WORLD ENGLISH INSTITUTE’S INTERNET PROGRAM

1. WORLD ENGLISH INSTITUTE’S INTERNET PROGRAM Using computers and the Internet to teach the Gospel all over the world.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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?