Alumni feature: His 'Chosen' Profession

This story appears in the June issue of The GēDUNK , Grove City College's award-winning alumni magazine

By Joanie Baumgartner

Many a bucket list has contained a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Israel to “walk where Jesus walked.” For millions, such a trip is a life-changing, faith-deepening way to experience the sights and sounds of the world as Jesus knew it. For Grove City College alumnus JD Larsen ’96, encountering that kind of spiritual experience can be as simple as going to work.

About twice a month, Larsen hops on a plane from his home in Florida to Dallas, then drives an hour south to Midlothian, Texas. There, hidden away on the grounds of a local Christian camp, is a very special place that looks and feels just like the Holy Land. But Larsen is not a camp director. He is the chief financial officer (CFO) of 5&2 Studios, which produces the beloved television series The Chosen. The hit historical drama chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and is headquartered and largely filmed on this spectacular set in Texas. It has been seen by nearly 300 million viewers globally, with a stated goal to reach one billion viewers.

Preparing for the “role”

Larsen’s journey to this unique position began when he came to Grove City College from his hometown of Harrisburg and promptly graduated in true “Grover-achiever” fashion in just three years with an accounting degree. With two job offers on the table, he chose the excitement of the big city over going home to Harrisburg when he accepted a job as a certified public accountant (CPA) at Price Waterhouse Coopers, which at the time was one of Pittsburgh’s “big 5” accounting firms. He married his wife Caroline in 1999, and the couple jumped at the chance for an adventure in Los Angeles when a position with The Walt Disney Company materialized. It was there that his knowledge of the entertainment and filmmaking industries took shape.

Over the years, JD built his family (he and Caroline have three children) and his career by working with several Fortune 500 companies, including The Walt Disney Company, Marriott International, and a technology company called Presidio Networked Solutions, where he held several executive positions, most notably Division CFO for a $1 billion division of the firm. In 2021, he landed at a start-up company called Driven Technologies. Through these varied roles, from Fortune 500 to start-up, Larsen sharpened his skills in leadership and financial management, which prepared him for the unique challenges of leading 5&2 Studios. He has overseen several large financial transactions, including a $145M debt financing and subsequent $250M structured sale of certain commercial rights associated with the series. These moves have provided much needed funding for 5&2 Studios to continue producing compelling biblical stories.

Being “Chosen”

When the opportunity to join The Chosen came in June 2022 through a connection he made while coaching his daughter’s soccer team, he saw it as both a professional and personal fit. With his extensive financial background, he was recruited to lead the financial operations for 5&2 Studios. “It was really a ‘God thing,’” JD said.

Ask anyone involved with The Chosen and they’ll tell you the whole series has been a “God thing” from its humblest beginnings. In fact, 5&2 Studio’s origin story started not from a place of success but from a place of failure and surrender. As a young film maker, Dallas Jenkins, creator and executive producer of The Chosen (as well as chairman and chief creative officer of 5&2 Studios), made a film called The Resurrection of Gavin Stone. After the film bombed at the box office, he retreated to his hometown and made a short film for his church called The Shepherd (2017), a nativity story told from the perspective of a disabled shepherd. As Dallas struggled to understand what was next, a good friend sent him a late-night text saying, “it’s not your job to feed the five thousand, it’s just your job to bring the loaves and fish,” a theme that would become part of The Chosen’s culture and eventually inspire their corporate name, “5&2 Studios.” The Shepherd became the inspiration for The Chosen series, but Jenkins only had funding secured for the first four episodes. He had to trust God for what would come next.

With crowdfunding efforts, and later, a pay-it-forward model adopted by its passionate audience, The Chosen was able to expand. But by 2024, 5&2 Studios had partnered with the Come and See Foundation “to ensure that all seven seasons of The Chosen are produced, translated into 600 languages, globally distributed, and free for all.” Seasons 1-5 are now available on Amazon Prime Video, and Seasons 6 and 7 are eagerly awaited as they will cover the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Sharing the complete gospel story with the world is the goal.

Larsen’s expertise has been crucial in guiding the show through financial hurdles, including simply making payroll in 2022 and navigating a difficult arbitration process with a former production company in 2023. Every business skill in his arsenal has been put to the test. His preparation at Grove City College and his professional growth through each career opportunity have been foundational to his success. His current role has been the most challenging of his career, but he admits that the rewards have been greater.

One inherent reward is that The Chosen has fostered a close-knit, faith-forward culture. The team often uses terms like “Red Sea Moments” for situations where a solution seems impossible, yet God makes a way (and JD shares that there have been many!). Their brand and culture is “authentic, intimate, playful, and disruptive.” JD describes going to work every day as a true joy.

Behind the Scenes

On the 30-acre set in Midlothian, the land nearly perfectly replicates the arid terrain of ancient Isreal. The Chosen’s headquarters includes two massive 20,000+ square foot sound stages. Stepping inside, one is immediately transported to first century Roman-occupied Israel, with elaborately constructed sets designed like temples, Jewish homes, outdoor gardens, palace interiors, and more. Another building on the property houses the wardrobe department, with tunics galore hung on rolling racks, scores of colorful bolts of fabric, and cutting tables. Rows of hair and makeup chairs round out the wardrobe area. Ten steps away are the private lounges for the cast that look like miniature apartment buildings, instead of traditional trailers. An enormous prop warehouse is filled with sky-high shelves laden with baskets, vases, statues, artifacts, and furniture – all items painstakingly curated to create incredibly believable scenes from the biblical account.

One of JD’s favorite aspects of the set is the outdoor replica of the city of Capernaum, complete with a marketplace, Matthew’s tax collector booth, and Caiaphas’ palace. Tapping on the “stone” facades produces the hollow sound of Styrofoam that gently reminds the visitor they are not really in the Holy Land. However, the dust and dirt on one’s shoes, and the meticulously constructed interiors and exteriors boast details that are wholly convincing.

Fans are often invited to be extras on the set, adding to the show’s sense of community and authenticity. The involvement of more than 12,000 extras during the filming of the “feeding of the 5,000” scenes is just one example of how integral the audience has been to the show’s success. JD is working diligently with the Come and See Foundation to ensure that fans and donors can visit the set to see how their contributions are making a difference to the mission of The Chosen. One special project he is working on is the addition of a new visitor center in Midlothian to facilitate these goals.

Coming Soon

Looking ahead, 5&2 Studios has plans to expand its reach with new biblical projects. Director Jenkins has announced several upcoming series, including one on Moses, one on Joseph, and a sequel to The Chosen called The Way, focusing on the early church from the book of Acts. An animated series, Chosen Adventures, is also in the works. Jenkins said, “Nearly every time I encounter a viewer, they say something about wanting more Bible content from us. I always say we need to not get ahead of ourselves and remain focused, but now we’ve got a robust enough team to expand our efforts. I’m very excited to bring our ‘Chosen way’ to more great stories from the Bible.” These projects will all be available through an exclusive partnership with Amazon’s Prime Video, ensuring that the gospel message continues to spread globally.

JD is excited about the future of 5&2 Studios and the impact the team will continue to have on audiences around the world. His advice for GCC students and fellow alumni? “Go big early! Take big risks when you can and build up the ‘stones’ of your experiences that God can use in unexpected and beautiful ways.” For Larsen, his “Chosen” profession is exactly the combination of experiences, skills, and timing that God is using to further His kingdom. “It’s been the role of my lifetime.”

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