Literacy & Evangelism

Literacy & Evangelism i n t e r n a t i o n a l Tell the good news...give sight to the blind... Luke 4:18 (NIV) Annual Report 2012

our mission Literacy & Evangelism International (LEI) equips the Church to share the message of Jesus Christ through the gift of reading. We develop Bible-content materials to teach basic reading in local languages and conversational English. We train church leaders and missionaries to use LEI materials for evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.

2012 Annual Report [ Jesus] was given the book of Isaiah the prophet. He opened it and read, The Lord s Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers, and to say, This is the year the Lord has chosen. Luke 4:17-19 (CEV)

Literacy & Evangelism INTERNATIONAL A Message from the Executive Director Dear Ministry Partners, I was with a pastor recently who confided in me, I m envious of LEI. You are so focused with your mission. All I could do was respond in the affirmative. The Mission: Literacy and Evangelism International (LEI) equips the Church to share the message of Jesus Christ through the gift of reading. We equip the Church, capital C - Christ s global Church. Our ultimate goal is to share the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ. We do this by sharing the socially critical gift of reading. We have a simple yet powerful focus that allows us to be excellent Literacy & Evangelism International equips the Church to share the message of Jesus Christ through the gift of reading. in what we do. We develop Bible-content materials to teach basic reading in local languages and conversational English. We train church leaders and missionaries to use LEI materials for evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. We train people, and we develop curriculum. Everything we do flows out of our mission. If it doesn t hang on our mission statement, we don t do it. This clearly defined mission gives us permission to say no to other good things, keeping us focused. Our mission statement is the backdrop for all we do. 2 Literacy & Evangelism International

In the following pages of this annual report you will read good news about all that has transpired because of LEI s unique kingdom focus. These are just a few highlights from the many outstanding accomplishments of this past year. New exemplary missionaries and volunteers were added to our team. Many people learned to read successfully, here in the United States and internationally, using LEI primers (139 of our 220 language primers are ready for free download from our website). New primers were constructed and revised to promote best practices for literacy instruction. LEI s literacy training was made more readily We train people, & we develop curriculum. accessible as training events were moved to a digital platform. Our Firm Foundations Tutor Training Workshop and an Adult Education selection by Oral Roberts University s Dr. Ken Mayton are now available through the LEI website. You will also read about our International Literacy Training Institute in Tulsa and how we look forward to providing future local and regional training opportunities. We are grateful to God and to you for your faithful commitment to our uniquely focused mission. We are honored to serve with you in the Great Commission ministry of Literacy & Evangelism International. Your brother in Christ, Rev. Sid Rice, Executive Director Literacy & Evangelism International 2012 Annual Report 3

Welcome New Missionaries Dr. Phil Truesdale Pastoral Care Director Dr. Phil Truesdale, a retired pastor, brings a wide range of mission experience to LEI s team. Serving for a time in Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, he is fluent in Spanish. Phil completed the International Literacy Training Institute and is laying groundwork to develop literacy programs near his home in Kansas City and abroad. His positive can do attitude, creative ideas, energy, and gift of encouragement have already blessed the ministry. Jacinda Melson Short-Term Mission Coordinator Jacinda Melson joins LEI with experience in logistical support for short-term mission teams. Originally from Arkansas, she served in Bolivia and Mexico. A graduate of Arkansas Tech University, Jacinda speaks fluent Spanish and completed the International Literacy Training Institute in 2011. She is preparing to lead a Purdue University team to the Dominican Republic. Jacinda blesses the ministry with her administrative and organizational skills and sweet servant s spirit. Volunteer Staff Summer Intern Rachael Reinking Rachael Reinking worked on desktop publishing, converting hard copy primers to digital manuscripts that could be put on the website for download. Those interested in volunteer opportunities can visit our website at http://literacyevangelism.org/opportunities/join 4 Literacy & Evangelism International

Teaching Women to Read by Ana Biederman - Literacy Consultant - Tulsa OK Teaching women how to read has been a passion of mine for three decades. If women can read, the family learns to read which allows them to live better lives. About 20 years ago a little farm girl, Vanda, came to our home in Brazil to go to the doctor. This ten-year-old caught my attention because she could not read. She knew all the syllables in Portuguese, ma, me, mi, mo, mu, but she could not put words together. Vanda had attended school for a few years and could do many things well, but she could not read. While she was with our family she stayed in the hospital for about 40 days. Afterwards, she decided to live with us so she could go to the public school where I worked as a vice principle and a teacher. Vanda entered my classroom, as a second grade student, to learn basic literacy skills. Using a combination of classroom instruction, reading the Psalms at home, and prayer, she learned to read in six months. Vanda s classmates and I were so happy when she learned to read that we wanted to celebrate. The students and I clapped for her, and we sang Happy Birthday, for this was her Birthday for Reading! Over the years, I have taught other women to read in several parts of the world, but I remember Vanda as the first. I was determined that Vanda needed to read, and God led the way. Vanda s mother was illiterate, but now, by God s grace, Vanda can read to her own child. Teaching women how to read creates a new, generational cycle of literacy and positively impacts the whole society. 2012 Annual Report 5

Web Resources to the Nations www.literacyevangelism.org www.literacyevangelism.org/resources/materials/primers LEI has primers, basic readers, in more than 220 languages; 139 of these are now available on our website. Last year, 68 primers were downloaded by missions around the world. {In 2011, LEI received website visits from 131 countries. { You can go to our website to read the latest news about the work of LEI, to order resources, to sign up for training events, to read our blogs, to send us a message, to discover how you can serve, and to make a donation. Lei Strategic Partners Literacy & Evangelism (L&E-Ghana) Literacy & Evangelism (L&E-Sierra Leone) Alfabetização e Evangelização Internacional (AEI-Brazil) Evangelización por Alfabetización (EVAL-Peru) Literacy & Evangelism International (LEI-Canada) Partners in Literacy Ministries (PALM-Kenya) Global Literacy Mission (GLM-Korea) India Bible Literature (IBL) Inspire India 6 Literacy & Evangelism International

Primer Language Update Primer ConsTRuCTIon ASIA Dimasa India In Process Kui India In Process Hmong Thailand Complete Thai Thailand In Process AFRICA Yoruba Benin Revision Congo Swahili DR Congo Revision Ga Ghana Printed Daagare Ghana Complete Mende Sierra Leone Printed Themne Sierra Leone Printed Vidunda Tanzania Printed Kwere Tanzania Complete 2012 Annual Report 7

Tutor Training Workshops LEI and our Strategic Partners were directly involved in training tutors in 18 countries. Africa Americas Asia Benin Burundi DR Congo Ghana Madagascar Malawi Nigeria Sierra Leone 525 teachers trained Brazil Canada Haiti Peru United States 414 teachers trained India Malaysia Philippines South Korea Thailand 185 teachers trained Total = 1,124 Teachers Trained English Language Ministry Institutes Africa Americas Asia Total 120 86 9 215 teachers trained teachers trained teachers trained teachers trained 8 Literacy & Evangelism International

Training Institutes International Literacy Training Institutes People from around the world gathered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the annual International Literacy Training Institute (ILTI). Directed by Reverend Bob Biederman, this 5-week intensive training program offered the best in literacy and ESL methods and materials. Participants studied a number of subjects including Evangelism, Primer Construction and Use, and Management/Leadership. Eight pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers from four different nations completed the training. A highlight was an Adult Education presentation given by Dr. Ken Mayton, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Oral Roberts University. You can view this Vimeo presentation at http://literacyevangelism.org/resources/training 2012 Annual Report 9

Sierra Leone Literacy Project The Sierra Leone Literacy Project continues under the direction of Pastors Gregory and Agnes Bangura with goals of introducing people to Jesus Christ, increasing the country s literacy rate to 70% by 2015, and teaching illiterate Christians how to read their Bibles. The Mende and Themne Primers were constructed, initial printing was completed, and groundwork was done to launch literacy programs throughout Sierra Leone. Awareness seminars were held throughout the country for 125 pastors. Seven champions were selected and trained to use the materials and train teachers. For more information about the Banguras work and this project, go to: http://literacyinwestafrica.blogspot.com Media Projects Who would have guessed that in such a short time, simple e-mail would become an archaic mode for communication? LEI Media Director, Kenyon Gerbrandt, keeps the ministry up to speed with the latest and greatest modes of digital communication. You can now visit our LEI website, tweet about us on Twitter, and Like us on Facebook. For those who want to learn our methods for the first time or take a refresher course, videos of our Firm Foundations training can be found on Vimeo, accessed through our website. In many countries these videos are being accessed via computers, smart phones, and tablets. As always, our goal is to make our literacy materials easily available to enhance the impact on those in need. 10 Literacy & Evangelism International

Tulsa Literacy CenTER Oklahoma Under the leadership of Barbara Merrill, strides have been made to establish long-term community literacy evangelism programs throughout Tulsa. One such program is held weekly at Southern Villa Mobile Home Park. Program initiator, Karri Peterson, along with teachers Linda Ewing, Kyle Gibson (an Oral Roberts University student), and Brook Pascarella (a Tulsa Community College student), have created a literacy program that has affected many adult English language learning students in the area. Odilia Pena, who has successfully run classes teaching Burmese women, also gives a hand from time to time. Students in the Southern Villa program are not only developing their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, but they are also challenged spiritually from the Word of God. Fifteen learners completed Passport to the World of English - Book 1 in the spring, and ten others completed the Nation to Nations curriculum in the summer. It is exciting to see the progress of the learners, the dedication of the teachers, and the growth that is taking place in the lives of those involved with this program. We praise the Lord for all the good work that goes on each Monday evening. Linda Ewing shares a Passport to the World of English lesson with an Asian man in a recent Tutor Training Workshop in Tulsa. 2012 Annual Report 11

In Asia... Below: The Hmong Primer was created by a team in Thailand led by Dr. Nam Hyeon Kim, LEI Southeast Asia Director. Above: The Dimasa Primer was created by a team in India led by Gyan Mochary (pictured right). In Africa... The Vidunda Primer for Tanzania was constructed by Bob Biederman (pictured above) in conjunction with Pioneer Bible Translators and was printed for use. Ghana s Ga Primer was created (and is now printed) by a team led by Reverend Samuel Lawerteh (pictured below) and Michael Tetteh. The Yoruba primer from Nigeria was revised and reprinted for use in Benin by the Bible Society of Benin. The Congo Swahili primer for Democratic Republic of Congo was revised by Rev. Nzongo Sila-Nunda and his team (pictured above). The primer is now printed. 12 Literacy & Evangelism International

In Latin America... Ana Biederman (pictured at right) completed a primer revision for the Portuguese language of Brazil because of government changes in the spelling of the language. A new director of AEI-Brazil and a new national coordinator are in place. In North America... Below: Thello Jackson completed reading through the entire Bible with mentor Ralph Hord at LEI headquarters. Pictured here are Bob Biederman, Sid Rice, Thello, and Ralph. Above: Students prepare to lead at a Tutor Training Workshop at The Dream Center, North Tulsa, Oklahoma. Linda Bone with students Matthew and Joshua who received certificates at The Ministry Center, West Tulsa, Oklahoma. Above: Zach Taylor completed Firm Foundations and received other local reading awards. Zach s proud dad was his tutor. 2012 Annual Report 13

2011 Financial Report* $143,739 $496,171 $52,661 $26,330 $24,407 $91,474 $834,782 Unrestricted Gifts Missionary Support Project Support Tuition & Materials Other From Escrow/Reserves Total Income 2.9% 3.2% 11% 6.3% 17.2% 59.4% Expenses $561,804 $190,060 $51,219 $31,699 $834,782 Missionary Support Mission Mobilization & Ministry Management & General Communication & Publicity Total 6.1% 3.8% *unaudited (These numbers do not reflect financial contributions from Asia, Europe, Africa and Canada directly supporting LEI missionaries ministering outside the U.S.) 22.8% 67.3% 14 14 Literacy & Evangelism International

Literacy & Evangelism INTERNATIONAL Board of Trustees Rev. Dr. Daniel R. Bair Mr. J. Ford Brett, Vice-Chair Mr. Charles A. Carroll, III Rev. Dr. Mateen A. Elass Mrs. Ruth F. Brower-Secretary Rev. Dr. William J. Hester Mrs. Julie H. Hughes Dr. James C. Kigamwa Mr. Robert Perugino Dr. Richard A. Reinking, Chair Mrs. Marjorie R. Scruggs Mr. Stanley J. Vermeer Rev. Sid V. Rice, Ex Officio Member Ministry Directors Rev. Gregory B.I.K. Bangura, West Africa Director Rev. Robert N. Biederman, North America Director Rev. Donald F. Edic, ELM Curriculum Development Director Mr. Kenyon J. Gerbrandt, Media Director Rev. Carey Jo Johnston, LEI-Canada Managing Director Mr. Gamaliel Kim, Central Asia Director Dr. Nam Hyeon Kim, Southeast Asia Director Mr. Tedd I. Lodes, Latin America Director Rev. Robert J. Mulloy, Philippines Director Mr. Georg K. Ort, Director of Administration Mr. Roland R. Rice, Chief Financial Officer Rev. Sid V. Rice, Executive Director Rev. Dr. Philip Truesdale, Pastoral Care Director 2012 Annual Report 15

Share the message of Christ through the gift of reading. Call, e-mail, write to us, or visit our website regarding the following opportunities. I would like to attend a workshop to become a volunteer tutor, or Have leadership training to set up a church-based ministry: In Basic Literacy In English as a Second Language I am interested in volunteer opportunities and locations. My church might be interested in Participating in a short-term mission team trip with LEI. Having a speaker for a spotlight or presentation about LEI. Hosting a Teacher Training Workshop: Literacy esl Name Address City St/Prov Postal Code Phone ( ) E-mail Link to our social media sites twitter.com/leiusa facebook.com/leiusa Please check to see if your employer provides matching funds for employee donations. Federal employees may contribute through the Combined Federal Campaign. Use ID #10801 to designate contributions to LEI. LEI is equipped to receive donations through Electronic Fund Transfers. Please contact our Tulsa office to request a form to initiate this service. LEI is a member of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability The World Evangelical Alliance. Certified by Independent Charities of America The Messenger Issue #1, 2012 Annual Report

Editor: Christa Rice Graphic Design: Emily Lodes Cover Photography: LEI missionaries Tedd & Emily Lodes Cover Photography: Reverend M.K. Bharti from India provides a visual for the struggles of the illiterate person. The gift of literacy gives a blind person sight especially when a person is given the ability to read God s Holy Word. Literacy & Evangelism International is a Great Commission Ministry Rev. Sid V. Rice, Executive Director 1800 South Jackson Avenue Tulsa, OK 74107-1897 Phone (918) 585-3826 www.literacyevangelism.org

Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight,... and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Luke 7:22