Dear Friend, 

When it comes to the supernatural, there's nothing like having an eyewitness. In this case, 2,000 of them!

It happened last September in the savannah of Western Zambia, to a film team of The Wesleyan Church, one of many wonderful partners whose teams show JESUS.

One of their film teams was working in an area known as a center of witchcraft. From my own experience, I can assure you that witchcraft and the power of the demonic are very real, locking millions in chains of fear.

The team sought out the village "headman," securing his permission to show JESUS. But they failed to secure permission from his sister, Berena, the area's powerful witch.

The team chose an open field and began setting up their equipment--a table, DVD player, video projector, screen, speakers and lights. A curious crowd began to build. That's when Berena came storming in.

"What do you people think you are doing?" They tactfully explained that they had obtained permission from the headman, her brother. She fired back: "I don't care who gave you permission. There will be no showing of your JESUS film in this village. So just pack your things and go somewhere else!"

But the team felt they couldn't stop now. The people had helped erect the screen and were excited to see a film in their language. So the team told Berena they would continue. She snapped back, "Okay, we shall see who is in authority here," angrily turned away, and left.

The sun set, the people continued to gather, now about 1,000 in all. JESUS began to play, captivating the people, proclaiming the very Word of God. Team leader and eyewitness, Alex, told us what happened next: "I was sitting just behind the table, monitoring the equipment. About 30 minutes into JESUS something strange overwhelmed us. It was like a cold, eerie wind descended on the showing site--I can't really describe it. We all felt it. The whole crowd fell silent. Evil was in our midst.

"I saw it with my own eyes. The table on which we had placed the DVD player, projector and sound system lifted off the ground, about a foot, flipped over and crashed to the earth. The screen went black. The crowd knew it was witchcraft. Most panicked and scattered in all directions. All we could do was try and calm the remaining people. We announced we would hopefully be back the next day to show them JESUS."

Before Alex and his film team left the showing site, they knelt to pray: "Lord, the earth and its fullness belong to You. This ground is Yours, and we cover it in the blood of Jesus. We declare in the name of Jesus Christ that this ground shall witness the salvation and deliverance of many...."

The next morning the team inspected their equipment. Instead of finding damage, they were surprised to discover it was all in perfect working order. As before, the team went to the headman, asking his permission. As they spoke, here came Berena! She smugly announced, "I suppose you know who is powerful in this village...your God was made into a public spectacle, and He did nothing about it." Undaunted, the team went to the site and set up their equipment.

As night fell, the team was ready. They had placed the equipment on the same spot. The people gathered, but now the crowd was double in size from the night before, about 2,000 people, wondering if they would witness a supernatural confrontation.

The team pressed play on the DVD player. The digital projector beamed the images clearly on the screen. The people heard Jesus speak--the Word of God, in their own language. At 30 minutes, nothing happened...at 60 minutes, nothing...90 minutes, nothing....

Then at the end of JESUS something indeed supernatural happened. When the team gave the invitation for salvation, all but a handful of the crowd indicated decisions for Christ--nearly 2,000 people!

The workers were overwhelmed by the response and began following up with their new "babes in Christ." Then a few days later, while they were showing JESUS in another village, Berena showed up again. No longer hostile, she described watching JESUS that second night, but from afar. She confessed that she had since been struggling with deep conviction, for she had witnessed for herself that Jesus (and His cross) was greater than the demons she commanded. Berena also told of a recurring dream--a vision of hell--and how a voice kept saying His cross could save her. Now, she was ready.

Her heart soft, the team opened the Four Spiritual Laws booklet and explained the gospel. Sitting on the ground, holding the hand of a team member, she bowed her head in prayer, giving her life to the Lord. How wonderful that there is now a thriving church in that village. And Berena is one of its most committed members, a leader of the church who speaks boldly for the Lord. When we interviewed Alex for this letter, he happily reported that 35 new believers had just been baptized at the new church!

What an honor to share such reports with you. As Jim Green has done, and Paul Eshleman before him, I plan to pass on these stirring reports to you as well. It's a rich legacy of this ministry that encourages thousands! May what God has done inspire you, thank you, and confirm your close involvement with JESUS and the teams.

Just a few weeks ago we attended a highly important meeting. Jim, key managers and I gathered together to review the hundreds of request that have come to The JESUS Film Project. Among the most pressing needs is equipment to show JESUS, so that more than 2,000 teams around the world can be fully enabled to present the gospel and follow up with new believers.

Requests are from staff film teams with Campus Crusade for Christ. Other requests are from partner organizations like The Wesleyan Church. These partners have hundreds of their own film teams. They provide the labor. We have the privilege to provide training, the films and DVDs, and the equipment for many.

As we met, we prayerfully considered the many requests, meeting as many as we could. When we were done, there remained 27 percent that we could not fund. That's why I'm writing, letting you know, inviting your partnership to step in and have a part. Here are some of the tools those teams are requesting:

Digital Video Projectors (DVP). Like the projector used by Alex's teams, these modern, digital devices project bright, clear images of JESUS onto a screen--perfect for larger crowds. DVPs replace older 16 mm projectors, of which thousands are still in use today. Cost per unit is $1,875.

Pocket Projectors/Mini-Packs. These are well-suited for smaller showings of up to 50 people. They use a memory card to store JESUS or other media tools. Great for restricted countries, the cost is $1,075 each.

"Give Them Life" Backpacks. These are tremendous tool sets, in great demand. Everything a team needs, even a single worker, fits into a backpack--for large showings into the thousands. Cost for one backpack, including solar panels and battery, is $5,250.

Video Tablets. This rapidly growing technology is also ideal to reach people in restricted countries where security is tight. Similar to the widely used iPad, tablets can be loaded with the complete JESUS film in a suitable language, "Magdalena: Released From Shame," and follow-up videos. Each Video Tablet can be provided for a gift of $430 (including a cable to link to a television or video projector).

Messenger of Hope MP4 Player. These are especially in demand for dangerous countries. Resembling a cell phone, these hand-held MP4 Players allows a person, or a few, to watch privately and safely. These too can be pre-loaded with many media tools, such as "Magdalena: Released From Shame," to reach oppressed woman. You can provide an MP4 Player through a gift of $165.

As you feel His prompting, and He provides, I will welcome your gracious provision. Perhaps you can help by providing one or more of these tools, or have a part through a smaller gift of $100, or $250.

Thanks so much. I join with Jim Green in giving thanks to the Lord for you and this wonderful family of supporters who live to see the day when every person on earth will have at last heard and understood the gospel. May God bless you.

Until Everyone Sees Jesus,

Erick Schenkel, Executive Director
The JESUS Film Project

I join Erick in giving thanks for your partnership. This ministry will be in very good hands under his leadership, and also blessed by the many talents of Erick's wife, Elizabeth. I plan to continue to be very involved with The JESUS Film Project, helping to produce new media tools to reach people who have not heard: those in more urban areas of the world, the "Internet generation" and other unreached groups. Thanks for being so faithful.

For Christ and His Kingdom,

Jim Green, Executive Director Emeritus
The JESUS Film Project

P.S. In our last meeting, Erick, the management team and I reviewed the many requests for equipment, totaling more than $1,400,000. Humanly speaking, it is overwhelming. Yet, God can provide. As He enables you, as He leads, we both invite you to provide for these many opportunities. [b]You can provide this equipment online, as you give securely and safely by clicking on the "Give A Gift" button above. Another way to help is through a credit/debit card gift when you call (800) 387-4040. If you like, professional, friendly staff can help you set up monthly EFT giving. Thank you for however you wish to partner.

P.P.S. The rise in the stock market in 2012 has provided opportunities for gifts of appreciated securities and mutual funds. Perhaps you would like to use this appreciation to help lead people to Christ, while receiving excellent, potential tax benefit. For gifts of stocks, please call Debbie Williams or Ben Grames at (888) 278-7233 or send an email to stock@jesusfilm.org.