Digital Evangelism is the Future of Missions

 

Check any recent study on the state of missions and you'll see that outreach efforts have undergone significant changes.

Digital is the way most of the world now desires and responds to information, including the gospel. 

Tez has a new role with Jesus Film Project as a trainer for churches and organizations desiring to maximize their outreach efforts digitally. them utilize one of the many innovative evangelism tools Jesus Film has created.

He's also been meeting with our staff in Italy to see how he might work with them remotely from the USA as they start up a new ministry to those hiking the Via Francigena (a spiritual pilgrimage). 

Christine continues in her position with the International School Project , coaching and encouraging new and veteran missionaries.      

A Train Ride with Jesus

We believe Christ-centered media in one's heart language can change the world for Jesus. One of our missionaries was traveling by train in an undisclosed country. Before boarding, she was watching the JESUS film on her tablet, but it seemed to freeze or shut down, so she put it into her bag.

After settling in and falling asleep, the tablet mysteriously started playing the film again from inside her bag!

The surrounding passengers heard the sound. An elderly man said, "Woman, something is speaking in your bag. Take it out! It sounds like it's saying something good."

Our co-worker explained it was a film about Jesus and took out the tablet, and played it for them. She continued showing some of our short films. She played them for the rest of the train trip.

A 71-year-old grandmother repented and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior right there on the train! Not only did this grandmother go to the church address we gave her, but she brought her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law. She is now attending church and is eager to be baptized.

Thank you for making it possible for us to reach the lost. We couldn't do it without your support.  

"My Family Will Kill Me!"

As you know, I (Christine) am involved in an outreach to international women who live in my city. Most do not follow Jesus but once in a while, a believer will attend. This week, I sat next to a young woman from a Middle Eastern country. Her name was M. 

She was a believer and when I asked how she became a Christian, she shared her story which started in her home country.

She has an autoimmune disease and had been in the hospital. Her friend came to visit and read scripture over her. She said this was the beginning of her belief. Seeds planted.

This friend introduced her to two other believing women who worked in a salon. Mariam would go to have her hair done and hear about Jesus.

Then Mariam’s mother died and her family said she was to blame. They also said that her autoimmune disease was God’s punishment on her. But for what, she didn’t know.

Mariam compared how these Christian women treated her and how her family treated her. She felt loved by the Christian friends and this softened her heart to Christ.

Mariam began to read her Bible when her father wasn’t home, but one day when he overheard her talking to Christians on the phone he realized she became a Christian. he was very angry.

She had already applied to be an exchange student here in the US and came here to study. After she got here, she applied for religious asylum and was granted. She is living here as a young woman with no family and can’t go back because her father said he would kill her. As she told me her story, the joy of the Lord shone through her. Her commitment and love for Jesus outweighed the loss of her family. She will be instrumental in helping us reach the other women in the group. 

I share this story as an encouragement of how easily we can influence others for Christ. Who will you influence today? This young woman‘s eternal destination is forever changed because of some friends who were bold enough to merely read scripture and demonstrate the love of Christ. You can do the same!

Thank you for making it possible for me and M to reach these women. I couldn't do it without your support.  

TIMES SQUARE FEATURES JESUS FILM

Recently our ministry, the Jesus Film Project and the Bible App (that I regularly write YouVersion reading plans for) were featured on the big screens. Praise God for New York's willingness to encourage people to read the Bible and watch our films.  

The world is open and looking for answers in the Big Apple and around the globe. Join us in sharing your faith boldly and see what God does. 

Scan this QR code to check out Tez's YouVersion Reading Plans

Turkey Trip Report

Check out our latest newsletter report from a recent trip to Turkey.

https://mailchi.mp/3fdb20deb563/awo51y8tib-17470681

From Criminal to Evangelist

Sattar* served three prison terms for serious offenses. After his release from prison, he continued to live a life of crime. But by God’s grace, Sattar came to Christ in the summer of 2014. 

Since that time, he has taken very seriously Christ's command to reach all people for Him, so he asked the city officials to have his house opened as a home church for his friends from the criminal world. 

He invited them to a showing of the JESUS film every Wednesday. Soon, he decided that showing the film once a week was not enough, so he added Saturdays too. Many have chosen to follow Christ as a result of seeing the film. 

Praise God for using believers like Sattar to take the gospel (via this film) to everyone, everywhere!

*Name changed for security

Delivered Instantly from Drugs

Elnaz and his wife, Roya, struggled with drug addiction for 27 years agonizing years. Desperate for hope and deliverance from the all-consuming bondage of their dependence on the poison that was robbing them of their very lives, Elnaz reached the tipping point of his ability to carry on under his own power. Utterly broken and despondent, he cried out to God for help.

For reasons he did not fully understand at the time, Elnaz turned on his television and flipped through the satellite channels until he landed on one particular channel, which was showing the Jesus Film in Farsi.

Immediately captivated by this story of grace and forgiveness, Elnaz called Roya into the room, where together they watched the film and wept as they realized that Jesus suffered and died for them. When presented the opportunity to pray for personal salvation at the end of the film, Elnaz and Roya dropped to their knees and felt 27 years of blackness and hopelessness melt away as they asked Christ into their hearts.

In that moment, the Lord supernaturally delivered Elnaz and Roya from their drug addiction. Counselors continue to communicate with the couple regularly and report that they are growing in their relationship with Christ and continue to enjoy sobriety.

Incredible, life-transformational stories, like this of Elnaz and Roya, are happening throughout their country every day. God is moving across this nation unlike any other time in history and we have the privilege of being a part of His amazing work among Persians.

We do not do this in isolation. With more than 40 ministry partners, this television station is utilizing the power of collaboration and partnership to penetrate every corner of this lost and broken nation with hope of Christ.

Please pray for this station to continue to effectively communicate the hope and love of Christ to the millions of Middle Easterners who wake up each morning, hopeless and desperate for acceptance. With our ministry partners, we are trusting the Lord to use us to transform a nation of people like Elnaz and Roya for His glory.