you as a friend and brother with nothing on my heart but a strong desire to share the Good News with others.
God is using WEI to teach people about Christ in 176 of the 192 nations. Our aim is to preach the gospel to every person on earth.
But, we must also fulfill the second part of the Great Commission by teaching new Christians to obey everything Jesus has commanded.
In the recent Global Missions Conference in Arlington, Texas, Rudy Wray said, “The fastest way to reach the world for Christ is to follow the principle in 2 Timothy 2:2, that is, to teach others to teach others to teach others.”
Since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, more than 1,100 Albanians have been baptized into Christ, and eleven churches have been established. Now, these churches desperately need trained leaders.
One by one, missionaries are leaving Albania. Already, one church has died from lack of leadership. If churches in the Balkans are to grow, thrive, and flourish, they must be led by trained nationals. Without leadership, the fledgling churches in the Balkan nations will all die, and the money, time, and effort invested in them will have been wasted.
We have a plan for training church leaders, and we need your help. In January 2006, Lord willing, International Bible Institute of Albania (IBIA) will open its doors and start teaching students. This school will be international in scope from the first day. Applications have already come in from Albania, Kosova, Romania, Africa, and India.
This will be a cooperative effort. Sunset International Bible Institute will oversee the school, assign a dean and teachers, and maintain high academic standards. The Adams Boulevard Church of Christ in Bartlesville, Oklahoma will sponsor Steve Stamatis as Dean and provide half of his support. As a representative of WEI, I am committed to raising $500 a month to cover operational expenses plus scholarship money for each full-time Albanian student.
In order to make this training affordable for all students, no tuition will be charged, and food and lodging will be provided for qualified students.
That’s where your help is needed. For $300 to $500 a month, you can provide food, lodging, and training for a future church leader and thus prepare him for ministry. Will you or your congregation provide a scholarship fund for one or more of these students for a period of two years? Will you help us teach them to teach others?
I would be happy to provide additional information, meet with you personally, or speak to your congregation about this new school. Call me at 503-661-0348 or e-mail me at weiady@aol.com.
May God bless you as you consider this opportunity to build up the kingdom of God in Eastern Europe and other parts of the world.
You can make a difference! —Dick
