The widely popular JESUS film celebrated a major milestone after it was recently translated into its 2,000th language.
The film, which is primarily based on the Gospel of Luke, was first released in English in 1979 and has now been translated into Zo. According to the JESUS film’s website, Zo is language primarily spoken in Myanmar and is spoken by approximately 65,000 people worldwide, including refugee and immigrant communities in 28 U.S. cities.
“Being able to release ‘JESUS’ in Zo is the payoff of years of innovation and dedication,” said Josh Newell, executive director of Jesus Film Project. “The most dignified thing that we can do is share the story of Jesus in a way that people can understand, and in a way that doesn’t need any translation. We’re excited for what the future holds as we continue to translate this life-changing story.”
Newell also announced the milestone on the JESUS film’s YouTube channel, alongside his wife, Holly.
“So this milestone — the JESUS film in 2,000 languages — isn’t just a number. It represents what God has done in the lives of people around the world, as they’ve had the chance to hear about Jesus in their own language,” Holly said.
“It’s a celebration of all that God has done over 40 years,” Josh added. It’s also a celebration of a coming day when no one will have to learn a second language to hear Jesus say, ‘I love you.’”
The Jesus Film Project, a ministry under CRU (Campus Crusade For Christ), debuted the Zo translation of the film by hosting screening events for local Zo refugees and immigrants in several U.S. cities, including in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
In 2019, the Bible was translated into Zo but it has not yet been printed in Myanmar. Per CBN News, the Zo translation of the JESUS film will allow more people to see the story of Jesus in a manner that they can understand, since many are unable to read.
Since its release in 1979, the JESUS film has been seen by over 10 million people globally and is the most translated film of all time. According to the film’s website, more than 490 million people have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ after watching the films.
Photo credit: The Jesus Film Project
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.