September 26, 2011
Dick and Maudine Ady were honored Sept. 26 during the 88th annual Harding University Lectureship on the Searcy, Ark. Campus. The couple received the school’s Distinguished Christian Service Award.
Dick and Maudine were among seven individuals who were honored with the award during the Lectureship. The award is the highest non-academic honor presented by the institution.
The award recognizes outstanding Christian service in a variety of areas including missions and Christian education. Dr. Bruce McLarty, vice president of spiritual life and director of the lectureship, read the citation, which was presented by President David B. Burks.
The text of the award said, “Dick and Maudine Ady have a heart for missions. Their six decades of ministry have spanned numerous states, and the influence of World English Institute has touched thousands of lives in more than 200 nations. Dick founded WEI in 1989 as a method of using the Bible to teach English. Under his direction WEI has evolved into one of the most effective online methods of teaching the Bible internationally. . . .”
Dick had another surprise the following evening at the annual WEI dinner held during the lectureship. WEI teachers and supporters belatedly celebrated his 80th birthday and honored his work by presenting him with contributions to WEI totaling $3,966.25. Dick was leading a mission team in Ukraine when he officially turned 80.
More than 50 WEI teachers and supporters of the organization attended the dinner to hear a report from Dick and to surprise him with the donation to the work he has directed for more than two decades.
—David Crouch, Director of Public Relations, Harding University
