Chenas’ story: where few have heard of Jesus.

Chenas lives in a gospel-resistant area of Asia, where few have heard the name of Jesus much less understood the gospel. When a “JESUS” film team first arrived in his village, he assumed they were teachers of his culture’s religion. Chenas welcomed them in and offered the men his hospitality. Because they were about to enter a “holy night,” one they celebrate annually, Chenas and his neighbors asked the visitors to share a teaching.

They were surprised to learn that the team was not from their religion but were Christians. And they had come to show them a film. A villager immediately protested, “No, you can’t. Watching a film is not permitted in our religion.” Undeterred, the team member replied, “You will see. God will touch your hearts with this film. For several years your religious leaders have come to your village, but tonight, God has sent us to you.”

Never had their religious leaders claimed to have been sent by God, much less offered to show them a film that would touch their hearts. Intrigued, they said, “Play the film.” One hour into “JESUS,” the eyes of every one of them were filling with tears. Moved by love, the Holy Spirit spoke deeply to their hearts. They heard the Living Word of God in their birth language.

By the end of the film everyone was shouting: “We want God … we want God, Who orders us to be one {to be united}. He does not order us to put our children to death in war. Yes, Jesus is God!”

Chenas and his wife wasted no time saying, “We want to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” Then 614 people ran to their homes to get buckets of water, so they also could be baptized. Everyone vowed that from then on, from generation to generation, they would follow Christ.