Dear friend in Christ,

The lengths that God will go as He draws millions to His beloved Son!

Here are two extraordinary examples, when unreached people experienced the power of JESUS. After you read these accounts, I want to invite you to help stave off a very serious situation that could threaten the work of hundreds of JESUS film teams.

Bob serves with The JESUS Film Project. He is a man of zeal and integrity. He has traveled abroad, taking JESUS to the tough places. Not long ago, Bob was in Kenya, leading a film team as they traveled northward from Nairobi to the vast, often drought-stricken land of the nomadic Pokot people.

Part of his team began setting up for a showing. As they worked, Bob joined a Kenyan pastor on a breathtakingly beautiful hike up a large stone-faced mountain. They wanted to see the valley below from God's perspective while interceding for the people and the team.

While praying they saw a huge cloud begin to grow and tower above the valley. Soon they could see rain pouring down violently. There were strong winds and lightning bolts striking all around. As the cloud passed over, the two prayed, "Lord, hold back this rain during the showing tonight."

Evening came. But the huge rain cloud was still there, and thundering. They began the showing. The team members prayed---fervently---that God would hold back what appeared to be an imminent deluge. Then, in amazement they watched. The rain fell. But it was as though the downpour split apart---falling all around them.

Enclosed on at least two sides by towering walls of falling rain, hundreds of Pokot people watched the entire film in their mother tongue, listening silently, intently to the Word of God---even as rain pounded the soil a mere 500 feet away. Some of the team went to check on the generator and could feel mist coming from the walls of water. Marveling at the scene, one team member said, "This is crazy!" So, with lightning bolts flashing, and thunder rumbling through the dark towering clouds above, the people stayed unafraid, remaining completely dry during the entire showing, captured by JESUS!

According to Bob, "The same hand that parted the Red Sea and calmed the storm on the lake, held back the rain so these people could see and hear the glorious gospel. It was also very eerie. I have never seen anything like it in all my days of showing the film." Most importantly, Bob reported that 75 people in that showing indicated decisions for Christ that night!

"Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable."
(Psalm 145:4, NASB).

One-half of Africa's population lives in West Africa! An aggressive religious movement seeks to convert and claim all of Africa as its own. In still-animistic regions, Satan rules unchallenged through spiritism, superstition and fear.

A film team had been organized to go to one of these unreached, animistic areas. Accompanied by some international visitors, they came to the land of Zing, a very primitive area. Arriving at one village, they found many people working in the fields. The film team stopped their bush van and got out. Children gathered around as the team gave colored balloons to them. A curious crowd formed, creating a perfect opportunity to invite people to the showing of JESUS that night.

Then, strangely, women and children began slipping away, back to their homes, without explanation . . . almost fearfully. A few minutes later it began, an otherworldly cry---a high-pitched wailing. It came from the front, behind, then from the side. El Kana, the film team leader, told the visitors that what they were hearing was "the fetish," and no one would come out.

The sky grew darker. Lightning lit up the clouds in the distance, and again on all sides. The wailing continued. The team said it was a strange experience indeed. El Kana told the visitors that the people were ushering in a ceremony, a rite of passage for young men. By wailing, they were summoning their ancestors (whom he said were in reality, demons).

While the unearthly wailing continued, he explained that some time during the night, the "Dodo," the oldest man in the village, would emerge from his hut completely covered in leaves. His job was to set out idols. Many of the people believed he would become a spirit and not a man. Then for hours, young men would flog themselves brutally, demonstrating their virility. El Kana said that occasionally, death has resulted.

The team did not yield to the fetish, the sound, nor the lightning. They prayed that the Spirit of the Lord would hover over the village, the showing, and those whom He had chosen, whom they knew He would soon call " . . . out of darkness into His marvelous light" (I Peter 2:9b, NASB).

At last, the wailing died away. Villagers emerged from their huts to the showing site where JESUS was threaded and ready. Then, in the middle of the first of four reels, a man came and began shouting loudly for 20 minutes. The lightning was moving closer and flashing ever more frequently. The wind was building. There was the smell of rain. The team prayed, "Please stop the rain . . . let it fall instead on the people's crops. An eyewitness said that immediately the wind died away. The lightning moved to the right and behind. Seeing the sudden change in the weather, that person said, "God's presence was so clearly with us that night."

Yet, the battle was not over. During the third reel, three-fourths of the people jumped to their feet and fled away. They literally ran back to their village. Team members stopped the film and immediately presented the gospel to those that remained, before they, too, fled. Out of that group, 30 people whom the Lord had chosen prayed to receive Christ.

The film team asked the people to return the next morning for follow-up. Twelve came, like the first 12 disciples. The team prayed they would be the core who would help deliver the villagers into the Kingdom of God, to be living lights of Truth in this dark place.

And light did come. For more than three nights, four other teams joined the team to present JESUS to 10,000 people. An estimated 3,700 indicated decisions for Christ! One of the teams remained, and is now moving deep into the land of Zing, where they will operate on foot for months. Their job is to show JESUS to many others, mentor, teach, follow-up, and nurture---what we all pray will be hundreds of new, thriving churches!

Now, I began this letter by mentioning a serious situation that challenges the work of these film teams. That is my primary motivation in sharing these amazing reports. You see, there is another storm that may be building. These teams, and hundreds like them, are at risk to continue their ministries, unhindered. They are in need of support in order to continue in several countries, like Kenya, Malawi and South Africa.

This is because there is funding only sufficient to support the film teams through June. That is the shortest reserve of film team funding on record. Hundreds of these teams may have to stop and wait for funding, be cut to part-time, or, in effect, be "laid off" from their all important roles.

By saying this, I do not wish to convey that our trust is not in God. However, I do believe He also expects us to be prudent, and to tell friends of The JESUS Film Project when there are real needs.

In some countries, up to 85 percent of Campus Crusade for Christ staff are film teams. These film teams are the backbone of ministry in the communities, by winning people to Christ and building them up. It is the teams who train and nurture, who mobilize numerous national partners to do the same, by conducting seminars, sharing expertise, and helping to create whole church-planting movements.

So we're not only talking about people not seeing JESUS, but also slowing or possibly stopping movements of follow-through evangelism. John Douglass, who leads film teams in 22 nations of Africa, said it well about this serious situation:

"To me, I can't even imagine cutting a single team because they are so strategic for the Great Commission. They are well trained, and have hearts for the Lord, giving their lives for the sake of Christ. We've come alongside them, and provided extensive training. Their highly effective ministries would suffer if we lose even one of these teams. I can't imagine tearing down what God has built up these last several years."

There is another equally important reason to assure full funding for these teams. Like another coming storm, the previously mentioned religious movement is extremely well-funded, strategic and aggressive. If you drive through many parts of Africa you will see that they have built thousands of "houses of prayer," as their advance claim upon the people.

Yet our God is greater, His resources to reach them, in Christ, are unbounded . . . released through prayer and the Word! That's why the gospel must reach them first, and new believers be built up in their faith. This is true, not just in Africa, but also in Asia and many other places where film teams are facing the same challenges, including potential cuts in funding.

At the very time when film teams are seeing unprecedented fruit and progress, as they are helping movements of evangelism and discipleship take root . . . this would be the worst possible time to hold back any of these JESUS film teams, simply for a lack of funding. For those on the front line, who see the people's hunger for the gospel, being held back from showing them JESUS is unthinkable.

So consider my letter as a call to all friends of JESUS to be in prayer, and to keep these film teams fully funded, as they, train, mentor, and build--until the knowledge of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea.

Would you feel led to help intervene? I ask you not to give out of compulsion, but with joy, knowing that God will work through you and your giving heart. He is our provider. Our role is to be obedient, by trusting, and glorifying our Lord and His mission.

Currently, there are funds enough to sustain the film teams for 12 more weeks. Each team needs $1,250 per month, to cover a very modest salary and their ministry of follow-up, training and equipping. There are 2,409 staff JESUS film teams. This means that many friends of JESUS are being invited to help. Perhaps you have not given in some time, so that people can see and understand JESUS in their heart language. Would this be the moment? If you are a regular partner, would you consider a special gift over and above your normal gift this month?

As the Lord may lead, can you help the teams by sending a gift of $100, $300 or $500? According to your ability, can you send a larger gift? Perhaps you have never been able to give substantially so that people might see JESUS. Not everyone can, of course. But if you have been blessed by resources, this could be an effective time to use them, by sending $2,500, $5,000 or $10,000. A gift of $1,250 could cover all the costs for a film team for a month. If you are able, would you consider funding and equipping an entire team for one year through an especially generous gift of $15,000?

I realize I may have been somewhat bold in my letter. I have written you knowing that hundreds of JESUS film teams may be coming to a defining crossroads, with broad implications. I would be less than faithful to them and their commitment if I did not lay out to you what could happen.

I have shared a lot with you: two powerful stories, and a great need. Now, allow me to end this letter with confidence in the Lord of heaven and earth; the Creator; Jehovah Jirah (the Lord provides). I believe He will provide, and perhaps He will provide through you.

Just as He responds to prayer, by stopping rain, moving lightning, and calming the wind so people might be transformed when they hear the living, powerful Word, so will He move in many hearts to keep these film teams going. The challenges and storms are different, but the same God controls all.

So with much gratefulness for you, I acknowledge your crucial role in helping the world see JESUS as you support these 2,409 JESUS film teams. Thank you for praying. Thank you for your partnership. May God bless you abundantly.

For Christ and His Kingdom,

Jim Green, Executive Director
The JESUS Film Project

P.S. Time is short to raise needed JESUS film team funding. Please share this situation with your family, church, Sunday School class, and others. As you are able, please select the "give a gift" option above. You can also give via credit card by calling (800) 387-4040. I look forward to telling you God has provided! Thank you.

Mailing Address:
The JESUS Film Project
PO Box 628222
Orlando, FL 32862-8222

For more information about this ministry, contact The JESUS Film Project, or call 800-387-4040.

The Ministry's Tax Identification Number is 95-6006173
Phone toll-free 800-918-9929, or 407-826-2300, FAX 407-826-2375.