Joyce Smith is grateful for the sacrifice her pastor made for her family. I could tell when I was talking to her on the telephone that she was upset. A dramatic film is already in the works to be helmed by producer DeVon Franklin (The Star, Miracles from Heaven, Heaven is for Real). It wasnt till after John got out of the hospital on a month or so later, when we had our First Responders Sunday, that I even heard all the things that were going wrong in Johns body and why he shouldnt be alive. Jackson, a young boy in the room next to John's, was paralyzed, head to toe, having been hospitalized with the flu and then a serious infection for two weeks. Though they are loving and supportive, John struggles with feelings of abandonment from his birth parents, and rebels against his parents and teachers. We were eating pizza, playing video games. At any time, He couldve jump started Johns heart. And 40 days from the day he woke up, all the doctors released him, and he was back in school two weeks later. God, please send your Holy Spirit to heal this boy! Just then the Holy Spirit came in that room and started that boys heart once again. When this accident happened, Pastor Sam Rodriguez, who is executive producer of the movie, he was on an airplane. Were going in, and this very nice young man comes out starts talking to us. All of these thingshe should not be alive. It stars Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Marcel Ruiz, Sam Trammel, and Dennis Haysbert with a cameo by Phil Wickham and Lecrae. When John was 14, an incident occurred that led to him being a significant figure in the Roxann Dawson-directed film. It was flat line on the heart monitor, and in my head, I heard what I had heard all my life: The Holy Spirit, who raised Christ Jesus from the dead.. What she says here is encompassed in Psalms 91, when it says when we walk in the shadow of the Most High, we are covered by Him. . Fourteen-year-old John Smith had lost his battle for life. They just dropped their gun belts and went in the water no suits, no nothing. Is it God? I was pushing one of my friends up just to stay afloat just a little while longer so the paramedic could have an idea of where we were. [23] The film made $1.9 million on its first day and $1.5 million on its second. John woke up on the third day, recognizing people. On a cold winters day in Missouri, John Smith was a 14-year-old boy playing on a frozen lake with two of his best friends. I was expecting a telephone call that morning because I was going to go pick John up. [10] The Easter weekend it was released had the lowest box office receipts since 2005, because studios chose to avoid any major release during that period so as not to compete with Disney's release of Avengers: Endgame the following weekend. They finally let me back to where John was. No longer was he struggling to maintain his desperate grip on the edge of the ice or flailing his arms in a final and terrifying attempt to stay afloat. "Another miracle was this crew had just practiced cold water rescues the week before, so they were well prepared for this.". In school, John's class is assigned to give a presentation about their family backgrounds. Sutterer admits, that at the time of John's arrival, his expectations were at best, grim. That is so profound. Though he grew up in a loving and also non-religious environment throughout his adolescence, he can't help but feel depressed about his situation. Joyce Smith is grateful for the sacrifice her pastor made for her family. Hes aware of every detail. While Johns friends were able to escape, John remained underwater for fifteen minutes. Joyce F Smith, 94. At any time, He couldve jump started Johns heart. In recognition of the power of the films message, Im reposting an interview I did with Joyce Smith, the mother of the resurrected boy at the center of the story, that was originally published on November 10, 2017 following the publication of her book The Impossible, The Miraculous Story of a Mothers Faith and Her Childs Resurrection. When Tommy Shine got off the truck, he sprinted to the scene and into the water to come look for me. It wasnt till after John got out of the hospital on a month or so later, when we had our, , that I even heard all the things that were going wrong in Johns body and why he shouldnt be alive. guest list: Jonathan Lemire, Katty Kay, Charlie Sykes, David Ignatius, Jon Sale, Joyce Vance, Anne Applebaum, Jeffrey Goldberg, Gov. Rt. [4] The film was written by Grant Nieporte, based on the Christian book, The Impossible, an account of true events written by Joyce Smith with Ginger Kolbaba. .The Holy Spirit came in that room [and] started that boy's heart once again. by that night, the boy was sitting up in his bed, singing songs . Finally, the paramedics and the fire department got there and they were able to get (Johns friend) Josh out. Has Tension risen Between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris? within moments of praying, they got a pulse!". "Had no heartbeat. He started college at North Central University, a Christian college in. Joyce: I was expecting a telephone call that morning because I was going to go pick John up. I thought to myself, You dont know what youre talking about because my God has healed my son. While Johns friends were able to escape, John remained underwater for fifteen minutes. Privacy Policy| "I don't know what we would have done without him." Noble says he continues to feel an intense closeness with the family. But my first go-to was God to pray. Mother, son share how power of prayer saved boy who nearly drowned at 14. "The mother and son duo provided inspiration and hope in the power of prayer. "In my whole life, I never had God fail me," said John Smith. His basketball coach, who had promised him a starting position, warns John that if he gets a failing grade, he will be benched. Emergency crews were called and three departmentsLake St. Louis Police and Fire District, St. Charles County Ambulance District, and Wentzville Fire Districtresponded to the place where the boys fell in the lake. And so when I got a telephone call, I was expecting it, but not what she was going to be saying to me. Photo credit: Matt B, Flickr. But a carefree day soon grew dire as the ice gave way and boys fell into the lake. I thought to myself. Basketball, on the other hand, was a sport that the adolescent adored with all his heart. Born in Savannah, GA, the daughter of the late John Milton Manly and the late Irene Bell Manly, Mrs. Smith retired as office manager with the office of Dr. Floyd Griffin, M.D. Hes still there. While it may not be clear now, I know that He has a plan and I will follow what He has in store for me., Cardinal Glennon U.S. News & World Report Ranked 6 Specialties 2021-22 shield, Magnet Recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2023 Cardinal Glennon Childrens Foundation is a not-for-profit, section 501(c)(3) | EIN: 43-1754347. So thats how it came about. Its a twist worthy of The Twilight Zone but its true. The very moment that I needed God, he was there instantly. In a heated moment, Joyce tells Brian that if not for her, John would be dead. Narrator: Welcome to the Jesus Calling Podcast. "I truly believe God sent Pastor Jason to this church for this situation," says Joyce. Also known as Joyce Ann Smith Forrester, Joyce A Fulmore, Ann Joyce Smith. [God], You say we can come to You with the things going on in our lives, and Youre there to be faithful to us and answer our prayers. Joyce Smith. Narrator: As John began recuperating, news of his miraculous recovery spread like wildfire, and eventually hit the national media. Jamie was watching from the shore - John called out to her to call 911 because "he didn't want to die.". Ultimately, the story spoke to us throughout, even once we shot it and into editing, as we began to distill the story down to this two-hour format. He had set about 25 to 30 professionals in that room to show them something so powerful that none of them would ever forget [it]. So I got up to the end of the bed, and I felt his feet. Roxann: Im Roxann Dawson, and I directed Breakthrough. Tulsa Library Shooting: Two People Died, Others Injured At Convenience Store, Phoenix Bar Shooting, Several People Injured, How Did Elizabeth Santos Die? "We had to fight for our lives," said John Smith. The family involved is sharing their story of a modern-day resurrection.Fun times quickly turned to panic, and the harrowing ordeal was documented in the movie "Breakthrough. I have always believed that Gods going to do what he says he does because Ive seen it all my life, says Joyce. We knew that John being here was a miracle.. *Henry Clothier to. His near-death experience appears to have only increased the potency of his perception. John is revived and slowly regains consciousness, reliving his accident. Joyce: My name is Joyce Smith, and I am the mother of the young man who drowned and the Lord so graciously brought back to life when I prayed. "John Smith, now 19 years old, has decided to go college and go into ministry, believing he is living proof of the marvels of the Lord.The book is available for order, and the "Breakthrough" film will be released digitally on July 2 and on DVD and Blu-ray on July 16. And John himself has seen God work in others' lives. But a carefree day soon grew dire as the ice gave way and boys fell into the lake. You gave him to us, Lord. Garrett agrees. I was praying very loudly to the Lord. When John's heart began beating again, Joyce says there was no mistaking the surprise on everyone's faces and then they jumped into a flurry of action. It was 57 degrees outside on Monday, January 19. Breakthrough: A Conversation with John and Joyce Smith - Pastor David Immediately, after more than an hour with no pulse, Johns heartbeat started. In this interview, Joyce talks about standing at her son's bedside asking the Holy Spirit to give her back her son. How far do you want us to go? Faith has always been a large part of their lives and they knew God had a plan for them. Were having a good time, but I get a text from my mom asking if I wanted to go to the Rec Plex. He did and immediately encountered John. [19] In its second weekend the film fell 39% to $6.8 million, finishing fourth. JOYCE SMITH: He was close to (hypothermia) when the police came in. John continues to receive physical therapy for his hands but he is doing well and has a newfound appreciation for his life. I always ask for God for signs. In fact, everything that happens next is truly awe-inspiring. And its just amazing to sit back and look at that when youre in those circumstances and theyre telling you that, This is not possible, yet Gods saying, Im the final word on this, and it is possible.. From that first night in the hospital, Noble sensed God telling him he needed to stick close to the family. So John and his friend tried to help each other get out. Related To Delores Smith, George Smith, Saundra Smith, Phalett Smith, Annie Smith. Mrs. Joyce Martin Smith, 87, wife of Fred Phillip Smith, went to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday, September 5, 2021.