Faith Like Potatoes: 8 Lessons That Stirred My Faith [Movie Review]

Introduction

As Victory Over Voices reaches its six-month milestone, I take a moment to reflect on the experiences that have shaped my faith journey and how I have dealt with the voices that have tried to oppress me. A significant turning point was when I decided to focus on content that spiritually uplifted me.

Back in university, I used to enjoy horror movies until I began to notice something. My dreams were filled with fear, often mirroring the very scenes I had watched. The Holy Spirit gently opened my eyes to a powerful truth: what I filled my mind with during the day was showing up in my subconscious at night. That was the last time I ever watched a horror film.

I also stepped away from worldly music and began soaking my heart in worship instead. One day, I discovered a film that shook my faith in the best way possible: Faith Like Potatoes. Based on the true story of Angus Buchan, a farmer-turned-evangelist in South Africa, this movie captures the raw power of God at work through simple, bold faith. If you’ve never seen it, this blog might just convince you.

Here are 8 compelling lessons I have drawn from the film, and I hope they stir your faith the way they’ve stirred mine.

1. God Can Use Anyone

Angus Buchan was not a ‘church type.’ He had anger issues, yelled often, and buried his emotions.

Faced with stress, poverty, and fear of local violence, he was on the verge of burnout. Trying to provide for his family while adjusting to a new life in South Africa, the pressure almost crushed him. But God met him in his brokenness.

His wife Jill, deeply concerned for him, followed the advice of a family member and got him on tranquillisers. Then, after receiving an invitation from a friend, she persuaded Angus they attend a local family church event. Though reluctant at first, that day changed everything. Angus and his entire family gave their lives to Jesus.

From that moment, everything began to change.

Personal Reflection: It reminded me that no one is ever too far gone. Like Paul, once Saul, God turns rebels into revivalists (see Acts 9). He doesn’t require perfection, just surrender.

Key takeaway: If God can use a fiery farmer with a short temper, He can use you, too. Your past doesn’t disqualify you; it may be the very pulpit God uses.

2. Don’t Be Embarrassed to Identify as a Believer of Christ

Soon after Angus gave his life to Christ, his reverend challenged him to tell three of his friends about his new faith. Angus laughed, saying, “They’ll call me a nutter”

At first, he tried to hide, but he did it anyway. He told one friend, “I gave my whole life, family and farm to Jesus.” His friend was stunned and said, “You’re not going to go all weird on me, are you?”

But Angus stood firm. He knew what God had done in his heart.

Challenge to You: Are you bold about your faith? Or are you shrinking to fit into friendships, social norms, or professional circles?

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His glory…” Luke 9:26

“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16

Key takeaway: Don’t apologise for your salvation. Obedience may cost you comfort, but it will never cost you your purpose.

3. Pray Bold Prayers

There’s a scene where a fire breaks out on the farm. It began to spread quickly to neighbouring farms. Angus says to his assistant, ‘We need to pray for rain,’ but his assistant gently explains that it’s not possible at this time because it’s not the rainy season.

But Angus lifts his eyes and cries out for rain, “Jesus, please.”

Moments later, clouds formed, thunder roared, and heavy rain put out the fire!.

This is what it looks like to trust God for the impossible.

"Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

Key takeaway: Pray like you believe God can do anything – because He can.

4. Spend Time with God

Angus would retreat to his maize fields, what he called his “green cathedral”, to read the Word and talk to God. That quiet place became his sanctuary. It’s where he got clarity, peace and vision.

When we slow down and sit with God, we tune into His voice and step into His peace.

Reflection: Whenever I consistently spend time with God, everything else falls into place. Courage grows. Anxiety fades. Purpose sharpens.

Key takeaway: Make space for intimacy with God. Don’t just visit Him, dwell with Him.

5. God Deeply Cares

The most emotional scene in the film is when Angus loses his nephew, Alistair, in a tragic accident.

The family is overwhelmed by grief, and Angus questions everything. After some time, Angus gets a late-night call from his brother (Alistair’s dad), who shares a very vivid dream he just experienced. In this dream, he saw Alistair, smiling happily and full of joy, run to give him a warm hug. In the dream, he asked Alistair, “Do you want to come home?” and Alistair answered, “No, Daddy, I’m waiting for you.”

This moment reminded me of John 3:16 – the promise of eternal life. That dream brought peace and comfort to the family.

We don’t always understand God’s plan, but we can trust that He walks with us through sorrow.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” Psalm 34:18

Key takeaway: God doesn’t promise we’ll never grieve, but He promises to walk through it with us, and bring comfort even in our pain.

6. Beware of Discouragers

When Angus announced plans to host his first public talk, local pastors from whom he was seeking assistance discouraged him.

One said, “This town is hard-hearted. It’s been over-evangelised.” Another warned, “People won’t show up”

When he spoke about his plans to plant potatoes during a drought, he was mocked and told to ‘be realistic’.

Even his bank manager warned, “If your potato crop fails, you’re finished.“

Despite all the naysayers, Angus stayed rooted in what God had told him. And God showed up.

Key takeaway: Faith doesn’t require consensus, just conviction. Walk in obedience, even when others don’t see the vision.

7. Marry Prayerfully

Jill was the quiet strength behind Angus’ transformation. She was the steady calm to his storm. Her patience, prayers, and unwavering support were instrumental in his journey. Whether she was urging him to attend church or standing by him during trials, she was a true helpmate. Even when Angus had to travel for ministry, Jill encouraged him: ‘I’ll miss you, but I support you.’

Key takeaway: The right spouse not only loves you but also helps you grow. They encourage you to follow God’s will rather than hinder you. If you’re single, pray with purpose. If you’re married, be that source of support.

8. Trust God with the Impossible

During a severe drought, Angus felt led to plant potatoes. Everyone thought he was mad.

The reverend said to him, “There’s a fine line between faith and foolishness… are you sure God spoke to you?” But Angus confirmed God told him not to look at the weather conditions or phenomena, but to trust Him. He quoted Ecclesiastes 11:4:

 “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.”

He then said, “The condition for a miracle is difficulty, but the condition for a great miracle is impossibility.”

Four months later, harvest time arrived. Angus, standing on the farm, gently prayed, “…Lord, we don’t know what’s in this ground, but we pray that you bless it…Amen.” As the soil was carefully lifted, there they were – big, beautiful potatoes, a truly miraculous sight that filled everyone with joy.

Key takeaway: Faith doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. It moves when God says move. Obey, even when it looks impossible.

Conclusion: Faith Like Potatoes in Real Life

This movie always brings me to tears. Not just because of the miracles, but because of the reminder that God is still in the business of doing the impossible. It reminds me that God works through ordinary, surrendered people.

One of the most memorable lines in the movie comes just before the harvest. The reverend asks Angus if he’s checked to see whether any potatoes are growing. Angus replies, “These are not like maize crop that you can see. Potatoes…you gotta have faith.” That line really captures the essence of the moment.

Faith is often unseen. You won’t always see immediate results. You may not feel growth happening. But when you trust God and plant in obedience, the roots of breakthrough are forming beneath the surface.

Let this story inspire you to:

• Pray bold prayers.
• Trust God through grief.
• Step out in obedience, even when it’s hard.
• Have faith like potatoes.

Let me leave you with this:

Don’t wait for the weather to change. Plant anyway.
Don’t wait for applause. Obey anyway.
Don’t shrink back when it’s hard. Trust anyway.

Finally, always return the glory to God. Angus never took the credit; he always pointed to Jesus.

Be real in your faith. God’s power is demonstrated through ordinary people with a mustard-seed faith.

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." Hebrews 12:1-2

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think..." Ephesians 3:20-21

♬ Song to Worship: Turn Your Eyes by Sovereign Grace Music ♬

Have you seen Faith Like Potatoes? What lesson stood out most to you from this blog? Share your thoughts in the comments or share with a friend who needs encouragement.

The soil of impossibility is where faith grows its deepest roots

VIctory over voices