"JESUS" - You Can Send Tools and Equipment

#2576055 - Reach Hungry Hearts with "JESUS"

Dear Friend of The JESUS Film Project,

I stand amazed in His presence…and in awe.

Recently, a partner who uses “JESUS” shared this amazing story. It began with 50 volunteer film teams. They felt called to an extremely dangerous area, where news of the gospel had never been heard, nor had His light ever been shone.

When we learned of their courage, staff members entrusted these partner teams with 50 small sets of compact film showing equipment, and training, made possible by your giving.

These 50 teams fanned out through the mountainous terrain, going on foot, horseback, motorbikes, cars, and a few on camels!

Their pioneering mission to share the gospel was indeed dangerous. This was radical country. Some might never return. But compelled by His love, they placed their lives in the hands of He who had delivered them out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Through hundreds of film showings and many miracles, 60,000 people experienced the power of “JESUS,” His Word and His love. About 13,000 became “Christ followers,” 6,000 were baptized and 900 underground churches were planted! The magnitude of the response is stunning. Just talking about Jesus in this nation can cost you your life…by the thrust of a sword.

Then an email came to our partner, directly from a religious leader of the radicals. I will call him Kamal. Because the area is highly sensitive and volatile, I will refer to his religious position as being a “priest.” Kamal was among those 13,000 who believed.*

He wrote: “A month ago a ‘traveler’ came to us on a camel. It’s our custom to provide food and allow travelers to spend the night in our house of prayer. After dinner I told him about my work. The ‘traveler’ explained that he had a work too, going from village to village, delivering the message of God to the chosen people.

“He was so gentle and kind that I was interested in what he was saying. He talked about a movie projector, and asked me if he could play something he called the ‘JESUS’
film. He said it was in my language.

“I told the traveler that as a priest for the last 28 years I did not watch movies. He said, ‘Yes, I know. I was a priest too, but don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.’”

The team member set up the small, solar-powered projector and connected the battery and speakers. He played “JESUS” and then explained about the true and living God. He
played it again and explained more to the priest. Kamal continues…

“The traveler was tired, so I let him go to sleep. {Having seen how he used the equipment} I took the projector, screen and speakers and went far into the mountains where
I could be alone. I feared I could be killed by wild animals or radicals. I watched the film
again.

“Suddenly, it was like the movie stepped out of the screen into real life. It seemed like I was surrounded by Jesus and the disciples. I felt the power of God’s spirit touching
my body and my heart. I could not stop crying. I knelt on the ground, praying in the name of Jesus.

“For the first time in my life, I bowed before the true and living God, rather than {who I thought was God}. I felt great peace. I went back to the village and awoke the
traveler, telling him what had just happened. He told me, ‘You and I are now followers of the same merciful God.’ He said he would help me learn {about my new faith}. So I left
my job as priest for the last 28 years. Now I want to spend my whole life serving Jesus. Thank you.”

All this happened because of the obedience and courage of those 50 film teams, the new, portable equipment they used, and you!

These modern miracles of compact technology make it possible for the “JESUS” film to go virtually anywhere in the world…where at least 1 billion people have yet
to hear and understand the gospel.

Now, let me take you to another difficult area—a multiplying church in Asia sent this report:

“Not long ago we received very good portable projection equipment. We played ‘JESUS’ in our church on Saturday movie night, and hope to play it publicly but can’t now because of security. We invited 20 people, most of whom were not believers. His words and deeds shook everyone’s heart. Many people were in tears. Two received Jesus and others were willing to learn more about our faith. Thank God for giving us such a very convenient tool for evangelism. We hope we can use it more places, playing the gospel of Jesus Christ…so that more and more people will receive Jesus.”

And this came from another ministry partner, Venezuela for Christ:

“We received three backpack sets from The JESUS Film Project. We trained 45 people for outreach. One of the team members ventured into the desert in neighboring Colombia. As they crossed the border they were stopped by the police. When asked, the team member said they were trained to use the equipment for evangelism. The police said, ‘If you know how, show us.’ He started to set it all up, and suddenly the police ordered him to stop, and to move on…it was God’s protection.

“The team went on by motorbike and then by donkey. That night they showed ‘JESUS’ to 70 people in their language, and 30 indicated decisions for Christ (43 percent). That team member said ‘There are more than 700,000 people along the border of Venezuela and Colombia who don’t speak Spanish. Through The JESUS Film Project we can reach more people. I am thankful for your valuable help and the people who {gave} this equipment. We will see our dream fulfilled to reach our countrymen in this area very soon.’”

As you have read, God is clearly moving, calling many partner organizations, churches and volunteers worldwide to give people “JESUS.” And they are asking for digital film showing equipment sets and other tools. These sets include small projectors. They are compact and easy to use. Often solar powered, they enable a worker to take the gospel virtually anywhere, to disciple believers and plant churches.

You can help meet their many requests and shine light in spiritual darkness—from DVDs of “JESUS” to compact backpacks. Of course, give as you are able, and as He leads. Your generous gift of any size will make a difference.

Gifts you send will be used to introduce Christ to people who have never heard the gospel and to build up new believers in their faith. I pray that these reports touched your own heart, and that one or more of these items caught your attention—so that you can shine light in darkness where His name has never been heard. 

May God bless you richly. I wish you a wonderful Holiday Season.

Erick Schenkel, Ph.D.
Executive Director
The JESUS Film Project

P.S. Every week we receive requests for this equipment and DVDs, for language versions of “JESUS” and team support. “JESUS” belongs not to this ministry, but the whole body of Christ, to you. As you give, to share “JESUS,” equipment and training with committed partners, the day approaches ever closer when the Great Commission will be fulfilled. What a day that will be! As you can imagine, the requests and opportunities for this equipment are numerous. Because so many requests await funding, if you can, please send your gift by December 15, 2015. That will be a great help. You can also give via your credit/debit card at (800) 918-9929. Or you can post your gift directly here. Thank you so much.

P. P. S. As end-of-year approaches, consider gifts of appreciated property, IRAs* stocks or securities. Very substantial tax savings are possible, as your giving furthers the kingdom of the King. To learn more, please contact Ben Grames or Debbie Williams (stock administrators), toll free at (888) 278-7233. Thank you.

* The email was directed to David Palusky, of Renew Outreach, who developed several of the tools of technology used by the teams. David could hardly contain himself as he read the email to a gathering of friends of “JESUS” earlier this year. I’ve edited the email, and other reports in my letter, for clarity.

*** Pending congressional extension of legislation.

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