JESUS Film Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Internet Debut

The film that begin with a vision from Campus Crusade for Christ's founder Bill Bright and has been viewed by over 5 billion people will be available online in over 200 languages on Oct. 19.
Oct 16, 2004 12:02 AM EDT

The JESUS Film Project will celebrate its 25th Anniversary by bringing the Christian classic of Jesus’ life up to date with the technological advances. Next Tuesday, the film that has been viewed by over 5 billion people worldwide is expected to receive more exposure when it’s posted for viewing online.

Since the film’s debut in American theaters in 1979, it has fulfilled the vision of Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, who in 1950 dreamed of creating a biblically-accurate film about the life of Jesus Christ that could be translated and distributed globally.

Over 200 language translations of the film are now available while the audio version of the film has been translated in more than 300.

“To our knowledge, a film has never been freely available on the Internet in so many different languages,” said Jim Green, executive director of The JESUS Film Project. “The 300 plus translations available represent the heart language of more than 90 percent of the world’s population.”

Missionaries in various countries would show the film to people through the use of generators, portable projectors, and screens. Starting Oct. 19, people will be able to view the film anytime at any location with internet access thanks to Salem Web Network and Caliber Media Group who will use a Streaming OS System to make JESUS available online.

The new format will help CCC in fulfilling the Great Commission, according to its presdient Steve Douglass.

“This advancement underscores Campus Crusade for Christ’s vision to provide ‘every person a chance to hear’ about the life of Jesus,” said Douglass. “We are excited that people around the world will be able to immediately access this powerful film.”

To view the film online, visit the JESUS Film Project’s Web site, www.jesusfilm.org.