Dear Friend,

“One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.” — Psalm 145:4, NASB

This amazing report came from a partner ministry, from a rural area. They work in an extremely dangerous and hostile country. I cannot tell you specific names or details because the lives of Christians could be at risk.

A film team was going from village to village, boldly showing JESUS and Magdalena. That’s the effective adaptation of JESUS that is touching the hearts of millions of oppressed women.

The commander of a well-known radical movement heard what the teams were doing. He became alarmed, especially upon learning of the great power the films displayed—to persuade and lead people into “terrible heresies.”

Incensed, the radical commander went to the main house of prayer in his rural area. He stood and preached, railing against the Christians. He told the people that the actors in the films were actually Americans and that Magdalena was corrupt and blasphemous. He called for reprisals, proclaiming that the film teams should die, along with the crowds who would dare to watch.

When the last prayers of the day were over, the radical leader and 34 angry men formed a mob, and began walking through the dark streets of their town to the showing site. They carried clubs, knives and guns…intent on killing the film team, and the entire audience.

Suddenly, a lone woman stopped them in the middle of the street. Her face was hidden in the shadow of a tree, as in a darkened scene from a motion picture. She greeted them and speaking with a strange authority said, “This is not how pious people should act.”

The men had no reply. She spoke again and stepped out from beneath the tree, her face now clearly visible in the light of the moon. “I heard you in the house of prayer. You were stirring up your people to kill all who are showing and watching the film.”

The woman extended her arms, revealing two swords. “Use these swords...but before you kill anyone, sit with the people. Watch the film with them so you will know why they must die. Then you can carry out your {vengeance}.”

Some of the men simply scoffed, saying that no one was even permitted to watch a film. Then the radical leader addressed the woman: “We will watch first, but on one condition. If we find this film to be blasphemous, we will come back and kill you.” She smiled and said, “It’s a promise.”

They came to the showing site, and sat down amidst the people…an audience wrapped up in the story of the gospel, unaware that these killers were now among them.

The angry mob was stunned by what they saw.

The woman who portrays Mary Magdalene in the film looked like the woman on the street, who had just given them the swords! They couldn’t do anything now but watch. They too heard the gospel, the Word of God in their own language. They witnessed the death and resurrection of Jesus, and heard Him speak words of life.

Before the film ended, the leader of the radical mob jumped to his feet, declaring loudly: “I believe in Isa (their name for Jesus). I am willing to die for Isa. It doesn’t matter if someone wants to kill me. My desire is to die for Isa as He died to save us.”

The other 33 radicals declared the same, repeating his words. They all became followers of Jesus! Not only that, but 80 percent of the crowd (whom they had come to kill) also believed.

For the next several days, the film team baptized the new followers of Jesus in groups of 10, planting a church. In all, they counted 34 from the mob, plus 84 men and 42 women…all in an extremely dangerous nation.

Incidentally, for several nights the former radicals went back to the street waiting for the woman in the shadows, I imagine in order to thank her.

But they never saw her again, except on the film screen. That’s because they have now become part of the film teams, trained to show JESUS and Magdalena to their people! May He alone receive the glory.

Now, passing on this amazing report comes at a critically important time.

You see, we just conducted a periodic review of film team support, when management makes sure that your gifts are applied according to your wishes. It became apparent that team support is not turning around as we had hoped and now is critically short. In the face of this shortfall, there are more than 2,800—two-to three-person teams, and many hundreds who lack support right now. Much prayer is needed.

So I write not only with a sense of wonder of what God has done, but also with a sense of urgency. Further, we are in the slower months of summer, when contributions are usually down, making this global shortage that is affecting all film teams even more acute.

You are likely aware that our ministry teams live and work on modest salaries. These teams and the teams associated with ministry partners, are given a stipend for meals, transportation, housing, follow-up and ministry expenses. The cost per team, works out to be $1,250 per month or about $42 per day.

Seeing the financial urgency the teams face, perhaps you could cover three days of ministry through a gift of $126, or one week with a gift of $294. If you are blessed with financial resources, you might want to cover half a month of ministry with a gift of $625, or one month of showing JESUS, training volunteers and planting churches for a gift of $1,250. Some friends of JESUS are sponsoring the work of one or more film teams for a year through a gift of $15,000. Perhaps God might lead and enable you to give a much larger gift. Thank you for whatever way you feel inspired to stand with them. Every gift is significant and will help the teams.

Might I ask you to consider one other step? Would you read this wonderful report to your children or grandchildren, declaring His mighty acts to your generations? Would you share this report in your Sunday School class or church? As God leads, would you even tell them about this shortfall in team support? Perhaps your Bible study or small group would want to intervene to keep these teams at work, showing JESUS to people who have never heard His name, planting and nurturing new churches.

As that woman stepped out of the darkness into the light of the moon, so can you help millions step out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Please remember that most of the teams are working in very closed and difficult places. Some suffer persecution, showing JESUS at risk to themselves. These are the kinds of people I’m inviting you to help, to pray for, and make their ministries possible.

I’ll be grateful for however you can help…and so will they! Please pray for them daily. Thank you so much.

Until Everyone Sees Jesus,

Erick Schenkel
Executive Director
The JESUS Film Project

PS: A total of $1.6 million is needed for team support immediately. Many people are
already helping, doing what they are able, as we labor together with you. If you can, please send your gift by September 30, 2013. You can also help the teams by giving online at the link above or by calling toll free (800) 387-4040 and giving by credit card. Consider also gifts of appreciated property or stock. Substantial tax savings are available. Please call (888) 278-7233 to reach the stock administrator for partners of The JESUS Film Project, or simply email: stock@jesusfilm.org. Thank you.