JUST NOW:Lessons in Loaves and Fishes: How Failure Fueled Dallas Jenkins’ Success with ‘The Chosen’
Dallas Jenkins, the creator of *The Chosen*, has an extraordinary story of how failure set the stage for one of the most successful and influential religious television series in modern history. His journey, filled with setbacks and moments of discouragement, mirrors the biblical story of the loaves and fishes—a tale of unexpected abundance from seemingly meager resources. Through perseverance and faith, Jenkins was able to turn personal failures into the very foundation of his groundbreaking series.
At the start of Jenkins’ career, he was like many aspiring filmmakers—full of ambition but unsure of how to navigate the complex and competitive entertainment industry. He had a passion for storytelling and was particularly drawn to the challenge of bringing faith-based narratives to a wider audience. However, despite his drive, his early projects struggled to find an audience, and his career didn’t take off as he had hoped. Jenkins faced the harsh reality that many filmmakers and creators do—sometimes, no matter how much effort is put in, things don’t turn out as planned.
In fact, Jenkins’ earlier projects, such as *Hometown Legend* and *What If…*, were not critically acclaimed and failed to gain significant traction. These early struggles led to a series of professional and personal disappointments. Jenkins found himself at a crossroads, questioning his abilities and his future in the industry. His failures in traditional filmmaking made him feel as though he was running out of time and resources to make a meaningful impact.
However, instead of giving up, Jenkins took those failures to heart and allowed them to shape his vision for what would later become *The Chosen*. One of the key turning points in Jenkins’ career came when he received an opportunity to direct a short film about the life of Jesus. Inspired by his failures and his personal journey of growth, Jenkins approached the project differently. He sought to create a show that felt real, relatable, and human, focusing on the lives of the people around Jesus rather than just the man himself. He wanted to bring the stories of the Gospels to life in a way that was fresh and engaging, going beyond traditional religious depictions of Jesus.
However, even with his new vision, Jenkins faced a significant challenge—funding. Traditional sources of funding for faith-based projects were limited, and Jenkins’ budget was minimal. Yet, this is where the loaves and fishes story came into play. Just as Jesus was able to feed thousands with only five loaves and two fish, Jenkins had to be creative and resourceful with what little he had. He didn’t have the budget of a Hollywood production, but he had a clear vision and an unwavering belief that the project could succeed.
In a move that would later define the series’ unconventional approach, Jenkins turned to crowdfunding to finance *The Chosen*. Instead of relying on traditional distributors and financiers, he invited everyday people to invest in the project. The campaign was a gamble, but it paid off in ways Jenkins could never have predicted. The crowdfunding campaign raised more than $10 million, making *The Chosen* the largest crowdfunded media project in history at the time. The series was produced with a fraction of the budget that would have been required for a typical television show, but the response from audiences was overwhelming.
What followed was nothing short of a miracle. *The Chosen* became a worldwide phenomenon, reaching millions of viewers across various platforms. Jenkins’ approach of focusing on the characters surrounding Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and others, resonated deeply with audiences. The series was praised for its humanizing portrayal of these biblical figures, breaking away from the rigid, formulaic portrayals of religious stories that had become all too common.
In essence, Jenkins’ failure became the very soil in which the seeds of *The Chosen* were planted. He learned that true success didn’t come from adhering to traditional paths or expectations but from embracing creativity, faith, and resilience. The show’s success was a testament to the power of believing in a vision even when the odds seemed impossible.
Today, *The Chosen* continues to inspire audiences worldwide. It has redefined how faith-based content is consumed, providing an innovative blueprint for filmmakers everywhere. Jenkins’ journey proves that failure, when met with perseverance and a willingness to learn, can indeed pave the way for extraordinary success.
In many ways, *The Chosen* is a modern-day loaves and fishes story—a reminder that, with faith, the smallest efforts can lead to miraculous results. Jenkins’ story teaches us that failure is not the end, but rather a step toward something greater, something that can impact and inspire countless lives.
