March 01, 1998 by

Spiritual Hunger Marks Former Famine-struck Nation

In today’s Ethiopia, the widespread images of suffering that horrified the world a decade ago have passed. Throughout much of the nation, one sees small, hand cultivated fields. Cattle and goats graze the huge, open plains.

To see hunger, attend a JESUS film showing. City showings in this northeast African nation usually pack the church buildings or compounds. Attendance by thousands at outdoor village showings surprises no one.

Last year, in cooperation with local churches, Ethiopian film teams showed the JESUS film to 240,809 people. Of those, 5,084 indicated a decision to turn to Christ. More than 500 counselors trained by the teams coordinated followup care of the 5,084 individuals who indicated decisions for Christ.

JESUS Among the Bhil of India

Stereotyped nationally as a tribal group with widespread illiteracy, a prevalent use of alcohol and a local narcotic, plus a dependency on witchcraft, the Bhil people have not been the easiest people group in India to reach with the Gospel.

Yet God has been at work, as Pastor Das of Shalom Ministries reports: “When we started the ministry there we had great difficulties. At that time, India Campus Crusade for Christ gave us a good opportunity to have a partnership with them.”

Three years of that partnership yielded 1,105 showings of JESUS to 289,600 people. Of those, at least 7,000 indicated decisions to trust Christ as Savior. Pastor Das and his co-workers have helped construct 21 churches and launch 185 small fellowship groups in the Bhil tribal areas.

Their teams are among the more than 585 film teams, both full-time and volunteer, showing JESUS to India. Viewers during the last reported 12 month period exceeded 11.1 million people.

Legislation Triggers Questions about Russian Showings

In spite of recently passed legislation to limit the work of evangelical churches and missions across Russia, efforts to share the Gospel have not ended or diminished, according to Christians there. People, they report, are still hungry to know the truth about Jesus despite the new laws requiring religious groups and churches to reregister with the government if their current registration is less than 15 years old.

Although theoretically the law is not to be enforced for another year, and most are unclear about what form that enforcement will take, JESUS film teams continue to conduct evangelistic showings, although some have already reported harassment. In isolated incidents, authorities have hindered showings and, in one case, sought to close down a local church that sponsored the showing.

In one city near Moscow, a theater showing went off as scheduled, despite bureaucratic pressure. The theater manager decided to honor the advance publicity. Of the 130 viewers in attendance, the film team leader reports most indicated decisions to follow Christ.

Three Hundred Churches Minister in Cambodia

A leader in the East Asian nation of Cambodia requests continued prayer for that nation amidst continuing political uncertainties. Since the United Nations supervised elections four years ago, Christians have experienced widespread opportunities to talk about their faith, show the JESUS film, and start new churches.

“The heart of the people is open to know about Jesus Christ,” comments one JESUS film team leader. He reports that at least 300 churches currently serve the nation’s Christians. In 1991, the nation’s capital city of Phnom Pehn had only a handful of churches and much of the nation had no public witness about Christ.

The JESUS film, he says, has been helpful in the expansion: “When a place wants to start a church, they use the JESUS film as a tool to witness of Christ to the people.”

“It’s helpful,” he says, “because Jesus Christ is new to the Cambodians. Some people need to see the film again and again.” Film team reports indicate that often as high as one-third of the viewers at a showing indicate their desire to turn to Christ as Savior and Lord.

You may access the latest prayer information for the JESUS Film by calling: (800) 988-PRAY (7729) Or E-mail them at: [email protected] Or visit their web site at http://www.jesusfilm.org/

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