My WEI Story

In 1996 I bought my first computer—and felt a little guilty spending all that money. I didn’t even really know what I could do with it. Then a man asked me, “Do you want to use your computer to teach others about Christ?”
     That’s when I learned about the World English Institute (WEI), and by 1997 I was teaching online lessons. After 29 years and 2200 students, I am still at it, part of an international online evangelistic effort that includes World Bible School (WBS), many other Christian non-profits and congregations—and thousands of individual Christians.
     WEI founder Dick Ady believes the Lord led him to the insight that all the world wants English (for education and jobs). So why not offer free English lessons using the Bible? He wrote a series of lessons combining grammar and Bible stories. He created a website, built a small administrative team, advertised on Google, and sought volunteer teachers.
     I am one of over 700 current teachers who serve thousands of students in 201 countries. The computer program “teaches” and grades the grammar. What I do is say a little more to students about their answers to the “thought” questions, trying to expand their Bible knowledge. And I encourage them!
     Encouragement and kindness are so important because these students come from totally different cultures and often face terrible circumstances. I taught a young woman from Rwanda whose family barely survived the 1994 genocide. Now she is a Christian and works in a bank. I’ve gotten close to students like her and some still write me.
     A few years ago WEI asked me to be an “administrator,” which means in part promoting the organization, but mainly helping new teachers adjust to the job, and aiding all teachers I supervise in solving problems. I’m honored to be trusted with these responsibilities, and they have led to some adventures.
     Once a teacher, Kim, called me to say she had a student in Rwanda who wanted to be baptized. I said, “No problem, we’ll get someone right away.” It took 54 days!          
     The student, Daniel, lived in the district of Kilgali, but we couldn’t be sure exactly where at first. So I started contacting potential helpers, including John Reese, Barbara Kee, and a Rwandan living in Nashville, TN—nine people in all. After several dead-ends, we found a man who knew a man who lived an hour from Daniel. This man finally baptized him.
     It was a wonderful lesson about God’s providence.
We have an excellent network of brothers and sisters all over the world ready to help. More recently, my student Peter, in South Sudan, became part of a great evangelistic victory. When he told me he wanted to be baptized, I once more became connected to so many concerned Christians who persevered through all the trials of traveling to and in a dangerous country to reach Peter and two others who had professed faith. But—praise God!—when the helpers arrived, all set to baptize a few, they found 13 men ready to be immersed! WEI’s records show that in the three years since this small beginning, 8,000 have been baptized and nearly 200 churches planted in South Sudan.
This news was a good way to end my 29th year with WEI.
It hasn’t always been easy. I’ve battled health issues. And in 2022, I lost my husband, David, who for the last years of his life blessed me as a co-volunteer for WEI. Working alone at the computer can be isolating, and many students do drop out. I’ve seen teachers quit because of that. I try to encourage them to hang on: Jesus had people walk away from him. We are seed planters, and sometimes the soil is rocky. But the waiting list to become students usually remains around 300 people. That means 300 chances to discover hearts with good soil.
 What a journey it’s been!
I grew up in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, blessed with Christian parents who weathered many storms to raise us and send us to Harding—and that made all the difference. In Searcy I made lifelong friends, had a teaching career, met David, and with him found College Church, where we raised our children, and where I’ve been a member for 60 years.
In 1997 I just wanted to teach others about Jesus Christ—to be a small part of spreading the Gospel. WEI allowed me that opportunity. My greatest joy is to teach about Jesus to someone who doesn't know him. It’s become a passion. I thank God for extending my life so that I can teach more people. I want to continue teaching about Jesus Christ until I’m no longer here.