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The Ecstatic Leper Church

Film about the life of Francis of Assisi, with emphasis on his rebellious and ecstatic church of lepers.

  • Jeff Grupp
    Director
  • Jeff Grupp
    Writer
  • Jeff Grupp
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Feature, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Avant garde, ecstatic, spiritual, Francis of Assisi, Christian, Theology, Medieval Theology, Song of Solomon
  • Runtime:
    32 minutes 54 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 4, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    250 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker Volume 7
    Iver Heath
    United Kingdom
    July 14, 2025
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Jeff Grupp

Founder and Lead Chaplain of Kalamazoo Jail Ministry (visit: KJM.zone). Author of multiple books, including Hyper-Calvinist Universal Salvation (Wipf and Stock 2024), a breakthrough work in systematic theology. Author of over a dozen academic articles (peer reviewed), including "The Implantation Argument: Simulation Theory Proves That GOD Exists," (Metaphysica, 2021). Former college lecturer in philosophy for 16 years. Two masters degrees (philosophy and theology), currently a PhD student studying philosophy and religion. My interest in life is spiritual ecstasy. Married with four kids. Lives in Kalamazoo, MI (with his wife, Amy, in this picture, who runs the jail ministry with him).

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