Dear Friend in Christ,

These are challenging, uncertain times.

But they pale in comparison to the challenging times this young man faced. He was commanded to become a suicide bomber. Then God intervened . . .

Salim grew up poor, in a Palestinian camp. His two older brothers had each strapped on explosives, climbed through a secret passage in a wall, crossed into Israel and detonated themselves--killing and maiming untold numbers of innocent victims. Now it was Salim's turn.

Camp leaders came to him, saying it was his time to become a martyr, to honor his family and enter into the pleasures of paradise. But in his spirit, Salim heard another voice, "Do not do this, but flee." The feelings were powerful.

Salim took the explosive belt and detonator, entered the same secret passage used by his brothers before him, and crossed into Israel. But instead of blowing himself up, Salim hid the belt and fled . . . going to Syria, then through Turkey, Greece . . . and finally making his way into France. There he cooperated with French, anti-terrorism authorities. In return, they granted him political asylum.

Salim settled in an Arabic-speaking neighborhood. But he felt lost and missed his family. And he could not speak nor understand French. One day, while walking through his community, he came across a Bible booth maintained by an Arabic-speaking church.

On the table he saw a DVD of a motion picture. It contained identical French and Arabic soundtracks. He thought, "This film will help me learn French." Then he learned they were giving it away.

He took the gift, went home and placed it in a DVD player. But instead of learning French, Salim found himself captivated by the film, the story in Arabic. As you have already correctly concluded, that DVD was "JESUS"! What he heard was the Word of God and the gospel.

After watching and listening several times, Salim became convinced. This was truth. He prayed to receive Christ and was totally transformed.

Over the next several weeks, Salim called a counseling center several times with many questions. (The DVD included a phone number people could call to learn more.) One of the counselors decided to visit him. He traveled to meet Salim, heard his amazing story, and began to disciple him on a regular basis. He also helped Salim become part of that Arabic-speaking, evangelical church.

The counselor (who enthusiastically passed this report onto us) declares that Salim now is wonderfully changed, a new man in Christ. And he quoted Salim, who said: "Now I know it was God who moved in my heart. He did not want me to become a suicide bomber, but a follower of Jesus!"

Today Salim reaches out to non-Christians in his neighborhood, even those who have persecuted him for his faith. Salim responds to their hostility in love, sharing the gospel, and giving them DVDs of "JESUS"! Pray that as they watch and listen, they too will be transformed by the Word of God and the gospel.

Moving from urban Paris, France, I'd like to tell you about a film showing in rural Madagascar, a large island-nation off the eastern coast of Africa.

A group of volunteers took a projector and the "JESUS" film in the Malagasy language to a Hindu village. It was the beginning of the rainy season and the team already had struggled greatly with the weather. The rain poured so heavily that no vehicle could get through--not even an ox cart. So the dedicated workers carried in the equipment on their heads.

Even as part of the team set up the equipment, others went hut-to-hut sharing the good news, inviting people to attend the film. All the while it rained hard. Despite their prayers, the water continued to fall even as the showing time approached. To the team's surprise, the people came any way--including the priest of the local shrine. He was also the village chief.

Rain! It continued the entire time, from reel to reel. But it didn't matter; the people remained, captured by the Word and the story. At the end, the priest-chief surrendered his life to Christ. Most of the villagers followed his example and gave their lives to the Lord as well!

Join me in praising our gracious Lord for these two wonderful examples . . . for the power of God, and the hunger and openness of people to know Jesus.

I write to you today with a great opportunity.

Teams, volunteers and partners are asking for thousands of pieces of equipment to show the film "JESUS" to unreached people. This effort is just beginning in Madagascar. About 23 partners now have full sets of "JESUS" film equipment. Eleven of these partners are new. And each has a specific target area to reach--their surrounding communities--through "JESUS."

One pastor who received this equipment said: "Pastors have been eager to use the 'JESUS' film in their own church target areas as soon as possible. But one set of equipment is not enough to satisfy their desire."

Speaking of the church growth they are seeing, a "JESUS" film coordinator reported: "The number of members of one church rose from 150 people to 350 people due to the 'JESUS' film showings and follow-up. A pastor inquired zealously if it was possible to add one more set of equipment to reach his region rapidly. We have provided it for them!"

Demand for equipment to present "JESUS" abounds throughout the world. Volunteers, partners, and "JESUS" film teams all speak of great opportunity, of hearts ready to receive the good news if someone will send them the gospel in their own language.

This is why I again invite you to help to " . . .proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9b, NASB).

The needed equipment is rugged, easy-to-use and field-tested--capable of presenting Christ to groups ranging from a few people to thousands at a time. We have requests for projection equipment sets from numerous countries, for a growing number of teams of volunteers, staff "JESUS" film teams, and partners. They need generators, portable screens, speaker and light sets, digital P.A. systems, video projectors and DVDs. They also need DVD players, which can be provided for a gift of $275 each. (And one additional option to consider is to actually sponsor one of these "JESUS" film showings with a gift of $150.) In total, for all the equipment opportunities, more than $2.6 million is needed.

As you feel His prompting and affirmation, could you provide a portion of this much-needed equipment? As you are enabled and led, can you send a gift today of $35, $50 or $100? As you may be blessed financially, can you help with a gift of $500, $1,000 or as much as $2,500?

I do acknowledge that these are difficult times financially. Many ministry supporters are being adversely affected. If that is your situation, then I ask you to pray. But if you are able to take part, you can help make a major difference.

As you consider how you might respond, let me pass on a wonderful report from Rev. Glen Talbott. He is one of many friends and partners who have shared their personal experiences with "JESUS."

"My wife and I spent three months in the Philippines working with a large group of churches, holding small regional pastors conferences and showing the 'JESUS' film . . . We had purchased some videos of the film in several languages and a video projector. We put up a bed sheet for a screen, going to many small towns. Some areas had just gotten electricity recently.

"Usually the whole village turned out, and 30 to 50 percent would respond for salvation. A pastor was always present and he would get up and preach a little at the end. It worked so wonderfully that when we were ready to return home, my wife encouraged me to leave the video projector and other equipment. I grudgingly agreed, fearing that someone might accidentally forget to use a 220V to 110V AC converter and watch it all go up in smoke. Our investment of several hundred dollars would be gone. Finally I agreed to risk leaving it there.

"A couple years ago I led a group back to do another pastors conference. One of our (group members) inquired if they still had the 'JESUS' film working. He pointed out a (national) pastor and said, 'Go talk to that pastor.' The pastor said it still worked. We asked him if he had kept track of the number of (decisions). His reply . . . 'After 30,000 (decisions) we quit counting! Wow, was I glad that I had listened to my wife and the Lord."

There is great potential in every piece of equipment you can help provide. Your partnership can entrust to faithful pastors, volunteers and teams the tools they need to show "JESUS." Thanks for letting me share. I trust these reports have greatly encouraged you! As He enables and leads, have a generous part! Thank you so much.

For Christ and His Kingdom,

Jim Green
Executive Director
The JESUS Film Project

P.S. You can help supply a needed piece of equipment to reach people with the gospel. According to your ability, you might want to send $275 for a DVD player, $1,215 for a gasoline generator, or $1,795 for a video projector set (prices include preparation, shipping and customs).

As a reminder, you can give quickly and securely over the Internet--simply click on the red button "give a gift" button above. If you prefer, you can give via your credit/debit card at (800) 387-4040. Or, you can set up bank transfer (EFT) giving when you call toll free (888) 278-7233.

You can also give appreciated assets, bonds or real property, leveraging both an influential gift with potential substantial tax advantages. One other option is conversion of a portion of your IRA (age 70 or older) for kingdom work--some restrictions apply. Of course, please consult with your tax advisor regarding your individual situation. For information about stock and IRA rollover gifts, kindly call Ben Grames or Debbie Williams (our stock administrators) toll free at (888) 278-7233. Thank you for whatever you can do!

I have used a pseudo-name to protect this young man's identity.