Whereas the number of people who saw the film between 1979 and 1997 was 1.1bn, that figure more than trebled over the following three years.

In an interview published in Mission Frontiers , Paul Eshelman, the Director of the Jesus film Project, said he was tremendously pleased with the translation of the film into other languages – up 212 to 638 over the past three years.

5.6 billion people

“I estimate that 90 per cent of the world – approximately 5.6 billion people – could listen right now to the Jesus film in their mother tongue,” he said. The remaining 658 million people could hear it in a second language, he added.

Bearing in mind that by 2010, at least 50 per cent of the world will be under 18, the Jesus film Project is placing increasing importance on reaching younger viewers.

New translations

New translations of the film The Story of Jesus for Children will be a primary tool to help with this, said Mr Eshelman. The film’s international launch is due to be held this year and some 25 new translations of it are planned for this year, in addition to the six versions, including English, which have already been recorded.