Supporters Like You

Frank Schrimsher and his brothers own a commercial real estate company in central Florida, building neighborhood grocery stores and shopping centers. After supporting their church, Jesus Film Project is Frank and his wife, Pamela’s, go-to charity to share their love of Jesus with the world. Hear from Frank and Pamela firsthand how giving to Jesus Film Project makes a difference in their lives and in the mission they care most about:

Frank: “When the film ‘JESUS’ first came out in theaters, I invited a friend to attend. He was overwhelmed by the message. He called me later in the day to tell me he had prayed to receive Christ! In the early 90s, my wife and I attended a ‘JESUS’ film briefing. That’s a dangerous thing to do when you have a heart for the Lord! We were so moved as we heard reports and watched videos of people in other countries, overwhelmed too, with tears streaming down their faces. We saw the incredible effectiveness of this film and just felt compelled to join in.”

Pamela: “The more we have learned about ‘JESUS’ and how it’s being used, the more excited we have become. The film resonates with everyone, and it’s in their language. Seeing their response causes me to weep. We love how the ministry is utilizing the latest technologies, allowing anyone in the world to watch the film. Frank uses the Jesus Film Project app on his phone and often shares the gospel with immigrants he meets using this amazing tool.”

Frank: “After first supporting our church, we designate portions of our profit to ‘JESUS’ through a donor-advised fund. Giving to our fund (that we control) results in a tax deduction, and later we can designate where the funds go, giving us much joy. It’s a double bonus! The Cru Foundation has been a great help, and we recommend their service to anyone with a heart to give who also wants to save on their taxes.”

“Then one day, Warren came home from work with an invitation to go to a Jesus Film Briefing. With all we had been through, we thought the idea sounded great! Let’s go!

“We listened to incredible stories of how God was using the ‘JESUS’ film to transform lives all around the world. We were blown away. We now saw a way to be part of reaching the entire world for Christ! That night, we asked God to someday, somehow make it possible for us to fund an entire translation. The only problem was that we didn’t have much to give.

“We began giving what little we could, and over time, through unexpected circumstances, God has opened up the opportunity for us to fund not only a single translation but several, of ‘JESUS,’ ‘Magdalena,’ ‘Rivka,’ ‘Walking With Jesus,’ and other JF ministries. The Cru® Foundation and Jay Link have been a great help, enabling us to give more to His kingdom and less to taxes. We highly recommend consulting with their professional services.

“Losing a son to a fatal disease forced us to think about heaven and eternity in a new light. We encourage every partner of Jesus Film Project to look to eternity, to give generously now, to step out in faith, and to see what God will do. Trust Him to do something far bigger than you can accomplish on your own. Wait for Him. You will love every moment!”

Thank you, Warren and Brenda. God has indeed used you and every partner of Jesus Film Project® to plant churches and share the good news, until everyone, everywhere, has seen “JESUS.”

Sue took a “part-time” job at the Jesus Film headquarters of Campus Crusade for Christ (today known as Cru®). Sue: “I fell in love with the ‘JESUS’ film, took a number of courses in estate planning, and went on to become Director of Gifts and Estate Planning for 13 years.”

“Dave and I have seen the film shown in Mexico and Africa. We’ve been amazed as people sit in rapt attention and then go forward to learn more about the Lord. We’ve seen the ministry transparently from the inside, the care and effectiveness of staff and management. I find Jesus Film Project to be a highly effective evangelism ministry.”

Dave: “Dr. Bill Bright often said, ‘Do your givin’ while you’re livin’ so you’re knowin’ where it’s goin.” Sue and I are in our seventies now. It takes effort to select charities that will utilize our donations effectively. God has used part of what He entrusted to us for a translation of the “JESUS” film, projection equipment, staff support, and other projects. To be tax-wise, we’ve given appreciated stock and Qualified Charitable Distributions from our IRAs. Why give Uncle Sam what can be used for God’s work?”

Thank you, Dave and Sue. You are much appreciated. If you would like to learn ways to lower your own tax liabilities while advancing the kingdom of God, please feel free to contact The Cru® Foundation today. They are ready and able to serve you. (See the box below.)

“As part of Andrew’s pastoral work, he visited the Sudanese people and facilities that are part of the mission work of the Presbyterian Church USA in South Sudan. It’s such a troubled nation, a continuing war zone, where Islamic influence is growing. Several years ago, after we had returned to the States, a friend invited us on a Christian bus tour to Florida. We stopped by Wycliffe Bible Translators and then Cru, visiting the headquarters for the ‘JESUS’ film. They are next-door neighbors.

“During the studio tour, to see a demonstration on how the film is translated—lucky me (Jennifer)—I was asked to be a voice double in the women’s version of ‘JESUS,’ known as ‘Magdalena.’ I was intrigued by the process and asked what it takes to create a translation of the film ‘JESUS.’ I was thinking of a people group of 20,000 in South Sudan for whom we have a great burden. Since Andrew and I both had inherited some family funds, we stepped up to the plate, glad to be used of God, and funded the translation by donating appreciated stock.

“We love the film ‘JESUS’ because it stands on its own. It has been proven over the years to be most effective in drawing people to the Lord, and is now available in many languages. We love giving aid to hurting people and to Bible translation. Both Wycliffe and Jesus Film Project work together. That’s so important. We also feel that getting the ‘JESUS’ film quickly into needed languages for unreached people groups makes much sense.

That’s why we funded a translation by donating stock. We know we can’t take it with us and are glad to be part of this great partnership.”

Thank you, Andrew and Jennifer. You are faithful. Even during corrections, now may be the time to fund a new translation, support film teams, or multiply digital outreaches by giving appreciated stock. Doing so can offer some significant tax advantages. For assistance, the Cru® Foundation is ready to help.

“We were first introduced in 1976 to Campus Crusade for Christ through staff we supported, among them, Josh McDowell. By reading newsletters, we heard about ‘JESUS,’ Dr. Bright’s vision to produce a film faithful to the Scriptures. We’ve attended a few briefings for the project and invited family to join us at one held near our home. They hadn’t heard of the ‘JESUS’ film before and were impacted—blown away! The Cru Foundation helped them give to win people to Christ, while saving on their taxes.

“One thing that has impressed both of us is how many other ministries have gotten involved using the film in their ministries. Jesus Film Project doesn’t have the attitude that ‘this is our thing only; we’re going to do it.’ Instead, they share and equip many ministries. We have heard from ministry partners just how impactful the ‘JESUS’ film has been to their ministries. That’s important; they are not exclusive. We’re all working toward the same goal, to bring people to the Lord.”

Through wise investments, God has blessed the Brewers, enabling them to support Cru’s Student Ministry, Military Ministry, and Jesus Film Project. “These are all strategic to win people to Christ. We have enough to live on; the rest belongs to the Lord. As we all know, you can’t take it with you! We would rather give it now.”

The Brewers have provided monthly support for many years and have given appreciated stock to support film teams, underwrite new translations of “JESUS,” and fund online film evangelism and follow-up. Greg and Lianne, thank you so much for your faithfulness these many years.

If you feel led to become a monthly partner, please visit jesusfilm.org/monthly to set up your monthly donation. And if you would like assistance in smart giving strategies that can save on taxes, such as ways to transfer appreciated assets, the Cru® Foundation is available to help. Substantial tax savings are possible while advancing His kingdom.