Editor’s note: Paul Eshleman, the director of the "JESUS" film Project, produced the "JESUS" film (1979), the most translated and viewed film in history. His incredible journey of faith and ministry was chronicled in his book I Just Saw Jesus, which recently saw the release of a new edition to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the release of the "JESUS" film.
As the "JESUS" film Project continues to reimagine the "JESUS" film for today’s generation, China Christian Daily interviewed Jennifer Huff, Eshleman’s daughter and author of the new foreword of I Just Saw Jesus.
Currently serving as the communication coordinator for her.BIBLE, a ministry of Cru offering an audio Bible in the New Living Translation voiced entirely by women in diverse and comforting tones, Huff shared her thoughts on the enduring relevance of I Just Saw Jesus and "JESUS" film, and how the reimagined version might shape the faith of a new generation.
China Christian Daily: As the author of the new foreword of I Just Saw Jesus, what key message do you hope to convey to readers?
Jennifer Huff: As I wrote the foreword to I Just Saw Jesus, I wanted to highlight the extraordinary legacy of the "JESUS" film. This book captures the miraculous journey of how the film went from its bold vision to the intricate production, and then its phenomenal worldwide distribution. But this book isn't just history. It's a legacy of God's faithfulness and the dedication of people who are willing to step out in faith.
More than that, I hope that readers come away with a renewal of hope, hope in the power of Jesus to change lives. My prayer is that this book would ignite a passion or reignite a passion in readers to not only embrace the power of Jesus in their own lives but to boldly share him with a world that is still yearning for hope.
China Christian Daily: Today's world is really different from the world 40 years ago, how do you think I Just Saw Jesus will resonate with people today?
Jennifer Huff: I believe that even 40 years later, I Just Saw Jesus remains powerful because it captures time stories of transformation. My father was such a gifted storyteller, and the way he shared these moments allows people to experience them across the generations.
These stories just aren't about a film. They're about lives that are changed forever by the message of Jesus. This book reminds us God is still at work, and these stories inspire us to believe that the message of Jesus is as vital and life-changing now as it was. The film just passed 2,200 languages that have been translated, and the stories themselves, the tribes, the families, and the individuals encountering Christ in their whole own heart language are a testament once again to the transforming power of the gospel.
China Christian Daily: In your opinion, what made the "JESUS" film the most translated and widely viewed film in history? What sets it apart?
Jennifer Huff: The incredible accuracy of the "JESUS" film is what I believe has set it apart. It was filmed as close to the original locations as possible. They didn't add or take away anything from the Gospel of Luke, and the film is Scripture brought to life.
The key to the worldwide impact is the awesome, incredible commitment to translating and debiting it into now over 2200 languages. "JESUS" film's true power lies in its ability to make the gospel known to every tribe, tongue, and nation, and to show that the love of Jesus is personal and it's meant for every heart.
My father's probably most quoted verse to me was Matthew 24:14, this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. He knew how important it was for people to hear the message of Jesus in their heart language. Without that, people might think, that this message isn't for me, it's only for others who speak that language.
One of my favorite stories in I Just Saw Jesus that illustrates this. Among the Garifuna people, a common cultural greeting between adults and child children is, what are you doing? The children would say: nothing. It's like Americans who say, how are you, fine. The translators included this in their dubbing of the "JESUS" film. When the people saw that greeting, they looked at one another in wonderment like Jesus speaks Garifuna. So that moment shows the power of hearing the gospel in a way that feels intimate and personal. It says, Jesus speaks directly to me.
China Christian Daily: How do you envision the animated "JESUS" film impacting people’s lives in this new generation?
Jennifer Huff: Before my father died, he made the last promotional video, encouraging people to give generously for the animated "JESUS" film. Even in his final months, he talked about reaching Generation Z and Generation Alpha. He knew the importance of every generation and he believed deeply in the power of innovation, creativity, and technology to share the gospel. So the animated "JESUS" film is taking that mission forward.
The reimagined film offers an immersive experience that will utilize AR and other emerging technologies that will make the story of Jesus come alive in a way that will speak directly to this generation, children and adults alike, capturing their attention in a way that the original 1979 film maybe wouldn't. And yet, like the original it will be able to use immediately the 2200 languages that have already been pinned up, ensuring that its life-changing message is accessible to people everywhere.
China Christian Daily: Do you know any story about the "JESUS" film with China?
Jennifer Huff: I will never forget the first time that my father brought a pastor to the United States from China to share how the gospel was exploding through the use of the "JESUS" film. I believe my father made 50 trips to China and would meet with people who would stay up late at night and have replication centers under their beds to create more and more videotapes to be able to pass out. They realized that they needed lots of different dialects of Mandarin and wanted to ensure that every group of people in China was represented.
[The JesusFilm app offers 14 Chinese versions of the "JESUS" film (1979), including Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and 12 dialects such as Xiang, Foochow, Teochew, Hui, Hokkien Amoy, and more.]
