Podcast Summary:

GPS: God. People. Stories.
Episode: ‘Light of the World’ Movie Director on Finding Jesus
Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Jim Kirkland (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
Guest: John Schaefer (Director, “Light of the World”)

Episode Overview

This episode features the powerful testimony of John Schaefer, a movie director whose journey spans from a skeptical, struggling young man in the Air Force to the creative force behind the animated film “Light of the World.” Against a backdrop of personal trials, family struggles, and professional achievement, John shares how undeserved favor, persistent Christian friends, and pivotal moments drew him to Christ. The episode also explores the making of the film and its impact on audiences, especially during Christmas, underscoring the transformative message of Jesus as the Light of the World.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. John’s Early Encounters with God and Movies

• Childhood Curiosity Sparked by Media:
  • John’s fascination with movies began at age 5 with Disney’s Robin Hood and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
  • (01:53) “It was the first time I had ever heard the word God or savior... I asked my mom and dad, what is a savior? What does that mean? What is God?” — John
• Lack of Answers at Home:
  • His mother, a Buddhist, and his father couldn’t provide answers to his questions about God (02:19).
• Early Talent in Film:
  • Before age eight, John learned stop-motion animation, foreshadowing his future career.

2. Rebellion, Early Marriage, and Air Force Years

• Describing Teenage Rebellion:
  • John defied parental wishes by marrying young and enlisting in the Air Force to provide for his new family (02:48).
  • “I became, I don't want to say the word rebellious. But now there was something I wanted—to be something different.” — John
• Personal Struggles and Disappointment:
  • His marriage was troubled, and he felt unfulfilled, torn between responsibilities and his dreams of filmmaking (03:49).

3. Encounters with Faith in the Air Force

• Observing Friends’ Transformation:

  • John’s friends in the Air Force converted to Christianity, changing their lifestyles and inviting him to join.
  • “I mocked them... But interesting enough, when my world collapsed... all the guys I was partying with kind of distanced themselves from me. Only Tom and Pete stuck around.” — John (04:47)

• Reluctant Church Visit and Breaking Down

  • Invited to meet a pastor, John politely declined faith, but an unexpected breakdown in a church sanctuary followed (05:39).
  • “It was the first time I had been in a church since... grade school... and I broke down.” — John

• Conversion Moment

  • After repeated encouragement, John finally prayed to accept Christ during a moment of desperation.
  • “I knew the prayer... and this time it was just me, ‘Okay God, if you’re real, I have nothing else to lose.’” — John (06:07)

4. Undeserved Favor and a New Path

• Military Trouble and Miraculous Outcome:
  • After going AWOL, John was unexpectedly honorably discharged (07:10).
  • “Technically you went AWOL and you need to be discharged. But... I’m going to honorably discharge you... I think there’s something for you out there.” — Squadron Commander (07:31)
• God’s Hand in New Beginnings:
  • “This experience gave John a front row viewing of God's workings in his life.” — Jim Kirkland (07:49)

5. Career in Christian Media and New Challenges

• Work at CBN’s Superbook:
  • John led the reboot of the “Superbook” series, combining passion for film with faith (08:11).
  • “Life was amazing... I realized there came a point when I wasn't furthering God's kingdom, I was furthering mine.” — John (08:45, 09:11)
• Work-Life Imbalance:
  • Though financially providing for his family, John missed important moments due to his career focus (08:45).
• Marriage Collapse and Redirection:
  • After his marriage ended, John decided to reprioritize, recover, and refocus on what God wanted first.

6. Remarriage, Fatherhood, and Blessings Amid Crisis

• A New Family and Pandemic Blessing:
  • Married Rebecca, welcomed son Josiah just before COVID-19. Lockdown gave them precious family time (09:58).
  • “As crazy as [COVID] was, it was a blessing... we were there for every moment... with Josiah, every little thing.” — John (09:58-10:15)

7. “Light of the World” Film—Purpose and Challenges

• Joining the Salvation Poem Project:

  • Produced discipleship materials, and soon was asked to direct “Light of the World,” a 2D animated feature about Jesus’ life (10:49).
  • “I've learned so much about keeping focus, my priority—God first... even though not everyone on the team were believers.” — John (10:49)

• Prayer in Production:

  • John led his diverse, mostly non-Christian team by turning openly to prayer during challenges (11:28).
  • “I would always ask, is it cool if I pray? And I would pray out loud.” — John (11:28)

• Faith Through Family Crisis:

  • Josiah, then 3, suddenly suffered an unexplained, life-threatening medical event during a family game (12:43).
  • “He wasn’t breathing and he was cold.” — John (12:43)
  • John and Rebecca prayed, called 911, and Josiah eventually recovered, though doctors never determined a cause (13:11).
  • “If Josiah’s oxygen shut down while he or Rebecca were sleeping, their son would die.” — Jim Kirkland (13:47)

• Decision to Stay or Step Away:

  • Co-director Tom Bancroft offered to take over the film so John could focus on family (14:12).
  • John asked God for direction and clarity, ultimately feeling called to remain:
  • “If I step away and I don’t trust God with what I ask him, how can I make a movie to tell people they can trust God at all?” — John (15:07)
  • Found “unexplainable peace” after this decision (14:42).

• Film’s Impact and Son’s Healing:

  • “Light of the World” released in September 2025, became a box office success, sharing hope globally.
  • Since then, Josiah had no more seizures and is healthy (15:32).
  • “I hope one day there’s some kid that grows up and wants to make movies because they saw this movie called Light of the World.” — John (16:20)

8. Continuing to Minister and Inspire

• Personal Engagement with Viewers:
  • John prays with those who contact him after seeing the movie, encouraging them to talk directly to God.
  • “You can talk to God, too. He'd rather hear from you... there's no formula of how you pray, just talk to him.” — John (19:55)
• Leading His Parents to Christ:
  • John shared the gospel with his own parents, bringing his childhood questions full circle.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Resistance:

  • “Thanks for taking the time to meet with me. I'm not interested in your church or your God.” — John (00:00, 05:16)

• On God’s Intervention:

  • “I'm going to honorably discharge you... I think there's something for you out there.” — Squadron Commander (07:31)
  • “I realized... I wasn't furthering God's kingdom, I was actually furthering mine.” — John (09:11)

• On Faith Under Pressure:

  • “If I step away and I don’t trust God with what I ask him, how can I make a movie to tell people they can trust God at all?” — John (15:07)

• On Multiplying Testimony:

  • “I hope one day there's some kid that grows up and wants to make movies because ... I saw this movie called Light of the World.” — John (16:20)

• On Prayer:

  • “He'll listen to me, but he wants to hear from you... just talk to him.” — John (19:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• The Spark from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” — 01:53
• Struggles and Mockery in Air Force — 03:17-04:47
• Breakdown and Turning to Christ — 05:39-06:26
• AWOL Incident and God’s Favor — 06:46-07:49
• Leading Superbook; Career Challenges — 08:11-09:11
• COVID, Fatherhood, Move to Animation Ministry — 09:58-10:49
• Producing “Light of the World,” Team Prayer — 10:49-11:44
• Josiah’s Medical Emergency and Faith Test — 12:11–14:42
• John’s Public Testimony, Impact of the Film — 15:32–16:20
• Ministering to Fans, Leading His Parents to Christ — 19:55–20:26

Conclusion

This episode is a heartfelt, real-life narrative of transformation, faith, and redemption through adversity. John’s story weaves movie magic, family challenge, professional calling, and childlike curiosity full circle—highlighting how God’s persistent invitations and creative timing can rescue, redeem, and send us out as lights in the world.