October 19, 2019
Welcome Justin Speer
It is with joy that we introduce Justin Speer to you as a new member of the WEI Board of Directors. We believe Justin is a Godsend. He is a man of uncommon talent and a deep commitment to Christ and the great commission.
Justin’s relationship with WEI spans almost a decade. But let’s let Justin tell his own story:
“Nearly ten years ago, I was approached by Tom Gillson, an elder of the church of Christ in Katy, Texas. He approached me with a gentle request to investigate and learn about an evangelism tool he encountered when visiting his daughter at the Lord’s church in Austin, Texas. In his wisdom, Tom recognized promise and potential in World English Institute. It would not take me long to see it too.
“In the decade since, I have been captivated by this wonderful organization and the opportunities, challenges, and relationships born through it. The Lord has granted me the bonds of friendship and fellowship with faithful, brave, and loving people who share a wise and lofty aim: serving and loving the Lord by serving and reaching others with His light throughout the entire world. I have seen the Lord’s hand in it all. What an adventure it has been!”
Justin is too humble to tell you how God used him to save WEI from the brink of bankruptcy in 2010 when we lost $3,000 a month from a generous contributor. On October 30, 2010, Justin and the church in Katy sponsored our first WEI fund-raising dinner at a hotel in West Houston. Justin’s wife Mindy and her helpers decorated the dining room with beautiful flower arrangements and table settings. Justin invited hand-picked mission-minded churches and church leaders in the Houston area and paid for their dinner in many cases. As a result, we had a very successful fund-raising dinner which put WEI back on a sound financial footing. Since then, the Speers and the Katy church have been active supporters of WEI.
Justin says, “In recent years, I have served as a deacon administering the World English Institute platform within the local congregation at Katy. This job has been made easy by brothers and sisters in Katy who happily volunteer as short-term missionaries and Internet teachers, and who devote countless hours developing materials and teaching the WEI curriculum to our neighbors, near and far.
“As all WEI teachers know, it is a blessing to work in the Lord’s vineyards. The work and its fruit are the rewards, made sweeter still by relationships forged with people from diverse backgrounds. I’m grateful to God, the elders, the church at Katy, my friends at WEI, and to missionaries abroad for granting so many people like me the opportunity to share in this important mission from the Lord.
“I’m especially grateful for my amazing wife, Mindy. In addition to helping manage our home and raise our daughters Jessie Jo (10) and Macie Joy (7), Mindy serves as director of Yellow Brick Road pre-school and has been my life partner and a steady source of support in the local WEI effort.
“As I told my friends on the board of directors at World English Institute, I look forward to this new chapter and avenue to serve as a board member in an organization that is dedicated to fulfilling the Lord’s will. May the Lord grant continued growth to His glory through this and other evangelistic efforts throughout the world!”
We welcome Justin to the WEI board.
