Dear Friend in Christ,

I am so thankful for you and every friend of Jesus Film Project. I feel honored to pass along these amazing stories of life change. They represent the fruit of your partnership—evidence of the power of our God. He can heal every disease and wants everyone to experience His love and forgiveness.

➤ This happened in Amsterdam where a ministry partner was showing “JESUS” to Middle Eastern refugees.*

Melika, a woman from Syria, lived in chronic kidney pain. She and her friend Leyla had accepted an invitation to attend dinner at a Dutch church and watch “JESUS.” Melika coped with her pain as the evening unfolded. It was her life. Yet she was deeply moved by the person of Jesus and His miracles. (People from her religious background know of Him as “The Great Prophet Isa,” the “miracle-working prophet,” but not much else.)

After the showing, workers talked to Melika. She told them about her pain, which she had been suffering from for years. They asked if they could pray for her. The team members gathered to pray and asked Jesus to heal her as He had healed people in the film. Suddenly, Melika cried out in complete shock. She jumped from her seat and ran to a table where her friend Leyla was sitting. In front of everyone, and very excitedly, she exclaimed, “I’ve just been healed! The pain is gone! Thank you, God! Thank you, God! Thank you, God!”

She reached out and grabbed her friend Leyla’s arm and shook her—“You also need prayer. Come!” She had been suffering too, and for some time. Witnesses said that Leyla’s eyes were strangely motionless; it was apparent that she had been severely traumatized. Melika was completely convinced that this wonderful Jesus would also touch her friend.

The team prayed over Leyla. As they did, something was happening! Leyla was coming alive before them. “Do you feel better?” Melika asked. Leyla answered: “I just felt a great burden leaving me, as if something was coming out of me.” The team said that her eyes completely changed. Leyla said: “I sense an inner peace and ease. All of my burdens are gone. For the first time, I can breathe again!” Melika continued her praise, “Thank you, God! Thank you, God!” A team member told the women: “This Jesus, whom you have just seen in the movie, has touched you both. Would you like to dedicate your lives to Him?” Without a moment’s hesitation, the two friends said together, “Yes! Absolutely!” An unimaginable joy filled their hearts. These two women didn’t stop hugging the team members, laughing, declaring that they absolutely would follow Jesus.

They then began to dance in joyful laughter. Later, while getting on the bus, Melika ran back three times to hug and thank them. She continued to wave through the window as the bus drove away. I join this faithful ministry partner in thanking God for what He did. It’s your partnership that helps send and support these film teams. They love people and are committed to showing them “JESUS.”

➤ This same ministry partner shared another wonderful report—about a group of Syrian refugee women who also watched “JESUS.” They were from a dangerous, extremist stronghold where many young girls have been kidnapped, sold or killed. One of these women told the team: “We have seen so many horrific things and fled. The whole time, our hearts longed to hear about Jesus. We have been waiting the whole time for this moment. Today, this longing and desire has finally been fulfilled, and we’ve come to witness this story about Jesus. We have never heard about Jesus, and we’re so thankful that you have invited us.

Thank you, thank you, thank you; we have felt so much love, our hearts have finally come to rest.” After this film showing, a celebration broke out. The refugees danced joyfully, as this partner reported, “... full of gladness together in a circle .... We said farewell in front of the buses, some of them already began reading their New Testaments (which we gave them)!”

As the Scriptures declare: “I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.” **

➤ This last report comes from Africa. A film team there had been trying to reach an area with people who are highly resistant to the gospel, but without success. For the last four years, whenever they tried to show “JESUS,” they were met with violence. It was a dangerous situation.

But then the teams got creative. Like the previous ministry partner, who first offered a meal in love, these workers decided to host a Christmas feast. Local believers prepared good food and announced there would be singing and dancing. The people they invited to be their guests were the very ones who had violently opposed them! It worked. They came, ate and watched “JESUS.”

A chief (one who had resisted) was so moved by the meal and the film “JESUS” that he asked them to come to his village and show the film. Doors opened. More invitations to show “JESUS” followed, allowing the teams to work in villages for five days at a time, showing “JESUS,” sharing the gospel. But the most exciting outcome is that new believers who have been reached want to be trained, want to form more “JESUS” film teams. Discipled and guided by skilled staff, and equipped, they are going to unreached areas, traveling rough roads and working in village after village. One of the new team members is a man named Lilo, who was recently baptized. His brother Matthew is also on the team and known as a “mighty evangelist.”

They are sent, often going to the more difficult areas (at their request). It’s your compassion and generosity that sends them. God is using your prayers to protect them and prepare even resistant hearts to respond to the good news they bring. Thank you for all you do.

As you know, the work of fulfilling the Great Commission is not complete—it’s estimated that more than 3 billion people have yet to be reached. Because of you, the gospel is going forth through the work of film teams. They go to towns and villages and show people “JESUS.” Other teams are reaching people through digital methods via the internet as well as through radio and TV broadcasting.

As people turn to Christ, the teams give them the chance to watch discipleship film series, to be strengthened and grounded in their new faith. The results are thriving, reproducing churches. Seeing how God is at work, may I invite your partnership again to support the teams, both traveling and digital? Would you send them to shine His light into the spiritual darkness? Each film team needs about $38 per day (a worldwide average). This covers their travel, lodging, meals, ministry expenses, training and discipleship literature.

• Perhaps you can send a gift of $152 to support four days of a film team’s ministry. 
• Your gift of $290 will help make an entire week of ministry possible. 
• Should you have the resources, please consider supporting a full month of a team’s work with a gift of $1,160, or half a month for a gift of $580. 
• You can fund an entire year of a team’s work, including church planting, with a gift of $13,920. 
• Also, you can accelerate and multiply the work of a film team by providing them with a Church-Planting Backpack Kit when you give $2,980.

Jesus told His disciples, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14, NASB.). Your partnership is helping accelerate the work so that in His time, the whole world will be reached—and the Great Commission will be fulfilled.

I hope these reports have affirmed your partnership. I know God will continue to use you, the teams and His Word. Thank you so much for sending them.

Until everyone sees Jesus,

Josh Newell
Executive Director
Jesus Film Project®

PS. It’s estimated that more than 3 billion people have yet to be reached. “JESUS” film teams, many of whom are working with more than 1,800 ministry partners, are an effective way to reach them. May I invite your partnership today to make their ministries possible, to take the gospel to unreached people in Africa, Central Asia, even the Middle East? Please pray for these courageous teams and those they will reach. You can give securely now by clicking the “give a gift” button or 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 or ira@jesusfilm.org. You are greatly appreciated.

* These first two reports come from ministry partner Elijah21, who invites refugees to dinner at a church, and then shows them “JESUS.” Their film teams have expanded these events from Germany into the Netherlands.

**Jeremiah 31:13b, New Living Translation. This scene reminds me of God's promise to the Hebrews, who had also been dispersed and exiled. He extends that same kindness to the refugees who were adopted into God's family that day.