Our ministry began at College Hill Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In 1976 Dr. Gary Sweeten began training 30 church members using materials developed by Christian author and educator Dr. Richard P. Walters. After being equipped to serve in the church, these 30 lay people multiplied themselves many times over. EMI continued to develop and publish high quality Apples of Gold training materials.

In 1989 EMI became an independent non-profit ministry, serving the entire body of Christ. EMI has equipped leaders in 70 countries who now train other nationals.

Since 1989 EMI has been helping churches, para-church organizations, and Christian businesses develop professional staff and lay people to become more effective in life, at work, and in a wide variety of interpersonal ministry situations.

EMI provides teaching materials for the following courses: Guiding Life-Changing Small Groups, Finding Your Gift Path, Confronting Conflict, Listening for Heaven's Sake, Speaking the Truth in Love, Renewing the Mind, Embracing God's Grace, Freeing the Family, Caring Couples I, Irresistible Evangelism, Outflow, and Trust Building.