By GRACE McCready

10

September HeartBeat

Karen and I are thrilled to share this update with you. Through the generosity of those who support CMA ' s Run for the Son, the project highlighted below received funding to help advance the Gospel. In November 2024, Doug and Terri South, National Evangelist – West Region, traveled to this community in Guatemala on a mission trip alongside fellow CMA members. During their time there, they

A CHILD’ S PERSPECTIVE Me— the organization that Jesus

Film Project ® partnered with for the Until Every Child Has Heard Project 2024— was established to provide Christ-centered aid and training to poor, rural communities in Joyabaj, Guatemala. Most people in these communities don’ t speak Spanish, so reaching them with the gospel can be difficult. However, Gospel-centered films like the JESUS film, Magdalena:

experienced firsthand the impact and effectiveness of CMA ' s ministry, witnessing how the generosity of Run for the Son participants is transforming lives and advancing the Gospel around the world. We also want to express our sincere appreciation to Grace McCready for putting this report together.

Eli and Karen Perez

Eli Perez serves as Development Representative for Jesus Film Project.

Released From Shame and The Story of Jesus for Children are available in their heart language, providing a way for them to hear the story of Christ.

During this endeavor, project volunteers specifically used the Joyabaj Quiche version of The Story of Jesus for Children, which is an adaptation of JESUS with additional footage showing what it might have been like for children who lived during the time of Christ and observed His ministry. Public

schools in Joyabaj communities permitted the project volunteers to provide character training to students using the film and even give them Bibles so they could learn more about God and dive deeper into the gospel story.

A Desire to Disciple Although there are many Joyabaj Quiche people who profess faith in Jesus, the estimated percentage of Evangelical Christians among them is only 6 %. The people sometimes hold animistic beliefs, revering spirits of their ancestors and spirits of nature. Similarly, some maintain a syncretistic belief system— mixing their faith in Mayan gods with elements of Christianity. Furthermore, abuse, abandonment and addiction are common in Joyabaj Quiche families and communities.

With these realities in mind, the project volunteers connected with public schools in Joyabaj to organize activities, show The Story of Jesus for Children, invite viewers

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