2015 Spring Newsletter

Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Kansas City, MO Permit No. 1554

15055 West 116th Street Olathe, KS 66062

Spring Newsletter

913-663-5700

info@JFHP.org

www.JFHP.org

Cans & Bottles for the JESUS Film God blesses people in different, creative ways. It is exciting to hear how people give back to God in similarly creative ways.

After serving as missionaries in Southeast Asia for forty years, Irene and Stephen Rieder retired and returned home to Warren, Pennsylvania. Retirement, however, didn’t mean they were done serving. Soon, they began to teach fifth grade students in the local Christian education program, lead prayer times in their local church, and minister to men in the Warren County Prison each week.

Then, one day, “John Cunningham came to Warren to speak about JESUS Film Harvest Partners,” Stephen says. “After hearing the thrilling news about how many people were responding to this marvelous tool, I knew the Father would be pleased if we became involved in supporting it.”

They placed a large, 55-gallon container outside the main entrance to their church with a sign: CANS AND BOTTLES FOR THE JESUS FILM. Soon, the container was full. It was emptied, then filled again. And again.

“We know people now hear the gospel in their own language...”

It requires careful checking to ensure the contents meet certain standards, but this repeated process has made it possible for the Rieders to raise funds for JESUS Film Harvest Partners.

“We know people now hear the gospel in their own language and see what a wonderful Savior Jesus is. The fact that such a high percentage of people respond in faith [to the JESUS Film] has thrilled Irene and me and gives us great joy.”

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes, and from all places and ideas. Thank you to all who can, and do, support JFHP, in whatever creative way you choose.

Highlights: They have been Harvest Partners since 2004.

Thousands will hug their neck in Heaven because they helped them find Jesus.

Making an Impact?

Bank On It! When they first heard about JESUS Film Harvest Partners, Leonard and Gloria Attrell felt God speaking to their hearts. As they heard reports of millions hearing God’s love for the first time, “We wanted to be a part of this wonderful and fantastically effective ministry,” Leonard says.

After much prayer, and faith God would provide funds, they pledged to sponsor a team.

That was fourteen years ago. Since then, the Attrells have continued faithfully giving to support teams around the globe, now sponsoring four teams. Recently, they took their giving to a new and creative level, donating a bank building they owned to JFHP. The building was then sold, with the proceeds going to help meet urgent needs.

“God has been very good to us. We want to give back to Him as good stewards of what He has given to us,” says Leonard. “This is why we gave the bank building to Harvest Partners.”

God Didn’t Exist Testimony from Ecuador

I am a 49 year old mother of three children. I lived a weary life without hope or a secure future. In respect to God, I didn’t believe He existed. I received an invitation to see the JESUS Film in my neighbor’s house.

I accepted because of our relationship.

The impact of the movie surprised me. The compassion and humility of Jesus moved me!

At the end I prayed to receive Christ. I felt profound relief in my heart. I am a changed woman. The Lord is helping me to heal relationships in my family!

“Every minute of every day, there are new believers because of the JESUS Film being shown.”

“We pray for the JESUS Film teams all over the world.

We pray God will give leaders wisdom to know His will and do it. We pray God will direct and lead the teams, giving them the resources they need. Every minute of every day, there are new believers because of the JESUS Film being shown.”

Like the Attrells, do you have something you would like to give to support the JESUS Film Teams? Christian Network Foundation, a partner of JFHP, can give a non-taxable donation with your non-cash assets (i.e. property, stocks, endowments). For more information, contact Jeff Cluxton

to learn how to turn your non-cash items to generous missions giving with JFHP.

Jeff Cluxton jcluxton@JFHP.org 913-663-5700 x116

Hope after War Testimony from Sri Lanka

We were showing the JESUS Film in a war torn area which has been refurbished.

We met brother Nesan, who lost most of his family to the war. It is just Nesan and his son. They are very poor, not having a proper place to live and little food. We felt great sadness for their experience. The father is not employed and the son does not attend school. Praise God, after watching the film Nesan has hope in the Lord, believing Christ will take care of his family.

Sierra Leone: Despite Ebola

“The film is a great tool for outreach in our hands.”

Sierra Leone is home to 5.7 million people, of which only 10% are Christian. The life expectancy rate is only 57.4 years, and 48% (nearly 600,000) of children ages 5-14 are forced to work in order to live. In the past year, there have been over 3,700 reported deaths from Ebola in this West African nation.

The Need for the Gospel in Sierra Leone:

1 out of 10 people in Sierra Leone are considered Christian.

Significance: In a population roughly of 5.7 million, 5.17 million of those do not have a saving relationship with God.

The situation seems bleak. People are forbidden from meeting in public, and many are frightened and looking for hope in a situation which seems hopeless.

Amazingly, JESUS Film teams, undaunted by Ebola or a desperate situation, continue to share Christ through the film. “Religious gatherings are okay,” says team leader Vidal. “We still make sure the police give their approval, but when we show the film, people do not hesitate to come out. Seating is unavailable, but everyone willingly stands throughout.”

“God is using the film to minister to people. We have seen many accept Jesus and be discipled in our churches, all as a result of these showings. In short, the film is a great tool for outreach in our hands. We want to continue to fulfill the Great Commission [until] our entire nation comes to Christ.”

These teams, like many of the teams around the world, continue to be faithful as they are seizing the opportunity to offer hope in hopeless situations. Please be in prayer for these teams, that God may keep His protective hand on them as they offer His light in the darkness.

Your financial support of teams is vital in all areas. To give to the work of JESUS Film teams, please fill out the envelope, scan QR code, or go to www.JFHP.org/teamsponsorship.

22,645

Evangelistic Contacts

8,078

Decisions for Christ

3,573

Discipleship Follow-ups

32 The teams continue to have great potential to reach many people in 2015.

Preaching Points Results from 2014.

6 out of 10 people in Sierra Leone can not read or write.

Only 43.3% (roughly 4 out of 10) are considered literate.

Significance: Sharing the gospel through orality tools, like the JESUS Film, is vital.

Life Expectancy at Birth: 89.6

Monaco (ranked #1)

years

79.6

United States (ranked #42) Sierra Leone

(ranked #201)

years

57.4 years

United States Early Retirement Age: 62

Out of the 223 listed countries by The World Factbook, Sierra Leone is ranked at 201 with a low life expectancy of 57.4 years of life. This means that someone born in Sierra Leone is expected to die before they would even reach what the US considers an early retirement age.

Significance: With people expected to die sooner, it is even more urgent they hear the gospel before it’s too late!

Teams’ Potential in Reaching Sierra Leone:

In the midst of unbelief and devastating disease, the four JESUS Film teams continue to share the Good News about the Savior.

There is great potential for these teams to reach the multitudes.

According to the CDC, all of Sierra Leone is affected

by Ebola.

Active team work most recently reported.

People who live in Sierra Leone speak many different languages. The JESUS Film has been translated into most of these languages. This means JESUS Film teams can reach their surrounding communities with the gospel.

Size of circle represents each language’s population.

Languages in Sierra Leone that have a JESUS Film translation.

Languages in Sierra Leone that do not have a JESUS Film translation.

Info Graphics Sources: CIA.gov. “Sierra Leone.” The World Fact Book. Accessed March 27, 2015.

CDC.gov. Accessed March 27, 2015.

JoshuaProject.org. “Sierra Leone.” Accessed March 12, 2015.

JESUSFilm.org. “Languages Completed.” Accessed March 12, 2015.

SocialSecurity.gov. “Retirement Planner: Benefits by Year of Birth.” Accessed March 27, 2015.

r e h t o n A t s u J t o N p i r T g n i k Wor Partner Investment Trips are a great opportunity to go and see the exciting work God is doing all around the world. On these trips one has the opportunity to set up and show the JESUS Film, pray with new believers, and participate in ministry, before one chooses to be substantially involved in the ministry financially. Read what others have said about going on one of these trips:

“The response to the JESUS Film showings is forever etched in my mind.

Can’t wait for my next trip.”

Keith, Sri Lanka Partner Investment Trip

“It amazes me each time there is a JESUS Film showing! The Holy Spirit moved in each area the film was shown and the souls that were saved are definitely a highlight.”

Linda, 2014 Panama Partner Investment Trip

To watch a video on taking a JESUS Film trip, please go to JFHP.org/TakeTrip or scan QR code.

“If you want to experience things and people who can spur you on in your faith, then go on a JESUS Film trip.”

Michelle, Cuba Partner Investment Trip

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ng i o d s

Come to Honduras.

Experience what God is doing on the field through these teams.

Go to JFHP.org/Honduras or call Katelin Goetz at 913-663-5700.

HONDURAS November 5 - 10, 2015 Each day all over the globe, committed and enthusiastic JESUS Film teams share the gospel through the JESUS Film and other evangelistic tools. This is also true in Honduras. The Honduran teams have started 46 preaching points (baby churches), introduced 557 people to the gospel, and discipled 534 new believers in just the past year alone.

In Honduras, you will have the opportunity to work alongside these teams as you set up and show the JESUS Film, pray with new believers, and participate in other mission endeavors. You will also be given an opportunity to further invest in the ministry.

Be amazed at what God is doing...and can do through you!