Actor John Michael Finley, who is known for portraying MercyMe frontman Bart Millard in the film “I Can Only Imagine,” spoke to ChurchLeaders about what he learned about faith while filming his latest movie, “Faith of Angels.”
The movie, which premieres on Great American Family Saturday, April 19, is based on the true story of Joshua Dennis, who as a boy in the 1980s became lost in an abandoned mine for five days.
“I learned a lot about faith with this particular film,” Finley said. He plays John Skinner, the man whose detailed knowledge of the mine led to Dennis’ rescue.
“In general, I think faith is always kind of like this direction, up and down, and I think this almost enhanced my faith horizontally. You know what I mean?” said Finley. “Like, really leaning on your people and trusting your community, or, in general, finding that community so that if you were ever lost in a mine, you’d have people praying for you and hoping for your safe return.”
‘Faith of Angels’ Is a ‘Powerful True Story,’ Says John Michael Finley
In 1989, Joshua Dennis got lost in a mine in Utah with no food, water, or flashlight. On his website, Dennis said, “A massive search began. Hours turned into days and there seemed to be no explanation for [my] disappearance. Time was running out and little hope remained for [my] survival.”
“But there were a few who wouldn’t give up hope,” said Dennis. “Communities, families and individuals were united in prayer, and strengthened by the efforts to rescue one small boy.”
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In the movie, Dennis and his father are camping with a group of other boys and men near Hidden Treasure Mine. As they are exploring the mine, Dennis becomes separated from everyone else, and the group soon realizes they have a crisis on their hands.
A local sheriff and rescue teams get involved in searching for Dennis but are unable to find him. As days pass, it grows increasingly likely that the young boy will not be found or that he will not be alive when he is. The community, however, refuses to give up and perseveres in trusting God with their prayers that Dennis will make it out alive. The film shows Dennis leaning on his faith in Jesus, trusting for a miracle as he waits in the mine to be rescued.
Meanwhile, a man named John Skinner has been hearing a mysterious voice tell him, “Help them see,” and feeling divine promptings to help with the search. It so happens that no one knows the abandoned mine like he does.
When asked what drew him to “Faith of Angels,” Finley said, “Another powerful true story. I’ve kind of fallen in love with telling true stories…someone sent me the script, and I read it, and I thought it was clever and moving and powerful. And I said, ‘I want to be a part of this.’”
