The JESUS film as a successful plan
by Justin D. Long
The JESUS film, distributed by Campus Crusade for Christ, is an excellent
example of a plan making progress on its stated goals.
The purpose of the JESUS film project is to show the JESUS film to everyone
in the world in their own language. This sort of goal would have been
impossible just a few decades ago--but now, thanks to the power of new
technologies (television, satellites, portable theaters and the like), it
is a realizable objective.
As of July 1, 1995, the JESUS Film's official ministry statistics were:
- Number of JESUS film languages available: 327 (166 in progress)
- Number of mission agencies using the film: 440
- Number of people who have viewed the film: Over 711 million
- Number of decisions (excluding TV, theater, video rentals): 41 million
- Number of countries in which the JESUS film has been shown: 217
- Number of JESUS film prints in circulation (8-35mm): 7,381
- Number of JESUS videos in circulation: Over 1.2 million
- Number of JESUS film project teams: 922
- Number of volunteer teams in former USSR/East Europe: 700
- Number of other Campus Crusade teams: 106
- Number of JESUS film project film team members: 2,348
- Number of countries where film teams operate: 81
One major obstacle this plan's goal faces is that of language translation.
If the film is presented in English, and the viewers understand Russian,
then it's a waste of time. The answer: translation and prioritization of languages.
Fortunately, the JESUS film has focused a great deal of attention to this
area. Over 4.86 billion people are estimated to speak at least one of the
languages the JESUS film is presently available in.
A second major obstacle this plan faces is areas of the world where the
technology needed for mass broadcasting (e.g. TVs, etc.) are not available.
Answer: PARTNERSHIP. The JESUS film project works in concert with
indigenous ministries to provide films for film teams and to use other
creative methods for transmitting the film.
Questions
- Does your ministry have a clearly defined purpose?
- Have you broken your purpose down into stages or goals for set periods of time (e.g. 1 year, 5 years, 10 years)?
- The hard question: Are your goals truly realizable in these periods of time?
Steps to take
- Obtain and examine current global plans (e.g. JESUS film, etc.) Compare
their plans to your own. The hard question: are there ways in which you can
strengthen your own plans in the light of your discoveries?
- Break your overall mission purpose down into achievable, measureable
goals. Set deadlines. Develop an action plan for implementing the goals.
- Ask yourself if your plan is truly possible. Consider a peer review by a
fellow ministry who will objectively appraise your operation and lovingly
suggest options for improvement.
- Are there other ministries you can work with in partnership that would
cause a symbiotic increase of strength? The hard question: Why aren't you
working with them right now?