WBS President’s Message – 2nd Update from the Road

2nd Update from the Road

Brian Rex Davis – August 19, 2025

As Sondra and I have been travelling in the Eastern United States, often in the big cities like Queens, New York (left) and Philadelphia, we see the masses of people struggling through life.  One wonders, “How many of them have had the chance to really know Jesus?”  This thought can be overwhelming at times.  But then we visit with the salt of the earth people like John and Pam Tomay (right) in Pennsylvania who quietly support WBS.  John is a disabled veteran who has served our country, and Pam is a retired accountant.  Sondra and I were graciously received into their home, and we had the best visit (and some of Pam’s great brownies)!  Their giving has made it possible for WBS to offer free Bible studies literally to every country on earth … to every person whether in massive cities or remote villages!

At the Westchester church of Christ in White Plains, New York (just outside of New York City), we met the preacher, Lewis Cooper, who had been a WBS Student in Trinidad.  He now preaches for the Westchester congregation and encourages their members to make full use of WBS evangelism tools.  Visiting Westchester was like walking into a little slice of heaven:  Every ethnicity and every age group were interacting with love, worshiping the Lord, and blessing us with their warmth and hospitality!  This lovely congregation has been supporting WBS for over two decades as they shine the light of Jesus in their community and around the world.

Update on India

An incredible family offered a matching gift to encourage others to help expand World Bible School’s reach into India.  I wanted to give you a quick update on progress being made.  When Sondra and I visited in January, we re-connected with many who have had a relationship with WBS since 1973.  We also connected with many new brothers and sisters who are excited about using WBS to share Jesus in India.  Bro. Dayakar, who works in many Gospel meetings in India with the Gospel Share ministry, just wrote telling me of the many students that he wants to recruit to be WBS Students.

Along with our brother’s plea, the church leaders in India with whom we visited asked for three important things:

1. Advanced Bible Materials for the maturing of new churches.
2. Better communication within India of WBS effectiveness.
3. Involvement in the teaching process as Study Helpers.

We discovered that about 5 translations of the WBS Master Series exist in the language of Telegu.  WBS would like to establish at least one of those translations as the digital copy of our Master Series so that we can place these Telegu courses in our new digital library.  One brother has offered his translation in digital format, and we are now having that read by a faithful brother to verify the translation.  This is standard practice for any translation effort of WBS because we always want to be trustworthy in our materials.  That being done, we are printing these courses in Telegu and providing them to teaching congregations who are now participating as Study Helpers.  Many volunteers are now recruiting Students from portable booths.

Not only are paper studies happening now, but many are registering on our new WBS Lite App.  This app is a game-changer for the poorest areas of the world.  India has been an exciting area of growth because of what you make possible through the maintenance of a global app where not only our Master Series can be studied – off-line – after downloading each course, but our entire study edition Bible, complete with study notes, can be downloaded as well.

And we are overjoyed with the fruit that God is producing in the Kingdom!

India is a big place and developing the kind of “network of the willing” for Follow-up is vital.  Sondra and I have travelled to several states in India and to several states in the U.S. visiting with our sister ministries and with congregations involved in India evangelism in order to foster a brotherhood willingness to use WBS tools to their fullest.

Brothers in India are doing the same:  This message is from Anil Kumar who recently attended the Asia Mission Forum where he was building a network for Follow-up and coordinating growth with Ron Pottberg, our WBS rep to India:

Brother Brian, (from Anil)

Greetings to you and my sister So on your safe trips back and forth for the cause of Kingdom.

Thank you for your kindness and I praise God for the New doors across the boarders.

I am so thankful for my recent trip to the Asia Mission Forum that allows me and Ron (Pottberg) to do some good conversations.

I am to delighted for the onshore opportunities seems to be opened in the city of Hyderabad. Met some promising leaders and Christian groups who are going to procure Adults for Promotional camps at different venues. Our second half of this year would be too hectic with respect to the contacts we are finding for WBS. Hopefully I’ll be meeting Robert Hall (with our sister ministry, India Missions) in August soon after my return.

We designed New WBS Promotion Tables of PVC for easy carrying of Enrollment reps to various places.

God be kind to us as we press forward for his Kingdom.

Plans for expansion and growth are being made.  I haven’t had a chance to hear the latest from Ron Pottberg and his recent visit, but I look forward to reporting to you the latest as soon as I hear it myself.  

With 1.4 billion souls in India, our best efforts are so important.  Anil signed his note “as we press forward for his Kingdom”.  As my uncle spent 50 years as a missionary in India, he and Anil know that the concept of “Kingdom” is a powerful one in the sub-continent.  India has a long history of kingdoms in their 4000-year history.  This is also a powerful image and principle in the Bible.  God presents Himself and His culture in the vocabulary of “Kingdom”.  Of course, we know that Christ’s church is this Kingdom today!

My uncle wrote a Bible study course on the Kingdom of God as he served in India.  He is in his 90’s now.  But he has left his course material to WBS for its continued use. When the church leaders asked if WBS could provide Advanced Bible study courses for the maturation of young churches, I immediately thought of my uncle’s work.  We are now updating that course and providing it on our new WBS Library.  We are calling the course “God’s Big Picture”.  As soon as we finish updating the English manuscript, we will produce this course in Telegu and provide it in our WBS Library as well.  We pray that this will be of great encouragement to new and mature Christians in the Telegu speaking world.  We pray that it will be a blessing to you, as well!

Brother Saha Vanga (pictured to the right, in 1997 and in 2025) and his son will be doing the Telegu update to this great resource.  We truly appreciate all the cooperationand skills being offered by our brothers and sisters in India.  Brother Paul Ranganathan was the first to translate WBS materials for India in collaboration with Jake Coppinger (California).  Sondra and I hope to visit Bro. Ranganathan this next January as we continue

to build the network of WBS Study Helpers and Follow-up evangelists.  We appreciate so much the sacrificial giving, the matching of Match and Challenge gifts, and the faithful teaching that you make possible!

We are heading to our nation’s capital, next.  Several donors and churches interested in WBS are in the area, and we look forward to meeting and encouraging them!  We value your prayers!

God bless,

Brian Rex Davis