Filed under: 29466
Recently Bruce was interviewed in conjunction with the South African release of a film Bruce did, “Faith Happens.” Unedited and in its entirety, please enjoy the transcript below…
1) How does preparing for the upcoming JOHN film compare to your preparation for playing Peter in “Faith Happens?”
The difference is the difference between heaven and earth, ha ha! Seriously, to prepare to represent the Son of the living God on film – which is what JOHN is all about – takes me into a deeply intensive level of spiritual and personal preparation on top of the usual actor’s prep. I can “perform” Peter with learned actor’s skills, grasping his motivations and vulnerabilities and bringing them to life. But with Jesus – to do that properly requires a deep work of the Holy Spirit within me as a child of God – and that is where I focus with JOHN or in the past, with MATTHEW.
2) How would you define “faith” in your own life?
Believing God is who he says he is no matter how much circumstances might seem to say the opposite. Yes, clinging to who I know he is and the hope before me because of him, no matter what I see with my eyes, think in my head or feel in my heart.
3) What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment to date?
You put me on the spot with this one… I think our greatest accomplishments are the “little things” that aren’t necessarily seen, and I think that has to do with simple faithfulness to your God-given, everyday life-responsibilities. By way of example, a father taking excellent care of his children, a young woman taking care of her ailing granny, a pastor of a small church visiting the sick… All unnoticed things that receive no applause but require extraordinary and humble commitment. I think wherever I have been able (by his grace) to meet that in my own life, therein would lie my greatest accomplishments.
4) Playing the role of Jesus – did this affect the way you live your own life?
Yes, in every way. I was so deeply challenged by who Jesus was – as a man in his character, priorities, passions, motivations… And in every day of playing Jesus it was like this whisper inside me, “This is how Jesus wants you to live, this is what he means by ‘Christ-like.’” And you know what that all boils down to? A lifestyle of “giving.” Jesus did one thing his entire life – he gave his life away. Hey, if that doesn’t challenge a guy, I don’t know what will!
5) How would you describe the difference between “acting Jesus” in movies and “living like Christ” every day?
It’s so much easier in front of the camera – there’s no risk and you know how it’s going to turn out, but mostly it requires nothing of personal sacrifice. But in real life - to give of yourself like Jesus did, to continually deny yourself for the benefit of others; to pray unceasingly, to do what God asks no matter what, to take nothing for yourself and give your everything away… Yeah, there is the REAL thing! And that’s where the tire meets the road!
6) If you could choose a quote to live your life by, what would it be?
One of the foundation quotes of my life, spoken to me by Dean Jones who your readers may know from Herbie the Love Bug and many other old Disney films… “Pray and work toward what you want – but eat what God puts on your plate today.” This has been the key to everything of my life that anyone would say was accomplishment or success. If you knew my story you would know that I have rarely received what I wanted – but chose to dive into what was before me no matter what it looked like or how much I didn’t want to do it, trusting that if it was before me, it was what God had for me. And everything you see, my ministry, MATTHEW, JOHN, my books… has flowed out of that choice. The Lord is awesome!
7) Bruce at home with no schedule – what would your day look like?
When I’m not out in the public i live a very quiet life – busy, but very quiet. I begin the day with a tall cup of coffee, a quiet outdoor spot, my Bible, and a good 2 hours in prayer and worship. From then on, leading both JOHN and Marchiano Ministries, there are many meetings, conference calls and dozens of emails that need answers. Then every afternoon I train with a hard program of running and weight training (my favorite part of the day!). Training for me is also a time of quiet with the Lord. There’s usually an early dinner (if I remember to eat) and then working on the JOHN script/creative issues till my eyes won’t stay open, or if I’m preparing for another film, working on that script. Sometimes there are phone/radio interviews mixed in there, and I will always end the day with a cup of tea, outdoors, quiet, praying. I really cherish the “quiet.”
8) Do you find that your fans have unrealistic expectations from “Bruce the man” after playing the role of Jesus?
There are certainly times when I meet people who refuse to allow me to be “human.” And sometimes people expect me to be super-spiritual all the time. But most people are very gracious and allow me to be myself. BUT… hopefully when I am myself, I am representing Jesus properly. Yes, I think your question could be asked of anyone who claims to be a child of God, in the sense that people know what they stand for and are watching to see if you are “the real thing,” or just another fake. People have been SO turned off to God because of the behavoir of his children who do a lot of talking but not the walking. And that is VERY heartbreaking. “Oh Lord, PLEASE don’t ever allow me to act in a way that harms your name!”
9) Apart from Jesus, do you have any other role models?
There are three men who I’m privileged to call friends, who are men of extraordinary character and maturity in the Lord. Dr. Jack Hayford is one friend I’ve always seen walk in tremendous integrity and authenticity, always with a kingdom perspective no matter the circumstances - he inspires me. And there are two other pastor/leader friends who are real models to me, and again, it is a matter of their character – integrity, humility, graciousness, compassion – and a love for Jesus that is not so much trumpeted, but lived out in everyday life. Yes, their Christianity isn’t something they talk about or “do” - it’s woven into their being, it’s who they are – and they’re a great blessing!
10) What would you like to leave as a legacy for coming generations?
Well, I’ve been privileged to “leave” MATTHEW. We did that film in 1993 and even now, not a day goes by that I don’t receive emails from all corners of the world, saying it changed their life. I enjoy the same with a couple of my books – the message of the love of Jesus transcending generations. That legacy is a blessing and if I died tomorrow I couldn’t be more happy. But now my focus is turned toward filming JOHN, and I certainly hope, like MATTHEW, it will change lives for many generations – until Jesus comes!
11) If acting weren’t an option, what career would you choose?
I absolutely love the speaking ministry the Lord has given me, my writing and my ministry work especially in SA. But aside from that, I am a great lover of the bush and photography. So I would explore wildlife photography. For me, there just is nothing quite like the African bush.
12) You had a crusade in South Africa in May 2009; what was the highlight of this crusade?
We have been conducting crusades in NW Province since 2004, three every year. The highlight of every crusade is always seeing precious people come to Jesus. I NEVER tire of that sight and it often moves me to tears. Other than that, this last crusade what deeply touched me was seeing the masses of “kiddies” attending each service. We began developing kiddies ministry during these crusades and now it has exploded, they are coming to Jesus in droves. And to see them packing out the service, lifting their little hands in worship – takes my breath away. You can see photos at www.brucemarchiano.com.
13) Are you planning any other trips to South Africa in the near future?
SA has always been very deep in my heart and I often think back on the days when I would spend four or six months at a time, traveling and speaking all over the country. That era of my life is my most cherished memory. These days I do three trips each year, May, September, and December, each one is about three weeks. So… I will see you there soon! And I can’t wait! Glory to Jesus!
"Faith Happens"
On the set of "Faith Happens"
Filed under: 29466
Oh, the privileges the Lord has given me over the years – and just this past May, to have the honor of dedicating a church building in South Africa. It’s one of those “never in my wildest dreams” happenings that the Lord has blown my mind with.
As I watch this video I stand so greatly humbled, and I can only say that my deepest hope is that I prayed that day as led by God’s Spirit. You see, in the African culture, the dedication of a new church building is a “huge” and intensely important thing. It lays the church’s spiritual cornerstone, so to speak. And so with that mountain of responsibility welling up inside of me that day (I can’t tell you the depth of respect I have for these precious Africans, and the desire to serve them properly), when Pastor Martin gave me the microphone… Well, all I can say is that I hope with everything I am that I prayed as led by God’s Spirit and not by my own human understanding – that the Lord was literally laying the prayer-foundation of the work he plans to do through this church building – for generations to come. Glory to the name of Jesus!
