Psalm 71:8 ESV. “My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.”
From Mark Middleton: “They” (observers) said it wouldn’t, it just couldn’t last. From a human perspective, there was good reason for “their pessimistic perspective”—the individuals who were there at the start, the methodologies, the limited resources, and the organized chaos which accompanies a new beginning. Three principles stand out from those early years:
*The unapologetic focus on empowering a younger generation to, in the power of the Spirit, influence people towards God—in line with the “Jesus Revolution” at the time. *The unapologetic focus on the heart identity of the individual first and the skills of the individual second—recognizing God produces the results.
*The concept of true Christian partnership—that all of God’s children, His church, were equal in value, necessary for what God wanted to do in this generation, and that we were responsible to and for each other—to meet the “physical and spiritual needs of a given region.
The world, generational causes, methods, individuals, and partnerships have all changed since 1975. However, the founding essence of EI is still there. The original observers would be impressed. Not because EI will exist forever, but because the Spirit’s influence through EI will. “He who begins a good work in you, will keep it going until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6’”
Mark Middleton was International Program Director for EI from 1977-1986 then General Director from 1986-1997.
