The Bridge to Life: JESUS Film in the USA

Anna* led her young son toward the bridge, where she believed her final act in life would be an act of mercy. Without hope for a future, there seemed no choice but to end his life, and hers.

Anna’s desperation came from an overwhelming set of circumstances. In the weeks prior, she’d tried to provide for herself and her son in the midwestern U.S.A where they lived. But, her landlord would soon turn her out. She could no longer provide a home, if she couldn’t pay rent.

Eviction! Anna felt utterly alone and made her way toward the bridge.

On a whim, instead, Anna turned toward the entrance of a pregnancy resource center. She shared her story with them. The center’s director ushered her to a quiet area where Anna viewed portions of the Magdalena film.

The young mother emerged a different person. The movie gave her hope that God would carry her through, despite the circumstances.

Magdalena: Through Her Eyes portrays Jesus’s compassion for women and historical accounts of His interactions with them. The film’s companion Bible study is a key part of this pregnancy center’s outreach for providing hope and help to women. What a difference it made for Anna.

The pregnancy resource center was able to help Anna with her rent and she was not evicted. The Lord directed Anna away from the bridge of despair and death toward Christ, the Bridge to the Father.

*Name changed for privacy

Prayer Point: Pray for young mothers in the USA to see Jesus as their hope and salvation.

A Risk Worth Taking

It was more than a decade for Saba and her husband Ikhlas.

First, Ikhlas became a believer. Then Saba followed two years later. But when her relatives found out it, they wanted to kill Saba, her husband, and children.

The family had no choice but to flee to another town, cutting ties with Saba’s relatives. Nine years passed as the couple prayed, then God intervened.

Ikhlas and Saba sensed God telling them to return to their hometown. They bought a house and with great caution, invited family to visit.

One of Saba’s brothers was the first to come talk. Each day, Israr listened to Saba and Ikhlas read the Bible and speak about God. Finally, Israr agreed to study the scriptures.

Eventually, they all watched the JESUS film together and Israr attended their house church. His interest grew with each meeting until around Christmas, he began to struggle with his lifestyle and the religion he had grown up believing.

Despite warnings and threats from his parents, Israr accepted Christ and returned home to fearlessly live out his new faith among his family.

He went through training and with the fire of the Holy Spirit, started his own house church, proclaiming the good news to his family. After showing some of his sisters the JESUS film, one accepted the Lord and another sister said she would study the bible and decide later if she wanted to be a Christian.

Habits are hard to break. Ideas adopted and lived out since childhood don’t dislodge easily. But when people living in spiritual darkness get a glimpse of the light of the gospel, they are drawn to it.

Jesus Film Project resources help them explore any questions they have. Our films bring to life the truth of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. And when they see and hear the account of Jesus in their mother tongue, they have an authentic encounter with the Lord.

One-by-one, lives are transformed—over 42 million lives in 2017 alone—because of contributions from people like you. Thank you for allowing Christine and me to be part of what you are doing through Jesus Film Project.

Finding Hope in the Wilderness

If the Colorado weather is good, I go hiking about three times a week. As an introvert, I need time alone to recharge. I often encounter refreshing periods with God during these adventures. But if I'm not careful, when I'm experiencing some type of pain or rejection, those treks into the mountains can cause me to slip into the shadows of isolation, rather than gravitating toward community.

In 1 Kings 19:1-15, Elijah did this very thing when he ran from Jezebel who wanted to kill him. During his fragile moment, Elijah separated himself. But as he contemplated his predicament, a ministering angel came to him with food and water to strengthen him for the journey back. The angel nudged Elijah and told him to "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much."

How often I've said to God, "This journey is too much."

Thankfully, the Lord sends me community, spiritual brothers and sisters who touch my heart and speak into my life. Their encouragement restores the health of my soul and it's a great gift to me in times of trouble.

So now with renewed vigor, Elijah heads out to Horeb, the mountain of God. While holed up in a cave for the night, God speaks to him rather frankly, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elijah attempts to explain how his zeal and passion for God got him in trouble. But God isn't deterred. He eventually lays it all out for Elijah, telling him it's time to stop this AWOL junk and step back into real life. Elijah obeys and continues in a fruitful ministry. Meanwhile, Jezebel ends up dying a horrible death, never to torment Elijah again.

More than once, I have seen God make my own enemies suddenly disappear. I've looked around and they are just gone, by one means or another. God's loving care for us is sometimes like a momma bear. We should pray for the one who tries to stand between us and the Father.

Do you find yourself isolated and forfeiting nourishment from your friends and family? Have you holed yourself up in the cave of despair or bitterness? God says, "What are you doing here?"

Whether it's a lost job, ignored talent, a broken relationship, a failed ministry, or something else, it's time to get up and eat. God invites us to leave the darkness of our cave, reestablish godly community and take a bold step into His presence. Breakthrough is realized when we respond to the voice of God and resume the call that is set before us.

Read more about Elijah and other individuals in the Bible, who experienced times of failure and times of deliverance.

*Inspired by a sermon by Daniel Rolfe, Mountain Springs Church, Colorado Springs

"Brothers" Short Film Review

A dead father. A funeral service. A grieving family.

A sequel to the parable of the Prodigal Son. Set in modern times.

Although produced several years ago, the short film "Brothers" is still being used frequently to promote spiritual discussions. The film begins a few years after the original story from Luke 15. The father is now dead and the fallout between the two brothers is still happening.

The plot deals with several topics, including regrets, forgiveness, jealousy, and perseverance. We've all experienced these issues and any one of them would easily spark a conversation with viewers.

Actors Anthony Cosmano and Chris Burns do a great job as brothers in need of reconciliation. The acting is believable, both among the two main characters and the extras at the wake. I love that the mom is included in this sequel too, bringing depth to the storyline. I also appreciate how the backstory is told without making you feel like you're listening to backstory. It's not forced or contrived, it's just a conversation that happens naturally between the two family members in the lobby.

Directed by staff member, Paul Hardway, the film (shot in First Presbyterian Church of Orlando) is almost 9 minutes long. Our ministry has used this film both in the U.S. and overseas with much success. Below are some of the questions you could ask after to prompt deeper talks.

• Which of the two brothers has the greater flaws?
• How would your own dad respond if you were the brother who abandoned the family?
• What do you think about the concept that the father in this story is like God?

You can be part of the movement that brings the greatest story of all time to everyone. When you're done viewing the short film, scroll down and join the Jesus Film Project's^® email newsletter to see how the story of Jesus changes everything.

Paid to Betray Their Country

Nadia and Neesha* are two women in Central Asia who are passionate about sharing their faith. In the face of great danger, they would secretly hand out Bibles and tell others about Jesus, even though their country was hostile toward Christianity.

One day they spoke to a man who was an undercover policeman. He arrested them and discovered eight Bibles in their purses. Sitting in a basement jail and fearing for their lives, they began to pray.

Then Nadia said, “I read that when Paul was in prison, he sang. So let’s sing!”

One of the prisoners down the hall yelled, “You’re crazy! They are going to rape you both and then kill you. How can you sing?”

But the women kept singing praises to God. Suddenly, the undercover officer came down the stairs. He unchained them and took them to a private room for interrogation.

“You risked everything to give these Bibles away. You have betrayed your country and your family. No one would risk all this unless being paid a lot of money. Who is paying you to do this?”

Nadia replied, “You are right, someone did pay for us to do this. I will tell you everything.”

“Who is it?” the man pressed.

“His name is Jesus, and He gave His life to save mine.” Nadia continued sharing all she knew about Christ and how He came to save the world.

Finally, the policeman interrupted, “Stop! If you keep talking, I’ll end up believing this story too.”

With that, he returned the eight Bibles to Nadia and Neesha and, incredibly, released them to go. Astonished and suddenly standing free outside the prison, the two women quickly separated, each going a different way in case they were being followed.

As soon as Neesha turned the corner and was out of view from the prison, she ran face to face into the undercover officer. She stopped and gasped. He had been waiting for her at the prison’s back entrance.

“Give me one of those Bibles!” he whispered.

“Excuse me?”

“May I please have one of your Bibles? I must know more about this Jesus.”

Neesha smiled, dug down into her purse, and handed him a copy, along with a card giving instructions on how to download the Jesus Film^® app.

“Thank you,” he said and then he disappeared inside.

Nadia and Neesha need your prayers as they continue to risk everything to spread the gospel.

You can download the Jesus Film app here.

*For security reasons, Nadia and Neesha are composites of two unrelated incidents.

New Translation Finished!

As of yesterday, production of the 1700th classic “JESUS” film translation was completed. It is the Cheke Itolo language, for Solomon Islands people in the South Pacific. All glory goes to God! 

Respecting the Bible

I grew up in church and my family was very devout. I recall my father telling me to never place my Bible on the ground. We were to respect God's Word as a holy, living love letter from God to us.

One time I remember using it like a coaster by placing my glass of water on it. My mother almost flipped out as she scolded me. This was the last time I made that mistake. To this day I am careful to treat my Bibles with respect, even if I mark them up inside with highlighters.

I've been through a lot of Bibles over the decades. Sometimes the binding gives way, the pages fall out and the cover fades or cracks. Not from misuse, but from daily use. Tape and glue can only go so far before I need to buy a new copy.

Some people, however, are not so excited about God's Word. Check out this story of how one tiny Bible changed a man's journey.

It was hot and Lonalynn was tired of being rejected all day whenever she tried to spark spiritual conversations with Middle Easterners.

During this Jesus Film^® mission trip, Lonalynn handed an Arabic New Testament to Mo, a Muslim man on the street. He took it, glanced at it briefly, then promptly threw it down on the curb.

That was the last straw for Lonalynn. Infuriated, she yelled "Hey! No! You do not treat a holy book that way!"

Mo stopped and waved his hand at her, "It is not the Koran. I have no use for it."

"This is the Word of God and you must respect that," she said as she picked it up from the street.

When he saw her passion, he changed his mind, took the Bible from Lonalynn and asked for more information. They spoke for a long time about the one true God and his Word.

Mo walked away that day eager to read this book from God and to watch the Jesus film Lonalynn gave him.

More conversations have been occurring as Mo continues to meet with local Jesus Film workers. Pray for Mo as he embarks on this new spiritual journey and reads his new Bible.

Check out this link to learn more about the Bible and its power to transform lives.