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by Kevin Miller
When Ken and Eileen Priebe agreed to host a Canadian JESUS film team in Cameroon in 1989, little did they realize how that decision would affect their lives.
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Over the previous ten years, the Priebes had served as Baptist missionaries in Western Cameroon, preaching and teaching at a number of small churches. But when the JESUS film team came, their ministry leaped to an entirely new level.
“The film blew the doors wide open for evangelism,” says Ken. “Over the next five years, our church membership grew by 13,000 people.”
Encouraged by this incredible growth, the Priebes formed a local JESUS film team. It became a vital foundation for ministry, which included evangelism, discipleship and church planting. Even though the Priebes returned to Canada in 1992, that team is still functioning today.
An Invitation to Greater Involvement
The Priebes weren’t home long before Campus Crusade for Christ came knocking, inviting them to establish an office in Kelowna, BC and then use it as a base to direct international JESUS film projects full time. In particular, Crusade wanted the Priebes to replicate the same model that had worked so well for them in Cameroon, a model that included a strong focus on discipleship and planting new churches. Ken was interested immediately.
“When it comes to church planting, that’s when my ears perk up.... That’s the tough part of evangelism. The first part [sharing the gospel] is easy in comparison.”
The Priebes accepted the offer and have been working with the Canadian JESUS film Project ever since.
Where They are Today....
Today, Ken serves a Director of JESUS film projects. He and Eileen continue to take film teams overseas, train national film teams and raise money for new film translations. What makes them different from a lot of Crusade ministries, however, is their focus on mobilizing middle-aged and retired people for evangelism. Says Ken,
“These people have the time, talent, resources and experience. And, being in the second half of their life, they’re looking to make a significant, lasting contribution.”
This last fact in particular is what draws most people to go on a JESUS film trip, says Ken. Not only do team members get to experience a different culture and country, they also get to go home knowing they have helped establish a body of believers that will continue to grow and develop for years to come.
“If they can come back and say, ‘We left a church there,’ that’s something,” Ken says. “I believe anybody would want to be a part of that.”
How the Film Teams Work
Together with their partners Robert and Grace Plante, the Priebes have focused on locations in Mexico, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil and Africa - particularly where existing JESUS film translations have not been utilized to their fullest potential. Typically, film teams are composed of twenty to twenty-five people, including both couples and singles. One of the oldest team members was 82, although most are quite a bit younger. Barring any serious health problems, Ken says everyone is welcome - but he does have his preferences:
“The greener you are, the better. When you have ‘experts’ along, they can sometimes be a bit of a problem! We’re just looking for ordinary people who feel the call of God on their heart. He can use them in incredible ways.”
In addition to showing the film, participants have plenty of other ministry opportunities, such as sharing their testimony or giving a gospel presentation. While Ken and his group provide training in how to do all of these things, no one is forced to do anything they’re not comfortable with.
Vacation With a Purpose
Trips are two weeks in length and cost anywhere from $2,500 to $3,950, depending on location. This may sound like a lot of money, but when you consider that the costs are 100 percent tax-deductible, it’s pretty much the same price as a cruise or similar vacation package only this is a vacation with a purpose.
“I’m 58-years-old, in the second half of my life,” says Ken. “I want to leave behind something that is significant. I want to finish well. Any senior person you’re talking to has the same desire. That’s why we see people coming back again and again.”
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