More than 30 years after filming the classic movie, Cool Runnings, celebrated US actor Malik Yoba is back on the island - this time stepping into the role of a preacher for the local production, Redeemed. The New York Undercover and Why Did I Get Married star revealed that he didn't hesitate when actress and producer Jacinth Headlam personally invited him to join the cast. "Jacinth asked me to participate in Redeemed and I had a few days in my schedule so I came and worked two days on set. My character, Pastor Troy, helps facilitate the journey of Julia (Headlam) when she comes to him in the beginning of the film to tell him that she has been holding a secret. The story is told in flashbacks and my character is there to facilitate the time between present day and the past," he said. The role, he explained, wasn't much of a stretch. "I'm a real-life pastor. My ministry might not be in a church, but I preach and teach every day. I also run a real estate development business, and when you're building communities, you're also building people - mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. That's exactly what Pastor Troy represents: the builder of people. I've played pastors before, but this is my first time as a Jamaican pastor, accent and all," he said proudly. Yoba shared scenes not only with Headlam but also with homegrown talents like Cornelius Grant and Julie Mango. He praised the island's "incredible talent pool", adding that all Jamaicans need is more exposure and experience to fully shine. "Whole heap a talent deh yah," Yoba said in Patois, before highlighting his own Jamaican roots. "My mother's father was Jamaican, even though she never knew him. So I've always felt a connection to the culture. Even on Cool Runnings, I wrote a song because every Jamaican has music in their heart - whether it's the bus driver or the man pushing the cart. That song ended up in the movie and later landed me a record deal with Columbia Records." In Cool Runnings, Yoba played Yul Brenner, who is also focused on winning a gold medal at the Olympics. The actor's return to Jamaica carries special meaning, as this week marks the anniversary of his quadruple bypass surgery. Calling himself "a walking miracle", Yoba used the moment to encourage others, especially black people, to take heart health seriously. "If you have heart disease in your family, make sure you get your scans and don't wait," he said. Relating his story, Yoba said: "I felt a burning sensation in my chest and I thought it was spicy food. I was working out four times a week and doing spin classes three times and I was eating healthy. I thought I was in the best shape of my life, but I had blockage," he said. Yoba, who also survived a gunshot wound to the neck, said these near-death experiences continue to fuel his purpose. "I got shot when I was 15 years old, 10 years to the day when I went to do Cool Runnings. There is a lot of anniversaries for me in terms of my work as an actor, storyteller and minister. I have never felt like I take time for granted, but when you have life events just happening, it made me more productive and I am doing all types of things all over the world. You just should not take things for granted," Yoba added.