Renee

I am a screenwriter and filmmaker by profession. At the start of my career, I attended a screenwriting workshop pioneered by a mentor who is also a Christian. The Chosen (season one at the time) was used as a case study on storytelling peculiarities in comparison to other Bible-adapted film and TV projects. The first thing that struck me was the poster - a photo of Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) smiling. I'm not sure why, but I had never imagined before then that Jesus was someone who smiled. I also hadn't seen anything like that in any of the other Bible-adapted productions I'd watched. I knew Jesus was 100% human on earth, but seeing that photo made me realize I hadn't really understood what it meant. It also made me realize that I had placed God in this cordial place of rulership, and there was a whole other dimension of a relationship that I hadn't come in contact with. All of this from a poster. I was hooked already, even before I saw a single episode. Episode one was the cherry on top, and I've followed every episode and season since then. I think my friends and colleagues are probably tired of hearing me talk about the show. The Chosen made Jesus and the Bible a lot more relatable to me, and my relationship with God Bible study especially) is so much better for it. Thank you.

Growing up, my brother and I weren't baptized or raised with a religious foundation. Yet, I always felt a pull towards spirituality. This feeling intensified when I had children, prompting me to introduce them to the Lord. A Facebook friend shared "The Shepherd" episode from 'The Chosen', which deepened my curiosity and understanding. A little nudge kept bringing me back to that video, and after a while, I decided to donate to the organization and have never looked back. Now, as a budding Christian, I appreciate how 'The Chosen' brings the Bible to life and furthers my understanding of what it all means. I'm excited to continue my journey with 'The Chosen' guiding the way.

For 40 years, I've tried to follow Jesus. Though I identify with Peter's fiery temperament, the other figures always felt distant to me. However, when I watched the miracle of the fish, I felt like I was there, experiencing it all. That moment transformed my understanding and drew me closer to Jesus and other Bible stories. It's as if I used to read the Bible in black and white, but now it's vivid with color.

From the very first episode, I knew that "The Chosen" was a unique portrayal of Jesus' life, unlike any other. Its timing was particularly ideal during the COVID pandemic, which also coincided with my mother's terminal illness. The portrayal of Christ's love in the series brought great comfort to my sister and me as we watched and discussed it together (she's a huge fan as well). Following my mother's passing, I had the funds to contribute to Pay it Forward initiatives. When the Come and See Foundation was established, I seized the opportunity to support this remarkable project, ensuring its continued success. God’s blessings to you for your wonderful work!

We began 'The Chosen' in 2020, and while the initial episodes were engaging, it was the latter half of season one that truly captivated us. The moment Jesus calls Matthew was profoundly moving, bringing us all to tears. Inspired, we chose to contribute, hoping others might feel as deeply as we did. Our love for the show has only grown deeper since then. We appreciate how it brings the gospels to life in a real, meaningful, and relatable way. We see 'The Chosen' as a ministry with a reach beyond our own, and we're honored to support its mission. We offer our 'loaves and fishes', trusting God to magnify the impact.