The JESUS Film Book
Bringing Transformation- Vol. I
Who is this storyteller?
Storyteller
Joe III was the Chief Storyteller for Operation Snap Dragon, an organization dedicated to reaching one more person for Jesus by translating and recording the JESUS film in other languages globally.
Communications Professional
Joe III is a freelance copywriter. His writing includes ghostwriting for multiple organizations and various publications, adeptly writing video production scripts, newsletters, press releases, elevator pitches, radio spec spots in multiple lengths, and mission statements.
Joe III started as a Field Producer in 2013 with Operation Snap Dragon, traveling frequently with the recording team, coordinating logistics for every non-dubbing function of the JESUS film recording team. Daily responsibilities included testing and practicing with up to 30 untrained voice actors, who rarely spoke English. Keeping track of all the moving pieces requires an adaptive approach, especially working in and with other cultures. Joe III took notes during each recording and shared these stories from the field via email. He also began authoring summaries of each trip while actively leading the leadership team in weekly prayer.
In 2015 Joe III’s title changed to Global Communications Director because he regularly drafted the executive summaries for each recording. The recording summary was hard to read and didn’t match the vibrant tone of the weekly emails. Slowly Joe III shifted the passive report to an active storytelling voice, a change leadership liked. He took a risk and convinced leadership to change the format into a one-page, 500-word short story. Visually appealing and easier to read meant the Jesus Film Project could now use excerpts from each summary.
In 2020 COVID-19 and the pandemic changed the world, imposing international and domestic travel restrictions. In-person work was also severely limited, forcing remote training, translation, and recording innovations, preventing Joe III’s international involvement. Leadership changed his role to Chief Storyteller, refocusing all his attention on the stories in the field.
A lull in production in 2021 allowed Joe III to take on an enormous task – write a book highlighting the impact of the JESUS film in 60 language communities across four countries. Previous executive summaries were foundational, but each needed redrafting into Operation Snap Dragon’s active storytelling voice.
Joe III's writing credits include ghostwriting various newsletters, devotionals, and press releases. Nonprofit organizations asked for elevator pitches, mission statements, and direct-response fundraising letters. He also co-authored a bronze Telly award-winning video production script.