The Journey Interview
With Israel Hanna

Much of what he suffered was the result of more than 10 years of his own hopeless alcoholism. Israel’s body contains over six feet of scar tissue. He has rolled over or totaled out nine cars in his lifetime; in one of those incidents he was hit broadside by a train at 80 mph. In addition, Israel almost bled to death in a chain-saw accident, was rescued by bystanders in two near-drowning incidents and was electrocuted 100 feet in the air while iron-working.

These tragedies and others earned him the nickname "Hard Luck Hanna." These life-changing experiences culminated with the loss of his 11 year-old daughter on May 6, 1990, in yet another tragic car accident, in which he and his family were broadsided by a semi-truck that was illegally passing them at 60 mph.

Through these heartbreaks and many others, Israel has learned to survive by surrendering his life completely to God. In the process, he has encountered God’s genuine salvation and discovered first-hand what it is like to serve a God of restoration who loves you very much.

Israel Hanna: I think that the best possible answer to such a broad question, for me, is the first and only Psalm in the entire Bible that I have committed to memory – Psalm 126.

In this Psalm, God restores to the people of Israel their freedom from captivity in a foreign land, and fills their mouths with laughter and singing. He does this to the extent that even those who do not know Him must acknowledge the fact that Israel’s God has done great things for them. From the tears that Israel had sown in the past, God miraculously grants them a harvest of joy and laughter.

As a result, they feel as if they are dreaming – living out an impossible dream that has come true. They are suddenly and once again filled with the love of God and His ever-abiding Presence. They find themselves loving not only God, but also those around them, with all their hearts. And, maybe, for the first time in a long time, they even want to live.

Such has been my life and such is my own prayer – that someday, even those around me who do not believe in God will nevertheless see His greatness in my life and find themselves unable to deny His existence.

Israel Hanna: I like to tell people who don’t believe in miracles that if they ever want to see one, they have to complete a very simple little assignment. This is it: Someday, while you’re sitting at home, get up, walk briskly into the bathroom and take a long, hard look into the mirror.

The truth of the matter is that YOU, my friend, are a living, walking, breathing "Miracle," created by a God who sent His own Son to die for your salvation. This God, who is the Creator of all that exists, wants to live and dwell within you, for you are His child and belong to Him.

This "Miracle of Miracles" repeats itself over a thousand times every second of the day, with the birth of a child. How can there possibly be any greater miracle than that?

"The truth of the matter is that YOU, my friend, are a living, walking, breathing 'Miracle'..."

Hmm – now that I have thought more about it, I believe there is yet another Miracle as great, or actually much greater. It is known as our Second Birth. Remember, the Bible says YOU must be born again, and the good news is that today is the perfect day for you to Personally Experience that Miracle.

Christian-Movie.com: How did you connect with Miles Hanon and Story Front?

Israel Hanna: Several years ago, my friend Tim Mahoney, who is a successful video producer from Minneapolis, Minnesota, suggested that I call Miles and get acquainted with him. Toward the end of my first phone call to Miles, we ended up praying together and I felt that it was a divine, as well as timely, appointment.

Since then, Miles and I have become good friends and I have been fortunate enough to work alongside Miles on several other projects. His unique, God-given talents, along with his personal integrity and heart for God, have been an inspiration to me. You can view his work for yourself at StoryFront.com.

Christian-Movie.com: What was the role of Open Heart Ministries in the creation of The Journey?

Israel Hanna: With your permission, I would like to take the answer to this question in a slightly different direction than perhaps was intended.

As the founder and director of Open Heart Ministries, my role in the creation of The Journey was simply this: Through the Grace and Goodness of God, I have somehow managed to "Survive" all the events mentioned in the film. And even more miraculous than that, I have somehow, because of His Grace, remained faithful to God in the process.

As a result, Open Heart Ministries’ greatest outreach is to people who, like me, are survivors. God wants to restore His Goodness and Joy to each of us, in direct proportion to our former pain and sorrow.

If that statement describes you, dear reader, please know this today: God loves you very much and holds your life in the palm of His hands. Let go and let Jesus take complete control of all that is troubling you.

You are much better off than you can possibly imagine.

"The power of film has a unique ability
to capture our attention and our hearts
in a very profound way."

Israel Hanna: There is an old saying which states, "Preach the gospel always, and if necessary, use words." I believe a picture is worth a thousand words and certain images and scenes stick with people much longer, it seems to me, than words. Hence, the power of film has a unique ability to capture our attention and our hearts in a very profound way.

Therefore, Miles and I have also talked about someday doing a feature-length film about my life, Lord-willing, and we are praying about that very thing.

Christian-Movie.com: How closely involved were you in the details of production, leading up to the final product?

Israel Hanna: That’s a very good question that has a very simple answer: Miles Hanon spoke and I did what he said. On the other hand, when I asked Miles this same question, this was his response: "Israel, you had a lot of great creative ideas that I used. You were valuable in many ways and vital to the production."

As a general rule of thumb, however, I believe that if you recognize someone’s God-given gifts, then the best results can be obtained when you step out of their way and let them use those gifts.

Miles Hanon, the writer and director of The Journey, is a highly gifted and anointed film maker; I am not. My gifts are prayer and evangelism. We believe The Journey is the direct result of God not only knitting our hearts together, but also combining our gifts.

"I believe that if you recognize someone’s God-given gifts, then the best results can be obtained when you step out of their way and let them use those gifts."

Christian-Movie.com: Did you write your narration for The Journey?

Israel Hanna: I believe in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that comes to us moment-by-moment, in real time. Therefore, I teach that if what you are doing today is based on what God told you to do yesterday, you could actually be out of the will of God. That is why God tells us to take up our Cross "Daily" and follow Him. With this in mind, there was no script and nothing was written down during the entire narration of The Journey.

Christian-Movie.com: What is the most meaningful comment anyone has made to you about The Journey?

Israel Hanna: One Sunday morning, not long ago, I was holding a campfire service at my home in Northern Minnesota and only three people showed up. My rough-around-the-edges new friend named Joe, whom I had led to the Lord a few months earlier, showed up with his logging buddy and his 16 year-old son. I could immediately sense that both the father and his son wanted to be at my morning service about as much as they would like to go to the dentist.

In order to break the ice, I said, "Hey, let’s skip the sermon for today and instead watch my short DVD entitled The Journey." As I made that suggestion, I believe I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Let them watch the DVD, but you watch them."

"About five minutes into the film, I noticed that the message had somehow miraculously captured their attention. Ten minutes later, I noticed that they were both trying to fight back their tears."

Six minutes after that, at the end of the story, when I asked them if they would like to accept Christ as their Savior, both the burly logger, who had not been to church in a long time, and his tearful son said, "Yes."

Christian-Movie.com: What was the most significant lesson that God taught you, from a personal standpoint, during the making of The Journey?

Israel Hanna: You can make a film that has a powerful message, but if it is presented poorly, you have nothing. You can also make a film that is very well presented, but if the message is weak, you also have nothing.

Then, you can make a film that has a powerful message and is powerfully presented, but still have very little without the anointing of God. For it is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that breaks the yoke and sets the captives free.

"You can make a film that has a powerful message, but if it is presented poorly, you have nothing. You can also make a film that is very well presented, but if the message is weak, you also have nothing."

Christian-Movie.com: If there is another person who feels led to tell their story through a movie, what would be your advice for him or her?

Israel Hanna: I have a devotional with these words written on the inside cover, dated March 20, 1999: "I thank you Lord for my testimony and ministry. For future books, stories, videos and movies about my life’s experiences which will glorify your son Jesus Christ and lead thousands of others to salvation."

I wrote those statements as a direct result of reading the following commentary many years ago in my Dake’s Bible: "Begin, continue and end every work, purpose and plan with God and prayer." I have since then tried diligently to make those words my modus operandi. Therefore, even though I wrote the prayer found in my devotional over 10 years ago, I still expect it to be divinely and miraculously answered in His perfect timing. Do not ever give up on God or your dreams because of time. Be patient. He believes in you - even when you do not!

As an evangelist, having over 25 years of experience in sharing my testimony in a vast number of situations, I would like to suggest the following statements for your consideration:

"You can teach someone, and they will forget you; or you can touch someone, and they will always remember what was said." Do not preach to them when you share your story. Instead, share your heart - share your love - and be honest, open, and vulnerable. Make it all about Him and less about you, a lesson I am still learning. For our God has anointed you to bind up the broken-hearted and to set the captives free!

You are absolutely right when you say, "You can’t do this" because you can’t, but Christ will do it through you, for you are His chosen vessel for the task at hand and He loves you.

NOW, THINK BIG AND GO FOR IT! START TODAY BY TELLING SOMEONE YOUR TESTIMONY!

Israel Hanna: The easiest way to purchase The Journey is online. It can be found at JourneyStory.com.

Christian-Movie.com: How much of your story was used in Story Front’s feature-length film, The Familiar?

Israel Hanna: Actually, very little of my own story was incorporated into The Familiar. There is, however, one scene in the film in which the girl who's being possessed watches part of The Journey. At that point, instead of seeing me on the screen, the viewer sees the main character's Dad playing me. Miles wrote the character of the Dad based partly on my personality and life experiences. So, in that sense, my story is a part of the film.

Having said that, I must also admit that many of the issues Miles Hanon chose to address in The Familiar are very similar to experiences I have had in the past and seem to be just a little bit too "familiar!"

Christian-Movie.com: Do you have any closing thoughts that you would like to share?

Israel Hanna: My friend, it is not my story that you should consider important. What is important is YOUR story and your own intimate relationship with God as well. Every time you recount to yourself or others all that God has done for you, your own faith will be strengthened and your own heart more fully restored. The Bible says that we defeat Satan by the word of our testimony and the blood of the Lamb.

Today, someone out there needs to hear all that God has done in your life. Don’t hold back any longer and, as you tell your story, carefully listen to the words coming out of your own mouth. The person that may need to hear your story the most at that moment could be you.

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