Jesus, Light it Up

David Little from Elevate Church in Morton, Illinois brings us this great design featuring a lit up Jesus sign.

To create this set they used 2’2 Coroplast panels affixed to each other with 1 1/2″ binder rings. The center section was rigged to a pulley system to raise up during worship to expose the drummer. The textured columns on the sides were made from aluminum screen material from Lowe’s – crinkled then lit with Chauvet Color Strips.

They had 3 WXGA projectors for the 3 screens – Epson EX7210’s 2600 lumens for about $500 each. The moving light fixtures in the picture were Chauvet Intimidator 250’s. They ran about $800 a fixture.

The stage was painted blue, with a metallic overlay, then clear coated with water based polyurethane. All water/latex based paints were used to reduce smell and dry time.

The “Jesus sign” is made from 4/4 poplar and had 2 and 3 foot t8 fluorescent light fixtures mounted to it. They had it hooked up to a cheap electric winch from Harbor Freight tools. They spent a total of about $650 for the whole element and got the idea from a Hillsong conference opener.

Planning an Illuminated Jesus Sign and Layered Backdrop

This design combines three distinct visual layers: a readable illuminated word, a repeating Coroplast backdrop, and textured side columns. Each has a different job. The sign establishes the focal point, the panels frame the stage, and the crinkled screen material catches colored light. When adapting the concept, start by deciding which layer should lead during music and which should recede during speaking. The suggestions below are planning ideas for a similar set, not additional specifications from Elevate Church’s original build.

Sketch the full platform before cutting materials. Mark the drum position, musicians, projection surfaces, and access paths, then draw the sign at a scale that can be read from the back row. Check that its silhouette stays clear of projected lyrics and faces. A cardboard lettering mockup can help your team compare spacing without committing to finished woodwork. Photograph the mockup from the center and side seating so a strong front view does not conceal an awkward overlap elsewhere.

Test Panels and Texture Before Building the Full Wall

Build one sample Coroplast connection and one sample screen column before producing the entire backdrop. Check the panel spacing and how the joints look under both front light and backlight. Binder rings connect scenic pieces, but they should not be assumed to provide an engineered overhead support system. Ask a qualified scenic or rigging professional to specify the supports appropriate to your venue. Treat exposed metal-screen edges carefully and plan a finished edge that will not snag hands, clothing, or cables.

Test the crinkled screen with a fixture you already own. Move the light across the sample rather than immediately adding more fixtures: a change in angle can reveal texture that a straight-on wash hides. Compare a restrained speaking look with a more saturated music look. Keep the sign bright enough to read without letting it overpower faces or turn into an indistinct white shape on camera. Review the actual video feed as well as the view from the room.

Choose a Practical Lighting and Movement Approach

The original team used fluorescent fixtures and moving scenic elements. For an adaptation, compare suitable LED options on a small lettering sample, checking diffusion, visible hotspots, camera flicker, and the manufacturer’s installation requirements. Have a qualified electrician review the intended power distribution and controls. The equipment names and dollar amounts in the original account describe that particular build; obtain fresh quotes for your own materials, supports, electrical work, and labor rather than treating those figures as a complete project budget.

A stationary sign and fixed backdrop can preserve the visual concept without adding moving scenery. If movement is essential, do not reproduce a pulley or winch arrangement from photographs alone. Have a qualified entertainment-rigging professional design and review the complete system, including rated components, load paths, limits, and operating procedures. Rehearse approved movements with the stage clear, establish an exclusion area, and assign one trained operator. Document panel positions, lighting cues, and setup order so volunteers can reinstall the design consistently.

Pro Tips for an Illuminated Stage Sign

Prioritize legibility: Test full-size letter spacing from the farthest seats before building the finished sign. Leave visual separation between the lettering and projection content.

Control competing light: Aim backdrop washes away from projection surfaces and compare every cue with face lighting active. A quieter background can make the sign more effective.

Price the complete installation: Include mounting, wiring, transport, storage, and professional review in addition to scenic materials. Separate reusable purchases from consumable supplies.

Plan for repeatable assembly: Label panels and photograph their connections, fixture positions, and cable paths. Keep access routes clear throughout installation and operation.

Related Designs

• Shine – Compare reflective mylar and frosted-plastic frames illuminated from the front and rear.
• Hyper Techno Dots – Explore a layered wall with Coroplast backing, patterned panels, and integrated light boxes.
• Offset – See how separated projection panels create another layered stage composition.
• Triangle Wall – Compare a geometric Coroplast design combining projection and illuminated edges.
• The Doors – Explore contrasting front and rear lighting with a projected Coroplast scenic element.