By: Bryan Seltzer
International Press Association
IPAnews.com
You never know what’s up ahead or how you might be used by God. It’s always exciting to talk with someone who has expressed to our Lord, “here I am, use me”!
I met with Brad Pelo at this Year’s NRB at the World Center Marriott Orlando. Brad is a great guy and quite the family man as he and his wife, Melody, are the proud parents of 12 children, wow! His heart’s desire is also to share the good news about Jesus as he helps guide the hit series The Chosen towards reaching a billion people.
Most know that Dallas Jenkins, a film maker, had this vision about having the gospel stories told through the eyes of those living it verses through the literal scriptures. Dallas had this vision and thus created what we know as The Chosen, thus making the stories “come alive! Angle Studios Crowd Funded the production of Season 1 and 16,000 people stepped forward. After the completion of Season 1, it was released during the start of the pandemic. The timing was perfect as millions needed something to watch and were looking for some comfort during these troubling times. This is where Brad now gets introduced to The Chosen.
Brad was one of those dudes who did not want to watch the show but, listening to his wife’s suggestion as a good husband should, he started watching it. Guess what…. Brad loved it! Now it gets even more interesting… To get away from the lock down in New York City, Brad and his family went out west to Utah visiting his grandchildren. It was there that he saw a posting of Dallas’s on social media that he was looking for a place to film Season 2. Brad, being in the industry himself and knowing the area in Utah that might work for him, invited Dallas to come to Utah.
They had their first meeting!
Dallas took Brad up on the offer and took off in the Jeep on their way in the desert to visit the Goshen Set. This set was built by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints about 12 years earlier to resemble Jerusalem and was used for many of their film projects. Dallas liked it and petitioned the Church asking permission to use it. They agreed to let them film there. It’s amazing how God works. Brad may have thought he was leaving New York and heading out to Utah to get away from the lock down there but, I believe the Lord put it on his heart to move there as to prepare the path of The Chosen! Brad not only listens to sound words from his wife, but our Lord as well!
This took place around 2 ½ years ago and at a time where Brad had been working with Angle Studios handling Distribution of the show. Then, about 1 ½ years ago, he switched over to The Chosen as the President and an Executive Producer for the business operations of The Chosen and working with their new distribution partner Lionsgate. With Brads background, he is the perfect man for this chosen job!
It’s great to know that Season 4 is in production now and moving from the Texas set back to Utah. This Season is about at the halfway point of their 80 days in production. There are plans for a total of 7 seasons of The Chosen. I know with the leadership of Brad and the talents of Dallas Jenkins, the crew and actors, the message will continue to help spread the good news and provide excellent content for many, many years to come!
More about Brad Pelo:
Brad also served as CEO of several media companies including Radiant, SAY, Bookcraft, and Picture Rock. He has produced three feature films and was the co-founder of Ancestry.com and is a lifelong Christian.