The EBI Vision

Volume 5, Issue 2, September 2000

Exciting New Outreach

In January, we announced the first gift to the Ministry Enrichment Fund. This fund purchases basic libraries for national Spanish-speaking pastors. Since then, over $10,000 has come in for this program, and over 70 pastors have received one of these libraries. The reports we are getting back from the different countries are thrilling. Pastors, who never dreamed of owning a library like this, are devouring their new study materials. Many of these pastors live on very little, working fulltime to support their families, and still carry on the ministry of their churches. We praise God for what He is doing through this effort.

As this newsletter is being written, there are still more than twenty names of pastors who have been recommended for a library, but we do not have the funds available to send them one at this time. If you would still like to help in this endeavor, a gift of $150 will purchase a library of 27 books for a needy national pastor. The list of books is on the other side of this letter. If you are interested in participating in this exciting opportunity, or want more information, please contact EBI using one of the addresses at the bottom of this newsletter.

Free Shipping for the Summer

EBI offered free shipping on all orders received during June, July and August. It is difficult to tell how many took advantage of this offer, but our summer sales were quite good. Many expressed their gratitude for this savings. Shipping charges on an order can easily approach 50% of the total cost of the books ordered. EBI has not changed prices on its publications in over 10 years. However, postage rates continue to increase nearly every year. Therefore, this seemed to be the best way to make our materials more affordable. We plan to continue to offer free shipping as long as the Lord supplies our financial needs.

EBI Recipient of Large Gift

We received a BIG surprise in August. EBI received a large cash gift from the estate of a friend of the Spanish literature ministry. This will allow us to pay off the mortgage on the new building and do some additional remodeling to create a couple of new workrooms and/or offices. The old building has not been sold. A few people have shown interest in it, but none have made an offer. However, one interested party wants to rent the building, with an option to buy. We do not want to become landlords, but this may be the way the Lord wants us to go. Continue to pray for God’s wisdom concerning this matter.

Trips to Latin America

EBI’s director, Gary Hilliker, has been invited to Mexico, Argentina and Puerto Rico this fall to present the work of EBI at pastor’s conferences. He and his wife, Bernice, will attend at least two of these conferences. Because of scheduling conflicts, another staff member may go to the third conference.

New Equipment

After investigating several options to improve the productivity of the print shop without adding personnel, EBI purchased a digital duplicator this summer. This piece of equipment allows us to output directly from a computer to the machine. No photography is necessary, and no printing plates are needed, cutting tedious, time consuming efforts, as well as the expense of the plates. It is especially valuable for one-of-a-kind projects and some of our smaller print jobs. The duplicator will not replace the press for many projects because of size limitations and print quality, but it has already been a great help in keeping up with the many reprints needed in the last few months. It was also totally paid for with funds already designated for equipment purchase.

TEE Book Progress

The writing of the sixth and final book in our Old Testament Survey series is nearly done. Book five is in the final editing and correcting stage. As this project comes to a close, pray for wisdom in knowing what project to tackle next.

Junior Sunday School Materials

It seems like we have been talking about this project for so long, it is hard to believe it is finally off the ground. Margaret Tolosa, a single missionary working in a Spanish church in Philadelphia, came to Sebring for about five weeks this summer to work with Joan Stephens, one of our staff, on this project. They were able to work through all the details of a ministry to younger children and to get two quarters of material ready for the formatting stage. It is still a long way from being completed, but it is a giant step in the right direction. Margaret plans to come down again next February and continue the work. Pray that we will be able to have the first three quarters ready for release by this time next year.

Ministry Enrichment Library

Library content:

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
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*
11. Doctrine of the Local Church, Jackson*
12. Biblical Basis for Baptists, Brown*
13. Adult Sunday School Manual*
14. Junior High Sunday School Manual*
(* EBI publications)

Retail value of these 28 volumes = $333

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

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).