This month, the JESUS film reaches an astounding milestone with the debut of its 1,000th translation.
While blockbuster films like Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, Titanic, and The Lion King have all been translated into multiple languages, added together they still would not reach even half the number of translations of the JESUS film.
JESUS, produced by Campus Crusade for Christ, is officially the most-translated film in history.
"Lanka Kol is our 1,000th translation of the JESUS film," said Jim Green, executive director of The JESUS Film Project. "It's a language many Americans have probably never even heard of, but there are more than one million people in India who speak Lanka Kol-and now we have the opportunity to begin sharing the gospel story with them in their own language."
The original JESUS film debuted in theatres in the US in 1979. With a viewing audience of more than five billion, JESUS has been shown around the world, often in remote, Third World locations using a makeshift screen and portable projector. For many audiences, it's their first look at a movie image.
"Storytelling is the fundamental way that people communicate around the world," said Green. "Through the JESUS film, we can tell the incredible story of God's love in a simple way that people can relate to - and we can do it in their heart language."
While the 1,000th translation is a major milestone, it is not the end of the story. The JESUS Film Project plans to continue translating the film into 500 new languages, including every language with more than 100,000 speakers.
Campus Crusade for Christ International is one of the world's largest non-profit, interdenominational organisations. Founded by Bill and Vonette Bright in 1951, it has more than 27,000 staff members and a ministry presence in 190 countries around the world.
