Dear Friend in Christ, 

You will love the story of Joseph!

It was so cold his fingers went numb, as young Joseph pounded four stakes into the ground.

He pulled the ropes taught, stretching out the film screen, now suspended between two poles.

Although his fatigued hands were shaking, it was worth the effort. He wanted the unreached people in this remote village--nestled in the eastern highlands of his African nation--to experience the power of the gospel in their own language, through "'JESUS'".

As he suffered the cold, Joseph wondered if anyone would brave the elements and watch a film on this winter night. Would his labor be in vain?

But slowly, the people came, about 40 in all. They scattered on the ground, or stood in the back, watching the screen, listening to the actor who portrayed "JESUS". There was something strangely powerful about the words this "miracle man" spoke. What they heard was so new and different, in contrast to the spiritual darkness around them...as oppressive as the winter air. A quiet voice inside their hearts told them what they were watching was true!

When the film was over, young Joseph asked the Lord for courage. This was all new to him too! He stepped forward and took the microphone, stumbling nervously over his own words. Joseph described how every person there should make good choices. One of those choices was to believe in and follow the Son of God, whose words, incredible story, life and claims they had just witnessed.

He waited for a response...none. Finally one person came forward, then another, eventually seven people, but no more. Joseph prayed with them, answered their questions, packed up the equipment and prepared to leave. It was a long way home. This highland village was so remote and difficult to reach that he wondered if he would ever return.

FAST FORWARD 10 YEARS...

Joseph matured, and he eventually managed many "JESUS" church-planting film teams, leading and inspiring staff and volunteer workers in his challenging country. Over the last 10 years, through all their work they have reached thousands of villages that dot the countryside--and they have shown "JESUS" in the urban areas as well.

Not long ago, a pastor friend invited Joseph to one of the young churches in those highlands. It was the same area where he had first brought "JESUS". So the pastor asked Joseph to speak to the congregation.

Joseph: "I told the people about that first showing, and the cold night, that I regretted never having a chance to come back. I spoke fondly of the seven people who had given their lives to Christ, but never knew what happened to them. As I stood before the people, choking from emotion, someone in the congregation suddenly started shouting...

"'YOU ARE THE ONE I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR, FOR A LONG TIME. YES, IT IS YOU! MY PRAYER HAS BEEN ANSWERED! GOD HAS HEARD MY PRAYER!' He said to the people, 'THIS IS THE BOY I HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU ABOUT. NOW HE IS A MAN.'"

Joseph continued: "He did look familiar. Elderly and frail, he stepped out from his pew and staggered forward. He said his name was George and hugged me, peering intently into my face. Slowly a smile broke out on George's face as tears ran down his cheeks.

"George turned to the people and spoke for probably 20 minutes about the "JESUS" film, my sermon that night long ago, and how cold it was! That night he had been separated from his family, was drunk, and stumbled 'by chance' onto the film showing. And he was one of the seven who followed Jesus! He rejoiced how he returned to his family, transformed by the power of God.

"The changes were so dramatic that his entire family came to Christ. Now, 10 years later, George was a prominent figure in the church, and had helped lead many more to Christ.

"As soon as George finished speaking, a throng of people surrounded us. They celebrated his witness, and the film "JESUS", and how the Lord had transformed their lives too. My labor wasn't in vain! It was one of the best moments of my life!"

What a wonderful testimony! Joseph reminds me of hundreds of "JESUS" film team members who show "JESUS" daily. Many labor in very remote and often dangerous areas. They show "JESUS" in unimaginably spiritually dark places, often at great risk to themselves. They endure hardship and arduous travel. Only through financial partnership and much prayer can their ministries of transformation be sustained. With you behind them, in giving and prayer, their labors are not in vain.

That's why I am writing, and to announce to you a very generous offer of a friend of "JESUS". He has issued a challenge to you...to every partner of "JESUS", to raise $300,000 for the teams, which he will match with another $300,000.

Worldwide, the average monthly cost to fund a film team's ministry is $1,250. This provides for a very modest allowance, travel costs, training, equipment and follow-up materials for new believers. The daily cost per team is $42. For a full year, it is $15,000.

Presently, hundreds of film teams are in significant need of support. So may I ask you to pray about sponsoring three days of team ministry through a gift of $126? The matching gift offer could add three more days, resulting in six days of ministry. Your gift of $294 for one week could be doubled to $588, making two weeks of showing "JESUS" and follow-up possible. Your gift of $625 for a half month could be multiplied by the match and underwrite a team for an entire month. Or, a gift for one month of $1,250 could put a team in the field for two months.

Because teams need vehicles to get to the more remote areas, perhaps you can help provide them a motorbike. A gift of $2,114, for half the cost of a UTV motorbike, becomes one complete vehicle, thanks to the match. And, a gift of $4,228 for a motorbike with the match becomes wheels and "wings" for two film teams seeking to take the gospel into the remotest areas (please see the enclosed sheet for more information).

If you have good financial resources, and you feel the leading of the Lord to sponsor one film team for a year with a gift of $15,000, the matching offer could result in two teams being funded, again, until all $300,000 is met. Film teams bring the message of the gospel and hope through Christ to many thousands, even tens of thousands of men, women and children each year.

As you pray about how you might have a part in the ministry of the teams, think back to Joseph's testimony. For 10 years he wondered if his labor was in vain. It wasn't and neither will be yours. For "JESUS" is based on the Word of God. Wherever it is shown, the Lord's promise goes with His Word:
 

"So will My word be
which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter
for which I sent it."
(Isaiah 55:11, New American Standard Bible).

Please pray for the "JESUS" film teams. They do so much, and are so courageous. They need not just funding, but fervent prayer to protect them from the enemy.

Joseph, even with limited faith, stepped out that cold night, and George was one of the first of his spiritual legacy; hundreds ultimately followed. Prayerfully join Joseph, step out in faith today and know you too will be building a spiritual, eternal legacy.

Thank you again for your partnership. You are greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you, and reporting that all $300,000 of the match was met...because of you.

May God prosper your partnership to His glory!

Until Everyone Sees "JESUS",

Erick Schenkel
Executive Director

PS: There are hundreds of Josephs who make up the film teams. They are men and women of zeal and purpose. They live to see their nations won for Christ and discipled, and thousands of thriving, reproducing churches planted. Approximately $2,330,000 is needed to continue to make their ministries of evangelism, training, church planting and mobilization possible. Keep in mind the very generous matching gift offer is available for donations received before October 1, up to $300,000. If that challenge can be met, by working together, you'll be making a tremendous difference for the kingdom. Hundreds of film teams need support. If possible, kindly send your gift by September 30, 2012. Thank you for being a faithful partner.

You can also give on the web by going to www.jesusfilm.org/supportfilmteams. You'll find several ways to help, including regular bank transfer (EFT) giving for team support. You can also call
(800) 387-4040 and give via credit/debit card, even monthly. With the recent increase in stock market values, now could be an ideal time to consider a gift of appreciated property, stock or mutual funds, all with potentially excellent tax benefits. For more information, please go to www.jesusfilm.org/donate/stock. To arrange for gifts of stock or other securities, please call toll free (888) 278-7233, and ask to speak with "stock administrators" Ben Grames or Debbie Williams, or simply email stock@jesusfilm.org.

I've changed his name and not mentioned the country to protect this worker's life. Like many of our film team workers, Joseph ministers the gospel in some dangerous areas. This incident took place when he was a teenager, one of his very first showings. He had come with other adults who, with Joseph, made the arduous journey to show "JESUS". Even though he was inexperienced, and because of his youthful zeal for Christ, Joseph took the lead, and gave the invitation.

Not his real name.