Casting Spells

"Casting Spells"

All was ready for the film showing. People from the African village gathered in front of the screen. The film team members finished setting up the equipment to show JESUS and bent down to start the generator for the projector. Nothing happened. Unable to fix the problem, they had to postpone the showing until the next night. Although the generator worked perfectly when tested inside a house earlier that second day, at the film site that evening, it once again sat in silence. At this point team members knew spiritual warfare was waging. They discovered that a local witch doctor near the film site was casting spells to keep the generator from working. On the third day team members and a pastor decided to fast and pray. That night the generator worked flawlessly, and JESUS played from beginning to end. Many people indicated decisions to follow Christ after the film ended, including the witch doctor! Currently, he is growing in his faith as a member of a local church.

Jesus at the Bar

They planned to spend the evening drinking their worries away. How surprised they must have felt to see a film screen set up in the bar—and even more surprised when the JESUS film began. They watched the film, drinks in hand. Despite the drinking and rowdiness of the atmosphere, the film team gave a challenge to follow Christ after the film ended. Fourteen young men came forward to give their lives to Christ. The next day all 14 came to the follow-up session, where they gained assurance for their decision. Six of the young men later joined the film team and now show JESUS in other communities.

Thank You Letter From the Middle East

"To all the financial supporters of the JESUS film: Thank you very much for making it possible to show Magdalena in my country during Christmas. We put up several posters, radio and TV ads, and LED billboards. During the time the film was shown, 239 people came to see it (both Arabic and Kurdish), I know this may not be a big number, but this event is not only about numbers but the ability to hold such an event publicly in an Islamic country. We received lots of opinions concerning showing the film. Many objected to showing the film, so we  communicating how this film is important to know what Christian citizens believe, and encouraged them to attend. One very heartwarming story was of a blind woman who came to the cinema. She just wanted to listen. Another was a teen girl saying she only watched the film to mock it, but at the end she sat crying. We pray that the film will have an effect on the people who saw it, whether they where nominal Christians or Muslims, and intriguing to them to search and know more about the love of Jesus."

~ a missionary living in the Middle East

February 2016 - This is What Cheaters Get

Sena was set on revenge. Armed with a cutlass, he intended to kill the man who had committed adultery with his wife. As he wandered around town, waiting for darkness to fall before finding and attacking the man, Sena came upon a group of people watching a film. He drew nearer and realized the film, JESUS, was in his Ghanaian language.

At first Sena watched it just for entertainment, something to do until he began to search in earnest for the man who had wronged him. Then he heard Jesus speak of forgiveness and found himself drawn more deeply into the message of the film.

When it finished, he walked forward to receive Christ. He surrendered his cutlass to the students showing the film, told them the story of what he had planned to do, and assured them he no longer felt any vengeance against the man. Stunned by his story and the transformation of his heart, they immediately sought out a local pastor who committed to disciple Sena in his newfound faith.

Jan 2016 - The Call of God

The Call of God

A while back I had the honor of speaking for 3 days at a youth camp in Polk City, Florida to more than 70 high school students.

As the featured missionary for the week, I highlighted our ministry with The JESUS Film Project. The first day I shared the ADVENTURE OF MISSIONS covering the history and the work of the film. The next day I spoke on the SACRIFICE OF MISSIONS telling stories of persecution and martyrdom of some of our overseas JESUS film workers. The last day I covered the FUTURE OF MISSIONS presenting the need for workers at our JESUS film Master Studios in Orlando. I followed that up with several scriptures including Matthew 28:18 and a call to action.

I was amazed as 29 young people stood up to announce they felt God was calling them into missionary work. All of them came forward for prayer. Praise God for what He is stirring in the hearts of these youth as He prepares them to take our place one day.               

January 2016 - Short Films Prepare Hearts

A university student in Asia shared about using our short films in ministry: "I am a member of [a local] church. My cell group members organized a Christmas evangelistic program... During this program we were able to create a safe and comfortable environment in which we showed JESUS Film Media short films. The films served to prepare the hearts of the attendees so we could share the gospel. A dozen people heard about Christ that day, most of whom accepted Jesus as their Savior! I was blessed to see the faithfulness and supremacy of our Lord.”

Vonette Bright's Homegoing

With a spirit of both joy and sadness, I want to share with you a tribute to Mrs. Vonette Bright, who passed away to be with the Lord on December 23, 2015. 

As the co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ^®, she and her late husband, Dr. Bill Bright, championed the launch of the “JESUS” film and this film evangelism ministry in the late 1970s. And that support has endured over the years in multiple ways. In recent months, even in declining health, she has been a wonderful prayer advocate for the Project and its efforts to take the gospel to every person, to every nation, in the pursuit of the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

To join in honoring Mrs. Bright and her passion for advancing the work of the Great Commission, please consider a Tribute Gift, even today. Your gift will not only be an encouragement to Vonette’s sons, Brad and Zach and their families, but also help take the gospel to more unreached people across the globe. Every gift will make a difference in the lives of people and extend her legacy. Respond as the Spirit leads you. Thank you. 

Please click here to send a gift in honor of Vonette Bright.