Volume 2, Issue 4, December, 1997

Mildred Schwartz Dies

On October 17, 1997, Ed and Mildred Schwartz celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Upon arriving home after two days of visiting some favorite scenic spots, Mildred suffered a massive heart attack and died within moments. She had been relatively healthy, so her death came as a surprise to everyone. Ed and Mildred served with Baptist Mid-Missions for over 50 years. They spent several terms in Venezuela, came home to start Iglesia Evangelica Bautista, a Spanish-speaking church in Philadelphia and an inner city Christian school. They went to Puerto Rico to help in the earlier days of EBI before retiring to New Jersey. They have remained active in the ministry of EBI, even in their retirement. The entire staff was shocked and saddened by the loss of this special person. Ed has established a memorial fund in Mildred’s name for the publishing of new extension materials, a project in which both of them had a fervent interest. Praise God for the faithful lives of both of these chosen servants.

New Publications

J. Irving Reese’s book on organizing and con-ducting a Baptist church came out in September. Our first in a series of Christmas programs for Hispanic churches was also finished in September. Both have been well received in only their first three months of availability. Work continues on the first quarter of the junior level Sunday school materials. Pray that God will continue to bless each of these endeavors.

Open House

The office staff of EBI moved into the new office facilities during late October. On November 13, we had an open house for local churches and business people. Though it rained all day, the turnout was great. We were able to provide valet parking for those who wanted to stay dry. Over 150 attended, sharing in the blessings God has given us and looking forward to what He will do in the future. The generous gifts of churches and individuals have more than paid for the remodeling of the offices. The total amount that has come in for this building project now exceeds $25,000. We are still praying and working to purchase the building by late spring, 1998. Join us in praying to this end.

An Encouraging Interview

Veteran missionaries Andy and Diane Large use EBI literature. In a recent visit to Sebring, they consented to an interview for THE EBI VISION. Their answers should challenge and encourage you, as they do us.

What is your ministry? “Our ministry is that of church planting, using the tools of evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training.”

Where do you serve? “For the last four years, we served on a 350 mile section of the Amazon in northeast Peru, visiting 105 towns and villages three times a year.”

What kind of results have you seen? “In our last term, we had many decisions for salvation (1,524) and consecration, started 20 works and saw 16 church buildings built.”

What are the major needs now? “The major need is to train the leaders for these river works, men who can be trained right on the river. We can do this either by using extension courses or in a local river Bible institute. At an institute, students would come every two months or so for a week or less of intensive training. We also need to reach and disciple young people on the river, using camps, a boarding home for high schoolers, youth sports nights, etc.”

What is the economic status of these people? “These people are farmers and fisherman, and mostly very poor. They live off the land and don’t make much extra money.”

What is your need for printed materials? “We need TEE courses to train the leaders, Bibles and discipleship materials.”

What EBI materials do you use? “We use the TEE courses (all of them), Bibles (our only source for Scofield Bibles), Sunday school materials and tracts. EBI provides us a source for other books needed in the work, too.”

What type of materials do you need that is not currently available? “More extension courses and tracts.”

How important is the cost of the materials? “Very important because the people are very poor. We could never afford to pay for all of the materials needed by so many works. Also, nationals should be responsible to pay for their own books, but they have such a hard time because they get very little money for their produce.”

Pray for the Larges as they return to Peru in January and that EBI will be able to meet their additional needs in the near future.