Helping you understand the Bible in the easiest way possible.
Our story
"Why do you believe in the Bible?" That one question from a friend is where Long Story Short began.
I answered: "Because it’s the only way I can make sense of this messed-up world. The big questions we all have—why can’t we live in peace, what’s causing all the problems, who am I, why am I here, and what’s it all about—are all naturally answered when you follow the story of the Bible."
He paused and then said, "If that’s true, you need to make the Bible’s story more accessible for everyone."
And that’s exactly what we set out to do.
It started with books—photocopied, stapled together, then upgraded to glossy covers and cartoon illustrations. But here’s the thing—I’m not a big reader. So the next step felt obvious: a video series. And not just any series, but one filmed around the world—fitting for the best-selling book of all time, the Bible.
Fast forward to today: 50 countries, multiple translations, and millions of views later, Long Story Short has become a trusted resource for both Christians and non-Christians alike. For over a decade, we’ve been helping people understand the Bible and find answers to life’s biggest questions.
And we’re just getting started.
Torrey Hilton
Long Story Short Charitable Trust
Where are we going?
Have we stopped improving? Not a chance! That’s why you’re here on our brand-new website—and hopefully watching the refreshed version of our series.
Now condensed into 9 episodes, we’ve picked up the pace, added new footage, and refined the messaging to make learning about the Bible even easier.
We’ve also put a huge focus on our Q&A series, creating even more valuable content to help you explore the Bible’s story. We’d love to hear how it’s helped you, and we hope it brings clarity to the greatest story ever told.
Our presenters
Meet Pastor Nelson! As the Lead Pastor of The Orchard Church in New Zealand, he has been teaching and preaching the Bible for over eight years. With a gift for making complex topics simple, he’s here to bring clear, biblically accurate answers in our Q&A series, helping you deepen your understanding. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Ministries from Adelaide College of Ministries and is currently studying toward a Master of Divinity at Grace Theological Seminary.
Meet Katie! She’s the heart of our Q&A videos at Long Story Short, always ready with the right questions to keep our presenters on track. But she’s not just a friendly face in front of the camera—behind the scenes, she’s the glue that keeps our projects running smoothly. From organising chaos to making sure every detail is in place, Katie’s efficiency and communication shines, ensuring Long Story Short stays on course to produce valuable content for you consistently!
Meet Dr. Graham Blaikie. With years of answering university students' questions and helping people understand the Christian Scriptures, we're grateful to have his expertise as we journey through the story of the Bible. Graham spent 10 years on staff with Cru NZ, and has served as a lead pastor for 19 years in churches in Auckland and Wisconsin, USA. He holds a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Currently, he serves as a researcher and writer for Long Story Short, bringing depth and clarity to every discussion.
Meet Pastor Mike! As the Discipleship Pastor at The Orchard Church in New Zealand, he's passionate about sharing his growing knowledge of the Bible. He brings experience and relatable insights to our Q&A series, helping to break down complex topics in an engaging way—we’re thrilled to have him on this journey with us! Mike is currently studying toward a Bachelor of Theology at Grace Theological Seminary, further deepening his understanding of Scripture as he helps others grow in their faith.
Meet Geoff! Our talented presenter and communicator at Long Story Short. With years of experience making the Bible easy to understand, he's a key part of our revamped series—breaking down big themes and core beliefs into clear, knowledge-packed content. Geoff is a church planter, pastor, teacher, and lecturer, as well as a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. He currently serves as a Researcher & Writer for Long Story Short, bringing deep biblical insight and clarity to every episode.
Jared serves Long Story Short by promoting it across the country to church leaders. Alongside this, he is deepening his understanding of Long Story Short’s theology through direct training under Dr. Blaikie and Geoff Smith. With a background in teaching, Jared brings clear and insightful answers to core biblical topics and questions in our Q&A series. We're excited to have him on board as we work to make the Bible easier to understand!
If you’ve watched the series, you’ll recognise his face! Graham has been the key communicator and promoter of Long Story Short since video production began over 10 years ago. Traveling around the world, he has played a vital role in bringing Long Story Short’s message to life - helping tell the story of the Bible in a clear and engaging way. We’ve loved having him on board as we share a project we’re truly proud of with you all!
Common questions
Long Story Short is for anyone curious to learn more about the story of the Bible and why Jesus is at the very heart of the plot line.
You can watch the series on your own, with a friend, or in a group.
The “Explained Series” is a nine-episode video series introducing the viewer to the primary storyline of the Bible. As we travel all over the world, we discover how the Bible is both God’s story and ours, and why Jesus is at the story’s very centre. Alongside each episode in the series, short Q&A videos provide clear answers to many relevant questions.
Long Story Short is a relaxed journey through the biblical backstory that ends up leading to Jesus. So it's a great way for churches to introduce people to the Bible’s redemptive story and the good news of the Gospel. This can be done individually, one-on-one, or in a small group with a Leader’s Guide. See the Church Leaders section for more information.
The Explained series is a fresh update of Long Story Short’s original eleven-episode series which tells the story of the Bible even better than before. Now just nine episodes, the Explained series contains brand new footage, is faster-paced and even more clearly-focused on the key themes of the biblical story than before. We think you’re going to love it!
Long Story Short is absolutely free to anyone, any time, anywhere. Why? Because we believe everyone should have an opportunity to hear and understand the greatest story ever told.
