Volume 9, Issue 2, August 2004

Summer Intern — Blessing at EBI

From May 8th until June 12th the EBI staff was blessed to have Charis Ubben, with us as a summer intern. Though Charis is from Omaha, Nebraska, she came to us directly after finishing her sophomore year at Baptist Bible College of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. Charis spent time working along with each staff member and learning about his or her area of work. She was able to gain insight into the publishing ministry by helping with editing, layout, office procedures, printing processes, and shipping. It was our pleasure to have Charis with us. We appreciated her sweet spirit and willingness to work wherever there was a need.

Summer Travel

Work slows during the summer months as staff members travel reporting to their supporting churches and visiting new churches. This is the case even more so this summer as the Mission and our Board have requested that we all try to raise the level of our support. Richard and Sheila Meyer were away the month of May. Darrel and Lori Jingst and their girls were in the Midwest in June and most of July. Gary and Bernie Hilliker traveled to conferences in Tennessee in June and will visit some of their churches in August. Marvin and Joan Stephens were away for part of July. Bob and Georgia Owen were gone for the month of July. These are blessed times for us as we renew acquaintances with our supporters, but when staff members are away, we have no one to take their places. Those who remain do their best to keep up with the work. We would especially appreciate prayer for stamina and safety in travel.

Spotlight on Staff

Bob and Georgia Owen came to EBI in 1985, following 20 years of missionary service in the Central Africa Republic. Bob was a printer in Africa and became the printer for EBI when the Owens settled in Sebring. We have appreciated Bob’s faithful service and servant’s heart. Not only is he an expert printer, but he has the ability to keep machinery operating smoothly. Now that Darrel Jingst has been able to take over the printing operation, Bob has been assigned the responsibility of Director of Donor Relations. Because of his work, our team has ministered in many churches here in Florida, presenting the ministry of EBI.

Bob also does much work designing brochures and advertising. Georgia regularly helps in the office. We are very thankful to have Bob and Georgia as part of the EBI team!

Additional Funds Needed for Pastors Libraries

There is still a need to supply Hispanic pastors with basic libraries. If the Lord leads you to purchase a library for a pastor, please send your check of $150.00 to EBI. Be sure to mark it “Pastor’s Library.” This project has been a tremendous blessing to many pastors who would not otherwise be able to afford books for their personal study.

Graduation Day

Robert Rodgers, retired Baptist Mid-Missions missionary, went home to be with the Lord on June 12th after a short battle with cancer. Bob went to Venezuela to begin his missionary service in 1938. He and his first wife, Irene, served faithfully in Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador for many years. In 1979 they retired and moved to Sebring, Florida, but re-entered missionary service at the request of BMM, to take charge of a small Spanish printing ministry operating in Puerto Rico. This ministry, Editorial Bautista Independiente, was moved to Florida, where the Rodgers continued to serve faithfully until their second retirement. Bob was privileged to see EBI grow and become the vibrant ministry it is today. Bob continued to serve EBI as a Board member until his death.

EBI Offers Books Especially for Women

We at EBI are making continual effort to meet the needs of our customers. Books for women are often requested and we have added several new books to our inventory. Loving God With All Your Heart, and God’s Garden of Grace are both by Elizabeth George. Women Of The Bible by Frances Vander Velde continues to be a popular book. We have published one Bible study book for women by Juanita Purcell and expect to publish two more study books by this author in the near future.

ABI is a new book that is designed to help teachers. It is a collection of ideas for visuals and activities for the classroom and is designed for use with a variety of age groups. We are very pleased with this book and believe it will be an excellent teaching tool.