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.
VIDEOS
More Videos
8 Videos
Scenes
Other
Shane & Shane Music Video (NEW)
Official Trailer
The Heart of Light Of The World
Quick Look at Light Of The World
Clip - What is Truth?
Clip - Jesus Heals Mary Magdalene
Clip - Mary talks to John
Children’s Pastors’ Response
Production Stills
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.
Resources
LIGHT OF THE WORLD has great resources to help you, your family, and your church go deeper into the heart of the story—including FREE children’s ministry curriculum.
Meet The Characters
Zebedee
Zebedee is a faithful man who just wants to keep his family safe. That’s why he teaches his sons, John and James, to work hard and stay out of trouble.
James
James is set to inherit his father’s fishing business, but when Jesus calls him to leave his nets and become a fisher of men, he doesn’t hesitate.
Jesus
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in obscurity in Nazareth. But angels and prophets have promised that he is much more than just a carpenter. He is the Light Of The World!
John
John tries to act grown-up, like he can do everything on his own, but secretly he hopes for the Messiah to save his people from Roman oppression.
Salome
Salome knows hard work won’t save her sons. Only God can do that. She urges John and James to trust that God will send the Messiah to deliver them from darkness.
Pontius Pilate
Cynical, educated, and politically powerful, Pontius Pilate deals with kings and criminals. When the Jews bring Jesus to him as self-proclaimed King of the Jews, he is intrigued—although he hardly sees any threat in the man.
Lucius
Lucius is a strong leader in the Roman guard. He’s quick to deal out justice to those who show disdain for the law. But when he sees Jesus heal a man, he can’t help but think about his sick servant.
Karmi
With deformed legs, Karmi has endured constant whispers that his sin must have caused his malady. But when Jesus heals him and forgives his sins, Karmi is proud to walk out holding the mat that held him.
Caiaphas
As the high priest of Israel, Caiaphas holds the weight of the Jewish people on his bent shoulders. To him, Jesus is a threat to the stability of his tenuous relationship with Rome.
John the Baptizer
John the Baptizer is a true prophet, the herald sent to announce the coming of the Messiah. He boldly speaks against the evil around him—and pays the ultimate price for it.
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene is a tortured woman with a dark past. She made many bad decisions. But when she encounters Jesus, he delivers her from darkness, and she never looks back.
Matthew
Although some call him a traitor to his people, Matthew is just doing his job, collecting taxes. But when Jesus offers him a better opportunity, he’s glad to leave his money bags behind.
Peter
Strong, dependable, and dedicated, Peter won’t stop until he sees the Messiah take his throne, and Rome reduced to rubble.
Andrew
Andrew is Peter’s younger brother. After responding to John the Baptizer’s call, he is the first to seek out the Messiah’s whereabouts.
Mary
Mary loves her son and dotes on him, perhaps because she knows that she is destined to lose him. “And a sword will pierce your very soul” (Luke 2:35).
Nicodemus
Nicodemus is a dedicated teacher of the law. But unlike Caiaphas, he is not afraid to seek out the truth, regardless of what it means for those in power—including himself.
James
James is set to inherit his father’s fishing business, but when Jesus calls him to leave his nets and become a fisher of men, he doesn’t hesitate.
Jesus
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in obscurity in Nazareth. But angels and prophets have promised that he is much more than just a carpenter. He is the Light Of The World!
John
John tries to act grown-up, like he can do everything on his own, but secretly he hopes for the Messiah to save his people from Roman oppression.
Zebedee
Zebedee is a faithful man who just wants to keep his family safe. That’s why he teaches his sons, John and James, to work hard and stay out of trouble.
Salome
Salome knows hard work won’t save her sons. Only God can do that. She urges John and James to trust that God will send the Messiah to deliver them from darkness.
Pontius Pilate
Cynical, educated, and politically powerful, Pontius Pilate deals with kings and criminals. When the Jews bring Jesus to him as self-proclaimed King of the Jews, he is intrigued—although he hardly sees any threat in the man.
Lucius
Lucius is a strong leader in the Roman guard. He’s quick to deal out justice to those who show disdain for the law. But when he sees Jesus heal a man, he can’t help but think about his sick servant.
Karmi
With deformed legs, Karmi has endured constant whispers that his sin must have caused his malady. But when Jesus heals him and forgives his sins, Karmi is proud to walk out holding the mat that held him.
Caiaphas
As the high priest of Israel, Caiaphas holds the weight of the Jewish people on his bent shoulders. To him, Jesus is a threat to the stability of his tenuous relationship with Rome.
John the Baptizer
John the Baptizer is a true prophet, the herald sent to announce the coming of the Messiah. He boldly speaks against the evil around him—and pays the ultimate price for it.
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene is a tortured woman with a dark past. She made many bad decisions. But when she encounters Jesus, he delivers her from darkness, and she never looks back.
Matthew
Although some call him a traitor to his people, Matthew is just doing his job, collecting taxes. But when Jesus offers him a better opportunity, he’s glad to leave his money bags behind.
Peter
Strong, dependable, and dedicated, Peter won’t stop until he sees the Messiah take his throne, and Rome reduced to rubble.
Andrew
Andrew is Peter’s younger brother. After responding to John the Baptizer’s call, he is the first to seek out the Messiah’s whereabouts.
Mary
Mary loves her son and dotes on him, perhaps because she knows that she is destined to lose him. “And a sword will pierce your very soul” (Luke 2:35).
Nicodemus
Nicodemus is a dedicated teacher of the law. But unlike Caiaphas, he is not afraid to seek out the truth, regardless of what it means for those in power—including himself.
Jesus
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in obscurity in Nazareth. But angels and prophets have promised that he is much more than just a carpenter. He is the Light Of The World!
John
John tries to act grown-up, like he can do everything on his own, but secretly he hopes for the Messiah to save his people from Roman oppression.
Zebedee
Zebedee is a faithful man who just wants to keep his family safe. That’s why he teaches his sons, John and James, to work hard and stay out of trouble.
James
James is set to inherit his father’s fishing business, but when Jesus calls him to leave his nets and become a fisher of men, he doesn’t hesitate.
Salome
Salome knows hard work won’t save her sons. Only God can do that. She urges John and James to trust that God will send the Messiah to deliver them from darkness.
Pontius Pilate
Cynical, educated, and politically powerful, Pontius Pilate deals with kings and criminals. When the Jews bring Jesus to him as self-proclaimed King of the Jews, he is intrigued—although he hardly sees any threat in the man.
Lucius
Lucius is a strong leader in the Roman guard. He’s quick to deal out justice to those who show disdain for the law. But when he sees Jesus heal a man, he can’t help but think about his sick servant.
Karmi
With deformed legs, Karmi has endured constant whispers that his sin must have caused his malady. But when Jesus heals him and forgives his sins, Karmi is proud to walk out holding the mat that held him.
Caiaphas
As the high priest of Israel, Caiaphas holds the weight of the Jewish people on his bent shoulders. To him, Jesus is a threat to the stability of his tenuous relationship with Rome.
John the Baptizer
John the Baptizer is a true prophet, the herald sent to announce the coming of the Messiah. He boldly speaks against the evil around him—and pays the ultimate price for it.
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene is a tortured woman with a dark past. She made many bad decisions. But when she encounters Jesus, he delivers her from darkness, and she never looks back.
Matthew
Although some call him a traitor to his people, Matthew is just doing his job, collecting taxes. But when Jesus offers him a better opportunity, he’s glad to leave his money bags behind.
Peter
Strong, dependable, and dedicated, Peter won’t stop until he sees the Messiah take his throne, and Rome reduced to rubble.
Andrew
Andrew is Peter’s younger brother. After responding to John the Baptizer’s call, he is the first to seek out the Messiah’s whereabouts.
Mary
Mary loves her son and dotes on him, perhaps because she knows that she is destined to lose him. “And a sword will pierce your very soul” (Luke 2:35).
Nicodemus
Nicodemus is a dedicated teacher of the law. But unlike Caiaphas, he is not afraid to seek out the truth, regardless of what it means for those in power—including himself.
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.
