One of God’s faithful servants, Paul Eshleman, went home to His Lord recently. We’re confident he heard these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” Matthew 25:23 (ESV)

This photo is how we remember Paul: joyful, inspiring, sharing stories of God’s work in people’s lives around the world.

Paul passed away quietly on May 24, 2023, at the age of 80. You may not have heard of Paul, but he has probably impacted your life, friends, and family.

Paul Eshleman’s Ministry

In 1966, Paul Eshleman joined Campus Crusade for Christ (now “Cru” in the U. S.).

He directed EXPLO ‘72 in Dallas. This huge arena event drew about 80,000 students from across America and 75 countries. Our Cru missionary staff trained the attendees and sent them into the city to share their faith. Many students went on to full-time Christian work. EXPLO ‘72 also helped birth the fledgling Christian music scene.

Were you there? Did you know someone changed by EXPLO ‘72?

Paul Eshleman also led the I Found It! Campaign in 1976. Thousands of churches mobilized in 200 American cities to proclaim the gospel. An estimated 85% of Americans knew about the campaign and the gospel message.

Did you help someone find new life in Christ through this campaign?

The JESUS Film Project

It’s very likely Paul touched your life in some way through his 26 years as the founder of The JESUS Film Project®.

In 1979, Paul began 26 years of service as the director of The JESUS Film. Founder and Cru president Bill Bright had a vision for a major film about the life of Christ. He chose Paul Eshleman for this opportunity. Paul was there for every step of the production of the film. He even had a bit part as a mounted Roman soldier.

After the film’s release in U.S. theaters, Bill tasked Paul to dub the film into 163 languages. At that time, billions of people had never been exposed to the Bible and spoke in about 5,500 languages. Paul secured the rights to the film. Under Paul’s direction, the film was translated into more than 850 languages and was seen an estimated 5.6 billion times. Also, more than 195 million people indicated decisions to follow Christ after seeing The JESUS Film. He also oversaw the first of several adaptations, The Story of Jesus for Children.

Today, the film is available in more than 2,000 language translations and in many forms.

How has The JESUS Film touched your life? Have you shared it with others?

Vice President of Coverage

In 2004, Paul Eshleman became Cru’s Vice President of Coverage. He was effective in securing partnerships and strategizing for mass evangelism. He believed reaching the 550 million people still living in unreached areas of the globe was possible.

Cru’s current president, Steve Sellers, wrote, “In each of these roles he played a significant part in helping to achieve our vision of populating the throne room of heaven. I am grateful that, today, he is able to see that reality first hand.”

This quiet, joyful Christian served his Lord faithfully. He continues to impact the lives of millions even after his passing. Paul’s life was driven by the desire for everyone, everywhere, to hear and understand the message of Christ.

God’s Heroes of the Faith

We are writing this over Memorial Day weekend. Paul is one of thousands of Cru’s heroes of the faith. Many, like him, may have been unknown to you but touched your life in a meaningful way. We would love to hear your stories about how these events were significant to you. We’d also love to hear of any faithful Cru staff member you appreciate.

Thank you for encouraging us in our “behind-the-scenes” roles with Cru. Our part, together with you, will be revealed one day in God’s great unfolding story of the ages. Thank you for serving in God’s kingdom with us.

See more about Paul Eshleman and the projects he helped lead through the links above and the NOTES section below.

NOTES:

• Paul authored several books: The Explo Story: A Plan to Change the World (1972), The Touch of Jesus (2002) and I Just Saw Jesus: The JESUS Film (2016).
• Be inspired by Paul’s story-telling in these videos:
  • Oh God, Save Me! about a refugee tribe from Mozambique coming to faith through a JESUS Film showing in South Africa.
  • New Light in the Middle East about reaching Muslim clerics. (Cru Legacy videos are inspirational true stories from our senior staff.)
• Be challenged to take the Gospel to the world’s oral learners in this Lausanne Movement short video featuring Paul: Orality. The photo of Paul is a screenshot from this YouTube video.
• Some of the sources for this article:
  • Unreached People group stats from The Joshua Project.
  • Advisory Board International Orality Network.
  • Leadership Vice President of Coverage on Cru.org
  • Screenshot of The JESUS Film for the banner image.