John

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.

The Bible has always been a source of love and inspiration for me. I can't get enough of reading about the people and their stories. I'm always curious about what they were thinking and feeling in those pivotal moments. That's why The Chosen is perfect for me. It brings those stories to life and gives us a glimpse into the backstories of the characters. The writers do an incredible job of staying true to the Bible while weaving together different narratives. I feel privileged to support this project through donations and buying gifts. Recently, my three grandchildren and I decided to wear our Chosen t-shirts to school. It's a public school, so we knew we would get questions. And we did. But we were prepared with answers. I'm not the type to push my beliefs on others, but if someone is curious, I'm more than happy to have a conversation. My grandchildren and I were proud to promote the show and share the message of Jesus, who is the reason behind it all. I want to encourage the team behind The Chosen to keep up the amazing work. I will continue to support you financially and with my prayers. It may not be much, but every little bit counts. Just like the story of the loaves and fishes, even a small offering can make a big impact. God bless you all.

I first stumbled upon Chosen through Facebook ads when they were just beginning to partner up. Intrigued, I decided to invest. By the time I watched Episode 4 of Season 1, my excitement had grown, but I was skeptical about how many people I knew would actually subscribe to watch. However, when Dallas made it free on the app, I was over the moon. I couldn't help but share it with everyone I knew. I made a point of showing the "fish scene" to those I thought might be skeptical. To my surprise, they weren't. I had this one friend who I knew would spread the word faster than wildfire if I told her about it. We were both incredibly moved by the Sermon on the Mount and the Feeding of the Five Thousand. Now, I proudly wear the badge of a top fan and am committed to spreading the word about The Chosen to the world. I don't even need a tax deduction for my contributions, but I appreciate that it's an option. I wish more people would donate, even if it's just a little every month. I firmly believe that this show will lead more and more people to discover the authentic Jesus.

I grew up Catholic, but my connection with God was never strong. Life always took precedence. However, a series of events completely changed that. First, I lost my dad, which was incredibly difficult. Then, a year and a half later, my mom was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. It was unbelievable and devastating. The doctors gave her three months to live, but she managed to survive for five and a half years. Those years were incredibly tough to witness. She suffered immensely. During that time, I was also dealing with my youngest child's battle with an eating disorder. It was so severe that we had to send her out of state for treatment. Meanwhile, both my daughter and I were diagnosed with the same genetic disease that took my father's life: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. On top of that, I was diagnosed with Polyposis, which means I have a high risk of developing certain cancers. Needless to say, I was completely overwhelmed. Fast forward to St. Patrick's Day 2022, when I lost my brave mother. Just as she passed away, my daughter returned home from the treatment center, supposedly cured of her bulimia. However, a few weeks later, she overdosed on alcohol and ended up in the ICU for four days. Although her bulimia was cured, her anxiety and major depression were left unaddressed. Thankfully, she survived without any brain damage. My husband and I dedicated ourselves to getting her the help she needed for her anxiety and depression. In August, I had to undergo surgery for another medical issue. During my recovery, lying in bed, I felt completely done. I had always been a fighter, always taking care of everyone, but I had reached my limit. It was at that moment that I heard a voice, and I knew exactly who it was. It said, "Stacey, I'm here." That was my turning point. As I recovered, hope returned to my life. For the first time in my 51 years, I started reading the Bible and actually understanding it. I felt guided to reach out to people, including my father's cousin, who has been instrumental in my spiritual journey. It was through him and his wife that I discovered the show, The Chosen. I watched the first episode featuring Mary Magdalene, and her story resonated deeply with me. To know that Jesus is there for us, even when we're at the end of our rope, continues to amaze me. I've watched The Chosen four times now. I've been baptized, started a Bible study group, and we've gone through Seasons 1 and 2 of The Chosen. We're eagerly awaiting Season 3 in September 2020. The best part is that my daughter is doing incredibly well. She's now a freshman in college, majoring in psychology to help others with eating disorders. In July, we even had the opportunity to travel to Goshen, UT, and be extras for the Season 4 Finale of The Chosen. I can't express how much I love this show and how I've been sharing it with everyone. It has truly become a wonderful part of my new life as a Christian.