Dear Friend in Christ,

How much our Lord loves people!

How much He longs for those lost in spiritual darkness to hear the gospel and understand.

He uses ordinary people, folks like you and me, to tell them… even when it is so difficult.

Ten Americans, lay volunteers,* were on a challenging mission. They had arrived in Liberia (well before the current Ebola outbreak) to deliver several sets of projection equipment to partner film teams in an extremely remote area—so people might see "JESUS."

"We divided up the various bags of JESUS Film equipment and ourselves among four small taxi cabs and started to travel nine hours into the interior of Liberia. That is when the adventure began!

"The first 6 ½ hours of roads went from bad to worse, with our vehicles constantly
dodging and weaving around very large potholes, wash-outs and crevices. You could hear
the sheet metal buckling and popping in the roofs and floorboards as the little taxi-cabs
flexed and twisted along the way to the town of Ganta.

"There we overnighted. The next day we mounted up on several motorcycles, with our showing equipment. There was enough dust, dirt and mud to satisfy the biggest adventure junkie! Once we arrived, the best and most important part of the trip began: setting up and doing 'JESUS' film showings in the small 'hard to reach' villages."

The village leader gave the team a field to show "JESUS." But the site was near a very loud dance party with a blaring sound system (powered by a generator). After prayer, the group walked over to the party, inviting the revelers to learn about Jesus. Many of them said "yes," and came to the showing site, intrigued that they could watch a film in their mother tongue.

The dancing and loud music went on. But as "JESUS" played, as people heard the Word of God, more and more people left the party to watch and listen. By the time the invitation was offered, the music had stopped. The "dance floor of dust" was empty. About 300 people were gathered in the darkness listening to a pastor asking them to respond to all they had seen, to open their hearts to Jesus. At that moment, all the hardships of travel the volunteers endured became worth it when 138 people gave their hearts and lives to the Savior. That’s a 46 percent response rate!

In the next few days, the team went to another location, even more remote than the first. They reported that the roads were nothing more than "twisting paths illuminated by lanterns." As the volunteers set up the solar-powered equipment and large screen, the people became intrigued. More and more came out of curiosity. Eventually the crowd filled the showing site, on both sides of the screen.

When the invitation was given to come for prayer and to receive Christ, the "crowd came forward in waves…they kept coming and coming." One of the volunteers said he held hands and prayed for 45 people. Hundreds believed and were made new that night because these faithful workers had brought showing equipment so the villagers could experience the power of "JESUS" and the Word of God. As the leader of this team said, "Sharing Jesus is what we are called to do. Never miss an opportunity."

Then this, from one of the most challenging and dangerous nations on earth, where the dominant religion is used as a pretext to kill great numbers of Christians…men, women and children:

Partner teams report that they have used the new showing equipment to bring the gospel to 32,000 people thus far: "People {come} from everywhere…cattle and fishing camps, and even military units are attending showings of the ‘JESUS’ film… many of them have given their lives to Jesus."

Among those who believed were young radicals who had been involved in violent massacres of
hundreds of people. One village chief who experienced "JESUS" was very thankful and said, "{you have} finally found the best way to reach us who were born into darkness and were about to die in darkness…I have now seen and heard the true teaching of Jesus Christ." Even men of warring tribes are laying down their arms and choosing to forgive one another when they see "JESUS."

The breakthroughs and responses are so significant that the teams are "…urgently requesting more projector sets as interest to hear the gospel grows in other towns as well. They want to reach the whole area of their vast state."

In another challenging nation, a church-planting training took place for 32 young men. They were equipped to give people the gospel, plant a church and then train others to do the same. A staff member visited the area earlier this year and was amazed at the multiplication that had taken place, saying "…all of them are either a "Paul,’ a ‘Timothy,’ a ‘Silas’ or a fourth or fifth generation church planter…This went on and on." Another leader said: "…most of them are begging for ‘JESUS’ film equipment sets and for additional ministry materials. It is hoped that new equipment sets can be sent to Sierra Leone soon…" where I might add, people are understandably concerned about Ebola. When death is not far away, people start thinking about eternity. That’s when they are more willing, even eager, to learn what Jesus has done for them.

I hope these reports have given you just a glimpse into the scope of the possibilities. In Africa, Asia, the Middle East, nations of the former Soviet Union, Central and South America, ministry partners, workers, churches and film teams have seen the power of newly available equipment to bring their people "JESUS." These innovative technologies have opened so many doors. As that one "JESUS" film worker said, "Sharing Jesus is what we are called to do. Never miss an opportunity."

If I may, here are some opportunities I’d like to offer to you, to equip the teams and workers to enable people who have never seen nor heard to not miss the gospel. The teams and workers who will receive these tools or support are committed to using your partnership wisely, to reach as many as possible. Frankly, they are so zealous for these tools it takes little to influence them to maximize their work. Some are fearless. Once equipped, they share the gospel with a zeal that is humbling. So as God leads in your heart, consider one or more of these options.

DVDs of "JESUS," Evangelism and Follow-Up Tools: $60 provides 15 DVDs
Video Tablets: $325
Reach a Village/Plant a Church: $150
Traveling Film and Partner Teams: $315 for a week
Mini pico-set pack: $1,925
Large-Audience Digital Video Projector, Player, and Sound Equipment: $6,505

To help you visualize what one of these tools can do, I have one last story. It happened in yet another country where it is difficult to be a Christian. A young man, whom I will call Omed, had been given a palm-sized projector and was projecting the film "JESUS" on the wall of another young man’s room, Ibrahim.

Ibrahim had made it his mission to make Omed’s life miserable because he was a follower of Jesus. But Ibrahim was drawn by the kindness Omed always showed him. Now he had accepted Omed’s invitation to watch "JESUS," privately, secretly in that room, away from radicals.

In the weeks that followed, Ibrahim had many questions. For he had been touched by the life of Jesus and the Word of God. Omed challenged him to pray and seek God. He did and the next morning Ibrahim told Omed that peace came over him, his heart was changed. Now he understood and too was a follower of Jesus.

This is what can happen over and over, when one person watches "JESUS" through a palm-sized projector, or among thousands, as they watch and hear the gospel, the Word of God—for the first time in their lives.

Pray about these opportunities. Don’t miss what God can do through you. Thank you so much for however the Lord leads.

Until Everyone Sees Jesus, 

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

P.S. I am amazed at the enthusiasm of staff teams, volunteers and partner ministries for this equipment. While video projectors and generators are still used for very large showings, they and other workers can use small but effective tools to take the gospel into dangerous areas. The size and ease of set up enables workers to share the gospel "beneath the radar," out of sight of radicals. But even they will watch and respond, away from the presence of other radicals—made possible by such small, commonplace technologies like video tablets. This is how even people committed to violence can be touched by love and Truth, and be transformed. The versatility and power of this new equipment is why we are receiving so many requests. So please review the list of opportunities. As the Lord leads and enables, according to your ability, join in what God is doing. Let them hear and understand the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. And if you can, please send your gift by December 15, 2014. Your timely, generous partnership will truly make a difference, a gift of any size as He leads. You can also give via your credit/debit card at (800) 918-9929. Thank you so much.

As end-of-year approaches, consider gifts of appreciated property, 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.

* Liberia is a tiny nation on the coast of West Africa, currently in the epicenter of the worst outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in history. Fortunately, those 10 volunteers were there before the epidemic took root. It’s conceivable that they helped some people see "JESUS," and believe, before Ebola entered their lives.