November 1, 2014
Looking Forward into 2015
As we reflect on 2014 and look forward to 2015, I would like to share a few noteworthy items. Bob and Jan Towell rightly encouraged us for many years to hire a full-time Internet director. With the Laurel Church of Christ in Knoxville, TN coming on board to partner with us, we were able to hire Justin Acuff to fill this much-needed role. 2014 was Justin’s first full year with WEI. We are grateful to Laurel and to have Justin’s an engineering and programming skills managing our website.
Our primary and most critical growth path forward remains the need to recruit more teachers. While at the Harding lectureship this fall I enjoyed a lengthy conversation with David Crouch, Harding’s director of public relations. He inspired me to consider changing our logo after 25 years just to freshen up the WEI image. He also gave me some good advice and ideas on effective advertising for Internet teachers through brotherhood publications. We’re anxious to explore both of these ideas, so be on the lookout for a new logo and a new approach to recruiting teachers.
David’s wife Lola wondered why we couldn’t just encourage all our active teachers to simply recruit 1 additional teacher in 2015. That simple method would double our teacher base by the end of the year. I thought it was a great idea! Be prepared to hear more this year about a teacher recruiting campaign called, “The Power of One.” Thank you, David and Lola, for being wonderful friends and champions of WEI, but mostly we thank you for your Great Commission zeal.
Angie and I are so grateful to be a part of this WEI worldwide mission ministry. It’s beyond thrilling to witness the effectiveness of reaching lost souls with the truth through a simple desire of millions to better learn the English language. I don’t feel like I’ve worked a day in my life since we began with WEI full-time in 2004. We’re elated to report that we’ve received some nice additional contributions from teachers and supporters this past fall. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Financial challenges remain, but it’s always good to start the New Year in the black. May God bless you all.
