Story number 3 for 26 Sep 2002

(Africa)–As drought, war and political unrest plagues the African continent, the peace that passes all understanding is also emerging. That’s according to JESUS Film Project officials who report millions of people heard the Gospel as part of their African Sunrise project this past summer. Jeff Searles, with The JESUS Film, describes their focus: “…to reach 50 million people, in 50 of the top southeast African countries in 50 days throughout the summer. And, basically encompassing 21 nations. And so, the “Macedonian Project” helped form short-term teams to go over and help in the whole process.” The “Macedonia Project” is The JESUS Film’s Short Term Missions’ arm. Searles says in Ethiopia, some film teams faced opposition. “We were taken down to the local police station and questioned, but our film team resolved it with the police. One film team was beaten and his back was broken. In Northwest Ethiopia, we had team of believers who were axed. One guy died and a handful of them were in critical condition.”