About The Film
It’s AD 30 and everyone is expectantly awaiting the coming Messiah. While Jesus isn’t exactly what they imagined, there is something special about this man. Soon, John, James, Andrew, Peter, and their new friends begin to follow Jesus on an unexpected adventure. This beautiful, 2D-animated story of Jesus is told through the eyes of his beloved young friend, the Apostle John. From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry through his crucifixion and resurrection, LIGHT OF THE WORLD powerfully illustrates how Jesus of Nazareth changed the world forever and still changes lives today!
LIGHT OF THE WORLD opens in theaters September 5.
Production Stills
Discover the beauty of LIGHT OF THE WORLD through productions stills from the movie while you learn more about this project and the heart behind it with these featured videos.
VIDEOS
Why 2D Animation?
Hand-drawn animation is a timeless medium that retains its beauty over many decades. It contains all the subtle flaws we’ve come to call “human.” To us, it’s a fitting way to express our love and adoration to Jesus—the only unflawed person to ever walk the earth.
Meet The Characters
Meet The Team
Matt McPherson
Executive Producer
Matt McPherson has been a successful musician, producer, and entrepreneur for decades. In that time, he founded The Salvation Poem Project, as well as world-renowned businesses such as Mathews Inc., McPherson Guitars, and Canzion Films. LIGHT OF THE WORLD is his passion project and a significant part of what he believes his life-calling to be.
Brennan McPherson
Producer
Brennan McPherson is both the president of The Salvation Poem Project and a lifelong creative. After spending years producing faith-based multimedia content, LIGHT OF THE WORLD stands at the intersection of his passions in art and theology.
John Schafer
Director
Formerly the senior producer of CBN’s Superbook, John Schafer brings decades of experience in building and leading creative teams to bring biblical adaptations to life in children’s animation.
Tom Bancroft
Director
An award-winning veteran of the animation industry, Tom Bancroft has worked on films like Beauty And The Beast, The Lion King, and Mulan. Tom is also the founder of the independent animation studio, Pencilish.
Tony Bancroft
Head of Story and Animation Director
In his three-decades-long career, Tony Bancroft has touched nearly every aspect of animated film production—from co-directing Mulan, to animating on Mary Poppins Returns and Space Jam: A New Legacy. Tony understands what it takes to make a world-class 2D animated film.
Meet The Team
Matt McPherson
Executive Producer
Matt McPherson has been a successful musician, producer, and entrepreneur for decades. In that time, he founded The Salvation Poem Project, as well as world-renowned businesses such as Mathews Inc., McPherson Guitars, and Canzion Films. LIGHT OF THE WORLD is his passion project and a significant part of what he believes his life-calling to be.
Brennan McPherson
Producer
Brennan McPherson is both the president of The Salvation Poem Project and a lifelong creative. After spending years producing faith-based multimedia content, LIGHT OF THE WORLD stands at the intersection of his passions in art and theology.
John Schafer
Director
Formerly the senior producer of CBN’s Superbook, John Schafer brings decades of experience in building and leading creative teams to bring biblical adaptations to life in children’s animation.
Tom Bancroft
Director
An award-winning veteran of the animation industry, Tom Bancroft has worked on films like Beauty And The Beast, The Lion King, and Mulan. Tom is also the founder of the independent animation studio, Pencilish.
Tony Bancroft
Head of Story and Animation Director
In his three-decades-long career, Tony Bancroft has touched nearly every aspect of animated film production—from co-directing Mulan, to animating on Mary Poppins Returns and Space Jam: A New Legacy. Tony understands what it takes to make a world-class 2D animated film.
Resources
LIGHT OF THE WORLD opens in theaters on September 5. We’re excited to share with you great resources that help you and your family go deeper into the heart of the story. If you are looking for Church Resources, click here.
In partnership with Tyndale, there are four great books coming in early September that you can Pre-order Now.
Light of the World Family Devotional
This new devotional provides families with 90 engaging, interactive devotions based on the themes of LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Featuring art from the beautifully animated feature film, each devotional references relevant moments from Jesus’ ministry that are in the film, highlighting accessible, gospel-centric themes.
This interactive devotional opens the door for everyone in the family to engage with the gospel story in a new light. Discipleship tools include:
- Family discussion questions
- Scripture references for deeper understanding of the themes
- Family Prayer prompts
- And more!
Light of the World: Friends of Jesus Coloring and Activity Book
This activity book provides a fun and creative way for children to engage with the gospel story and the life of Jesus. Kids will enjoy coloring illustrations taken directly from the new animated film with a focus on the friends of Jesus. Featuring:
- 50 coloring pages
- Mazes
- Hidden objects
- How to draw
- Word search
- Find the difference
Light of the World: Josiah’s Story
Featuring beautiful illustrations from the new animated film, this picture book shares the story of Jesus’ ministry through the eyes of a young boy who befriends Jesus’ disciple, John. As everyone awaits the coming Messiah, Jesus isn’t exactly what they imagined. But as Josiah sees how Jesus loves and lives, he learns that Jesus didn’t come to conquer, but to serve. Josiah finds a love and friendship more powerful than any he could have imagined. The story highlights the miracles, death, and resurrection of Jesus and provides discussion questions to help parents go deeper in their conversations about the true meaning of the gospel with their kids.
Light of the World: Miracles of Jesus Coloring and Activity Book
This activity book provides a fun and creative way for children to engage with the gospel story and the life of Jesus. Kids will enjoy coloring illustrations taken directly from the new animated film with a focus on the miracles of Jesus. Featuring:
- 50 coloring pages
- Mazes
- Hidden objects
- How to draw
- Word search
- Find the difference
The Salvation Poem Project is an independent, non-profit, creative studio crafting stories to share Jesus Christ with the world. It all started with a poem.
The Salvation Poem is a 6-line song that shares the basics of the Gospel in a simple, effective, and memorable way. Ministries, missionaries, and many others have used The Salvation Poem to share the Gospel with hundreds of millions around the globe in many languages.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to know Jesus and to choose for themselves to follow him. We are a team of artists who are obsessed with Jesus, and this is our contribution to the Great Commission. With the tools we create, we work with others to deliver those tools into the hands of the people who need them most.
A Meaningful gift
As an independent, creative studio operating as a non-profit ministry, The Salvation Poem Project provides free resources to other ministries around the world. Through a gift to our ministry, you can partner with us as we craft stories to share Jesus Christ with the world.
