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                                                              Exhibit 99.906Cert

                            SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

     THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATION IS PROVIDED BY THE UNDERSIGNED CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF EQUITRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE SERIES FUND
ON THE BASIS OF SUCH OFFICERS' KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF
COMPLYING WITH 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002.

                                  CERTIFICATION

     In connection with the Semi-Annual Report of EquiTrust Variable Insurance
Series Fund (the "Company") on Form N-CSR for the period ended June 30, 2004 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), we, Dennis M.
Marker and James W. Noyce, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
respectively, of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
that:

     1.  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

     2.  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.


                                    /s/ Dennis M. Marker
                               --------------------------------------------
                               Name: Dennis M. Marker
                               Title: Chief Executive Officer
                               Date: 8/27/04


                                    /s/ James W. Noyce
                               --------------------------------------------
                               Name: James W. Noyce
                               Title: Chief Financial Officer
                               Date: 8/27/04