by Tom Langley
In the first quarter of this year we hosted WEI Internet Student Receptions in 3 capital cities of the world: Bucharest, Romania; Tirana, Albania; and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This model is used to make personal contact with thousands of WEI Internet students who reside in a single urban area.
With the help of local congregations we select a date and venue location. We then issue invitations to all of our Internet students located in that city and surrounding cities and towns. The students register and submit an RSVP online thereby giving us an idea in advance of how many to expect. During the program we thank them for being students, give them a brief history of WEI, encourage them in their pursuit of English language and Bible learning, and give them a brief history of the restoration movement. Following the reception students are invited to sign up for personal Bible studies, and are also invited to the worship services of the church. We conclude with fellowship and refreshments.
In 2015 Mongolia was our first attempt at using this model. For two weeks following the reception, five preachers from the Bear Valley Bible Institute network and one evangelist from China conducted personal Bible studies with the students. During that time, 17 souls were baptized, and a church of Christ was planted in Ulaanbaatar.
In 2016, studies resulted in 6 more precious souls being added to the church. This year we hosted our 3rd annual reception, and God blessed us with 4 more immersions. Unfortunately, many of these converts have now returned to the world or their denominational churches. Luis Camacho and Bill Stewart do an impressive job of Skyping worship with the faithful every Saturday night in the States which is Sunday morning in Ulaanbaatar.
One of the Christians is an Elementary School Principle. The small gathering uses one of the classrooms in her school as a meeting place.
We desperately need a mature missionary family or team to go to Mongolia and work with this young church full time. If you’re reading this and you feel something tugging at your heart, perhaps that is the Lord calling YOU to Mongolia.
Our first ever WEI receptions in Bucharest, Romania and Tirana, Albania were both successful this summer. We were able to introduce our Internet students to Christians in the church of Christ and inform them of the time and location where the church meets. Many of the students attending the reception in Tirana signed up for personal WEI classes during the summer short-term mission period.
The attendees in Bucharest were also introduced to the Christians, invited to worship services, and encouraged to continue their Bible studies. The fellowship following both receptions was happy and endearing, and there was electricity in the air. Students stayed visiting with the Christians long after the formal program concluded.
I wish every Internet teacher could attend one of these receptions and listen to the students’ expressions of pure joy and gratitude. Most of them love their teachers dearly, and they love the life-changing attitudes they are learning from the Bible lessons. Our Internet teachers are making a big difference in the lives of so many souls by simply sowing the seeds of the truth of God’s word.
“I will continue with the course until it is over. I will also be disappointed for it to end. I have learned so much during these studies, not just the English course, but I’ve learned so much about the Bible. This course has truly been a blessing to my life, and I thank you. I got so caught up in the Bible studies aspect of it that I lost touch with the English aspect (smile).”
The other day, our 16-year-old granddaughter said, “Bappa, the Christians in New Testament times were different from Christians today.”
I said, “In what way, Sweet Angel?”
She replied, “The early Christians were always telling people about Jesus and speaking the truth even though they were beaten, put in prison, or killed. Most of us Christians today act like we are afraid to speak up for Jesus.”
“You’re right, Sweetheart,” I said. “That’s something we need to think and pray about.”
In Jerusalem when the authorities commanded Peter and John not to speak to anyone about Jesus, they decided to “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). The apostles were flogged (Acts 5:40), but that didn’t stop them. “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 5:42).
Paul was frequently put in prison for preaching the gospel, exposed to death again and again, severely flogged five times, beaten with rods three times, and stoned and left for dead. He was shipwrecked three times, and he spent a night and a day in the open sea. He was constantly on the move. He was in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from the Jews, and in danger from the Gentiles. He often went without sleep, without food, and without water (2 Cor. 11:23-28). But he refused to stop peaching. He said, “I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:16-17).
Peter says God doesn’t want “anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 [Peter 3:9). Are you spreading the word about Jesus?
Praise God: more than 700 Christians are now teaching thousands of people about Christ on the Internet. Some people are still teaching people through postal mail. May God bless you with sparkling stars in your heavenly crown.
We are grateful to those of you who support us with your prayers and gifts. God is using you to introduce large numbers of precious souls to Christ in every nation. To God be honor and glory forever.
—Dick & Maudine
Prabhu Kumar, Director of WEI-India, reports an amazing display of courage by a WEI teacher named Immanuel:
“Nearly five years back, Hindu radicals beat our entire WEI team severely because of twelve conversions in the state of Chattisgargh. Yet, we were never afraid that their activities would crush Christianity.”
“Now in the same state in Kumbari which is located in the New Raipur Division, our WEI teacher baptized five of his students in different places. This was a great wonder which was done by our God Almighty. Nearly half a year ago, our WEI teacher, Brother Immanuel, sent me a report with three baptisms, and another report with two baptisms. Two times he has baptized five of his students in different places.”
“I praise God for his unbelievable works. I request you all to join with me in praising God for the new souls—that they will be faithful—that they will help our teachers to promote WEI lessons to as many as possible.”
Words From a student who registered as an atheist:
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to all. This course has been a great experience where I have had the opportunity to learn many things and share different and opposite ideas with my wonderful teacher who opens her heart to everybody, no matter who they are in terms of religion, opinion or culture.”
“I feel very happy to have those diplomas. I cannot wait to have them printed and framed. I did my best to complete this course as a major aim. Thanks to the support and guidance of my teacher, that goal became a reality.”
“I conclude by sending a bear hug from Colombia, where not many people master English. Thanks to programs like this, that is changing. Thanks a billion. Please don’t stop. You’re having a huge positive social impact.”
From a Muslim country:
“I was born in a Muslim community, but God has saved me from their evil teachings. Studying in their schools (which forces students to study Quran) had confused me. At the same time, that gave me a clear idea about what evil religion looks like. Islamic teachings urge followers to discriminate against others in every possible way. When I read the Bible, especially the life of Jesus, I felt different. For the first time in my life I feel peace and secure. I loved Jesus as a person who never sinned, and as a God who loves his children and looks after them. As it’s not allowed in my country to sell or buy religious books except Islamic books, I couldn’t read the Bible if I didn’t have laptop and Internet. Somehow God has provided me with the means to know him and hear his message.”
“I’m sure God will lead me toward the new birth, but being baptized would be difficult because it’s not allowed here to express my new faith in public. Being a Christian would remain a secret as long as I live in a country that enforces Sharia law.”
Isaiah 55:11
—Bob and Jan
Earlier this year in Tanzania, Nancy Eichman’s student, Willington, came to faith and asked to be baptized. After communicating with national preachers in an effort to find someone to baptize him, Willington finally wrote to Nancy saying, “Praise the Lord. It was finally done right today around 10:00 a.m. by the missionary Timotheo. I thank God for this great event.”
Nancy writes, “Please pray that he will become involved in a local congregation and remain faithful until death.”
In another part of Tanzania, the Lord is working through national preacher, Willy Yudah. Willy is a true evangelist who lives in the city of Mbeya. In the picture below, he baptizes a man in a portable baptistery in a village near Mbeya.
Bob and Jan Towell say, “We now have a photo of the baptism of Romeo, Tracy Sipe’s student in Mozambique.”
Commenting on the lesson about Abraham, one student wrote, “God sometimes calls us out of false religions to step out in faith to a new way of worshiping Him. I was thinking this morning about where I was this time last year. I was visiting my family and went to [worship] with hen never dreaming I would ever worship differently.”
“I am not sure how Abram communicated with God in the midst of all the idol worship, but somehow he must have had an open heart to hear God’s voice.”
“When I left [my old religion], I was scared of how my family would react. I had fears about being rejected, but I knew God was calling me to something different. I wonder if Abraham/Sarah had similar feelings when they left Ur and their families and familiar idols to step into the unknown.”
It is never easy to make such a leap of faith.
We are happy to announce that our new WEI Bible course called Living for Jesus is available in hard copy and is now available on the teaching web site. The course consists of three books, each with thirteen lessons (one lesson for each week in the quarter). Each lesson is based on the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
Originally, this series was intended to answer the question, “Now that I’m a Christian, what difference does it make?” Yet it has turned out to be an in-depth study for mature Christians as well as new-comers.
A sub-title of the course might be “Living for Jesus Is Not for Wimps.” The Sermon on the Mount is counter-cultural. Jesus forces us to choose between entering the narrow gate and walking with a few people on the restrictive way that leads to life OR entering through the wide gate and walking with the crowd down the broad road that leads to destruction.
This new course is written for adult Bible classes in American churches as well as for advanced WEI students all over the world.
If you would like to look through these books with a view to teaching them in your Bible class, you may order a sample set at no charge except the cost of postage.
WEI is truly blessed to have so many mission-minded churches partnering with us. Since this is the time of the year when our short-term mission efforts are in full swing, I personally wanted to highlight one of our outstanding partnering churches.
The Katy, TX church of Christ has been sending teachers abroad on short-term missions for several years. The elders are so serious about the Great Commission that they train, encourage, and support members of their flock to GO into the world and share the good news. We are so blessed they have chosen WEI as one tool to use in this outreach, not only locally, but internationally as well.
This year, under the direction of WEI deacon, Justin Speer, the Katy church is sending a number of WEI teachers to Tirana, Albania, Fier, Albania, and Cluj, Romania. They are also supporting four teachers from churches in Indiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee as members of mission teams in these locations.
The Katy church of Christ is truly a shining star in the work that Jesus Christ has set before us. WEI is just one aspect of Katy’s mission ministry. They are also heavily involved in Mexico through preacher and ministry training programs designed to grow the kingdom of God in that country.
We thank the Lord for all our mission-minded partnering churches like Katy. To God be the glory.
—Tom & Angie
Satan is working furiously to hinder the great work God is doing through Aniefiok Akpan at Rhema Christian Academy, the Campus Church of Christ, and World English Institute and School of Ministry in Uruk Otong, Nigeria.
Aniefiok’s great grandfather was a juju priest who worshiped, served, and sold idols. He offered animal and human sacrifices at the most dreaded juju shrine of his time on the very site now occupied by Rhema Christian Academy and the Campus Church of Christ. No wonder Satan is furious. Aniefiok is converting his slaves.
The devil has put numerous obstacles in Aniefiok’s path. First, the government closed the school due to inadequate classroom facilities.
When a beautiful building was erected, the drinking water became polluted, and numerous people became deathly ill with typhoid fever.
When clean water started flowing from a new bore hole, the public power grid went down leaving the school without electricity.
Once a generator was installed to provide electricity for the campus, Aniefiok and his entire family came down with malaria. Now, it seems the water is polluted again, and a water purification system needs to be installed.
Aniefiok and his family have suffered greatly under Satan’s attacks. They have been discouraged, but they have not been defeated. Nearly 200 children and young people are being taught about Christ through Rhema Christian Academy. Older students are studying WEI Bible and English lessons every day, and many are being baptized.
Thanks to the oversight of the Bethlehem Church of Christ in the Nashville area, a strong church is growing on the RCA campus. In spite of Satan’s roadblocks, it is apparent that God is stronger than Satan.
One of the most promising developments at Rhema Christian Academy is a leadership training program called WEISOM (World English Institute and School of Ministry). The goal of this school is to provide advanced Bible training for potential preachers and church leaders and to equip them to use WEI as an evangelistic tool throughout Nigeria.
Aniefiok currently conducts WEISOM seminars once a month. In December, he plans to invite church leaders and WEI/WBS students to a nationwide WEISOM training seminar.
Fighting Satan requires strength, faith, help from God, and perseverance. Aniefiok is one of the most gifted preachers in Nigeria. There is virtually no limit to what God can accomplish through him if he stays healthy and humble.
