Partners at Home

An Open Letter From Your Neighbor

Jesus Film Project partnerships provide ways to link arms with U.S. churches, organizations and individuals to reach internationals both overseas and in America. When opportunities arise, these partners offer a "JESUS" DVD to immigrants and foreign visitors. Below is a thank you note from Cindy Dake and her family in Texas:

It was summer when we took in an 8-year-old Eastern European orphan through a hosting program. It was our job to show Petya* what American family life is like. The orphanage suggested we get "The Story of Jesus for Children" in his native language, so we did. But we forgot about it for some time.

Petya was with us for five difficult weeks. When his bio said he spoke Russian, I assumed we could use Google Translate, but he couldn't read Russian yet, so he couldn't type back.

It was painful to hear the wonderful discussions other host families were having with their orphans who spoke English or used Google Translate. As the weeks wore on, the lack of communication made his visit more difficult. His fascination with America diminished. He was crankier and didn't want to interact with us much.

We were unable to discover what else he was thinking. We only got yes or no responses from Petya or food requests like ‘peeza, cheeken, or gamburgers.’ Xbox was his escape from those with whom he couldn't communicate.

Finally, God broke through. Two nights before his departure, we finally watched "The Story of Jesus for Children," with English subtitles for us. I worried he would balk at giving up an hour of video games. But once he heard the Russian language, he was completely taken in—never budging throughout the movie.

Our entire family piled on the bed, watching this young boy hear the gospel for the first time. He happily giggled when Jesus (speaking in Petya's mother tongue) performed miracles. He was visibly touched and wiped his eyes when Jesus was crucified.

At the end of the film, when the child actors explain what it means to ask for forgiveness, follow Jesus and receive eternal life, Petya enthusiastically nodded and responded. He wanted Jesus to forgive his sins and be Lord of His life. Then he prayed to receive Christ.

Wanting to be confident he understood what he just did, we hit rewind, backing it up to the beginning of the salvation message, making sure he heard it again. It was obvious the film made the incredible love and forgiveness of God clear to this little guy. I know God will honor Petya's childlike step of faith.

When he left us a few days later, we sent with him versions of this film and the original, classic "JESUS" film to share with the orphanage. We were told the hosted kids often bring home DVDs, and the directors appreciate this because all the kids benefit. We also sent a Russian children's Bible, so one day, when he learns to read, he will have it.

It is humbling to watch God break through an impossible obstacle to reveal Himself to someone for the first time. I’m so grateful for the person or organization that funded the Russian language translation of this film. What a blessing it’s become.

*Name changed for privacy.

If you'd like to learn more about how you can use the "JESUS" film to reach people in your community, go to www.JesusFilmStore.com.

Our Film From 2009 Still Strong

Quick, what’s your favorite movie ever?

Chances are, the reason it’s your favorite is that it had some message that touched you somehow. I’m sometimes amazed when a seemingly insignificant film impacts me. 

Back in 2009 we shot the film exclusively for Middle Eastern women titled, Rivka (a sequel to our movie Magdalena: Released From Shame). Like any religious movie, we knew it would have a very short shelf life. 

None of us thought God would still be using Rivka today. And not only in the Middle East, but in places we never imagined. Check out this story we received from north Asia showing that our film from 2009 is still strong.

A few months ago an organization was holding discipleship training seminars across the region; focusing on training women in particular. The goal was to help the attendees step out and build relationships with people who want to hear the gospel.

As part of the training they graciously decided to use our films. Magdalena: Released From Shame, was shown and then the sequel Rivka, a follow-up series. 

The next week, the trainees then turned around and began showing these films too. They arranged to show it in cultural institutions, hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, and drug rehab centers. 

It was in such a place that Anna heard the gospel for the first time. Anna struggled with opium addiction since she was young. She served jail time for killing her husband and struggled with alcoholism. 

“Then God did a miracle in my life,” Anna said.

“He brought me to a rehabilitation center for alcoholics. While there, some Christians brought in the movie Magdalena. This film helped me realize God loves me, regardless of my sinful choices. For the first time that week, I read the New Testament, and now I read it every day. We have different lessons from the films Magdalene and Rivka, which help us learn the Bible.”

Guess what else came out in 2009? Avatar – one of the biggest box office films of all time. Yet I have trouble finding many who like it or care to see it a second time. 

 

At Jesus Film Project we have great stories every week of how God is using our films to bring people to him and help them grow in their faith. Rivka continues to surprise us. Not bad for a low budget, eight-year-old, non-Hollywood film, eh? 

That’s what I love about our ministry here—we get to glorify God by fulfilling the Great Commission along with you. Thanks for helping make this happen.

Celebrate the 1,500th Translation of the Jesus Film

Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15, New International Version).

God has been at work, from the first translation to the 1,500th.  All the way back in 1979, the “JESUS” film first aired in theaters across the United States. Those first showings saw thousands of people come to know Jesus.

The Holy Spirit was moving.

Less than a year later, the “JESUS” film was translated into Urdu and Tagalog, along with 28 other languages.  By early 1986 (thanks to the faithful support and prayers from believers like you), there were more than 100 translations of the “JESUS” film.

Today I hope you share in our joy as we celebrate an almost unbelievable 1,500 translations.  More than 7.5 billion people have heard the good news.  490 million people have made decisions for Christ! 

For the Daasanach people, their time is NOW!

The Daasanach are a remote people group, their villages stretch far and wide across the harsh Ethiopian countryside, even into Kenya and South Sudan.  That gives you an idea of how expansive the region is and how many people we are praying will come see the film and hear the gospel.

We’ve already heard there is an excited buzz spreading as families hear about the film coming. It’s taken hundreds of hours to prepare and translate the “JESUS” film into their heart language.

Production is finally complete, and the next step is to show the film.

Because you have been praying for or giving toward our ministry, you’ll be sharing Jesus with them.  They’ll get to know our Savior because of YOU!  They’ll hear that they are loved.  They’ll be able to leave false gods and ancestor worship behind.

Your partnership with us has helped to show the film to thousands of unreached Daasanach people. I can’t think of a better way to proclaim His name to an unreached people group in their own language. 

On their behalf, thank you for making a difference now and for eternity. ~ Tez and Christine

A New Chapter Begins

OUR SUMMER

What a whirlwind season this summer has been since we finished raising our support at the end of May.

It started with a simple handoff of my department to a very qualified new leader and suddenly doors flew open for new opportunities for both of us, including a move to Colorado Springs. After a few false starts, we are about to move in a few days.

In July we attended our bi-annual staff conference. It's a 10-day event in Colorado where 6,000+ Cru missionaries come together to rest and relax. We worship together, celebrate what God has done and hear from the Lord so we can return to ministry refreshed and empowered.

Tez taught about 200 missionary authors about the book industry and was later offered a role to be Director of Publishing for Cru Intl. Although he was honored to be asked, he has turned it down for now, so he can continue on with Jesus Film Project.

We rented a humble little mobile home up in the mountains overlooking the city. Two days before it ended, a forest fire approached the mountain where we were staying so we had to evacuate to a hotel. For lack of space, I'm minimizing that event. Let's just say it was a much bigger deal than I've just described.

We got to tour Focus on the Family headquarters and one of Tez's literary friends who works there took us on a back stage tour and let the girls sit in the radio studio. 

When we arrived home (being gone 20 days) it was time to pack our house and continue trying to sell it. Meanwhile, we've enrolled the girls in school here knowing they will probably have to leave in a few weeks...Lord willing.

God has given us strength and patience through it all. We look forward to autumn in Colorado where they say the colors are amazing. 

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

The International School Project (ISP) is another ministry of Cru. It was started as a spin-off from Jesus Film Project. I'm very excited about ISP and the partnership they have with us here at Jesus Film Project. Now Christine is serving with them to help build spiritual movements among educators worldwide.

Christine will go into schools overseas and teach educators how to use curriculum that teaches students the moral value of abstinence, avoiding drugs and alcohol. One evening during this week of seminars she will show the JESUS film and give each teacher a DVD copy.

Because the program requires Christine to take multiple trips, new friendships will be forged between her and these teachers. Many of them are new believers so Christine is very excited about the opportunity to disciple these international women.

One Minister of Education said the entire nation is being transformed. HIV is down, teen pregnancy is down and crime is down since ISP began visiting his country.

As a couple, Christine and I look for ways to use our skills and creativity to glorify God and point others to Christ. With Christine's degree in Education, her experience teaching, and her love for discipling women, this is a great fit for her.

We are expanding our influence as a couple, using both evangelism and humanitarian work to assist us in presenting the gospel message. 

Since I have recently handed over my leadership role at Jesus film Project to another team member, this frees me up to work from my home office. So we will be moving to Colorado Springs to be closer to Christine's new team.

We've always longed to live in Colorado so this opportunity is an amazing blessing for us. We've sold our home in FL and arrive in Coloroad around the 19th. Working for the Lord is always an adventure and we're so glad you're in it with us. 

A "Do Over" in the Middle East

The sun was shining, but Abdul’s heart felt heavy as he walked along the waterside with Sam, a Jesus Film^® staff member. Because of the limitations on evangelism in his Middle Eastern country, he had not seen many people come to Christ. Am I really helping to grow God’s kingdom? Or am I just wasting my time? he wondered.

Earlier that day Sam and other staff members trained several local believers, including Abdul, how to share their faith using the Jesus Film app. The training team highlighted the app’s library of nonreligious short films as a very effective means of starting spiritual conversations with nonbelievers in closed countries.

Following the training, the staff paired up with the nationals and went out to put the skills they’d covered to the test. Sam partnered with Abdul, and the two set off.

Sam and Abdul approached a young man, Omar, and after some small talk, asked if they could show him a short film titled Ctrl Z. Omar agreed to watch the film, which focuses on second chances. Omar’s eyes remained fixed on the tablet screen for the next six minutes.

He watched the story of a computer malfunction and an office loner who takes full advantage of the chance to magically undo a lifetime of regrets. (view film here)

Then Sam asked Omar if he would go back to redo a part of his life if he was given the opportunity.

“Yes! But that is only fiction,” Omar replied.

Sam and Abdul used that open door to directly share the good news with Omar. After many questions, especially about God’s grace, Omar said, “This makes sense.” He then prayed and received Christ.

“This never happens here!” said Abdul. “Now I am excited to tell everyone about Jesus. Especially since you have equipped us with a simple way to engage and share the gospel with everyone!”

Cow Dung Fight

Southeast India

Pastor Kaif has boldly proclaimed the good news of Christ, covering the entire area with showings of JESUS and Magdalena: Released From Shame over the course of a couple years. Religious extremists have made multiple threats on his life, but still he persists.

On one occasion, he heard some of the extremists gathering outside his church. Aware of the danger but at a loss for what to do, he simply sat in front of his church and started praying.

A local woman—a nonbeliever—saw Pastor Kaif’s life was in jeopardy. She headed for the village and gathered 35 other women, also nonbelievers, and hurried back to the church. The throng of women shouted at the religious zealots to leave Kaif alone. “He is our church father,” the women protested, “and he is working for our sake.” Then, in an act of ultimate defiance, the mob hurled cow dung at the religious extremists. The men ran away in shame.

Since that day, Pastor Kaif’s ministry has expanded to two churches with about 120 believers. 

Thanks for making this happen! God is working through the Church Planting Movement Initiative (CPMI), a partnership between South Asia Campus Crusade for Christ^® and Jesus Film Project^®. The ministry strives to ensure every CPMI church planter is well-equipped biblically, relationally and personally for ministry. Mentors provide these church planters with systematic biblical teaching and training, encourage them in their faith, and guide them in establishing sustainable, multiplying churches. This creates a powerful ripple effect of national believers reaching the unreached with the power and love of Christ.