At the request of Jews for Jesus, I submit my review of their latest film.
Wait! Wait! Wait!
Don't get it confused! You're at the right website for the Watchman Rayburn's Report. If you want to see this week's current edition, then click HERE.
I'm just changing things up a bit this week because I wanted as much coverage as I could for this review.
You: "So, why didn't you post this on your 'commentary' blog? That's what it's for, right??"
Me: "Yes, you're right, but I wanted as much coverage as I could muster for this review."
You: "And you don't get as much coverage on Watchman Rayburn's Commentary because...?"
Me: "Because I don't post frequently enough to stay relevant, and yes, that is my fault which makes me a bad blogger and overall I'm a terrible, low-life, helpless person. Are you happy now? Can we move on???"
Moving right along...
The title of the film is "Awakening" by Jews for Jesus.
What is "Jews for Jesus"? Their mission statement pretty much says it all:
"We exist to make the messiahship of Jesus an unavoidable issue to our Jewish people worldwide."Jews for Jesus Mission StatementOne day, out of the blue, a Mr. Sean Trank of Jews for Jesus saw it fit to send me the below message:
Click the image to enlarge
"Awakening"
The premier for this film will be in New York City on March 9, 2012 with actor Stephen Baldwin who is also the narrator in this film.
Stephen Baldwin
I must say that I am a little concerned for these Jews for Jesus people. Are they really sure they want to give such a lofty and sensitive task to the "Ray-Baby" (one of my many nicknames...don't ask)? I mean, who does their vetting for film critics? I may not have much experience at writing a review for a film, but I do have a background in business management, and that person may need a performance review...
Don't tell anyone, but this is my first film review by request. So...just fair warning...be prepared to get what you lacked to plan for. This can be found in the following verse:
"Lack of planning on thy part, doth not constitute responsibility on thy neighbors part." (II Opinions 24:7)All jokes aside, I am overjoyed that Jews for Jesus would honor me with the blessing to review their work and post my honest findings here for all of you. So, I replied back to Mr. Trank and happily agreed. He sent me an email with a link and a password to access the full-length version of their film entitled "Awakening", and I went to work.
Below is my review...
Independence Day in New York City, the opening features a fly-by look into the "Big Apple" experience including birds-eye aerial views, surface-level commutes, and treks through the underground New York subway system. A little of this and a snip of that; it's a real sampler for the eyes all set to Casey Darnell's tune of the same name..."Awakening". The 4th of July in NYC is not just a holiday for the folks at Jews for Jesus. It is also the beginning of their month-long evangelism campaign, and let me tell you: these folks are out to win you over.
"Awakening" is a film about Jewish believers fulfilling street evangelism with an added sense of urgency to reach lost Jews. The visual and sound quality are excellent. Camera angles were well thought out. Enhancing graphic effects were appropriately complimentary. Peppered through the film are random snippets from social media websites about the Jews for Jesus. All music was trendy and crisp and the whole thing is narrated by actor Stephen Baldwin whose warm, friendly voice skillfully fills in the gaps and pulls the whole story together. However, this film is not just a bunch of razzle-dazzle effects with Hollywood voice-overs. Intertwined the full length of the film is a summary of Jews for Jesus style evangelism that whisks you through scenes of planning, organizing, and executing a campaign providing insight not only to their organization but also the backgrounds of the individuals. Overall, this is a very catchy film. It gets your attention and maintains that hold throughout. In the end, your left with the feeling of wanting to know more and compelled to get involved to do more.
New Yorkers are a toe-to-toe, in your face, vocal people which is a good thing, but a little intimidating for your average door-to-door evangelist. Jews for Jesus have no fear. You see a broad spectrum of their interactions with the public for all corners of the city--the good, the bad, and the, well, let's just say "confrontational". They're not all bad, but they have to go into this type of venture with the expectation that some encounters won't be very pleasant and Jews for Jesus campaigners know it. I particularly liked how Keilah from Jews for Jesus summed it up:
"When we think about the pain that Christ suffered on that cross...what are sore feet? What is a sore heart? Pain is fuel for passion. That's how I see it." --Keilah, Jews for Jesus Campaigner
More than a few church outreach programs do not reach their full effectiveness due to some form of overcomplication of the mission. The Apostle Paul had the simple formula:
"...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)It's just that simple.
In my opinion, Jews for Jesus is a shining example of what it means to be a lean, mean salvation machine. They keep it simple, focused, frequent, and consistent. All of this is layered with a friendly yet seriousness towards saving the lost.
They didn't come right out and say it, but after watchng this film, I feel like Jews for Jesus is an organization that does a lot of self-evaluation and reflection on their effectiveness--a real results driven team. I get the notion that they carefully review and refine their approach to maintain a high level of success.
This "radical street evangelism", as it is called in the film, all began with Moishe Rosen when he officially founded Jews for Jesus in September of 1973. The "Great Commission" is what these folks are all about. Jews for Jesus relentlessly pursues the lost for their salvation with an emphasis on outreach for the Jews.
Don't forget, March 9th, 2012 is the date for the premier of this film in New York City with actor Stephen Baldwin along with director and producers Herb and Amy Kossover. Jews for Jesus offers free viewing at the premier, but you must RSVP ASAP (space is limited) which you can do by clicking HERE. I highly recommend seeing it.
For those unable to attend the premier, this release is available on DVD which you may pre-order now at the Jews for Jesus store by clicking HERE.
To learn more about this wonderful organization, you can visit their website at http://jewsforjesus.org/.
Visit their promotional website for this film at http://blog.jforj.com/awakening or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Awakening/301529943218195.
Thanks for reading,
Martin Rayburn (aka Watchman Rayburn)
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