Bible Connection Podcast: Drawing on King Jesus with Butch Hartman

Bible Connection Podcast: Drawing on King Jesus with Butch Hartman

Butch Hartman spent years developing cartoons like The Fairly Odd Parents and Danny Phantom for Nickelodeon. But when he met Jesus when he was 37 his whole life changed and he dedicated his life to teaching children about the Bible. The Bible Connection Podcast sat down with him to better understand the intersection of his faith with his work and learn more about his new project called The Garden.

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Butch Hartman

Animator and television creator tells The Bible Connection Podcast his story and how he was introduced to animation as a kid. That passion for animation led him to Southern California and a career creating beloved television shows for children. For the past thirty-five years, Butch has been dedicated to inspiring kids through animation and storytelling.

Butch and his wife Julieanne came to faith later in life. They explain how that shaped and changed their outlook and perspective on the work Butch was doing. They mention how they prayed over every episode of their shows that went out and are now seeing the impact that faithful prayer had in the lives of the children who watched the episodes.

Through his years at Nickelodeon, Butch explains how God was training and shaping him to be used to tell a much bigger story: the story of the gospel and God’s love for children. Years ago, Butch had the idea to create a Christian show for children to learn more about God and he explains God’s providence in preparing him to launch The Garden, his new cartoon focused on biblical teaching.

The Garden cartoon focuses on two characters, Lenny and Lucy, who hear from God and learn more about the Bible through the adventures they are able to have. Butch talks about how his years in animation inspired and prepared him to create something like The Garden that focuses on furthering God’s Kingdom. Butch talks about how God prepared him to make this cartoon and do this work for the Lord, but how important it was for Butch to wait for God’s timing.

They talk about their desire for The Garden to be a cartoon for people of all ages to learn a bit more about the biblical story and who God is. Throughout the entire episode, Butch and Julieanne stress the importance of listening to God through prayer and reading His Word and following where the Lord leads.

Excerpts from This Episode

3:58 – 4:21 “I came to Jesus at 37, Butch was 35, and we dove in head-first. We couldn’t like put a toe and then maybe put a foot in, we had to dive in because there was something so different and so awesome. Like, I want that, how do I get that?”

5:15 – 5:40 “Before we met Christ, we were just people in the world struggling like everybody else. Not that you don’t struggle a little bit after you get saved, I mean it would be great if after you get saved Jesus gives you all the answers to everything. But we really started praying over our work and praying over our finances and giving our first fruits to the Lord. And really dedicating ourselves to letting people know more about him.”

9:21 – “It’s all about learning what the truth is through a biblical perspective.”

9:42 – 9:50 “Sometimes your vision might not come right then, but write it down anyway. Put it aside. Put it in a drawer. Put it somewhere. Because there might come a time when you’re finally ready to make it happen.

10:34 – 10:47 “It really comes down to you being ready to make your vision come to pass because when you start making your vision become a reality, you’re the one that’s going to take the most hits. It’s going to take the most strength from you because you have to guide people.”

14:03 – “You fight for what God has told you. You fight for what He has given you to do.”

18:29 – “I don’t care what stands in the way. We will do whatever it takes to get the gospel to children, adults, grandparents, dogs, cats, whatever we can do. Because there is no other way to live.

24:10 – “Sometimes the meeting is being still and knowing that He is God. How often do you get to be still during the day and let Him pour into you?”

Recommended Bible Resource

The Garden Bible

Based on the new animated “The Garden” series by Butch Hartman (“Danny Phantom” & “The Fairly OddParents”), The Garden Children’s Bible invites kids to understand the gospel in an entertaining and truth-centered way as they read the Bible alongside stunning stories and Hartman’s signature illustrations.

Quoted Scripture

“Then the Lord answered me and said:

“Write the vision

And make it plain on tablets,

That he may run who reads it.”

Habakkuk 2:2, NKJV

“So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

Matthew 26:44-45, NKJV

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:41, NKJV

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Matthew 16:24, NKJV