Dear Friend in Christ,

Give our troops in harms way the "JESUS" film!

I come to you today with a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of thousands of young men and women serving our nation. We can reach them for Christ even before they are deployed "in harm's way" to Iraq, Afghanistan, or other dangerous areas . . . and in a most effective way.

For their sakes, I invite you to carefully read my letter. Would you think back to the most dangerous situation you were ever in? Was your life threatened in that moment? Could death come unexpectedly? What were your emotions? How you felt is a daily reality for many of the troops defending our country in difficult and challenging places.

Most who serve are just 19, 20 or 21 years old. Even in boot camp, they know the
hazards that may be coming. Tens of thousands realize they could soon be facing cunning, hidden enemies like Al Qaeda or Taliban radicals. They hear stories of roadside bombs, of booby-trapped homes. They talk to returning soldiers at their army bases. They hear stories of close calls, lost or injured soldiers. Their commanders warn and "educate them." New recruits clearly know they could find themselves "in harm's way."

For perhaps the first time in their lives, even during their training, thousands of our young people begin wondering about their futures and eternity. They have nobly volunteered to serve our country. Thousands are inwardly anxious as to what may happen to them.

Now, I realize that you may have a son, daughter, grandchild or friend serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. You may have even lost a loved one. In sharing these realities, my heart goes out to you and every family whose relatives are fighting. My wife Nan and I have friends whose children are there now serving our country. Their situation, and that of every soldier serving in these areas, touches us all. We honor each one.

Currently, more than 100,000 of our nation's young people are on patrols or are training Iraqi national troops. They may be manning check points, guarding buildings or conducting search operations in dangerous countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. They are seeking out terrorists. Their tours last one year or more. And in any given month there are thousands of young people preparing to replace them.

Even as I write, recruits are undergoing the rigors of boot camp and receiving intensive training at military bases across America and abroad. I am writing because every boot camp class, every platoon preparing to be deployed presents a unique opportunity to share the love of Christ.

The plain truth is that military chaplains report a strong interest in spiritual things. One key reason is that the majority come from secular, unchurched backgrounds. Faced with the possibility of arriving in harm's way and being suddenly thrust into eternity, they are very open to discussing the gospel, perhaps for the first time in their young lives.

One chaplain in Iraq described it this way: " . . . soldiers are always itching to get their hands on anything about faith." Speaking of a Bible distribution outreach by Campus Crusade for Christ, another chaplain said, "I was overwhelmed at the demand . . . soldiers were asking for more for their buddies. I also had a chance to pray with dozens of soldiers . . .." He said that every Bible they gave out was asked for! By the way, the ministry has distributed 1.85 million Bibles! The Military Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ confirms this deep hunger. Chaplains are eager to give the soldiers materials that will answer their gnawing questions.

One of the most powerfully effective means I know to answer their search is media, specifically the film "JESUS." This powerful presentation of the life of Jesus is available on DVD, ready for distribution to our soldiers both during boot camp and when they arrive in dangerous areas like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Perhaps you know about "JESUS." Produced in 1979, it is one of the most accurate films ever produced on the life of Jesus. Virtually every word that Jesus speaks is quoted directly from Scripture. It is the very Word of God brought to life on the film or video screen. At the end of the film, there is a clear explanation of how to receive eternal life, an opportunity to respond in faith through prayer.

Recently, we heard from a Campus Crusade staff couple working among the recruits at an Army base in the U.S. They are using "JESUS" film DVDs in their own ministry. Heres their report of the hunger they are witnessing.

"I just wanted to let you see what God is doing in the lives of our soldiers here at the 2-39 Battalion. Yesterday we had two events. First was our Sunday School class with over 220 young people. Ten soldiers made a decision for Christ. Second was our showing of the 'JESUS' film that afternoon with 400-500 coming out with 20 indicating decisions for Christ. We couldnt get an accurate count. There were so many for the movie that we had to turn away a whole company of over 100 recruits. There was no room for them.

We crowded the chairs together and packed the soldiers on the floor and around the sides of the room. It is sad we had to turn away many but thank the Lord for the huge crowd that heard the gospel. When I say 30 decisions were made yesterday, that means that many cards were filled out and handed to me. Hopefully many more responded but didnt let me know.

At the end of the movie, I offered a free copy of the 'JESUS' film to them to show back home to their loved ones and to show to other soldiers as they go on in the Army service. I gave out almost 200 DVDs! Be praying for our soldiers, especially the ones who just made professions."

A couple working among the soldier families in Germany wrote: "I had been meaning to tell you that over Easter weekend in March, Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC-an international organization through U.S. military chapels) passed out 60 'JESUS' DVDs for kids at the local military Commissary and Main Exchange shopping center. We got a great response and since we live in a German community here in Schweinfurt, several people were delighted to find that there was a German version of it on the same disk. In addition, many soldiers need the message of hope after returning from war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan. We hope to do more partnerships with you through distributing the DVDs again in the future."

Working in partnership with The JESUS Film Project, the Military Ministry and volunteers like these are ready to distribute many thousands of DVDs of "JESUS" at boot camps and bases throughout the U.S. and overseas.

Serving as recognized sources of spiritual help and comfort, the chaplains, Christian soldiers and officers who volunteer with Campus Crusade for Christ, as well as staff working at the Army bases, will help give the DVDs to the recruits.

Each DVD contains the complete "JESUS" film, which is based solely on the Word of God. And every DVD provides an opportunity for soldiers to know Jesus personally. Media savvy, visually-oriented young people will eagerly watch a DVD, even on their laptops or portable DVD players (see the photo on page 2). When they learn the DVD shares the gospel, they have a natural curiosity to finally learn who Jesus is, and what He claimed. Because the DVD offers the film in several languages, even soldiers from Hispanic or other ethnic backgrounds can understand "JESUS."

So, just as our nation has sent a surge of troops to Iraq, we pray for a "surge" of "JESUS" to meet them at boot camp, even before they ship overseas, before they are stationed in challenging or dangerous locations across the world.

To reach them during this key moment of their training, when they are so open, we have arranged to make DVDs of "JESUS" available in packages of six Boot Camp Packs available for a cost of $24 each. Some of the soldiers watch "JESUS" several times, show it to their buddies, and pass the DVDs to their friends and family. So, much leverage is available, if you would like to have a part.

Currently, we have the opportunity to distribute 50,000 DVDs of "JESUS" to the troops. As you consider helping to place these DVDs into their hands, Id like to quote from a former United States Commander-in-Chief, then Brigadier General Benjamin Harrison, who later became our 23rd President. Although the times and circumstances were different, his words remain powerful. When in harm's way, he wrote these words:

"I hope you will all remember us at home and that many prayers go up to God daily for my regiment and for me. Ask Him for me in prayer, my dear wife, first that He will enable me to bear myself as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; second, that He will give me valor and skill to conduct myself so as to honor my country and my friends; and lastly, if consistent with His holy will, I may be brought home again to the dear loved ones, if not, that the rich consolation of His grace may be made sufficient for me and for those
who survive."

This is a wonderful opportunity to reach our nation's young people. Thousands are open to hear the gospel perhaps for the first and possibly only time in their lives. I invite you to have a part.

Thank you for helping. Thank you for giving them "JESUS."

For Christ and His Kingdom,

Jim Green, Executive Director
The JESUS Film Project

P.S. Each Boot Camp Pack can present "JESUS" clearly to an individual soldier and also to other soldiers and families as they share with one another, or watch together. Bibles and other literature distributed by Campus Crusade for Christ can be used for follow-up. Most people believe that our troops are going to be in these difficult places for many months, if not years. So we are praying to receive the funds to send 50,000 DVDs to help meet the military surge with a "surge" of "JESUS." Should all 50,000 DVDs be provided for, then your gift will go to help provide DVDS to reach people in the countries where they serve. If you can help today, please select this link.

To thank and encourage you for giving your gift online, we are pleased to be able to send you "The Power of JESUS" booklet. It is a beautiful, full-color compilation of life-changing stories of "JESUS" worldwide. Thank you and God bless you.

To learn more about the Military Ministry visit www.militaryministry.org.