Eveline

My journey as a Christian began amidst adversity and danger. After converting to Christianity, my family and I faced severe threats in Tunisia, which led us to seek refuge in the Middle East. Here, I became part of the Lighthouse Arab World ministry, using media and art to spread the evangelical message. My life took a significant turn when my son introduced me to "The Chosen," a series depicting the life of Jesus. Watching it, I was immediately struck by its artistic depth, the stunning cinematography, and the powerful portrayal of characters, especially Matthew. It resonated deeply with me. "The Chosen" was more than just a series for me; it was a revelation. I saw my own experiences of rejection mirrored in Matthew's life, bringing a sense of connection and understanding. This spurred me and my team at Lighthouse in Egypt and Lebanon to embark on a significant mission: translating "The Chosen" into Arabic and other languages. We recognized its potential to reach hearts in a way few other things could, aiming to make it accessible in 100 languages. The impact of "The Chosen" on the youth across the Arab region has been extraordinary. In places like Beirut, Egypt, and Syria, young people, Christian and non-Christian alike, are experiencing Christ in a completely new light. They're engaging with a story that they've never understood so intimately before. Our work with "The Chosen" is not just about translation; it's about opening doors to new perspectives and hope. It's an opportunity to show God's love and salvation in a way that's relatable and transformative. This is why I'm so passionate about this project – it's more than a series, it's a tool for change, offering a new vision of hope and redemption to all who watch it.

At 68 years old, I've always considered myself a good person, but I never really followed my Catholic faith. When I got engaged to a Jewish man, he insisted that I convert if we were to get married. Tearfully, I agreed and raised our four children in the Jewish faith, feeling like I had betrayed God and turned my back on Jesus. Eventually, the marriage ended and I returned to my faith, but I hadn't been to confession in years. I tried to be better, but my relationship with Jesus felt distant. The movies I had seen about him portrayed him as constantly reverent, which didn't feel realistic. One day, while I was home sick, I decided to watch some TV. The Chosen caught my eye, so I started binge-watching the episodes. The moment I saw Peter drop to his knees, crying out to Jesus, "Depart from me. You don't know what I've done," it hit me like a ton of bricks. It was as if my entire life flashed before my eyes, and I saw every hurt I had caused others through my thoughts, words, and actions. It was a wake-up call like no other. I couldn't get enough of the episodes and I've watched them countless times, always finding a new message each time. I couldn't stop talking about the series either. I started sharing DVD sets of seasons 1, 2, and 3 with places I thought could benefit from them, like our local prison, the veteran's home, a home for victims of domestic abuse, the Methodist outreach center, and even our local library. One of the best moments was when two young men from the Latter Day Saints came to my door to share their beliefs, but I ended up talking about The Chosen instead. They left with the DVDs, and they seemed really excited about it! Now, I'm on my church's Parish Council, and we've started showing an episode of The Chosen once a week, followed by a discussion. I've also made it a habit to set aside time in the morning and at bedtime to talk to God and thank Him for everything He has done for me. I was truly a lost sheep, but I am so grateful for The Chosen. Jonathan Roumie's portrayal of Jesus opened my heart and soul, allowing me to move forward in my faith with hope and love.

My husband, Joe, passed away in June of 2022 after a long battle with cancer. We were married for 35 and a half years and ran our own business before retiring. Throughout our marriage, we were inseparable, spending every day together. In 2000, Joe was diagnosed with his first cancer, and over the years, he faced a total of 10 different cancers. One of the most challenging battles was against stage 4 metastatic lung cancer in 2015, which he fought with immunotherapy and successfully overcame. However, his last cancer was MDS, an incurable blood cancer, and he also had Congestive Heart Failure. Despite all the health challenges, Joe never gave up. In addition to the cancers, he endured three heart attacks, bleeding ulcers, and Heart Bypass Surgery in the final six years of his life. Every day, for 22 years, he fought with unwavering determination, becoming an inspiration to many. When asked about how he felt, Joe would always respond, "Better than yesterday but not as good as tomorrow." This simple statement reflects the strength and positive attitude he carried with him each day. Fast forward to December of last year, six months after Joe's passing. Usually, during Christmas time, I enjoy watching all the festive shows and movies. However, last year, I wasn't in the right frame of mind to do so. A friend recommended The Chosen to me, and I decided to give it a try. Every evening, I would watch an episode, and it brought me immense comfort. Going to bed each night, I felt a renewed sense of strength. The Chosen became a turning point for me in my healing journey. Earlier this year, during a Bible study, I told a friend who hadn't watched The Chosen yet, "You will LOVE Jesus...Well, of course, we already LOVE Jesus, but you will understand what I mean when you watch the series." My faith has been my anchor throughout the past 22 years and the challenging year following Joe's passing. The Chosen has also sparked a newfound interest in learning more about the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. I have already watched all three seasons three times, and I plan to start watching it again soon. Each time I watch, I discover something new that I hadn't noticed before. Saying "Thanks" to The Chosen doesn't adequately express the depth of my gratitude for the series. It served as the catalyst I needed to continue on my path of healing, bringing me to where I am today. In this picture taken in April 2022, Joe's spirit for life shines through, capturing his resilience and strength.