Volume 10, Issue 3, August 2005
God Answers Prayer!
We have been praying for a long time for additional staff members and God has answered those prayers in an unexpected way. Bruce and Lisa Burkholder have had to leave the field of Mexico because of family health problems. After much prayer, they have determined that the Lord would have them work with EBI. Bruce will be concentrating his efforts in the area of theological education and will be working closely with us to develop educational materials for all levels of training in Hispanic countries. We are overjoyed to welcome this capable couple to EBI!
Spotlight on Staff
Richard and Sheila Meyer have been part of our EBI staff since 1990. Richard, the son of missionary parents, was raised in the Dominican Republic. Sheila grew up on a farm in Iowa. They met at Faith Baptist Bible College, Ankeny, Iowa, and were married after graduation. It was in college that they both began to feel the desire to serve the Lord as missionaries. They were accepted by Baptist Mid- Missions in 1977 and arrived in the Dominican Republic in 1982.
Richard pastored a small church and also taught classes at the Bible Institute in Santo Domingo. During their second term Richard taught at the Institute and also served as director and librarian part of the time. Much of Sheila’s time was spent caring for their three young children.
It was during their time in the Dominican that they became acutely aware of the need for sound Biblical literature in Spanish. There was very little available so that after the missionary would leave a church, the Hispanic pastor was left with nothing to use in teaching his people. Most of what was available had doctrinal problems. It was also difficult to find good textbooks for use in the Bible Institute.
Recognizing this as a pressing need, the Meyers were ready to say yes when Baptist Mid-Missions asked them to begin serving at EBI.
Richard’s main responsibility is editing Christian education materials, including Sunday school material and Theological Education by Extension (TEE) books. This includes doing all the layout and artwork involved. Richard is also responsible for the smooth operation of the EBI computer network. Sheila helps with bookkeeping, assembly of books and shipping. We are very thankful for this capable and faithful couple. They have been a valuable part of the EBI team since 1990.
Hillikers to Nicaragua
In June, Gary and Bernie Hilliker were invited to represent EBI at a pastor’s conference in Nicaragua. More than 35 pastors and their families attended. The fellowship was great and the Hillikers were able to learn much about the need for literature in Nicaragua.
Gary preached in five different sessions and they each taught five workshops on teaching in the church. They were able to give a packet of Sunday school material to each pastor. The pastor received one quarterly of adult and one of junior high material. Each wife received one Junior packet. The workshops were filled with ideas for making teaching come alive. Samples were given to the wives for visualizing songs, teaching Bible verses, reviewing lessons, object lessons, and ways to reach the women of their communities.
It was a blessing to see their reaction to EBI material. They did not know that it was available and at reasonable prices. EBI now has a representative in Nicaragua with a supply of Sunday school quarterlies ready to sell to the churches. Pray with us as we seek ways to provide Spanish-speaking people with EBI Sunday school curriculum.
New Book by Juanita Purcell
EBI has recently released the second in our women’s Bible study books: PRUEBAS — No las Tomes Como Intrusas (TRIALS — Don’t Resent Them as Intruders) by Juanita Purcell. The first book in this series has been well received and we are pleased to be able to offer this one. Two more titles will be coming in the days ahead.
Quarter number eight of the junior Sunday school curriculum is complete and number nine will be available shortly. We are thrilled with the good reception that this material has received. It is a blessing to know that many teachers are now using these materials to teach their young students the Word of God.
Correction:
In the last EBI VISION Calvary Baptist Church of Chillicothe, Ohio, was inadvertently called Grace Baptist Church. We correct that mistake with our apologies.