More than 250 ethnic groups live in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in West Africa, and 505 languages are spoken there.

In a remote farming village in Nigeria, accessible only by foot, Bajida Sagiji was greatly disturbed after viewing the JESUS film in Dukawa, his own language.

Bajida prayed and received Christ, but the village elder didn't know if God could really forgive him for all his sins.

Years earlier, his wife wanted to become a Christian, but Bajida threatened to divorce her to prevent her conversion. She died before Bajida allowed her a chance to give her life to Jesus. Now, having come to Jesus himself, Bajida questioned God's complete forgiveness.

"If my wife were here today, both of us could have received this Christ together. Both of us could have been attending church together," he says. "Oh, how I wish I understood then."

In this part of Nigeria, there has been such an explosion of new Christians that JESUS film-team members have incorporated into their evangelism focus a commitment to making sure the new Christians fully understand salvation.

"There are still many things I don't understand about this faith, but I thank God for these people who devote their time to come and teach us," says Bajida. Most of the new Christians are young children, but Bajida is one of three elders in the village who are committed Christians.

"My life is different now," the old man says. "I have joy and confidence to know that Christ has forgiven my sins since birth."
—Valerie Payne with reporting by Marcus Joshua

The Claytons (clockwise from top, left) Ryan, Carl, David, Ashley and Maureen.

The rain fell softly as 49-year-old Maureen Clayton pulled into a parking spot to enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks. She was joined by three younger women—her daughter, a fellow Campus Crusade staff member and a college student—all part of a summer mission trip emphasizing evangelism training.

Even though clearly taking a night "off," Maureen naturally sparked a conversation with the motorist next to them, and by the first kaboom had laid out the gospel message, passed on her phone number and knelt next to her new friend's car so they could pray together.

"It definitely influenced me," said Colleen Burch, the Campus Crusade staff member. "Witnessing is not just Maureen's job, but a way of life. She is able to model the ministry to students and her own children in tandem."

Over her 27-year staff career, Maureen has nearly perfected the art of ministry in tandem, rearing three godly children while also helping her husband, Carl, co-lead a movement of 400 students and 10 staff members at Purdue University in Indiana.

To allow for the intense demands of motherhood, Campus Crusade encourages staff moms to maintain a minimum of one "touchpoint" with their local ministry per week. Intentionally open, the guidelines can be fulfilled in many ways. Maureen downplays her successful role merger.

"Campus ministry is a perfect fit for me: I love people, doing evangelism and teaching the Word," she says. "I'm pretty laid back. I cook and clean but don't get wrapped up in it. And the kids have always been a priority."

The Clayton kids, now 21, 19 and 16, have grown up integrated into the campus ministry, observing student Bible studies in their home and annually attending mission trips. The oldest son and only daughter chose to attend Purdue and are involved with Campus Crusade.

"Sometimes girls will say to me, 'Do you know how wise your mom is?'" says Ashley, 19. "But she's not only wise in Bible stuff but also in everyday life. I can tell her anything—about school, grades, boys—and she listens and gives advice. I'd rather go to her than my friends."

Despite her approachability and efforts to stay fit and fashionable, Maureen can feel self-conscious about her age when meeting with freshmen in the residence halls. She periodically asks if they are embarrassed to accompany her, but the students only express respect.

"When I was 23, engaged and student teaching, and didn't really want to hang out in the dorms, I considered Maureen and thought, I can do this!" says Purdue graduate Kate Mehne. "She has shown that the Lord can allow us to connect with any age group no matter what our life stage."

Maureen feels that motherhood and maturity have only enhanced her effectiveness on campus. "I do ministry differently [now] than 20 years ago," says the redhead, known to some as Mo-town. "I'm not afraid to speak truth into their lives, but I can give grace more freely as well."

Last summer, the Claytons lived with 53 college students and staff members for five weeks on a dorm floor—and loved it. "I'm 34 and single and was just trying to survive that atmosphere," sighs Colleen Burch. "When Maureen returned home to West Lafayette, she was missing it."

Her unique gifting is apparent to many. "Maureen brings both fun and maturity into every situation," says Todd Pastor, the Campus Crusade staff member who directs the Claytons. "And students leave Purdue with a real heart to win people to Christ and disciple them, wherever they end up."

Even while awaiting fireworks in the rain.
—Robyn Stauffer Skur

The Puipui family in Papua New Guinea.

George Puipui knew his supervisor would try to talk him out of the decision.

And sure enough, soon after George announced that he was leaving the Electricity Commission of Papua New Guinea, the general manager asked to meet with him.

"What is the budget of your new employer?" the manager asked, ready with options to try and persuade George to stay with the company.

George had been named Papua New Guinea's Manager of the Year in 1987, due in part to the way he had helped make electricity available to many of Papua New Guinea's 1,400 islands scattered around the South Pacific Ocean, just north of Australia.

This was no small feat in the country called "ethnically and linguistically the world's most complex nation" by Operation World, an international mission almanac. There are 816 languages spoken among just 5 million people.

George had accomplished so much during his time with the company, and no one understood why he would want to leave. But for George, the answer was simple. It was time.

George and his wife, Eva, had seen what God was doing in Papua New Guinea since their initial involvement with Campus Crusade for Christ. They received some training in evangelism and discipleship, and as George traveled with his job at the electric company, he would talk about Christ.

"Everywhere he went, he developed a ministry," says Norm Edney, former director of Campus Crusade in the South Pacific.

When a Campus Crusade music group from Singapore came to Papua New Guinea, George volunteered to handle the advertising.

He had some questions about posters and other promotional materials, so he met with Ray Torikok, head of the Electricity Commission's publications department.

George took time to explain how the group used music to tell others about Christ. Then George took 20 minutes to explain the gospel to him, using the Four Spiritual Laws booklet. Ray prayed with George and received Christ into his life.

"He was so happy," George remembers. "Tears were forming in his eyes, expressing his joy."

Ray had been a heavy drinker, so his wife, Elsie, didn't believe him when he told her he had become a Christian. But after a week, Elsie noticed a change in Ray's life. "What happened?" she asked. And Ray explained George's booklet to his wife. Elsie also prayed and invited Christ into her life.

The following week, the couple visited Elsie's relatives, and five of them received Christ. Ray and Elsie brought them to a training workshop George was holding the next weekend. One of the first things they learned was how to tell others about their faith.

Ray's story was just one of many that George thought about when he decided to leave the company and join the staff of Campus Crusade full time. So when the general manager asked George why he was leaving, George knew exactly what to say.

"It's not about money," George responded, and went on to explain that he was leaving his position to serve God with Campus Crusade. The general manager was impressed with George's conviction.

"George," the manager said, "I don't think I can compete with your new employer."

For George, there was never any competition. At 52, George is now the national director of Campus Crusade in Papua New Guinea. He uses his experience in leadership to direct his team of seven, reaching the islands with the hope of Christ.
—Becky Hill

At age 30, Russell Bowers had never ventured more than 15 miles from his hometown in Northern Ireland. The furniture salesman had never even spent the night away from his wife and two kids.

Then Alan Nixon, Northern Ireland director of Athletes in Action, Campus Crusade's sports ministry, called Russell and asked him to participate in an evangelistic coaching clinic—in Namibia, Africa.

"Russell was a rough guy with a big reputation," says Alan. Although Russell had accepted Christ when he was young, he had drifted away from his faith. Then he got involved with AIA at a local soccer club and recommitted his life to Christ.

When Alan told Russell about the Namibia trip, Russell agreed to go. After helping lead Namibians to Christ, the former semiprofessional soccer player decided to join Alan in serving full time with Campus Crusade in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

"Everywhere across the world, sport unites people," says Alan. "In Northern Ireland, the religious communities are set against each other, but I can see why God allowed Campus Crusade to begin here through sport. We work with both communities every day."
—Becky Hill


Florida
World Headquarters

Mario McDonald couldn't take his eyes off Jesus that Sunday morning in Cuba.

He had made his way into the old, wooden Baptist church and squeezed into the overflowing room, shoulder to shoulder with about 150 others. Each risked much by their choice to attend, in light of the atheistic rule of Fidel Castro. Despite the danger, the pastor started the JESUS film.

Tears of joy flowed as Mario (left) watched Jesus perform miracles on-screen, followed by emotions of anger and despair when Christ was mistreated and crucified. Hope bubbled up in his heart as the screen showed the disciples at the entrance of Jesus' empty grave.

"It was like cold water in the desert, that hope," says Mario. "Life doesn't end when you die."

The film ended, and the pastor gave an invitation to accept Jesus as Savior. Mario didn't hesitate.

Seven years and a journey of miles later—including a raft escape to America—Mario began working at the world headquarters of Campus Crusade, the parent organization of the JESUS film. Today he is a part of sharing the hope that changed him.
—Angie Bring


At A Glance
News In Brief

ATHLETES IN ACTION | On February 5, AIA will host the Super Bowl Breakfast, an NFL-sanctioned event where the Bart Starr Award is presented to an NFL player who exemplifies strong character and leadership. The winner is chosen by his peers. Scheduled the day before the biggest NFL event of the year, the annual breakfast provides AIA an opportunity to share the gospel. For more information, visit www.superbowlbreakfast.com.

CAMPUS | On beaches, in inner cities and around the world, summer mission trips have changed the lives of countless students. Even though summer is six months away, now is the time to apply. For information for college students, visit summerprojects.campuscrusadeforchrist.com. For high-school students, visit www.studentventure.com/global.

HUMANITARIAN AID | Campus Crusade for Christ in Haiti offered flood and hurricane relief to this Caribbean country last fall. Global Aid Network (GAIN U.S. and GAIN Canada), Campus Crusade's humanitarian aid division, provided $35,000 worth of aid distributed through local Haitian churches.