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Completed in 1991,
the Iban "JESUS" film allows the largest ethnic
group in Sarawak to see and hear the gospel in their mother
tongue. The Bintulu film team shows the film 15 to 20 times a
month, and screenings are usually booked three months in
advance. An Iban pastor from a local evangelical church
usually accompanies the film team on their journey to the
longhouses. In one evening, an entire longhouse gets to see
and hear the gospel through the "JESUS" film.
After a film
screening at one of the longhouses, "JESUS" film
team member Sylvester asked a 93-year-year-old woman her
opinion of the film. She said, "I went to church before,
but until now I still do not know exactly what it means to be
a Christian." Sylvester grabbed the opportunity and
shared the gospel with her. As she had problem hearing, he had
to speak loudly. Sylvester asked, "Which part of the film
touches you the most? She replied, "When I see Jesus
healing the sick and casting out evil spirits, I saw God's
almighty power." After further explanation, she received
Christ into her life.
Away with the Idols!
Though Christian
leaders visited this longhouse in the past and invited the
residents to become Christians, there was no follow through
after that. In the eyes of the residents, what happened
tarnished Christianity. Last October these residents had the
opportunity not only to "hear", but also to
"see" JESUS.
The
"JESUS" film team, together with Pastor Markus,
brought the "JESUS" film to them. Through the film
they got to know who Jesus is and how to believe in Him. That
night, of the 43 people who saw the film 41 came to the Lord.
After the film show,
a resident asked, "If I believe in Jesus, can I still
perform the "mering" ritual to worship my
gods?" Pastor Markus replied, "No, you have to
forsake all idol worship." Another resident added,
"In that case all our relics hanging along the verandah
of our longhouse has no use to us any more. It must be
removed." The residents then requested for people to come
and teach them spiritual truths. Twenty-eight residents in
this longhouse were later baptised. A believer was then
appointed to lead the residents in their weekly worship. A
church was born at this longhouse.
Iban headman turns to Christ
The 70-year-old
headman of one of the longhouses is semi paralyzed. Though he
had heard about Christianity when he was a youth, he did not
believe. After "seeing" how Jesus heals the sick and
casts out demons through the film he was greatly touched.
However, he remained adamant. One of the "JESUS"
film team staff asked him, "Now that you have heard and
understood who Jesus is, why do you still hesitate to believe
in Him?" "Let me think about this carefully
tonight," answered the headman.
The next morning,
this headman again requested the "JESUS" film team
to visit him. He shared, "I felt very peaceful last
night. After thinking through, I have decided to believe in
Jesus." One of the "JESUS" film team staff
explained further to him the gospel message. Wth full
conviction, he then chose to be baptized. Baptized together
with the headman were four other residents.
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