Without friends like you, film teams would not be able to go and reach people from every tribe and tongue. Thank you for your prayers and financial partnership with Jesus Film Project® in sharing the gospel. Today, I have a story about a team that was dedicated to sharing the gospel no matter the difficulties.

In a very isolated region of East Asia, God was about to build a bridge for the gospel in a culturally unique way. In difficult-to-reach areas like these, teams find creative ways to share “JESUS.”

You may have heard how indigenous families will move into an area as quiet missionaries. They start a micro business, provide a service and by God’s grace, win the trust of the community. The strategy is usually effective because the families who go speak the same language and understand the culture.

However, for one missionary family, skepticism in the village they moved to was high. They were seen as “unwelcome outsiders.” The family had come to start a dairy cow business and show the people “JESUS.” In fact, they watched the film often in the evenings, outside their home, hoping to draw curiosity. But nobody came, and the dairy business failed to launch. In their highly isolated culture, the people didn’t care about any Bible stories and besides, they didn’t like cow’s milk! They certainly had no interest in watching a movie brought by “Jesus followers.”

Yet, the missionary family persisted. Every night they continued to play “JESUS,” inviting people to join. Still, nobody came. The locals began to murmur, “What are they really doing here? Why do they keep watching that movie?” Two of the villagers proposed a way to investigate so the people would know who they were. They would spy …

When night came, they snuck near to the family’s home and, in the darkness, from a distance, watched “JESUS.” It was the only film they had ever heard in their heart language. The next day, the two men came to the family. They confessed what they had done and described how the film “JESUS” had captured their minds and hearts. Then they surprised the family.

“There was a scene of a man riding on a donkey. Do you know how important donkeys are here?” (They were referring to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.) Now the family was confused. Donkeys? The men explained that donkey milk was very popular in their area. They proposed that the family forget about dairy cows and instead start a donkey milk business. 

“When you start that business, everyone will want what you have. Now, will you tell us more about the Man who rode on the donkey?” With joy, the team shared their faith in Christ. The villagers began to take their donkeys to them, and the business quickly flourished. The people began to watch the film “JESUS,” marveling at “the Man on the donkey.” In the span of 18 months, they continued to show the film.

And house churches have now been planted, as people and families have started following Jesus! And God used a donkey milk business to open the door. This is the work of film teams and partners who are so faithful and committed.

A donkey milk business was the key bridge that enabled thousands of people to open their hearts to Jesus. Our God inspires His people with creativity, desiring that everyone might know of Jesus’s love and forgiveness for them. It’s your partnership that helps reach them, that sends teams of people who build bridges and who faithfully share the good news. Thank you for your prayers and gifts.

Jesus Film Project is a faithful partner of The Bolick Foundation.