When Andreas Bartels heard that the organisers of Jesustag (Jesus Day) in Berlin were open to doing evangelism, his mind began popping with possibilities. Jesustag, to be held on 11 September 2004, would draw some 40,000 people to Berlin to exalt Jesus. If even a small percent were willing to distribute the JESUS film, it would lead to thousands of Berliners hearing the gospel.
Two days later Andreas-director of the JESUS Film Project for Campus für Christus Germany-put a proposal on the table. He would recruit churches to work with Jesustag delegates in passing out JESUS in their neighbourhoods.
Jesustag organisers liked the idea and made it part of the program. But others were not so sure. "Forget it!" Andres was told. "Berlin pastors will not do such a project. Berlin people are so hardened they are not receptive to the gospel."
Andreas knew that Berliners have a very atheistic background, especially in the eastern part of the city. But he didn't consider that a reason to turn back. "It's like a circle," he explains. "If you think that people are not really interested in the gospel, you will not really try. And [the low response] proves they are not interested."
Eventually Andreas found 21 churches willing to work with the outreach. Some 800 Jesustag participants joined in, and together they passed out 3,000 videos. Several people made commitments to Christ.
"We learned that Berliners are more open than people think," says Andreas. "They may not be searching for God, but when you tell them about Christ, they realize they lack information, and say, 'I want to know more.'"
Also, as the people of Berlin saw advertising in the local papers, and received letters from a local church about the visit, they realized this was not a cult, but a legitimate Christian project.
"This was a good start," concludes Andreas. "If the churches had a good experience, they will want to do it again. We hope to do another project in Berlin next year."
