On #GivingTuesday, December 1, we offered an opportunity for SMI members to come alongside the Jesus Film Project (JFP) to help reach parts of South Asia with the Gospel. As we noted, hundreds of millions in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives have not heard the gospel, even once.
Well, you came through with a wonderful response. According to our friends at the JFP, SMI members collectively gave over $9,700! As in years past, generous SMI members learned of a need and wanted to be part of the solution.
You helped make the overall campaign a great success, with the Jesus Film Project exceeding its $200,000 goal by raising more than $235,000. Overall, 469 people or families gave an average of more than $500 each.
The more than $235,000 raised on #GivingTuesday, along with a $200,000 challenge grant given by one generous couple, means Jesus Film Project teams will have more than enough to purchase the equipment they need to bring the Jesus Film to even the most remote parts of South Asia, plant new churches, and disciple new believers. That equipment includes backpack kits, with a small, highly portable solar-powered projector, speakers, and screen; solar-powered video tablet/speaker sets for small groups; and video tablets for private showings.
Each Jesus Film Project team that is equipped with a backpack kit will show JESUS at least 50 times a year (some show it up to 100 times each year). Over a kit’s useful life, an estimated 30,000 people will be reached with the Gospel and as many as 30 new churches will be planted.
When you consider that one backpack kit costs $3,240, the amount contributed by SMI members this year, along with the multiplying impact of the challenge grant, is enough to purchase six backpack kits, which will be used to reach an estimated 180,000 people with the Gospel and plant as many as 180 churches!
We’re grateful for the work being done by the Jesus Film Project, and we’re grateful to you for your role in helping to make this work possible.
