Extreme hunger due to famine in Ethiopia has not distracted from people’s spiritual hunger. An urgent desire for God’s Word in the East African nation is not only keeping one ministry leaps ahead of their goals, but is causing the Gospel to spread like wildfire. Ethiopia has a long history of undervaluing its women. Yet, the JESUS Project movie Magdalena: Released from Shame is an adaptation of the JESUS film that speaks directly to this overlooked group. As the JESUS Film project has started to show the film, they’ve been unable to stop its progress.
The progress is staggering. The JESUS Film Project team in Ethiopia had planned to train 100 women to set up and show JESUS and Magdalena: Released from Shame in a three-year period. But the demand for the films grew so quickly, that in only six months, the team has trained 564 women. The team has trained and equipped 900 leaders to disciple new believers using the Reflection of Hope Bible Study series that accompanies the Magdalena film.
Women can’t get enough of hearing how Christ loves them. They really do feel as if they are being released from their shame, as well as being released from illnesses, demons, and other strongholds. At this point, the biggest challenge is equipping the leaders with DVDs and equipment to show the films. The Jesus Film Project hopes to bring 10,000 women together in August for training and mobilizing in order to respond to the demand for the film. Although nearly a fifth of Ethiopian’s are evangelical Christians, Christians remain a target for persecution.
Source: Mission network News
BIBLE STUDY: John 12:31-32
PRAISE: God that so many Ethiopian women are understanding their value in the eyes of God and turning to Christ, their redeemer.