Mike Joens

An episode of the First Person with Wayne Shepherd podcast, hosted by Wayne Shepherd, titled "Mike Joens" was published on July 24, 2025 and runs 23 minutes.

July 24, 2025 ·23m · First Person with Wayne Shepherd

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Summary

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 ...

Episode Description

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

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