Dear friend in Christ,

Is there anything more exciting than people finding salvation in Jesus?

We estimate 40 people hear the good news of salvation and respond each minute through watching “JESUS.” That’s one new believer every one and a half seconds!

In the short time it will take you to read my letter, approximately 200 people will have been made new in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, when they watched the film. I praise God for how He is reaching the lost and the least!

➤ Thema was an older woman, very sick, without strength. While inside her modest home in Nigeria, she heard voices—outside, distant and muffled. The words were in Ika, her mother tongue.

Curious and with much physical effort, she stepped outside her door to listen. She saw her neighbor, Peter, also at his door. “Thema, some people came by today announcing a film about “JESUS.” That’s what we’re hearing. It’s in our language.”

Now, Thema had heard about Jesus before when someone preached the gospel in their village. She didn’t understand or respond. But this time, something deep inside moved Thema, urging her to walk, to go to the showing. Peter urged her, too, “Let’s go, perhaps this Jesus will heal you. This might be your time.”

With considerable effort, she slowly made it to the showing site, struggling for breath and strength. Thema found a large crowd sitting before a white screen, with images of people moving about and talking. And there was Jesus, speaking like her, in Ika! Fascinating! It didn’t take long for Thema to become entranced by His power, miracles, and love … and then to realize that He was dying for her sins.

At the close of the showing, the film team invited people to receive the free gift of salvation. This was Thema’s time. Certain that Jesus was the Son of God, she prayed to receive Christ. Even as she bowed in prayer, Thema could feel strength returning to her body, more and more strength. The Lord miraculously healed her and gave her a new life. She returned home whole—in both body and spirit. How good is our God!

Then through “JESUS” showings in four Ika villages, that single film team presented the gospel to 2,600 people, of whom 700 indicated decisions for Christ (more than 25 percent) … each one a miracle! For your partnership that makes the work of these film teams possible, thank you! Here’s another encouraging report.

➤ A “JESUS” film team arrived in a community historically resistant, even hostile, to Christ and His followers.

The team approached the chief, seeking his permission to show “JESUS” that night. “You cannot show the film until I inform the elders.” Trusting that God would go before them, they began walking around the village and praying. For some reason, they decided to start “JESUS” playing on their video tablet. Perhaps a few people would watch. Because it was in their mother tongue, a small group gathered, then more joined them, all very curious.

The group expanded until it became a crowd. Witnessing what was happening, the chief relented, saying, “People are already watching. So go ahead, I give you permission.” The next evening they set up their equipment in an open field, drawing about 250 people. Remember, this was a hostile area.

During the invitation for salvation, only 15 people responded. One person was an older man named Idir, a person greatly respected in the community. Because of his status, the elders tried to stop him from coming forward, but failed. He boldly announced to them: “I believe today that Jesus is the Son of God, and I have made up my mind to follow Him. People have been fooling me, but {today} my eyes are opened.”

Idir was so excited that on returning home he talked with his family about Jesus and the film until 3:00 AM! Finally, they all went to bed, with Idir joyful, made new in Christ. At sunrise, the elders came to Idir’s home to go with him for their religion’s required morning prayers. But they learned that Idir had died during the night.

His son addressed them, “My father is the first person in our town to die smiling.” A month later, the film team returned to the village and visited Idir’s household. His family spoke of the change they had witnessed in him. They knew he had met the one true God. The team led 18 members of his family to Christ. And Idir’s testimony has since pointed others in the community to Christ.

➤ Lastly, I want to tell you about Mahesh.^* He lives in a culture steeped in idol worship, but Mahesh never believed in them. Yet he had a great need. He was desperate for peace and freedom … freedom from the drugs that enslaved him. As a last resort, he turned to the gods for help, but of course, they never answered.

That’s when a “JESUS” film team arrived in his village and explained the good news. Being illiterate and largely uneducated, Mahesh had a hard time grasping the good news. Then the film team showed him “JESUS,” the visual portrayal of the gospel, containing the Word of God in his language. Mahesh believed and said, “Once I watched, I understood clearly what Jesus has done for me and that He is able to deliver me from the bondage of sin. God at once helped me to accept His forgiveness and made me His child.

“Because the team member encouraged me to share my faith, I have shown “JESUS” to as many as possible because I understood the gospel clearly when I watched. I have shown the film to my family and told them how God delivered me from my addictions to drugs and liquor.”

Happily, Mahesh continues to help show “JESUS” and, with the assistance of the film teams, hosts a showing of “JESUS” once per week. Through this single man and “JESUS,” hundreds have received the gospel, seen, heard and understood in their heart language.

The reports I’ve shared with you are but a glimpse into the incredible work of film teams laboring around the world. They are among the most committed and dedicated people you will ever meet, boldly going to the more difficult places, in prayer and service. And many of them came to Christ when someone showed them “JESUS,” like Mahesh.

Their labors and tasks are many. They meet in homes before and after showings, teach newly-formed discipleship groups, distribute DVDs of “JESUS” and follow-up films, train new film teams, establish new churches, and more. Their primary goal: plant thriving, reproducing churches … miracles in themselves.

With their historic work in view, may I extend an invitation? Would you come alongside these film teams in prayer and giving every month through the coming year? Would you help make their ministries possible as they take “JESUS” and the gospel into ever more difficult mission fields?

Here is how you can go with them, leading people to the cross every month: Your once-per-month gift of $42 can make one day of a film team’s ministry possible, totaling 12 days in 2020. You may be sensing His leading to support two days of ministry through a monthly gift of $84, or four days by sending $168. Should you have good financial resources, perhaps you can support all the work for a film team for a week through a monthly gift of $294, or $1,250 to make a full month of ministry possible. Start with the amount you are most comfortable with—you will be touching and helping to change lives throughout the entire year.

I also realize that monthly giving may not be possible. But you can still give people the gospel today through a single gift, four days ($168), one week ($294), or an entire month of ministry ($1,250) or more. You’ll be joining with many other friends of “JESUS” who together are helping lead 40 people to Christ every minute, by the power of God … one person every one and a half seconds. Consider the impact you can have—every gift makes a difference!

Thank you for your prayerful consideration of becoming a monthly film team partner. I extend all our thanks and best wishes for a wonderful and productive 2020.

Until everyone sees Jesus,

Josh Newell, Executive Director

Jesus Film Project®

PS: You can give monthly, bimonthly or quarterly through bank or credit card transfers. You will always be in complete control, able to change at any time. To donate online or to set up monthly giving, you can click the “give a gift” button or simply call (800) 387-4040. Or your single gift today of any amount will make an eternal difference. God bless you for however you can help.

* This ministry report is from The Timothy Initiative, one of 1,800 partners who use “JESUS.” None of the names used in my letter are real names, to protect lives and ministry. I know you understand.