WORLD ENGLISH
INSTITUTE’S INTERNET
PROGRAM
Using computers and the
Internet to teach the Gospel
all over the world.
WORLD ENGLISH INSTITUTE’S
INTERNET PROGRAM

Started July 1998, 5.5 years ago, when the web site began
offering WEI’s courses

Through December 2003
• Introductory lesson e-mailed to 3382 people in 137 of the
world’s 192 nations.
• 1297 answered the Introductory lesson.
• Compared to door knocking this is like starting Bible studies at
4 out of every10 doors.
• WEI’s 31 Internet teachers (10 men & 21 women) live in 12
states + Ireland

Small compared to World Bible School’s Internet program.
50,000 WBS Introductory lessons e-mailed in about 7
years.
Internet is more than just another
method of correspondence
teaching


Much faster exchanges – lessons
taught one at a time – more
opportunities for spiritual teaching.
Internet search engines provide low
cost, focused advertising.
Internet has capabilities for which
postal teachers have wished.

Audio web site was opened July 2003
that simultaneously displays and
reads the text of WEI’s Bible lessons
one paragraph at a time.
• Increases attractiveness of WEI by
teaching people to hear and speak
English as well as read and write
English.
• Increases spiritual effectiveness
because God’s message is planted
deeply in students’ minds as they
practice pronunciation.
Web sites can be placed on CDs

In October 2003, CDs containing the audio web
site were sent to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
• Partners in Progress has 7 computers for student use.
• David Chesser made sure the CDs would operate at the
PIP center.

Marketing problem - Bill McDonough says that so
far students are resisting using the computers for
Bible and language studies.
• Pete Shaw, experienced internet teacher, has just gone
to Phnom Penh for 2 months. He will try to determine
why students are resisting.
Web sites can be placed on CDs

Dick Ady has directed that audio CDs
and WEI lesson CDs be made
available for distribution.
• Ken Hargesheimer, plans to distribute
both CDs to his Minifarms students in
South America, Africa and India.
Developing Dedicated Computer
Centers to Teach Gospel

The opportunity - Many Internet students use
Internet Cafes
• Very expensive
• Printer even more expensive

Proposal - Free computer centers dedicated to
Bible and language study will attract many.
• Estimated cost to field and operate such a center is
$8000/year. (Includes $200/month salary for overseer
and $200/month for office space)
• Pilot center to test concept to be ready for field by July
2004.
Another Marketing Problem?

Meld WEI and Let’s Start Talking
programs.
• On the surface, WEI and LST seem a
natural fit.
• Over 50 LST students were recruited for
WEI Internet studies. None have
responded to WEI.
Your Input Please

Computers and the Internet are capable of
amazing things. What you think is
impossible may not be, so lets do some
“blue sky thinking.”
• WEI teachers – What would like your computer
and Internet to do to help you teach?
• On-site Missionaries – We value your field
experience.



What teaching chore would you like your computers
to do?
Do you have insights on our two known marketing
problems?
Would the dedicated computer center help your
ministry?