The EBI Vision

Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2003

Greetings!

After several months, we are finally getting out a new VISION. Many have asked how things are going at EBI. They are going very well. However, it is hard to write new articles about what we do since so many of our days are so much like the day before. Let us try to get everyone caught up.

Sales

EBI sales tapered off some during the last half of 2002. We lost our biggest customer who gave up his bookselling operation. We also are feeling the effects of the poor economy in many Latin American countries. From the news, you are probably aware of the very difficult times being experienced in Venezuela. However, January sales bounced back very well, so we are not certain how the rest of the year will go.

Our sales income is used to fund the publication of new materials. With reduced income we are looking to subsidize our publications with increased giving from our generous friends. Therefore, I am including several projects with which you can become involved.

Junior Sunday School Materials

Finally! The first two quarters are done and are available for sale. It has been a long process. We started to work on this project over four years ago. We still have ten more quarters to complete, but at least we can get these first two quarters into the hands of those who have been asking for them for years. Pray that God will use these lessons to touch the lives of these junior age children.

In conjunction with this project, we are asking churches and individuals to financially help. It costs us about $5.00 more to produce each set of lesson materials than what we can charge our customers. This amounts to a total of about $2,500 for each quarter. We are especially encouraging summer Vacation Bible Schools to take on this project. If you are interested in this project, either personally or for your church, let us know, and we will send you additional information.

Pastors’ Libraries

With over 400 libraries sent out, EBI continues to promote our Ministry Enrichment Program. Names of needy pastors come in each month. Donors have continued to appreciate the need for these libraries, so our working funds have remained a little ahead of demand. This program is outlined on the reverse side of this newsletter. Donations are still needed if the Lord would lay this project on your heart.

New Wiersbe Books

Two new books by Warren Wiersbe will be available soon. The one on the Gospel of Mark has gone to the printer. The one on the Gospel of Matthew will be sent out soon. The two volume set on Luke will be available later this year. Because of the heavy load on the print shop keeping up with Sunday school materials, we are now using commercial printers for these books. If a Sunday school class or a missions conference would like to take on one of these books as a project, the cost is about $6,000 per title. We realize this may be more than most can afford, however, several smaller gifts can add up very quickly.

Our Missionaries

We would also encourage you to pray for our individual missionary couples: Gary and Bernice Hilliker, Darrel and Lori Jingst, Richard and Sheila Meyer, Bob and Georgia Owen and Marv and Joan Stephens. Each of these couples is working with much less than full support. It is also hard for them to get away to raise additional support since each one has an integral part in the operation of EBI. When any one leaves for an extended period of time, there are certain aspects of the operation that are neglected. However, if you have never had an EBI missionary present our ministry in your church, please consider contacting us and arranging a date that is convenient with one of these couples.

Building Dedication

During our January Board of Directors meeting, five members of our board and staff paid tribute to Dr. Elias Edward Schwartz, as we named our building in his honor. He was recognized for his many years of service with Baptist Mid-Missions, and especially with EBI, as both staff member and board member. He was an active promoter of our TEE book ministry. Our new editing rooms were named in honor of his wife Mildred for her many years of work with children.

Ministry Enrichment Library

Library content (all in Spanish):

1. Wiersbe N.T. commentaries (12 volumes)*
2. Elemental Theology, Bancroft
3. Old Testament Moody Bible Commentary
4. New Testament Moody Bible Commentary
5. Complete Bible Concordance, Denyer
6. Vine’s Expository Dictionary (one volume)
7. The Student Bible Atlas, Dowley
8. The Charismatics, MacArthur
9. How to Prepare Bible Messages, Braga
10. A Guide for Organizing and Conducting a Baptist Church, Reese*
11. Doctrine of the Local Church, Jackson*
12. Biblical Basis for Baptists, Brown*
13. Adult Sunday School Manual*
14. Junior High Sunday School Manual*
15. Unger’s New Bible Manual
(* EBI publications)

Retail value of these 26 volumes = $330

EBI’s program: A $150 donation from individual or church in the States; a $20 contribution by recipient pastor or his church, if able to afford it. Shipping costs are paid by EBI.

Qualifications of recipients:

1. A Spanish-speaking pastor active in the ministry.
2. A Baptist by his demonstrated ministry.
3. A national, having demonstrated need (need, not age, the factor).
4. Recommended by a cooperating missionary (an active customer of EBI).
5. Asked to contribute $20 towards the library (may come from pastor’s church).

Donations may be sent to EBI, designated for the pastors’ libraries.