In December 2024, a breath-taking flurry of activity swirled through the campus of Rhema Christian Academy in Uruk Otong, Nigeria. All of the activity was motivated by the Great Commission.
With a stroke of genius, Aniefiok and Etang Akpan and their fellow-workers came up with a plan a year ago to use football (soccer) to draw young people to Christ. A flat area on the RCA campus turned into a football field, and pre-teen boys in the area were invited to form football teams and compete in a football tournament.
Last year, pre-teens from thirteen villages accepted the invitation and formed four teams that played in the month-long tournament. In the end, thirty-six people were baptized into Christ. This year’s tournament was almost as productive.
The key to the success of this outreach ministry lies in the events that followed the tournament. The first step was to get young contestants and their parents and friends on the campus.
On the morning of December 12, the day of the championship game, the RCA faculty and student body marched through Uruk Otong behind white-clad drummers calling attention to what Rhema Chrisian Academy has to offer the community.
Aniefiok explains: “This creates a moment for us to advertise our school programs.”
That afternoon, hundreds of people from the community came to root for their favorite team. Notice in the following picture hundreds of excited spectators surround the soccer field. Aniefiok says, “A popular musician in our community volunteered his services as the star artist who performed at the final match to spur both teams to victory.
Following the championship game the young people, parents, and friends attended the first session of the Rhema Youth Summit and heard the Word of God proclaimed by a guest speaker.
Aniefiok reports, “Four souls were baptized after hearing the gospel that night. The first participant to accept Christ was Etimbuk Sunday John, the skillful soccer player with one hand. That was the first time we used our new baptistry.”
Hundreds of people again assembled in the new David and Lola Crouch building on the second night, and Aniefiok preached about “The Calls of Life.” Fourteen people responded to the Lord’s invitation and were baptized in the new baptistry.
The next morning, the soccer players who had lodged on campus during the conference prepared to go home. Aniefiok says, “The most sensitive time of the conference was when I addressed the students on Saturday morning before they left. It was hard to say goodbye to each other. No one was happy to leave.”
Who knows how God can use this bond of affection to lead more young people to Christ.
The excitement was not over. Aniefiok writes, “Our worship Sunday morning was well-attended. Many guests who attended the conference came back to worship with us. I preached a sermon on ‘What Are You Waiting For?’ drawn from Acts 22:16. Two souls obeyed the gospel by being baptized. One of the new converts is our new security guard. The other convert is Emmanuel Jeramiah Tom, the popular grassroots musician, the Star Artist during the final soccer match.”
That afternoon, two more precious souls were baptized into Christ. One was a blind woman, and the other was a young village girl who came to watch the soccer trophy being presented to the winning team.
Later that day, four more people were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins and the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit. That brought the number of new Christians during the Youth conference to twenty-sux.
Summarizing what God had done in Uruk Otong in 2024, Aniefiok wrote, “As of December 31, 2024, our campus church has grown to 180 active members, and about 80 % of the members are teenagers. God has added a total of 52 souls (48 baptisms &4 restorations) to our number this year.”
W.E.I. NEEDS YOUR ASSISTANCE!
More and more national preachers around the world are using WEI courses in their local outreach ministries. National preachers are our most efficient and productive partners in world evangelism. Additional funds for printing and mailing these materials are needed.
Edwin E. Vicente, Director of the WEI Learning Center in Tuguegsrao City, Luzon Island, reports that four consecutive Typhoons swept through Luzon Island during the last quarter of 2024 ruining his new laptop computer and bringing his WEI teaching ministry to a screeching halt. Now Edwin is reactivating the twenty-four students he was teaching prior to the typhoons, and new students are coming to study with him.
Edwin says, “As we share our thoughts about the four typhoons, they tell each other, ‘Maybe God is reminding us to give Him time too.’ ” Edwin replies, “He is reminding us that we forget Him already.”
“Sweet are the uses of adversity” (Shaespeaere).
My husband, Steve, and I were introduced to the WEI curriculum in 1995 by a minister in Henderson Nevada. We were intrigued by the Bible courses that were so succinct and easily taught, and WEI students were also being exposed to English grammar.
At that time, only “snail mail” was being used, and the WEI booklets were sent out to students all over the world. Sometimes it would take months to receive lessons back from students on the other side of God’s round globe.
Fast forward to 2014. Steve and I had moved to Las Cruces, NM, and we were asked by a brother-in-Christ to visit some of his relatives who were not able to assemble at the building on most Lord’s days due to infirmities.
We began calling on this mother and her daughter, both members of the Lord’s body. As time went on, the mother passed into eternity. Shortly after that, my husband Steve also passed from this life.
I began visiting regularly with the daughter (a woman a little younger than myself). She was now able to attend Sunday church assemblies because she didn’t have to take care of her invalid mother. She was also able to attend mid-week Ladies’ Bible study and go to the Pine Springs ladies’ fellowship retreats.
Our friendship grew, and I introduced her to what I do with World English Institute explaining it in detail. She was noticeably interested and excited about being able to “go teach” God’s word from her computer. I instructed her how to register as a teacher on the WEI website.
Sisters and brothers, recruiting a teacher within this congregation, sharing details about our WEI students, and watching her grow spiritually, makes my heart beg for words to express my gratitude to God who arranged for our lives to cross in this lifetime and who arranged interactions that enabled her to “GO TEACH” via the Internet.
Together, she and I have taught many about salvation in Jesus and the blessed assurance that we have in Him. There have been several baptisms, thanks to God’s grace and our teaching using the WEI curriculum.
I truly am at a loss to express my exhilaration at being a part of this wonderful teaching medium and for being able to share our experiences as sisters in Christ.
Thank you, brother Richard Ady and all of the other staff who keep WEI up and running so smoothly so that we can fulfill our Lord’s Great Commission and receive our own blessings as we bring students to their “ah hah” moments realizing their need to obey Jesus’ command to be baptized into His body–immediately. This we can do, thanks to God, by using the Internet airwaves. My prayer for all of you is from Third John 2.
—A blessed Suzie Winham, Las Cruces, NM
Editor’s Note: The beloved sister that Suzie introduced to WEI taught Bartholomayo and led him to Christ in South Sudan. Bartholomayo has become a dynamic preacher who has led hundreds of people to Christ and established several churches. He attracts large crowds of people to Christ by his powerful preaching.
Wouldn’t you like to lead someone to Christ? Chances are you can. Become a WEI Internet teacher by logging on to our web site and signing up at www.worldenglishinstitute.net/register/teacher.
Asking Students to Redo a Lesson
There was a time when we would ask a student to redo a lesson if they scored less than 70 % on their lessons. A few years ago, it was decided that this requirement should be discontinued because we were losing too many students. However, there are times when it is necessary.
One: If I know my student has not applied his/her efforts, I may ask them to redo a lesion.
Two: I will ask them to redo a lesson if the Thought Questions were not completed
Three: I will ask them to redo the lesson if they have used AI GPT to answer the Thought Questions and ask them not to use artificial intelligence to answer them.
Four: If they answer with one-word answers, I will ask them to redo the lesson. The purpose is to help them improve their English skills as they are brought to Christ.
Five: If I have asked a student to redo the lesson, but they have only resubmitted without making the necessary corrections, I will ask them to redo it. This is rare, but it happens. I will only ask twice.
I do not ask my students to redo their lessons when they copy and paste their answers from the text. Instead, I encourage them to write in their own words. Even if they persist, I do not ask them to redo the lesson. I may express my disapproval, but I am thankful they are finding the answers. This doesn’t happen often.
I never ask my students to redo a grammar lesson. My philosophy is that you a get to heaven without knowing proper grammar, but you can’t get to heaven without knowing Jesus. I agree that we want to pursue excellence, but our primary goal is to help populate heaven by delivering the powerful word of God into the hearts of as many as possible in the shortest amount of time for the obedience of faith in Christ.
“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” (Robert Burns). These words accurately describe the plans Arthur Tatara had made for serving God in PNG in December 2024. Arthur had planned to return to Waria Valley to direct another area-wide youth camp that draws about 1,000 young people and results in dozens of baptisms.
The only commercial airplane that flew from Lae to Waria Valley crashed in the jungle killing five people and leaving Arthur without air transportation. Then tribal violence broke out in the area between Arthur’s home in Lae and Waria Valley making travel by boat dangerous.
There are no roads through the mountains around Waria Valley. Many of the young people who attend the Christian Youth Camp in Waria Valley walk on mountain trails for several days to spend five days at camp. Recently, a young girl was raped and killed on a mountain trail, and plans for the camp were canceled.
Arthur wrote, “I made a quick decision to travel to the Northern Province to visit the church there, to share the gospel with them, and to find a couple who were interested in studying at Melanesian Bible College in 2026.
“It took me 12 hours to travel by dingy to reach Northern Province, and along the way, I almost lost my life due to high [sea] water, and I lost everything that I took with me: my mobile [phone] and bag. However, God saved me, and I reached my destination and shared the gospel.”
Having escaped death in a rough sea, Arthur preached the Word of God at this small church in the Northern Province in PNG. Arthur is wearing a blue shirt in the picture above.
In closing, Arthur writes, “Brother, I am requesting you or a faithful Christian to assist me to purchase a new Android phone for my work.” A new Android phone in Papua New Guina costs US $400.
An Invitation:
We invite you to, please, consider including WEI in your 2025 church budget and join us in a concerted effort to lead the whole world to Christ.
Our awesome God never ceases to amaze us. In 2024, He blessed us with an incredible record-breaking year, using WEI to teach precious souls about Jesus all around the world.
WEI advertises by running Google ads daily in every nation on earth offering free English courses and using the Bible to illustrate English grammar and to reveal God’s plan of salvation.
In 2024, we exploded with a record number of 272,928 individual registrations breaking the previous record of 208.379 in 2023. We set a goal of teaching 84,000 in 2024, and WEI teachers taught 87,892 students in 201 nations exceeding our goal. Once again, God showered us with opportunities to sow the seed in fertile ground.
WEI is blessed to have an incredible number of faithful teachers who are willing to go the extra mile every day to teach precious souls. While students are studying their grammar lessons, they are learning about God and His plan of salvation.
As we look to 2025, we continue to pursue our dream of teaching 10,000 new students each month. That would allow us to study with 120,000 students in 2025. If we can sustain this worthy goal, we would be able to study with 1.2 million students in ten years. Is that doable? Absolutely! Nothing is impossible for our awesome God.
We desperately need more WEI teachers. Would you consider becoming a WEI teacher? Partner with us in fulfilling the Great Commission. Help us give precious souls an opportunity to read and study the Bible and learn of a God who loves them more than they could ever dream or imagine. Register to be a WEI teacher at www.worldenglishinstitute.net.
In addition, we need more funds to increase our daily Google ads. Please consider helping WEI reach and teach 10,000 new students each month. You can give online by logging on to https://www.worldenglishinstitute.net/give-to-wei/ or mailing a check to World English Institute, 1525 NW Division Street, Gresham, OR 97030.
Please remember the WEI ministry in your daily thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and your precious family in 2025.
Jesus said, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13;44).
Jesus is jolting us to attention about the kingdom. Stop chasing after the wind. Stop considering everything under the sun. Consider the One who owns it all. His kingdom is like a buried treasure.
To those unaware of the treasure, a man who sells all he owns to buy a field looks foolish. But to the man who sees the treasure, who understands its worth, it is a very wise investment. It is a no-brainer.
Our God offers another related story of four leprous men who lived in a time of famine during a siege by the Syrians. Then the Lord drove the Syrian army from its camp (see 2 Kings 7:3-9).
Those guys won the lottery. They found the hidden treasure. They found the valuable pearl. Not only were the enemy soldiers gone, but their possessions and food were left behind. You can picture how much joy these four men had upon their discovery. Initially they decided to keep it for themselves; however, they soon realized the bigger picture. Compassion emerged along with the dawning realization that a terrible judgment would come upon them if they failed to love their neighbor.
They began to think of everybody who was dying in famine and hopelessness. “They said to one another, ‘We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. No, therefore, come let us go and tell the king’s household’” (2 Kings 7:9).
This is our story. We have found the priceless gift of everlasting life—a life of abundance and a home in heaven—something of far more value than the four lepers found. God, our hero and King, will be there. Jesus taught us to pray, “our Father in heaven” (Matthew6:9). Heaven is a real place. Jesus tells us that he has gone to prepare a place for us (John 14:2-3. Can you imagine how amazing heaven will be?
We did nothing to earn heaven. Finding it means eternal life. We must share this great news with everyone. How can we not? How wonderful is it that World English Institute gives us an opportunity to share the good news with compassion and store up for ourselves treasures in heaven!
The following picture illustrates the ongoing, year-around growth of the Campus Church of Christ in Uruk Otong, Nigeria.
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” – Romans 10:14
W.E.I. THANKS ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
Your contributions and donations allow WEI to continue to reach people in all nations with the word of God.
Honorariums and Memorials
In Honor of Dick & Maudine Ady
Richards, Randy & Pam
Sibert, LaVonne
In Honor of Richard (Dick) Garrett
Garrett, Elizabeth
In Honor of Katheryn Haddad
Conley, Charles & Donna
In Honor of Juanita Mansholt’s 100th birthday
Outlaw, Judy
In Honor of Bert Paddock & family
Blanks, Judy
In Honor of Marcie, Bret, Hank & Hanna Richardson
Murphy, Robert & Bonnie
In Honor of David Shetler—WEI teacher
working in the Philippines
Tate, Jean
In Memory of Peggy Ball
Dean, Jerry & Brenda
Edwards, Bonnie
McClellan, Bruce & Brenda
In Memory of Homer Benson
Benson, Norma
In Memory of Bill Blanks
Blanks, Judy
In Memory of Clyde Boyd
Mitchell, Elizabeth
In Memory of Howard & LaFern Burch
Bowman, Ann
In Memory of Ethel Burleigh
Edwards, Bonnie
Gallaher, Roy & Carolyn
In Memory of Glen Burton
Dean, Jerry & Brenda
Jennings, Roger & Regina
Langley, Tom & Angie
In Memory of Alfred Chetham III
Eastman, Alma
In Memory of Rick Davis
Adams, John & Ginger
Dean, Jerry & Brenda
Jennings, Roger & Regina
Samuels, Lawrence & Linda
Spencer, Dan
In Memory of Billy Dorris
Dean, Jerry & Brenda
Edwards, Bonnie
In Memory of Joe Downey
Smither, Ken & Jean
In Memory of Bill Eckleberry
Edwards, Bonnie
In Memory of Art Edwards
Blanks, Judy
In Memory of Ray Embry
Embry, Jo Anne
In Memory of Chuck Ford
Dean, Jerry & Brenda
Edwards, Bonnie
Langley, Tom & Angie
McClellan, Bruce & Brenda
Metzer, Robert & Cathryn
Rush, Terry & Brenda
Samuels, Lawrence & Linda
In Memory of Mickie Heaton
Dean, Jerry & Brenda
Edwards, Bonnie
Langley, Tom & Angie
McClellan, Bruce & Brenda
Metzer, Robert & Cathryn
Samuels, Lawrence & Linda
In Memory of Sonny Greenwood
Langley, Tom & Angie
In Memory of Bill Heckathorn
Adam, Neil & Norma
Dean, Jerry & Brenda
Langley, Tom & Angie
In Memory of Les Jewell
Spencer, Dan
In Memory of Jimmy Kiles
Spencer, Dan
In Memory of Keith Loeffler
Loeffler, Marty
In Memory of Joyce McElroy
Edwards, Bonnie
Fleeman, Helen
Harris, Randall & Judy
McClellan, Bruce & Brenda
In Memory of Priscilla Millard
Blanks, Judy
In Memory of Ruth Ann Moore
Bodine, Gary & Brenda
In Memory of Marvin Peterson
Blanks, Julia
In Memory of Ruth Phipps
Dean, Jerry & Brenda
Jennings, Roger & Regina
Langley, Tom & Angie
In Memory of Larry Raburn
Raburn, Shirley
In Memory of Jackie Dean Robinson
Edwards, Bonnie
In Memory of Virginia Rudishauser
Hartfeil, Lee Ann
In Memory of Dale Scott
Dean, Jerry & Brenda
Jennings, Roger & Regina
In Memory of Pat Scott
Dean, Jerry & Brenda
Edwards, Bonnie
McClellan, Bruce & Brenda
In Memory of Suzanne Snow
Blanks, Judy
In Memory of Joe Spencer
Edwards, Bonnie
In Memory of Ross Spencer
Edwards, Bonnie
In Memory of Margaret Tindell
Spencer, Dan
In Memory of Kelsey Thomas
Ogle, Dev & Donna
In Memory of Bob Towell
Eastman, Alma
Hesselrode, Robert & Billie Sue
Ogren, Al & Dale
In Memory of Virgil T Weare
Arnett, Patricia
Weare, Mary Anne
In Memory of Camile Wilson
Langley, Tom & Angie
Spencer, Dan
In Memory of Mildred Winstead
Blanks, Judy
In Memory of Wesley B Yeager
Bates, Rhonda
Dodds, Kevin & Junessa
Evans, Sandra
Gustafson, Sandra L.
Smith, Glenda
Spielman, Sheila
Tucker, Billy & Maxine
Warner, Ronald & Elizabeth
