Send “JESUS” Teams--Challenge Grant $150,000

#2571179 - "JESUS" Film Teams

Dear Friend in Christ,

I bring you a tremendous report … a “fish story.” For you and every partner of JESUS are truly “fishers of men.”

May you rejoice as you read what He has done, how He has worked through your thoughtful, generous giving and your prayers. Thank you!

Madagascar is a huge island nation located off the coast of East Africa. Many thousands of small villages dot the countryside, connected by foot trails, rugged roads and rivers. Though some claim a Christian heritage, many don’t know Him and instead worship evil spirits.

In one of these villages lived a powerful witchdoctor, known as the “river priest.” His name was Sidy.

Sidy openly opposed Christ and His followers. He would not allow any Christians to enter the area. And he repeatedly warned his people: “The river god forbids you from eating fish in the river, else you will die.”

He was also the local healer, a shaman in touch with the spirits. But Sidy became quite sick and for four months was unable to heal himself. He was now in extreme pain, with constant vomiting, hardly able to stand. That’s when Pastor Bruno*, a dedicated servant of Christ and part of a Madagascar film team arrived. Without asking permission, he set up to show JESUS in one of the villages. Sidy heard about it but was too sick to oppose, much less come and watch.

* A few months previously, Pastor Bruno had taken the Global Church Movements MC2 training (“MC Squared”). Part of that training is to field and lead film teams who use JESUS to plant and follow up new churches.

Pastor Bruno felt led to show JESUS a second night. This time Sidy was able to come. As often happens, the life of Christ deeply touched many hearts, including his. Sidy was stunned, saying, “I never thought that one would give his life for another. I saw that Jesus loves me.”

Right after the showing, and being deeply conflicted, Sidy wanted to talk with Pastor Bruno. He said: “I am the priest of this river, and now you are bringing me news of another god. If your God can heal me, I will follow Him.” Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Bruno replied, “Your sickness is not from God but from the devil.”

So Pastor Bruno prayed, standing against Satan and the evil spirit. * God healed the witchdoctor! Pastor Bruno applied his training: “Now I need to teach you more about Jesus Christ.” Next, and before all his people, Sidy announced, “From now on, I will follow Jesus. I have been leading you in the wrong way. It is from Satan. Jesus is the true God.” But some of the people couldn’t believe what they were hearing. How could this authoritative witchdoctor, whom they had long feared, be so radically changed?

* Sometimes it’s not clear whether a sickness is demonically caused, is physical, or both. Yet demonic activity is real and common. Whatever the cause, film teams pray to Jesus, the Great Healer, asking Him to act, to demonstrate His power.

Sidy then took a bold step. He went down to the river, caught a fish and ate it publicly. The people protested loudly. How can you do this?! You’ve told us this is forbidden. You will die!” But nothing happened. To them it was overwhelming.

Sidy declared: “I have eaten the fish to show you that Jesus is the true God of the river. He healed and saved me.” He then shared the gospel with them and urged them to also eat fish from the river, assuring them, “You will not die.”

The bravest rushed to the water, caught fish and ate as well, without harm. Pastor Bruno also showed them the JESUS film. And many believed.

Because he was so respected, Sidy became the pastor of a new church with 20 members and changed his name to Paul.

Pastor Bruno took “Paul” under his wing, teaching him how to read—using the Bible—so he could share the Scriptures and his testimony. Bruno also followed up those new believers, discipled and taught them in their new faith. The new church (where there had been none) has since grown from 20 members to about 75! Moreover, the people have walked to other villages with Pastor Bruno and the JESUS film, along with Paul, the former witchdoctor. They all tell what Jesus has done for them. The result: two more new churches have been planted, 50 and 70 new believers … almost 200 new children of God.

Further, the people now catch fish in the river and sell them in the local markets, improving themselves nutritionally and economically. It’s become quite a business. Best of all, Paul, Pastor Bruno and the believers have a grand vision to take the gospel and JESUS to all the surrounding villages. It’s why leaders there are asking for several sets of equipment to form new, partner film teams. They too will be trained in church planting, follow-up and discipleship. To Him goes the glory! What a wonderful fish story!

Here’s another great story. This report is from a close partner ministry. For security, this partner wishes not to be named.

Their teams are working in a very difficult country, one of many, where you can be killed for sharing your faith. One of the film team members became fearful of radicals who defend the dominant religion. They were convinced they should leave. But another had a dream in which he saw a person. The Spirit said they could not leave until they had reached that person. The following night yet another film team member had a similar dream. The next day, the two team members went searching for the man but without success, so they returned to the place where they were staying.

Then came a knock on the door, which they opened. Standing before them was the man in their dreams. It turned out he was a very high-ranking leader of the area. He had assumed these visitors were there to pay him homage.

They replied, “No, instead we are here to tell you about Jesus.” He answered, “Last night, I had a dream about this person, Jesus.” Knowing the Spirit was working, the team set up their showing equipment so this highly placed leader could experience JESUS. Remember, he was a committed follower of that aggressive religion.

When JESUS concluded, he told the team “I’m ready to follow Jesus.” He then invited 274 other people of the community to watch JESUS, declaring that he was no longer that same leader, no longer trapped in the wrong beliefs. Through his influence and the power of the gospel, ALL 274 became followers of Christ! He then gave a charge to the film team and those he led in the community. He told them to announce that he was a new man, no longer “following the wrong path.” He also charged them to show JESUS to hundreds of thousands, to plant churches, to teach them the gospel. All this happened in an extremely closed nation. Only God could have done this!

I have shared these two marvelous reports because they flow from His power, the obedience of dedicated film teams, and your gracious prayers and partnership that send them. Thank you! Would you feel moved to again support and send these film teams, so they might show JESUS to unreached men, women and children and to follow up and disciple those who believe?

As you may know, each film team needs about $42 per day (the worldwide average). This amount provides for their travel, meals and lodging, supplies, and costs to present JESUS, do follow up, disciple new believers, and plant churches that grow and reproduce.

The evidence that God is moving is profound. Because hearts are open as never before, a generous partner couple has issued a Challenge Grant of $150,000 to support JESUS film teams. They are hoping that their gift will lead the way and inspire your own gift. So as God leads, perhaps you can send a gift of $126 for three days of a film team’s ministry, or $294 to support a week of showing JESUS and meeting with new believers or training partner film teams to do the same. Perhaps you can cover half a month through a gift of $625.

Should you have good financial resources, you may feel led to sponsor one month of ministry through a gift of $1,250, two months for a gift of $2,500 or an entire year through a very generous gift of $15,000. And new teams like Pastor Bruno’s in Madagascar need several Church-Planting Backpack Sets. * A gift of $3,240 supplies a backpack to waiting teams, servants of God, ready to go to unreached people.

However, He leads and enables, God will be working through you and those committed teams. You’ll be going with them and by your prayers, shining light into the darkness, helping to set the captives free, leading people who are having dreams about Jesus to His word, and pointing them to the truth of the gospel.

Thank you so much. I hope that the Challenge Grant of $150,000 will be an inspiration. Please feel free to share these two wonderful reports with your family, pastor and church friends or online Bible study group. Invite them to join with you in prayer and giving. God bless you for however you can help.

Until everyone sees Jesus,

Josh Newell
Executive Director
Jesus Film Project®

PS. Supporting JESUS film teams around the world requires many, many partners. It’s why that donor couple gave the first $150,000 as a Challenge Grant. For the teams’ ministries, more than $1.2 million must be received by October 1. To donate today, please click the “give a gift” button. If you would prefer to donate by phone, please call us toll-free at 1-800-918-9929.

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