Night Train to Cairo: Dr Craig Forrest on Storytelling, Mentorship and Faith

In a world where attention spans are short and stories often compete for seconds of our time, one filmmaker has dedicated his life to crafting narratives that both inspire and endure. Dr Craig Forrest, award-winning filmmaker, author and mentor, joined Shape, Faith and Influence Media to share the heart behind his work, his new book Night Train to Cairo, and why mentoring the next generation of storytellers has become central to his calling.

The thesis of our conversation is simple yet profound: storytelling is more than technique; it is a way of preserving truth, sharing faith and investing in others.

A Journey Called Night Train to Cairo

Dr Forrest’s latest book, Night Train to Cairo, draws its title from a formative teenage experience. At sixteen, while travelling through Egypt, his group’s plane from Luxor to Cairo was too small for everyone. Four of them had to take the night train instead. That unplanned journey stayed with him, later becoming the perfect title for a book.

“It almost sounds like a James Bond film with Daniel Craig; running across train cars with a gun,” he joked. “But that wasn’t it. It was simply the train ride that stuck in my brain.”

The book itself is not just about Egypt, but a collection of his adventures across the world. At around 320 pages, it covers everything from encounters with voodoo, to witnessing miracles, to navigating tribal conflict. “Hopefully it’s a good read,” he said, noting that the book will soon be available on Amazon in both paperback and e-book formats.

While the possibility of an audiobook is still being considered, Forrest acknowledged the growing demand. “Audiobooks have really taken off. A lot of people buy them,” he reflected, hinting he may ask a professional narrator to bring Night Train to Cairo to life in audio.

The Art of Telling Stories

Storytelling is not just a craft for Dr Forrest; it’s a calling. Asked about what makes a good story, he broke it down into three essential parts:

1. A strong beginning. The first five to ten seconds must capture attention. In an age of swipes and scrolls, the hook matters more than ever.
2. A meaningful middle. The story must sustain interest, deepening the listener’s or reader’s engagement.
3. A compelling end. The conclusion should not only tie the story together but leave the audience with something to carry away.

“A good story is so interesting you forget about the storyteller,” he explained. “You’re just engaged.”

His reflections echo the timeless principle that while technology evolves, the essence of human connection through narrative remains unchanged.

Why Mentorship Matters

Beyond telling his own stories, Forrest has become deeply passionate about mentoring others.

For the first 27 years of his career, there were no schools for Christian filmmaking. He learned by watching others, by trial and error, and by being “thrown in the deep end”. Now, he believes it is his responsibility to make the path easier for others.

“At this stage of my career, if I don’t give back, then I’ve failed,” he said. “I want to pour into young people the lessons I’ve learned so they don’t make the same mistakes I did. Hopefully, I can be like Obi-Wan Kenobi teaching Luke Skywalker how to use the lightsaber.”

While mentorship is for people of all ages, Forrest sees a particular hunger in those in their late teens and twenties people just beginning to chart the course of their lives.

Faith as the Compass

Faith runs through all of Forrest’s reflections. He closed the conversation with a verse that sums up his approach to life and work: Proverbs 16:9.

“A man makes his plans, but the Lord directs his steps,” he quoted. “Make your plans, dream big, but then give those plans to the Lord. His direction is always better than yours.”

Final Thoughts

From the unexpected train ride that inspired a book title to a lifetime of storytelling and mentoring, Dr Craig Forrest’s journey reminds us that stories have the power to shape lives. But more importantly, they remind us to look beyond ourselves to faith, to purpose, and to the next generation who will continue the work.

If you’ve been inspired by this conversation and want to stay connected with more uplifting content, reach out to us at Heartsonglive Radio via email: info@heartsonglive.co.uk.

“Adapted by Praise Afolabi based on an interview by Eloho Efemuai, host of Arise with Eloho”