Barbara

In 2018, I became a widow. The adjustments that come with losing a long-term partner are immense. Throughout it all, I held onto my faith in the Lord and His promises for widows. It was around Christmas time when I stumbled upon the original short episode that premiered before The Chosen was even produced. As I watched it, tears streamed down my face. I was completely emotionally invested in this short film. I couldn't stop watching it, and I started recommending it to everyone I knew. I felt compelled to learn more about the producers and the people behind this incredible project. My heart and spirit told me that I needed to invest in it, not just emotionally, but financially as well. To be honest, I didn't have a lot of money, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I am so grateful that God allowed me to be a part of it from the beginning. I only wish I had been a wealthy widow so I could have done more. But as Dallas always says, "Loaves and fishes!" In my case, I may have only brought a scrap of bread and a sardine, but it still made me feel incredible to be a part of something so meaningful. I continue to recommend the series to everyone I know. Recently, one of my daughters started watching it too. She has now watched the entire available series multiple times. Surprisingly, she has also developed an interest in Middle Eastern cooking because of The Chosen. I never saw that coming, but it's a nice bonus! I want to express my deepest gratitude to Dallas and everyone involved in this project. God's hand is truly all over it.

What a privilege to join the millions of voices around the world. Let me start by saying that I am not a Christian. I left the church when I was just 14 years old, and now I'm 78. My journey has been long and incredible, so I'll try to keep it brief. For 40 years, I searched for something spiritual. I devoured countless books by amazing teachers, and I had moments of awe and wonder. I studied and practiced, but it was nature that truly spoke to me—the beauty and tranquility of God's creation. However, I still couldn't find a love that felt genuine to me. Something was missing. Then, a couple of years ago, by some undeserved grace, a friend recommended that I watch The Chosen. It was a revelation. The show's messages were more valuable than any diamonds or rubies. It was a feast of love that changed my life. I bought the DVDs for seasons 1, 2, and 3, and every night, I can hardly bring myself to watch anything else. I'm eagerly awaiting season 4. The entire cast is exceptional. Since I have no family, The Chosen family sits with me at the dinner table. Jonathan's portrayal of Jesus is masterful. I feel his love and faith. If I had known this Jesus when I was younger, I doubt I would have ever left the church. Matthew's character resonates with so many of us who have been hurt by not fitting in. I relate to Little James because I also have a broken hip, and I understand the deeper meaning behind why he wasn't healed. As for loving the "bad guys," I can't explain it, but Quintus with his infectious laugh, Atticus with his quiet strength, and Gaius caring for Matthew and befriending Simon—each one is so special. And how could I forget the Zealot? The writers are truly brilliant. They bring Scripture to life in the most incredible way. Their words feel divinely inspired. When I picked up the Bible for the first time after watching The Chosen, it was like the scriptures came alive before my eyes. For 40 years, I wandered spiritually without even realizing I was lost, just like Matthew. But now, Jesus has found me, this old lady. I am overflowing with His love, and I know He is always by my side. When it's my time to go, I trust that He will guide me into the eternal love that He embodies. I must give a special mention to Dallas and his unwavering commitment to answering God's call. I am deeply grateful that he faced his own challenges to bring the love of Christ to the world. I've attached a picture of the Chosen gifts that adorn my altar and greet me every morning during my prayerful writing. They serve as a reminder of the incredible life that has unfolded for me in these later years—all because of my relationship with Jesus. "He won't let me go." I'm currently writing a book about how I encountered Jesus, my master. It's titled A Lantern in the Darkness. This is my legacy. I now have no doubt in His love, and I want to share this with others. We are the lanterns that illuminate the world, and as long as we keep our flames burning bright, darkness cannot prevail.

When The Chosen first came out, I watched the first season and thought it was pretty good. But that was it, and I moved on. Then, while listening to a podcast sermon, the pastor mentioned The Chosen as his favorite show about the life of Jesus that wasn't corny. He talked about a scene in episode 4 where Jesus told Peter to "get used to different." I couldn't remember that scene, so I went back to re-watch episode 4. I watched it multiple times but couldn't find that specific scene. It must have been in a different episode. So, I started from the beginning with episode 1 and re-watched the whole season. This time, something amazing happened. With each episode, I noticed more and more of the beauty and intricacies of the story, and it really touched my heart. Finally, at the very end of episode 7, I found the "get used to different" scene. By then, I had watched every episode three or four times, searching for that one line that caught my attention. It felt like God was trying to get my attention. Since then, I've been fully invested in The Chosen. I support it financially, share it with as many people as I can, and have been fortunate enough to participate in extra opportunities in Texas and Utah. I've watched every live stream and special that has been created. My life has already been incredibly blessed, but The Chosen has given me a platform to share Jesus with others, something I've always wanted to do but struggled with. I'm grateful for what has been accomplished so far and excited for the impact it will continue to have worldwide. I'm proud to be a small part of this amazing effort.

I was born into my faith, and over time, I've grown within it, slowly but surely. I've been fortunate to experience God's grace in profound ways, which has deepened my love, devotion, and understanding of Him. Less than a year ago, I stumbled upon The Chosen and decided to give it a shot. From the first episode of the first season, I was captivated. I devoured all three seasons in just three days. The joy and love for Christ, Scripture, and our shared history that this show has sparked in me is beyond words. I've watched it multiple times, and I'm still discovering new details and nuances. In my 80 years, I've never felt such enthusiasm for Christ and the Bible as I have in these past few months, thanks to The Chosen. The show, along with its round table discussions, podcasts, and specials, has been a gift. I only wish I could contribute more financially to the completion of all seven seasons. If God calls me home before I get to experience them all, know that my prayers will continue. I pray that His grace will reach over a billion people through The Chosen, a healing balm for our hurting, broken world.