First Person with Wayne Shepherd

Mike Joens


Listen Later

Mike Joens put his faith in Jesus Christ while in the Marines. He went on to become a successful animator and has now created a series for children. (click for more)

Mike's dream all along was to create an animated series for children that would teach God's Word. That happened with the production of Theo Presents, available on DVD here.

Key Interview Highlights

  • Spiritual Transformation:
    Mike accepted Christ in 1972 while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. A divine intervention led him from a bar in Naples back to his barracks, where two fellow Marines shared the gospel with him.
  • Early Christian Growth:
    After becoming a believer, Mike developed a deep hunger for Scripture, progressing from The Living Bible to a King James Version Thompson Chain Reference Bible, reading voraciously and studying theology.
  • Call to Ministry:
    Though initially drawn to pulpit ministry, God redirected Mike to a different kind of calling—animation.
  • Professional Background:
    Mike honed his craft at animation studios like Hanna-Barbera and Filmation, working on Fat Albert, Tarzan, and later McGee and Me and Adventures in Odyssey.
  • The Birth of Theo:
    Inspired in 1978, Mike envisioned an animated series that taught children the truths of Scripture—doctrines like justification and sanctification—in engaging, humorous, and biblically faithful ways.
  • About the Series:
    Theo includes 16 short episodes (approximately 10 minutes each) across five volumes. Each episode contains a strong theological message presented in a child-friendly format, accompanied by a guide for parents.
  • Impact & Excellence:
    Parents and educators praise Theo for its clear biblical teaching and high production quality. Mike emphasizes that excellence in animation honors God and helps deliver timeless gospel truths.

            Next Week:  Colby Barrett; Ex.Producer of A Faith Under Seige

Send your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:
FEBC National Processing Center
Far East Broadcasting Company
P.O. Box 6020
Albert Lea, MN 56007

Please mention FIRST PERSON when you give. Thank you!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

First Person with Wayne ShepherdBy Wayne Shepherd

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

29 ratings


More shows like First Person with Wayne Shepherd

View all
Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life by Tim Keller

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

16,001 Listeners

Renewing Your Mind by Ligonier Ministries

Renewing Your Mind

5,208 Listeners

The Briefing with Albert Mohler by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

The Briefing with Albert Mohler

8,605 Listeners

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly by Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

4,842 Listeners

Ultimately with R.C. Sproul by Ligonier Ministries

Ultimately with R.C. Sproul

1,322 Listeners

Breakpoint by Colson Center

Breakpoint

3,086 Listeners

The Holy Post by Phil Vischer

The Holy Post

4,426 Listeners

Discover the Word Podcast by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Discover the Word Podcast

442 Listeners

The World and Everything In It by WORLD Radio

The World and Everything In It

7,114 Listeners

The Land and the Book by Moody Radio

The Land and the Book

298 Listeners

Revive Our Hearts by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

Revive Our Hearts

1,975 Listeners

I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST by Dr. Frank Turek

I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST

5,379 Listeners

Compelled - Christian Stories & Testimonies by Paul Hastings

Compelled - Christian Stories & Testimonies

1,046 Listeners

The Alisa Childers Podcast by Alisa Childers

The Alisa Childers Podcast

5,369 Listeners

The Strong Women Podcast by Sarah Stonestreet

The Strong Women Podcast

623 Listeners