Ministry Trip Testimonies
Bolivia – Carthage, MO
Our JESUS Film Ministry trip to Bolivia, South America was life-changing for the nine-man team. I knew the trip experience would be life changing, but I did not realize just how much. The trip was definitely one of the best ministries I have led for our men as their Pastor. During the second showing of the film, no one responded to the invitation. That is until two men stood to their feet and came forward. Once they responded, it seemed that "permission" was granted for others to respond then 75% of the audience came forward. Although we had language barriers, we had no problem experiencing the Holy Spirit's presence. Lives were changed. The JESUS Film trip brought our team of men closer together than ever before. The trip provided not only an experience of a life-time, but also gave the men open doors to share with their co-workers the reason for their time away. God has used the trip for our men to share their faith at home and work like they never have before. - Dustin Ledford, Carthage First Nazarene Church
Costa Rica – Orangewood, AZ
"We had an amazing trip!" said Ben Roat. "Everyone remained healthy through the trip and was able to participate in the three Vacation Bible School events, three JESUS Film presentations, and construction assignments: painting a community center, painting a school building, and sledge hammering an old foundation to make way for the new church.
We showed the JESUS Film three times. One night the showing was for 40 people at the local community center. We witnessed 4 people accept Christ, including our bus driver who the pastors had been praying for to become a believer! We showed the second presentation at the local school. We had approximately 400 people in attendance, including the high school student body. We did not have anyone come forward, but we are confident seeds were planted for the future. The final showing was in a soccer field. We set up the screen to face a busy street corner. We had 11 people stop on the sidewalk and watch the whole film. Six of these 11 accepted Christ and spoke with the district superintendent about attending church.
The trip was a huge blessing for the team. We were humbled to share in the local church movement and look forward to one day attending a service in the new church building in San Isidro de Upala."
Guatemala - Tennessee District NYI
“Our teens were challenged to be ambassadors for Christ,” said team leader Jimmy Wright. Wright facilitated a JESUS Film Harvest Partners Ministry Trip for a group of teens from Tennessee District Nazarene Youth International. The group delivered a set of JESUS Film equipment to a team in Guatemala, participated in JESUS Film showings, and shared Christ using the EvangeCube. Over 300 people saw JESUS during their trip!
Argentina - Salina First Blog Posted During JESUS Film Ministry Trip
After a brief time at the church, we loaded up with their people and went to a gathering place in the community to set up for a film showing. Some of their people were already there with a fire burning and a turkey pot filled with boiling sweet tea. We pulled up with the bus and immediately were inundated by children. Elaine pulled out her balloons and started making balloon animals. It was awesome. After about an hour, we started the film. Tonight we showed Magdalena. It is the JESUS Film through the eyes of the women – Mary and others. When it was over, one of the pastors here shared the gospel message and 12 people responded and invited Christ into their hearts. There were 8 children and 4 adults. One of the adults was a mom who was delivered tonight of a cocaine habit as she gave her heart to the Lord. It was incredible. We stood in small clusters and cried and celebrated the fact that God had allowed us to come and share His Son with a people who are incredibly responsive to His love and grace. – Pastor Jon
Argentina - Salina First Church of the Nazarene
We had a busy and productive time in Argentina. Praises - we saw 17 decisions for Christ, two in the airport as we were going down there; 12 from the Magdalena film; and three from the Vargus film. We showed films five times. The airline allowed all our overweight and oversized items to go through without any extra cost. Everyone stayed pretty healthy and we were able to maintain a high level of cooperation and unity with each other. Thank you for all your prayers. We are planning to get together in groups and show the JESUS Film in our homes. I have ordered copies of the JESUS Film, Magdalena, and The Story of JESUS for Children. Thank you for all your work for us and with us. May God bless JESUS Film Harvest Partners ministry. - Marla
Mexico - Pittsburg District Pastors
“Everyone came home enthused about the ministry,” testified the Pittsburg District Superintendent (DS). The DS and pastors group worked with nationals in Cancun. The group was involved in compassionate ministry projects, EvangeCube, and the JESUS Film. 129 people accepted Christ and 469 people heard the good news through the combined ministry outreach. “Our district NMI president came home with the idea of raising money for another set of equipment,” said the District Superintendent.
Mozambique - Leavenworth, WA
“On Sunday morning, there were 11 new attendees from the JESUS Film showing in the church. Many lined the altar at the close of the service for prayer to receive Jesus Christ as Savior,” reported the missionary. “It was a privilege for us to take the equipment,” said Nancy, a team member. The Leavenworth team showed the JESUS Film two nights in a row. The first was on a local soccer field with 150 in attendance, the second was in the new church, with more than 200 in attendance. The Leavenworth group also participated in a construction project. “We were able to put up the walls half way to the roof as well as put a roof on and pour the columns to the top of the blocks,” said the missionary about building the new church. “At the close of the week a great celebration service was held. The congregation is now able to worship in their church building.” The church’s goal is to have the building complete by May.
Horn of Africa - Huntsville, AL
"We couldn’t understand [the film showing language]*, but we could understand the power of the Word as the Gospel was shared. We did learn that many of the leaders were Christians in hiding, presenting themselves outwardly as [another faith] to prevent persecution," reported the team leader. "We worked in orphanages, schools, widow’s huts, and showed the JESUS Film twice. We were welcomed and given a ceremonial meal. We really felt we were being examples of Christ for these people and they saw Him through us. There was a 'spirit of togetherness' with the people." * to protect the ministry in this country, we have omitted specific details
Guatemala - Winter Haven, FL
"A family reunion turned into a JESUS Film adventure in Guatemala," reported the missionary. "David organized a trip to Guatemala with his siblings to bring a set of JESUS Film equipment. They accomplished their mission and more." The group participated in the planting of a new church in San Bendito. There was a special ceremony to receive the JESUS Film equipment where the family prayed over the equipment and the local team members. They showed the JESUS Film twice near the new church plant and participated in street evangelism, film invitations, and used the EvangeCube. “The most significant part of the trip was watching the members of our group while the film was being shown and as people responded. Our family members went forward to pray and interact with people, this is something many of them had never done before,” shared David.
Uganda - Auburn Parkside, CA
"This was our third trip to take new equipment to Uganda," shared Susan, the trip leader. The team made a two-day trip to Arua, which is near the borders of the Sudan and the Republic of the Congo. "Together with the local JESUS Film team, [the US team] showed the film three times to over 1700 people. Over one hundred people made a decision for Christ," reported the missionary. The first showing was at a local church, the second was in a Trading Center, and the third was in a school yard outside of town. The most significant thing about the trip is that "Parkside has caught the vision of what the JESUS Film ministry is doing around the world," testified Susan.