Why the JESUS film is so amazing is made more clear in some of the heart-grabbing stories of individual lives redeemed.
These testimonies were compiled from the reports of Wesleyan JESUS film teams.
Mozambique
Vasu was a man who had lived a bad life. He had also divorced his wife so he could be free to do all of the evil he desired without responsibility. When he came to watch the JESUS film, he fell under deep conviction and came forward to repent. We thank God, who took him from a bad life to a good life. He is now in the process of bringing his wife back into his life and trying to make restitution to straighten out his life.
At Marrow, a traditional healer who was also a person who dealt with spirits came forward after the showing of the JESUS film. He was very troubled and confessed, “I want to put off the sin in my life and be a follower of Christ, but I am bound up in witchcraft. What can I do?” We advised him to first repent and Jesus would forgive his sin, even his witchcraft. After he repented, he got all of his witchcraft things and brought them to be burned. This was a powerful witness to the people. Now he and his family are all faithful attendees at our church.
Two brothers were a part of a cultic group that sacrificed animals in order to find salvation. However, they did not find satisfaction or peace. In watching the JESUS film, they realized that a better sacrifice had already been given—His name was Jesus. Under deep conviction, the Holy Spirit came upon them with power, and they were truly saved through the precious blood of Christ. Together they have found the true peace that only Jesus’ sacrifice can give.
Nepal
A teacher who was a very adamant Hindu wanted to argue with us. We told him that if he didn’t want to see the film, that was okay. We couldn’t compel anyone to watch the film. He continued to argue, so we began to preach to him about Jesus. We talked to him about sin and salvation. We told him that no ritual or work of man would bring salvation. This made him think very deeply, and, in the end, he asked me to come to his house to eat after the film so we could talk more. We stayed up to past 2:00 in the morning talking about Jesus. In the end he accepted Jesus as his Savior. The next day he went to the market and preached to people about Jesus.
A 25-year-old man was suffering from paranoia. He was so frightened that he would not eat, and his health had begun to decline dramatically. His parents had spent a lot of money to try to find a cure but had no success. They finally gave up on ever finding a cure. When we arrived to show the JESUS film, we discovered that this was a strongly animistic group of people, following a traditional form of religion rather than Hinduism or Buddhism. About 50 people came to see the film. They were especially taken by the healing that Jesus did and asked us if Jesus could cure this young man. We stayed there for two days fasting and praying for this young man. And then on the second day, in the afternoon, he asked to eat, and from that point he has been completely normal. All of these people want to follow Jesus because they have seen His power to heal. We are starting a cell group there.
A cantankerous farmer came to watch the film, but he came also to test us. When he saw the miraculous catch of fish, he asked if Jesus could still do miracles. We affirmed that he could. He said, “Okay, my buffalo is sick and will not give birth to its calf. So I want to see God do something.” After the showing we went to where the buffalo was and prayed for it. After a few minutes, the buffalo began to move and birthed its calf. They had already tried a veterinarian and a wizard—both had failed. But God chose to answer when we prayed. This gave us opportunity to preach to the people gathered about the true gospel of Jesus Christ. We asked the farmer, “Do you have any other tests before you are willing to believe?” Now he and all of his family are believers.
PICTURES
Top: JESUS film showing in Nepal
Bottom: Setting up to show the JESUS film in Mozambique©wild goose missions