WORLD ENGLISH WORLD ENGLISH INSTITUTE’S INTERNET INSTITUTE’S INTERNET

PROGRAMPROGRAM

Using computers and the Using computers and the Internet to teach the Gospel Internet to teach the Gospel

all over the world.all over the world.

WORLD ENGLISH INSTITUTE’S WORLD ENGLISH INSTITUTE’S INTERNET PROGRAMINTERNET PROGRAM

Started July 1998, 5.5 years ago, when the web site began Started July 1998, 5.5 years ago, when the web site began offering WEI’s coursesoffering WEI’s courses

Through December 2003Through December 2003• Introductory lesson e-mailed to 3382 people in 137 of the Introductory lesson e-mailed to 3382 people in 137 of the

world’s 192 nations.world’s 192 nations.• 1297 answered the Introductory lesson.1297 answered the Introductory lesson.• Compared to door knocking this is like starting Bible studies at Compared to door knocking this is like starting Bible studies at

4 out of every10 doors.4 out of every10 doors.• WEI’s 31 Internet teachers (10 men & 21 women) live in 12 WEI’s 31 Internet teachers (10 men & 21 women) live in 12

states + Irelandstates + Ireland

Small compared to World Bible School’s Internet program. Small compared to World Bible School’s Internet program. 50,000 WBS Introductory lessons e-mailed in about 7 years. 50,000 WBS Introductory lessons e-mailed in about 7 years.

Internet is more than just another Internet is more than just another method of correspondence method of correspondence

teachingteaching

Much faster exchanges – lessons Much faster exchanges – lessons taught one at a time – more taught one at a time – more opportunities for spiritual teaching.opportunities for spiritual teaching.

Internet search engines provide low Internet search engines provide low cost, focused advertising.cost, focused advertising.

Internet has capabilities for which Internet has capabilities for which postal teachers have wished.postal teachers have wished.

Audio web site was opened July 2003 Audio web site was opened July 2003 that simultaneously displays and reads that simultaneously displays and reads the text of WEI’s Bible lessons one the text of WEI’s Bible lessons one paragraph at a time.paragraph at a time.• Increases attractiveness of WEI by Increases attractiveness of WEI by

teaching people to teaching people to hear and speakhear and speak English English as well as read and write English.as well as read and write English.

• Increases spiritual effectiveness because Increases spiritual effectiveness because God’s message is planted deeply in God’s message is planted deeply in students’ minds as they practice students’ minds as they practice pronunciation.pronunciation.

Web sites can be placed on CDsWeb sites can be placed on CDs

In October 2003, CDs containing the audio web In October 2003, CDs containing the audio web site were sent to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.site were sent to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.• Partners in Progress has 7 computers for student use.Partners in Progress has 7 computers for student use.• David Chesser made sure the CDs would operate at the David Chesser made sure the CDs would operate at the

PIP center.PIP center.

Marketing problem - Bill McDonough says that so Marketing problem - Bill McDonough says that so far students are resisting using the computers for far students are resisting using the computers for Bible and language studies.Bible and language studies.• Pete Shaw, experienced internet teacher, has just gone Pete Shaw, experienced internet teacher, has just gone

to Phnom Penh for 2 months. He will try to determine to Phnom Penh for 2 months. He will try to determine why students are resisting.why students are resisting.

Web sites can be placed on CDsWeb sites can be placed on CDs

Dick Ady has directed that audio CDs Dick Ady has directed that audio CDs and WEI lesson CDs be made and WEI lesson CDs be made available for distribution.available for distribution.• Ken Hargesheimer, plans to distribute Ken Hargesheimer, plans to distribute

both CDs to his Minifarms students in both CDs to his Minifarms students in South America, Africa and India.South America, Africa and India.

Developing Dedicated Computer Developing Dedicated Computer Centers to Teach Gospel Centers to Teach Gospel

The opportunity - Many Internet students use The opportunity - Many Internet students use Internet CafesInternet Cafes• Very expensiveVery expensive• Printer even more expensivePrinter even more expensive

Proposal - Free computer centers dedicated to Proposal - Free computer centers dedicated to Bible and language study will attract many.Bible and language study will attract many.• Estimated cost to field and operate such a center is Estimated cost to field and operate such a center is

$8000/year. (Includes $200/month salary for overseer $8000/year. (Includes $200/month salary for overseer and $200/month for office space)and $200/month for office space)

• Pilot center to test concept to be ready for field by July Pilot center to test concept to be ready for field by July 2004. 2004.

Another Marketing Problem?Another Marketing Problem?

Meld WEI and Let’s Start Talking Meld WEI and Let’s Start Talking programs.programs.• On the surface, WEI and LST seem a On the surface, WEI and LST seem a

natural fit.natural fit.• Over 50 LST students were recruited for Over 50 LST students were recruited for

WEI Internet studies. None have WEI Internet studies. None have responded to WEI.responded to WEI.

Your Input PleaseYour Input Please Computers and the Internet are capable of Computers and the Internet are capable of

amazing things. What you think is impossible amazing things. What you think is impossible may not be, so lets do some “blue sky may not be, so lets do some “blue sky thinking.”thinking.”• WEI teachers – What would like your computer and WEI teachers – What would like your computer and

Internet to do to help you teach?Internet to do to help you teach?• On-site Missionaries – We value your field On-site Missionaries – We value your field

experience. experience. What teaching chore would you like your computers to do?What teaching chore would you like your computers to do? Do you have insights on our two known marketing Do you have insights on our two known marketing

problems?problems? Would the dedicated computer center help your ministry? Would the dedicated computer center help your ministry?