The
JESUS Film Project
Some have asked my why I chose to highlight Campus Crusade
for Christ International and their JESUS Film Project
in my section "Tools of Evangelism: national and international"
above all the other fine evangelistic organizations.
One main thing I was looking for in an evangelistic
organization was a group that appeared to be helping
the other evangelistic groups the most with their own
resources and field training. Campus Crusade for Christ
International and their JESUS Film Project met this
criteria. I found three other reasons:
- They are a non-denominational group that has produced
some of the most effective tools for evangelism in
the national and international realm of any group
going.
- Also, they make their evangelism tools available
without discrimination to any Christian denomination
or evangelistic group wishing to use them to spread
the gospel message. (This includes field training.)
- The JESUS Film is strictly non-denominational in
its content, being a direct transcript of the book
of Luke put to a movie script. The one thing
that makes the JESUS film's method of preaching "this
gospel of the kingdom around the world" so desirable
is that it can be interdenominationally supported
and distributed without doctrinal differences getting
in the way. Says respected evangelist Billy Graham,
and I quote, "In Matthew 24 Jesus declared that prior
to His second coming to earth the gospel of the Kingdom
would be preached to the whole world. Perhaps God
is using this film JESUS, as one of the means to hasten
the day when "every knee shall bow" before our great
King."
Below
find some interesting statistics showing what the JESUS
Film Project has already accomplished in fulfilling
the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
Research now indicates that more than 4 billion people
(4,000,000,000) have watched the "JESUS" film or video...
Here are the latest cumulative statistics:
Year |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Language Translations |
435 |
483 |
558 |
640 |
Number Of Viewers |
1.2 billion |
11.6 billion |
3.3 billion |
4 billion |
Indicated Decisions |
57 mil. |
83 mil. |
108 mil. |
121 mil. |
Careful research has shown that 4 billion people have
now viewed "JESUS." 16mm film teams and television broadcasts
have played major roles. As we penetrate deeper into
unreached frontiers, the job becomes more challenging,
requiring use of videocassettes, DVDs, VCDs, satellite
TV and radio broadcasts.
[The Story of Jesus for Children Video]
This new project has exceeded all expectations! "The
Story of Jesus for Children" is based on the original
"JESUS" film and incorporates a new fictional sub-story
of six children as they observe Jesus and interact about
the events in His life. The response has been overwhelming.
Organizations like Child Evangelism Fellowship have
requested 400,000 copies. More than 25 translations
are planned for the next year. Since half the world's
population is under 16 years old, it is expected that
"The Story of Jesus for Children" will play a major
role in allowing every person on earth to see "JESUS."
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association again hosted
a remarkable conference for an estimated 10,000 evangelists
who came to Amsterdam. The JESUS Film Project led a
special part of the conference for strategists in evangelism.
Out of Amsterdam 2000 came a strategic commitment to
reach [the] 253 remaining unreached people groups with
the gospel. Most missions groups represented
are using the "JESUS" film as a key part of their efforts.
[emphasis mine]
No one organization, denomination or church could
ever reach the world alone. Fulfilling the Great Commission
requires wide and committed cooperation. We
believe the "JESUS" film belongs to the church world
wide. Through more than 1,180 partnerships, we now
provide the film in 640 languages--along with equipment,
training, and extensive follow-up materials. Partnering
organizations help supply the personnel and the follow-up
care for new believers. [emphasis mine]
Covering the world with the gospel means taking the
good news to every person. [cf. In Matthew 24:14 Jesus
prophecied we would do just exactly that!--Dr. Billy
Graham thinks the JESUS film may be one of the chief
ways this prophecy will become fulfilled speedily. I
think these statistics show how that is happening. Want
to know why I highlight the JESUS Film Project? So that
Day of our Lord's return may be hastened!]
One of the biggest challenges we and many partners face
is effective follow-up of new believers. With the rapid
increase of people coming to Christ, new partnerships
are helping to nurture and disciple new converts and
plant new churches for continued growth. Audiocassettes
of the "JESUS" film, distributed after a showing, are
not only proving to be a highly effective tool for follow-up,
but actually introduce additional people to the gospel."
[These statistics and descriptions excerpted from JESUS
Film Project literature.]
So now I think you can understand why I highlight the
JESUS Film Project as an effective tool for national
and international evangelism. The excerpts from the
book I Just Saw JESUS which follow this introduction
give a dramatic view of the JESUS film teams in action.
After reading the following excerpts if you would like
to consider donating an offering, or having your congregation
contribute jointly for a contribution so that this
gospel of the kingdom might be proclaimed around
the world (Matthew 24:14), you can contribute by mail.
Simply make your checks payable to: The JESUS Film Project,
and mailing them to The JESUS Film Project, P.O. Box
72007, San Clemente, CA 92674-2007. Or you can contribute
online and learn more about the JESUS Film Project by
clicking on http://www.jesusfilm.org/easygift.
I honestly believe in what Jesus is doing through these
fine and dedicated Christians, and because of that,
I contribute a portion of my tithes to their cause.
It is not the amount one can give to a worthy organization
the Lord has raised up, but the attitude of Give
behind the gift. If every Christian reading this just
gave $5.00 a week, the JESUS Film Project might receive
the resources needed to bring Matthew 24:14 to pass
very speedily, and further hasten Jesus' return. Christian,
the finish line is in sight. What are we going to do
about it?
To read about how a JESUS film team operates and also
see some of the perilous conditions they work under
read the following excerpts from I Just Saw JESUS.
These film team crews are definitely on the
front battle lines of evangelism, and face hazards at
times that the most seasoned soldiers would find frightening.
Don't believe me? Read on.
"To
see how you can personally help promote international
evangelism and make difference for Christ around the
world without ever stepping foot outside your house,
CLICK
HERE."
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