Light of the World - Salvation Poem Project

Releasing Summer 2025

About the Animated Film

It’s 30 AD 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 others begin to follow Jesus on an unexpected adventure. This beautifully 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 releases in theaters the summer of 2025.

Production Art

Production Art Not Final

Other Projects Our Team Has Worked On

Meet the Creative Team

Matt McPherson

Executive Producer

Matt 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 is both the President of The Salvation Poem Project and a lifelong creative. After spending years writing creative biblical adaptations, making multi-media content, and producing music, this film stands at the intersection of his passions in art and theology.

John Schafer

Director

Formerly the Senior Producer of CBN’s Superbook, John brings decades of experience in building and leading creative teams to bring biblical adaptations to life in children’s animation.

Tom Bancroft

Co-Director

An award-winning veteran of the animation industry, Tom 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 Supervisor

In his three decades-long career, Tony 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.

Epipheo

Development Studio

A Cincinnati-based animation and development studio founded in 2009 that excels both at visual development and at making complicated ideas simple to understand.

Lighthouse

Animation Studio

An award-winning 2D animation studio in Kilkenny, Ireland. Lighthouse is co-owned by both the Academy Award winning Cartoon Saloon and Mercury Filmworks.