Send "JESUS" Film Teams--Your Gift Will Be Matched

#2584059 - Jesus International Film Teams

Dear friend in Christ,

“… God is doing something that totally exceeds all we can imagine or think. Muslims are turning to Jesus like we have never seen before!” –Andrew

I write to you with much joy. For He is using your partnership and the labors of more than 1,500 ministry partners to let the world see JESUS.  Even those who have pledged their lives to fight “infidels” are giving their hearts to the Son of God. To Him goes all the glory.

Elijah 21 is one of those ministry partners. They are reaching out with His love, specifically to Muslim refugees in hundreds of camps­­ scattered throughout Germany. It’s my joy and honor to pass along some of their moving reports, sent by their ministry director, Andrew.*   

“We will come to a refugee camp and then begin inviting Muslim refugees to a nearby church for a meal, to receive aid, meet Christians, and to see a movie about ‘The Great Prophet Isa’ (Jesus).

“We announce: ‘We are followers of Jesus Christ and we would like to get to know you. We want to share a meal and show you what we believe in—a film about Jesus. Meet us outside the camp gates at 5 p.m. tomorrow. We’ll be there with coach buses to pick you up. There is no cost, and we would love to see you.’  It’s then that we are ALWAYS amazed. That’s because we don’t know if any will come, how many coach buses to hire, or how many will fit in a local church. But somehow … miraculously … they come. Nearly all the seats are filled, on the buses and in the churches. It works out near perfectly every time!

“Then the real miracles. Muslims typically come with reluctance and suspicion; the women are covered, afraid or angry. They have a distorted view of Christianity. Many have suffered the loss of everything. I saw one teenage girl whose face had been partially blown off, apparently by a bomb. The men can also be suspicious, reluctantly walking into a church … sullen.

“But when they enter, they are taken aback by our smiling faces and warm greetings. They enjoy a good meal, provided at no cost. We explain the aid that is available. I can almost hear them thinking, ‘This is not how we were told Christians were!’ Then we show them the film JESUS! We typically break them up into three rooms, three showings, in Arabic, Farsi and Urdu.

“And there they sit, reluctant, sometimes resentful that they are about to watch a Christian film, burqa-covered women, children, some ‘western looking’ and others radical {looking} men. They see His miracles, feel His love, and listen to Jesus speak the Beatitudes. Never have they heard such words! They are totally surprised, completely transfixed. As they experience the crucifixion, no one leaves. The Holy Spirit tells them it’s all true, that Jesus did die, and for their sins. Then the resurrection!

“Stunned silence!

“When the film concludes, teams of former Muslims come forward to speak and give their testimonies, a few came to believe when they attended a showing of JESUS. One of my favorite new Christians tells how he served in the French Foreign Legion. He shares, ‘The Quran never gave me any answer… but now I have found the way.’ His eyes shine with joy. Everyone listens!

“We put stacks of free Bibles on tables. Most have never seen one, believing them to be corrupted. You should see what they do. They often empty the tables and begin reading as soon as they are able. Many volunteer their cell phone numbers so they can stay in contact because they want to know more about Jesus. On the drive back, their attitudes are totally changed … smiling, joyful. They give us many hugs, saying they have found the truth. A number receive Christ at the showings. And yes, for others it may take weeks and repeated discussions. Some never believe. But often we eventually hear, ‘Now I believe. I have met Jesus. He really is my Savior. Thank you … thank you!’ All Heaven rejoices!

“I remember one showing of JESUS where Chechens were present … you could see hate in their eyes, in their expressions. You could feel it! There was a similar group of Afghan radicals, Salifists (Islamic purists), who also came to a showing. I don’t remember how many, but at each of those showings, several radicals were deeply moved by JESUS and raised their hands, saying they wanted to know more about Christ! I tell you, it’s all the work of the Holy Spirit. Our job is to but obey and watch, and show them JESUS! God is doing something in our time never before seen”

We are so thankful for Andrew’s incredible ministry. He and his staff and faithful volunteers are showing their deep love and faith by being the hands and feet of Jesus.

There are many other equally effective partners who are using JESUS.  Most of these partners use film teams who go from place to place, village to village, proclaiming the gospel, following up new believers, and planting churches. One of these partners has hundreds of film teams, JESUS Film Harvest Partners, Church of the Nazarene. Here are two of their many reports:

  • “Chief Kaswete organized rebels to fight neighboring tribes. When we showed the JESUS film in his town, different area tribes also came to watch! Chief Kaswete realized Christ came to earth for all tribes and nations. He repented of his sins and then told everyone they could live wherever they desired in his community, no matter what tribe they were from! Everyone praised God for the freedom they now have. Chief Kaswete also gave property so a church can be built in his community.”
  • “The third day we showed the JESUS film. Men from a radical religious group arrived to watch the film. We were afraid they planned to disrupt the showing. However, at the end of the film, one of these men came forward during the altar call! He wanted to give his heart and life to Christ. He asked Jesus to forgive him for his wrongdoings. He then asked us to pray for his protection from his family. A few days later, he testified that he has peace in his heart and in his family!”

And from another partner, 40 Day Prayer Covenant For Kids!, comes this:  “Pastor Apollos, our leader in Nigeria, goes from village to village on his motorbike, showing the JESUS film …. People are saying, ‘Jesus hears my language!’ Someone said, ‘I don’t know why this Jesus is so merciful. Look at what they were doing to Him and yet He said, “Father forgive them.” What kind of person is this? I would like to be like Him because forgiveness in this kind of situation would be so hard. I love Him so much.’”

As a friend and supporter of the film JESUS, you know the scope of this worldwide movement. Your prayers and gifts are helping people who have never heard the name of Jesus meet Him, hear Him speak directly to their hearts, and receive the living Word of God, His love.

Currently hundreds of JESUS film church-planting film teams are at work, going to the unreached on your behalf. They witness the same reactions when people watch JESUS, including Islamic radicals. Warring tribes are laying down their arms. Jihadists are renouncing violence, forming film teams! Embraced by His love, they are being made new in Christ. All heaven rejoices!

So, whether you are partnering to make possible new translations of the films, to supply showing equipment, to help train these 1,500+ partners, or you directly support JESUS film teams, thank you! You are letting millions see JESUS!

Today I write because a generous couple wants the whole world to see and experience JESUS. They see the unfinished task before us and want to inspire your special gift today for the film teams. They have offered a Challenge Grant of $125,000*. As you may know, each film team needs about $42 to support one day of ministry. This will enable their travel, pay for meals and lodging, supply them with follow-up literature—making showings of JESUS and discipleship meetings possible. Many will remain in an area where they have been presenting JESUS to partner with local churches and other ministries to help disciple the new believers. They will mentor church leaders and train partner film teams, to multiply and share the good news with others.

That Challenge Grant of $125,000 will be combined with whatever you send specifically for teams, effectively doubling your partnership. If you can send $294 for one week, your gift will be essentially doubled, providing two weeks of ministry. Your gift of $625 can become $1,250, making one full month of ministry possible. If you have the resources, can you pray about sponsoring one month with a gift of $1,250, which will be like making two months possible? If you can sponsor two months through a gift of $2,500, your gift, alongside that from the Challenge Grant, will make four months of showing JESUS possible. Perhaps you are in a position to provide for a whole year of ministry by making a gift of $15,000, which will supply two teams for a year until all $125,000 of the grant is met.

I want you to know that you are much appreciated. Thank you for your partnership. Please also go with the film teams through your prayers. As you intercede, visualize hundreds, perhaps thousands of people being set free as they watch JESUS … transformed by love and the power of God.

Let’s work together and let every person on earth know that Jesus loves them! God bless you.

Until everyone sees Jesus,

Josh Newell
Executive Director
Jesus Film Project®

PS.  Responding to that generous $125,000 Challenge Grant for film teams is a great way to help your gift go even further. Many friends like you are needed to stand in the gap and send the teams. Remember that through their work and the labors of more than 1,500 partners, in excess of 1,000 new churches are being planted every day! Heaven rejoices! Please send or post your generous gift by April 30, 2019. You can also send your gift safely and easily online at www.jesusfilm.org/supportfilmteams or via credit card by calling (800) 387-4040. To make a tax-wise gift through appreciated stock, an IRA, or a donor-advised fund, call (888) 278-7233 or email stock@jesusfilm.org. You are greatly appreciated.

 

* I am using a pseudonym for security. 

**The grant fund will go to teams in India or West Africa but your gift will help support teams across the globe.

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