What is literacy?

Literacy is the ability to read and write. Illiteracy is the inability to read and write. According to UNESCO, there are nearly 1 billion adults around the world who cannot read and write. In the United States alone it is estimated that there are more than 30 million adults who cannot read and write well enough to function daily. Illiteracy is a problem in developing and developed countries. Those who cannot read and write are more likely to live in poverty and are more susceptible to sickness and disease. Literacy & Evangelism International exists to help those who cannot read and write by sharing the gift of reading.

What is evangelism?

Evangelism is sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe the strongest witness to the Gospel of Jesus is how we live our lives daily. An important part of our daily life is reading God’s Word, the Bible, and understanding how God relates to humankind and how we should live our lives. If adults cannot read for themselves, how can they know what God has said in the Bible? Evangelism is an integral part of our mission as we develop Bible-content literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL) materials. As adults learn to read and write or learn to speak English, they do so while reading the Bible and hearing for themselves what God has revealed to us through His Word. 

Putting it all together

Literacy & Evangelism International exists to equip the Church to share the message of Jesus Christ through the gift of reading. This calling leads us around the world to develop Bible-content basic literacy materials (called primers) and Bible-content English as a Second Language (ESL) materials. In addition to developing materials LEI provides training in teaching as well as developing literacy or English language ministry (ELM).