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Birmingham, England
JESUS Video Project National Director reveals ambitious new strategy to reach every home in the UK with the story of Jesus.
John Arkell, Director of the Jesus Video Project revealed an ambitious new strategy that will ensure that every home in the UK gets a definite offer of the record breaking JESUS Film within the next five years. At the centre of the new strategy is an updated and repackaged edition of the JESUS Video that will maintain the project's contemporary image and ensure it is seen as a "beyond the millennium" initiative, tough new targets involving specific plans to recruit additional field-team members and sign-up several thousand more churches to the project, and - through partnering with other agencies - an extension of the reach of the highly successful "Mind the Gap", a seminar for church leaders which is designed to help them put into practice strategies to get insiders out of the church and insiders in.
JVP are also planning to set-up a "phone-team", who will pass on details of those churches who are expressing interest in the project - to field team members to follow up. A further development anticipates the release of a UK version of the Story of Jesus for Children. The makers expect that this will prove especially appealing for families and available for use by schools across the UK.
To date the Jesus Video Project team has contacted over 1.8 million homes in the UK to personally offer them a copy of the Jesus film, an offer that 500,000 homes have accepted. Approximately 2,000 churches involving around 12,000 Christians have given their support to purchase, offer and distribute the videos in their local neighbourhoods. As a result of their efforts an estimated 1.3million people have been able to watch the story of Jesus, many for the first time.
John Arkell, said: "Whilst the 'end of the millennium' period is over, it is essential for the UK Church to continue 'giving everyone the story.' The public truth Jesus is not just a millennium matter, it is news for all time and for all people, not least at this time when there is so much widespread ignorance about his life, death and resurrection."
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John went on to challenge all UK churches to take part in this sweeping evangelistic initiative. "For example, in order to maintain the high visibility of the project, every church already involved in the JVP, can help bring the JVP opportunity in front of churches who have not yet 'bought-in' to the project."
He concluded: "The Jesus Video initiative has already made a indelible impact in the lives of thousands of people, both in the UK and across the world. This is a great milestone - but we are not planning to stop here. Whilst the project has so far proved very successful and has involved thousands everyday Christians –what we are planning for 2001 and beyond will strengthen the effectiveness of the project and continue what has been started. The best is yet to come."
"Through events such as the 'Mind the Gap' that help churches understand how they can use projects like the JESUS Video Project as part of an overall, long-term community evangelism strategy, the availability of new products and the help of our strengthened project support and field teams, we fully anticipate that every home should be able to have access to the Greatest Story Ever Told in a way they understand is culturally relevant."
Note:
The film JESUS - produced by John Heyman – was shot in over 200 locations in the Holy Land. 80 minutes in length, it accurately retells the story of Jesus as recorded by Luke. Now available in more than 500 languages, it is the most widely translated film in history and has been seen by an estimated 1.6bn people – a quarter of the world's population. Titanic, in comparison, has been seen by a mere 250m. The recently-released "Man behind the Millennium" UK edition has a special introduction and ending that puts the story of Jesus firmly into the context of the year 2000.
One Church's Experience
Your part
Due to the project's potential in aiding the reaching of the UK, special project development staff are needed to steer the JESUS Video Project towards the next millennium. 
Agapé UK
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