About EMI

We provide some of today’s most practical and easily transferable skill training in relationships, leadership, discipleship, and evangelism. Our proven tools have consistently transformed everyday hearers of God’s word into extraordinarily effective doers of His work.

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Our Story

Equipping Ministries International started over 45 years ago in a local church in Cincinnati Ohio.  Beginning with just 30 volunteers and a vision for equipping God’s people for ministry, we discovered a set of radically refreshing relationship skills that inspire authentic discipleship, powerful outreach, and remarkable healing regardless of church size or denomination.

Student adding a pin to the EMI world map

Global Impact

Over the years, we’ve turned what we’ve learned into a wide variety of easy-to-use training processes, equipping courses, and ministry tools that almost anyone can use. From 30 volunteers who equipped others, who equipped volunteers, pastors, and missionaries around the globe, over half a million men, women, and young people in 125 nations have been equipped with these life-changing skills and concepts.

Our Team

  • Mark Wavle

    Mark serves as the Executive Director of Equipping Ministries International, responsible for fulfilling the mission of EMI. Mark brings decades of experience in the corporate world, including teaching and speaking around the world, and leading training strategy to help people to unlock their greatest potential.

  • Christine Wavle

    Christine serves as the Global Operations Manager for Equipping Ministries International, responsible for EMI operations including class registration and logistics, material sales, correspondence, and planning. Christine brings her keen eye for detail, love for people, and organizational skills to make it easy, fun, and fulfilling for you to engage with EMI.

  • Chris Conlin

    Chris serves as EMI’s Director of Strategy, responsible for helping us craft, refine, and execute on our vision. Chris brings years of experience in the corporate world as a serial entrepreneur and trainer. Chris likes to dream big and work with others to bring those dreams to life.

  • Victoria Conlin

    Victoria serves as EMI’s Volunteer Manager, responsible for helping anyone that wants to give their time and skills to fulfil EMI’s mission. She brings her years of experience as a leader to the team and her passion for helping others succeed.

  • Luanne Puckett

    Luanne serves as EMI’s Community Impact Manager, focusing on donor care, facilitator training, and team coordination. Luanne brings a wealth of knowledge and skills from her background in higher education and community relations.

  • Mark and Mary Willenbrink

    Mark and Mary serve as EMI’s Directors of Publishing, responsible for continuing to grow EMI’s curriculum development and sales. Their extensive background in writing, publishing and constant encouragement are a big help to our team.

In all we do, we strive to be…

 

Christ-Centered

We seek to love and obey Jesus Christ in everything we do. (John 14:6)

Biblically Sound

The materials we create and everything we teach will be consistent with the Scriptures to the best of our abilities. (Matthew 4:4)

Transformed People

We follow His example by encouraging students, volunteers and staff to be transformed spiritually, physically, emotionally, and relationally. (Luke 2:52)

Simple and Practical

We provide materials that are easily understood and transferable to all people and to all cultures. (2 Corinthians 1:13)

Good Stewards

We strive to achieve the highest standards in the stewardship of finances, staff, volunteer time, and every other resource so that the ministry will be sustainable.

What We Believe

 

We believe in God the Father who concerns himself personally with every human being.

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son and Savior.

We believe in the Holy Spirit who empowers, comforts, and leads Christians into all truth.

We believe that all persons without exception are created in the image of God and deserve respect.

We believe the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God and a believer’s guide to faith and living.

We believe Scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, training, and equipping Christians.

We believe scriptural truth must be applied to every aspect of life and relationships.

We believe sin impacts every human being, resulting in true moral guilt and separation from God.

We believe salvation is available only through faith in Jesus Christ.

We believe that the Church is the living, visible body of Christ in the world.

 

We believe that all Christians everywhere are members of Christ’s universal body, the Church.

We believe attending a local congregation is essential for worship, nurture, equipping, and service.

We believe that Christians can utilize sound psychological principles in harmony with God’s word.

We believe that all Christians are involved in a process of growth toward wholeness in Christ.

We believe maturity and wholeness in Christ is the final goal of all Christian ministry.

We believe that integrating scriptural truth and solid helping principles assists in personal growth.

We believe that prayer is an essential tool and resource in Christian healing, growth, and maturity.

We believe that Christians must cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the helping and growth process.

EMI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian charity that depends on generous private donations from individuals, churches, and foundations. We ask all those who can afford it to pay for our training and materials, but in accordance with Isaiah 55:1, we also provide free prayer ministry and training to many individuals and groups God sends to us who could not otherwise afford it.