How Larry Lundstrom is Helping to Take The Chosen to the Ends of the Earth
When global innovation meets gospel urgency, the result can be world-changing. Just ask Stan Jantz, founding CEO of Come and See, whose vision to bring one billion people face-to-face with the authentic Jesus found a bold and catalytic partner in Larry Lundstrom. As Director of Global Distribution for The Chosen, Larry’s unique blend of marketplace strategy and ministry intuition has sparked a movement across nations—nowhere more poignantly than in Egypt, where his spontaneous gospel invitation at a screening of The Chosen moved hundreds. In this feature, prolific author and leader Stan Jantz shares a front-row view of how innovation, humility, and Spirit-led courage are expanding the reach of Jesus-centered storytelling in ways few imagined.
Global reach is only possible through the groundbreaking localization efforts led by Rick Dempsey, former Disney executive, and Dr. Wendi Lord, whose five-star dubbing and subtitle strategies have redefined excellence in faith-based media. Together, their work is helping The Chosen transcend language and culture—bringing the gospel to life, one heart language at a time.
A note from Stan Jantz
Larry Lundstrom and Come and See
by Stan Jantz
In the early stages of a start-up, relationships among the leadership play a major role in the success of the organization. As the founding CEO of Come and See, I was blessed with a stellar leadership team, one that enabled our nonprofit to move quickly in pursuit of its vision to help a billion people experience the authentic Jesus through The Chosen.
Soon after we began, Larry Lundstrom was recruited to be our Director of Distribution, a key role responsible for building a network of global ministries who would use The Chosen as an innovative and effective discipleship catalyst. I immediately appreciated Larry’s experience in both business and ministry, but it was at the Count It Right conference in Egypt where I would see Larry’s gifts on full display.
Count It Right is an annual gathering at a world-class conference complex an hour outside of Cairo, where 10,000 people are bussed in everyday from neighboring cities and towns to participate in activities, seminars, and worship services. The organizing church, Kasr El Dobara, the largest evangelical church in the Middle East, provided a screening room so 500 people at a time could watch episodes of The Chosen dubbed in Egyptian Arabic.
On the first day at the first screening of The Chosen, one of the leaders of the conference asked if we would give an invitation at the end of the episode. Frankly, I was a bit taken back, partly because I had learned earlier in the week that proselytizing is illegal in Egypt. No matter. If the conference wanted us to invite people to start a relationship with Jesus, we would do just that.
As I was still thinking about it, Larry didn’t hesitate to say, “I’ll take the first one.” And indeed, he did. At the conclusion of the episode in Season 4 where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, Larry gave the most beautiful, heartfelt gospel-based invitation I have ever heard.
Like the episode, Larry’s invitation was translated into Arabic for the audience, and as the words fell on their ears and penetrated their hearts, I could see by the expressions on their faces that Larry’s words had touched them deeply. Many came forward, and I stood amazed at God’s work and Larry’s creative boldness.
This was the first of many times when I saw Larry’s words and heart combine to touch others. Although both of our roles have changed—I am now the Global Ambassador for Come and See and Larry is a key consultant for our ministry—I continue to admire the way he brings people together and attracts them to the person of Jesus. And in the end, that’s what counts.
The Collective Agency : : Marketing, Creative & Innovation for Faith-Based Impact 