Dear friend in Christ,

Have you seen the picture below? You will find an image of a piece 16mm film. That image represents a piece of history...history that will echo through eternity. It was cut from a 16mm copy of the "JESUS" film which was seen by an estimated 115,000 people at about 400 separate showings. After viewing the film, it's likely that 10,000 people or more came to decisions for Christ.

I want to tell you some amazing stories about this film "JESUS," but first, here is a little background. "JESUS" is considered by many to be the most accurate film ever produced on the life of Christ. Every word that Jesus speaks in the film is a direct quote from Scripture. It is the Word of God brought to life on the movie screen. And, "JESUS" has been translated into more than 950 languages, more than any film ever. Now, a few of those amazing stories...

• A number of years ago, a film team was in a remote village of Asia setting up their portable equipment and threading a 16mm copy of "JESUS." The team reported a
  feeling of darkness pressing in around them. They knew they were in enemy territory. The people worshipped what they called "The Evil Spirit."
  
  The showing was seemingly uneventful as each of four reels was threaded and shown. The Word of God was heardin the people's heart language. Scenes of Christ's miracles, the crucifixion and resurrection gripped the crowd. But deep down, the film team wondered how many would actually respond.
  
  Then, when "JESUS" concluded, and the invitation was given, all the people in the
  village raised their hands in excitement, indicating that during the film's closing prayer
  they had asked Christ to be their Savior and Lord. Thrilled (but perplexed), the team began to ask the villagers why they were so eager to follow Christ. They were astounded by the answer.
  
  Out of sight in the jungle bushes, the village's powerful witch doctors were waiting. They had formed a plot. The witch doctors were ready with red-hot coals to throw at the team and projector when the film began. All the villagers knew of their evil intent but were afraid to stop them.
  
  The "JESUS" film began. Suddenly, glowing firebrands came flying through the air, directed at the team. In the next instant they were transformed into flowers that floated harmlessly to the ground. The people watched in awe. Immediately, they knew that the God-man who had sent the team with this film, whose story they were watching, was greater than the witch doctors and the "The Evil Spirit." Praise God for his miraculous intervention.
  
  
• Then, there is this wonderful report...
  A group of "JESUS" film volunteers with Teen Missions International made the difficult trek to a people group situated in a very remote part of the island nation of Madagascar, along the eastern coast of Africa. They brought with them "JESUS."
  
  A large, eager crowd had gathered to see the film. These people were ready, but when the
  team started the projector, it failed. After a few minutes, they got the projector going again, but suddenly, it caught fire. Smoke and flames poured out.
  
  The team cut the power, opened the projector door and managed to extinguish the fire.
  But it was too late. The flames had damaged the 16mm film and burned a hole right through it. The showing came to an end. The next day the team was able to repair the projector, but they were in a quandary--their film had a hole in it. They were far from home and the resources they needed. All they could do was pray.
  
  They began to look for the damage to the first reel of the film, to at least find some
  creative solution. But they were astonished by what they didn't find. There was no hole. The film was in perfect condition! That night, and without further incident, the team showed the people the complete "JESUS" film. God had again acted so people might see, hear and understand the gospel.

Film teams delight to see men, women, and children respond to the gospel through "JESUS." There are untold millions who have never heard. This is why
they push their 16mm copies of "JESUS" until they can no longer be used.

This brings me to why I am writing. I am asking your help to replace more than 200 film copies of "JESUS" that are damaged beyond repair or are needed for teams to start their ministries. You see, many copies are damaged beyond repair, through extraordinary amounts of use and re-use.

When new, each 16mm copy of "JESUS" (four reels in all) is given a special coating. The chemical treatment makes the film more scratch and tear resistant. With this coating, a film copy can be shown about 400 times. But many of the teams have used their copies 500, 600, even 1,000 times! When sections become too damaged for repair, they merely cut that part out.

But there comes a point when so many sections have been removed (such as the crucifixion or Jesus' resurrection) that the film can no longer effectively present the gospel
story. When that happens, some teams have laid aside their ministries and asked for a new 16mm film copy. If none is available, they must wait for a replacement. And, keep in
mind that 16mm film is still the best tool to use in much of the Developing World who live in rural, isolated and remote areas. Complicated video equipment and projectors break down too easily in these rural areas. So, 16mm is still the best means to reach them.

There are film teams in Africa, Asia, and Latin America who are in this situation. My letter is
therefore urgent. Many of these teams have reached only 20 percent or less of the people around them with "JESUS." Their jobs are far from done.

As a follower of Christ, I want to invite you to help provide these needed film copies expressly for the traveling film teams, whether a portion of a reel, or a complete copy. Although the estimate is probably low, we conservatively report that the "service life" of each 16mm copy of "JESUS" results in about 115,000 people hearing the gospel. Since, on average, 10 percent of the people indicate decisions for Christ, 11,500 could be won, through only one copy of "JESUS."

The current cost for each 16mm copy (four reels total and travel case) is $1,250. So, perhaps you can help provide a section of a film copy through a gift of $50, $100, $250 or more, however the Lord leads. If He enables and prompts you to possibly do more, perhaps you can provide a complete film print through a gift of $1,250, helping up to 115,000 people see and hear the gospel in their own languages, many for the first time in their lives.

Or, would you consider sponsoring two of these prints with a gift of $2,500, helping to reach approximately 230,000 with the gospel, or four prints with a gift of $5,000, reaching 460,000? Whatever you can do, your gift of any amount, God is far more interested in your heart than in the size of your gift.

So, as you are led, please pray about one of these opportunities. Whatever you feel led to do, you will be making it possible for thousands to see and hear the gospel in their own languages--the story of the ages--the message that Jesus Christ loves them, died for them, and offers people everywhere eternal life, forever with Him. Thank you for letting them see "JESUS."

For Christ and His Kingdom,

Jim Green, Executive Director
The JESUS Film Project

P.S. There are many "JESUS" teams and partnering workers whose ministries have been hindered or slowed because of the condition of their only 16mm copy of "JESUS." Other new teams await their first 16mm copy to begin their ministries. As you are able, you can replace a portion, a reel (there are four in each copy) or an entire "JESUS" film. Perhaps your church, missions committee, or study/fellowship group would like to help. If you would like to help provide 16 mm copies of "JESUS" to waiting teams, please select the "give a gift" link above.

Historically, ten percent respond. This is based on an average of worldwide reports. The actual percentages vary depending on location, culture and individual situations. Sometimes only one percent respond; in other places entire villages will decide
to follow Christ.