Julia and I are constantly thinking through ways to improve our ministry in Nalerigu. We desire to be bold in sharing the Gospel and are always looking for better ways to share the life changing message of Jesus Christ. One of the ways of sharing the Gospel which is very popular in Africa is the, "Jesus Film". The Jesus film is a movie which depicts the life of Christ according to the Gospel of Luke and is translated in the heart language of the people. Missionaries have been showing the Jesus film for years and many have been saved as a result of the Jesus film. Julia and I have three copies of the Jesus Film in the local heart languages of the people around Nalerigu. Julia and I have access to a generator, gasoline, and a computer all of which are necessary to show the Jesus Film, however, we will NOT show this film.
We will NOT show the Jesus Film because showing the Jesus Film is not reproducible. The local pastors of Nalerigu and the surrounding villages do not have the funds or access to the material to be able to show the Jesus Film, therefore, we should not be showing the film. Julia and I are always asking ourselves, "is this reproducible"? We are learning that the strategy which we use concerning material things must be tailored to the economy of the local area. It must be possible for the local church, once it is born, to reproduce itself. We will not use anything which the people cannot provide for themselves. We are always teaching unspoken lessons concerning church planting. What kind of reproducible example am I using when I go to an an area where there is no electricity and use a special gadget which creates electricity? I have unconsciously taught the people that these things are necessary. If I utilize tools which are not available to local pastors and churches than the church members will be tempted to give up because they can't do it like the missionary did. The material "crutches" used by us appear to be a blessing, but stymied, stunted, irreprodcuible growth becomes a tragedy.
The Jesus film will gather a crowd almost anywhere. But we must think reproducible. After the people are saved, become a church, and think of planting a new church, where do they get the movies? We have taught a lesson we cannot easily unteach. It is easy to get crowds when using entertainment props and mechanisms, but few true disciples come from this.
In conclusion material things, such as lights, public-address systems, and movies are not essentials in church planting. The Jesus Film will gather a crowd, however, it is not easily reproducible by the majority of village churches where it is shown, therefore, Julia and I will NOT show the Jesus Film.
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