Dear friends:

See report below about the 41 brave "JESUS" film team members from Campus Crusade for Christ who have been thrown into prison under extremely hostile conditions.  The country is not revealed for security reasons but I believe it is in south or southeast Asia.  Please pray the them.

Jim
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You may recall that several months ago 41 staff and workers went to prison for up to five years. Though their imprisonment was not related to a specific film showing, about half were involved in various ways with showing the “JESUS” film. Even though they knew the dangers and risks, these faithful workers entrusted themselves and their labors to God so that millions in their nation might have a chance to become followers of Jesus.
 
At their trial, mobs of radicals called for harsh penalties, including their executions. Had they succeeded, some children would have been orphaned­in cases where both parents were before the judge. The sentences handed down ranged from two years to five years. Their prison terms were just appealed before this nation’s supreme court, and at great legal expense. In this country that court is able to either reduce their sentences, or actually increase the time they will spend in prison. It is possible that the radicals were again arguing for the longest term possible. In God’s providence, some of the sentences were increased to the maximum. Please continue to pray. But there is good news. Your prayers during this difficult time have already been answered, and in surprising ways. Staff and workers involved with the “JESUS” film see themselves as living in New Testament times, just as the Apostle Paul lived out his faith during his days of imprisonment. Following Paul’s model, they are examples of Christ’s love­their jailers and fellow prisoners are seeing the love of Jesus lived out before them. I honor their faithfulness and dedication. And God is also intervening…miraculously.
 
One man has very poor vision and couldn’t read without his glasses. The lenses were so thick that the jailers feared he might be injured in the prison environment. So they took his glasses from him. This beloved 50-year-old brother in Christ became quite distressed because he could no longer read his Bible. His fellow staff prisoners began to pray, seeking the Lord’s hand on His behalf. About three days passed when he discovered he could read his Bible…but without his glasses! The Lord had healed him! Even his jailers were amazed.   God brought about another miracle in their difficult situation. An officer who had been involved in the trial was demon possessed. A number of religious leaders had prayed over him and given him amulets to wear. But all their efforts were powerless to provide him with any relief. Then someone heard about the imprisoned workers, that they fasted in jail from Friday through Sunday every week. They brought the officer to them. The workers prayed in the name of Jesus, commanding the demon to leave. Immediately, he found release! The man walked out of the prison, whole and delivered. Seeing the power of God, several of his friends began to seek the truth. Yes, it sounds like the book of Acts alive today!
 
And so effective has been their witness that prison officials actually held a banquet in honor of the staff women prisoners, because of the love and care they had shown. What a wonderful testimony! I give praise and thanks for every one of them.
 
Yet, I am writing to you today with a sense of urgency. As I mentioned earlier, the supreme court of this country just ruled on the appeal of their jail terms. Some of the workers will now be in prison for the maximum allowable by law. In faith, pray for their protection and well-being while they serve out their sentences. By the way, when they are released, some of them want to go to tougher places! Pray they will work unhindered, having been tested by fire in their nation’s prison system.
 
I am also writing because many friends of Campus Crusade for Christ have rallied to their cause, including partners of The JESUS Film Project. (Remember that almost half of those imprisoned were involved in some way with showings of the “JESUS” film.) These workers have needed extensive help with their legal expenses, and more importantly, care for their families.  In two cases, both mother and father are behind bars. Their children deserve our caring hands to wrap around and sustain them. Their own extended family have had to step in to help. Families are facing the costs of prison “room and board,” expenses that they or someone must pay. In all, for the projected expense costs for the duration of their sentences­many legal expenses, living costs, and for some, relocation expenses­we have needed to raise $1.1 million.  Thankfully, it appears we are close to reaching this goal, but ongoing help is likely to be needed, as well as support for other Christian workers in this country, and in other challenging nations.
 
For Christ and His Kingdom,
 
Jim Green
http://www.jesusfilm.org