.png)
By Philip A. Janquart
ICR Assistant Editor
BOISE—The Chosen, a celebration of Jesus Christ, returns to the Ford Idaho Center Saturday, Feb. 1.
The free, interdenominational event, with shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., features cast members of the critically acclaimed television series based on the life of Jesus Christ.
Though there is no cost to attend, tickets are required and can be obtained at thechosentickets.org.
Elizabeth Tabish (Mary Magdalene), Luke Dimyan (Judas), Kirk B.R. Woller (Gaius) and Shaan Sharma (Shmuel) will share their experiences as cast members and describe how their respective roles shaped their faith.
Catholic musician Jake Ineck will provide worship music in addition to a special appearance by Christian gospel group Mercy River, featuring Whitney Permann, Brooke Stone and Soni Muller.
In addition, the Treasure Valley art contest Gallery of Christ will display over 60 submissions. First through third-place winners will be announced during the event, and the “People’s Choice” award will be announced post-event on ComeEvents.org. Attendees can view and purchase everything from paintings to sculptures.
Attendees are encouraged to “join in the miracle of five loaves and two fishes” by bringing food donations to benefit local food banks.
“The food drive is a big part of this,” said Tom Luna, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and one of many volunteers who worked to organize the interdenominational event. “Last year, 50,000 pounds of food were donated and distributed to food banks across the Valley. It was just incredible.”
Organizers, operating as Christian Outreach Multimedia Events, decided to bring The Chosen back for a second year based on the 15,000 that attended in 2024.
“It’s very organic to our community, and others want the same experience,” Luna told the Idaho Catholic Register (ICR.) “I think what you hear from those who were there last year—because we’ve heard it so many times—is that it was a moment of unity with people of other faiths and people in their communities. We haven’t felt that in our country and lives in a long time; things have been so divided.”
Christian Welp, Director of Diocesan Projects for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, worked alongside Luna to bring The Chosen to Boise.
“It has been a wonderful experience for me to work together with a number of different denominations to put together an event that celebrates what we all have in common, and that is our love for Jesus Christ,” Welp told the ICR.
“Building on the success of last year’s event, we are looking to expand our reach even further to bring this message of hope and healing that Jesus so readily offers,” said Welp.
What began in 2024 as a simple idea quickly grew into a grassroots effort that blossomed into an event that caught the attention of The Chosen producers and has since spurred similar events across the country.
Luna explained that another event is scheduled for March in Texas. He added, “Communities in Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Nevada are working on similar events.
“Last year, after it was all over and done, we were contacted by the CEO of The Chosen,” Luna explained. “They said there has never been anything like this and wanted to know more about it.”
For more information about the Feb. 1 event in Nampa, visit thechosentickets.org.
If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, please consider buying a subscription to the Idaho Catholic Register. Your $20 yearly subscription also supports the work of the Diocese of Boise Communications Department, which includes not only the newspaper, but this website, social media posts and videos. You can subscribe here, or through your parish, or send a check to 1501 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID, 83705: or call 208-350-7554 to leave a credit card payment. Thank you, and God bless you.
Comments