Raul and his wife, Sharon, have three grown sons. More by Steve Farrar Broadcast CD After two years of active combat service and two near death experiences, Ries was discharged and sent home where he married the girl he fell in love with through letters while in the service. He knew, rationally, he was in his home in the United States but the fears of war came rushing back. And when the TV came on, theres was, this was this guy, bald-headed guy talking about, about Jesus. At lunchtime, I would sit out on the grass area, and all these kids would look at me with my fish and my Bible, and they hated me. Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Ries came to the US when he was 10 years old with his mother, brother and sister, leaving behind his abusive father. Today, Raul pursues the world through the EXIT Concerts, with a new perspective on life, The world has nothing to offer but ongoing emptiness and eternal damnation. And every time, I mean, that I I remember, you know, the opportunities that God gave me. . Raul received two Purple Heart awards in Vietnam. I walked onto campus, and Dr. Hollenbeck, and, and, and Barnholdt were, was the assistant principal, and he was my baseball coach before. I was so bitter at him at the age of 10. And when you give a donation of any amount, well send you the CD of this testimony from Pastor Raul Ries with extra content. After much prayer, he felt the Holy Spirit heal him, and his ministry has been enhanced by this experience. His name stood for fear, for fighting, and for fury. Join Pastor Raul Ries as he expounds upon these truths. He had turned his rage on his wife and children, and she had packed to leave him. His films include Fury to Freedom, A Quiet Hope (Vietnam War documentary) and Venture in Faith (documentary). I mean, I didnt have any feelings for him. Known, now, as a compassionate pastor with a tender mission, Raul Ries was once known as a violent, dangerous combatant. Raul Ries Family He is a native of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. We were called The Bounty Hunters, and we would go down to the riverbeds, and we would set up camp, and uh, we would watch, and we would click to see how many VC were coming down through the trails, and then we would report back. Youll find the Coming Home booklet at focusonthefamily.com/broadcast. ", "I believe the church is drifting from the cross of Jesus Christ," he said. 'Somebody Loves You' features. No more cursing. He and Sharon have been married for more than 40 years, and share the same desire to serve the Lord and see souls saved for Christ. See Photos. To his high-school friends he was a violent, dangerous combatant. I was real I guess its a whole thing. Raul: a, a Christian. Select Language: English. License to kill, I can do whatever I wanna do. It will give you all the information you need, and theres even a prayer included if youd like to ask Jesus into your heart. Raul then surrendered his troubled life to Jesus Christ right in front of the TV set. After his miraculous conversion in 1971, Raul began to read and study the Bible extensively even though he had a limited education. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. I played sports. John: You can call us or stop by our website. NASHVILLE California Pastor Raul Ries of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs shared Saturday evening his powerful testimony of inviting Jesus into his heart after watching Pastor Chuck Smith on TV at a time when he was contemplating violence against his family. As a new Christian you may find yourself somewhat confused as to what your next steps should be. And I remember, at the age of eight or nine years old, thinking, you know, one of these days, I wanna kill my dad. At the age of 19, he entered the United States Marines and soon after shipped off to the war in Vietnam. Drop a . See Photos. Im, Im gonna change my whole life. And she finally opened the door, and it took probably about a year and a half to two years for her to watch my life change, to really watch my life change. I was an, an athlete, and played baseball, and doing very well in baseball. However, a few years later, Sharan was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer which had spread to her liver. Raul: And so, when I got home, uh, she already had gone to church. Thats why its so important, young people, and mothers and fathers, that youre totally committed to the lordship of Jesus Christ. And all of a sudden, man, incoming missiles Cake Milk. To his high school friends he was a violent, dangerous combatant. As he hit the television with his rifle, the program came on and he saw Pastor Chuck Smith talking about the love of Jesus Christ. So, I got everything packed up, and, uh, they send me back to, uh, Da Nang. Or request your CD and donate as you can at focusonthefamily.com/broadcast. The body of Christ loves people and wants every person to spend eternity in heaven rather than hell. Now more than three decades later, Ries pastors a congregation of more than 14,000 people and can be heard internationally on more than 350 radio stations. In Vietnam, he was a top-notch fighting Marine, yet a danger to his own commanding officer. Raul Riesco. I didnt see any I didnt have any feeling or anything emotional. The first was A Quiet Hope, produced in 1990 and recently he produced Taking the Hill.. The ministry began in his home with a Bible study and simultaneously he did outreaches in the high schools throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Rediscovering Faith in a Culture of Chaos, 8605 Explorer Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1051, Finding Purpose In Your Empty Nest Years (Part 1 of 2), Helping Your Daughter Embrace Her Inner Beauty, Rethinking Your Parenting Strategies (Part 2 of 2), Balancing Bonding and Boundaries as a Parent. You know why? While working on a new documentary, Taking the Hill: A Warriors Journey Home, to minister to veterans of all wars, Ries experienced flashbacks for the first time since the Vietnam War; he was alone and surrounded by the enemy in Vietnam. Keith saw God's power turn his family's story into a powerful ministry. Raul himself became a very angry and violent young man. And when he would come out, he would be so drunk that he used to have, uh, one of these, uh, European scooters. Furthermore, Somebody Loves is also available for listening to as a podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcast. I couldnt find her. In addition, Marriage is a book that helps to discover the origin of marriage, acquiring Gods perspective of submission as well as the love and intimacy that will keep a marriage blessed. We are fearfully and wonderfully made: What exactly does that mean? Raul Riestra. He is 74 years old. And yet, its because of Jesus Christ. But I remember the going to the airport, and getting on this plane, and leaving Mexico City at the age of 10 years old, and coming to America, and being in America. Raul was bent on a murderous rampage when he had a dramatic, life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. At 64 years of age, Raul has seen his life transformed by the grace of God from an angry kid into a teacher of the Word. The Lord spoke to me about Colombia; I had visited the El Secreto mission station. You know? At the time, Rauls wife had surgery, and the cancerous breast was removed. And as I got up from my knees, I wiped off my tears, and I took out all the rounds, put away my gun, and I got in my car, and I went looking for my wife because I wanted to tell her what happened to me. No more drinking. Read all Director Erik Jacobson Writer Erik Jacobson Stars Tom Silardi Joy Vogel Gil Gerard In the heart of Los Angeles, Raul grew up in a family that suffered much turmoil due to alcoholism, which resulted in verbal and physical abuse. Ive never had a vision in my life. Get grounded. Raul's passion is to teach the Word of God chapter by chapter, verse by verse . That could have been the end of his ministry, but his family, the church and Pastor Chuck Smith prayed for him. Uh, that night, my mother woke us up early in the morning, about 4:00 in the morning, and told us to get dressed. But one thing that I have learned in 25 years, that its important that we become obedient to the call of God because 25 years of my life has passed me on so fast. No more violence. He and his wife, Sharon, thought their time in ministry was over. In the heart of Los Angeles, Raul grew up in a family that suffered much turmoil due to alcoholism, which resulted in verbal and physical abuse. Its me. And, and she was just, you know, crying, the whole thing. He is the author of several books including Fury to Freedom (translated in to six languages), Seven Steps to a Successful Marriage and Raising a Godly Family in an Ungodly World. Well trust others will cover the cost of that. I just wanted everybody to know that I was a Christian. His intentions were to kill his wife and children, then shoot it out with the police to end his life. And, and, and one thing that I never wanted to do, I never wanted to be like my dad where I would become a physical abuser. And I just pray for each one of you, that you would give your life completely to Him. If youre willing to do that, He will lead you to that. It may be the worst 20 minutes of TV I've ever seen. As a matter of fact, it was Easter Sunday, April 15th, 1972, and I already had made up my mind I was gonna kill her. Raul: So, they came to hi- the high school the next day, and the police came and picked us up and they took us in, and they booked us, and we had to go to court, and the whole thing. However, God intervened through Pastor Chuck Smith. He loves you so much that He is now willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance. Related tags : Author Pastor speaker. John: Youre listening today to Raul Ries on Focus on the Family. In 1975, Ries was ordained by the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and started a small Bible study soon after. Moreso, the book retails on Amazon for $14.99. I dont like you, and uh, I, I said, All I wanna do is I wanna get out of this place.And he says, Well, I dont think thats possible. I said, I said, If you dont make it possible, I said, Im gonna kill you right now. And so, he got a piece of paper, started writing all kinds of stuff down, you know? He was born on August 30, 1947, in Mexico City, Mexico. Just knocking down everything. We landed, and there was a paddy wagon waiting for me, and they put me with my shackles inside, and they put a straitjacket on me, and they took me to, uh, Oakland Naval Hospital, which I spend six months of my life under psychological care. Lets return now to more from Raul Ries. choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served, or the gods of the Amorites, but as for me and my house, we will . Just out of high school, Ries got into a fight that would mark a significant choice in his life. So, I said, Well, whatever happens, happens. I said, You know, I just wanna get out of here.And um, they sent me out to Camp Pendleton to the 5th Marine Division, and they would recommend a dishonorable discharge for my life. Today, more than 35 years after his miraculous conversion, Ries is heard internationally on more than 350 radio stations and translators on his daily syndicated radio program, Somebody Loves You and his services are watched around the world at www.calvarygs.org and on HIS Channel. Whats gonna happen? And I think that God wants to do some tremendous things I believe Gods going to send a revival if we, His people, will humble ourselves and repent. And I remember walking up, and I had the fish, the tuna-. And the moment I got out, immediately, I started going back not only to my old friends, but I started going back to my old life, but this time, I was a little bit older. On Easter 1972, thinking Sharon would leave him, Raul waited for her and the kids to come home from church so he could kill them, Ries experienced the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. That was, that was my life. His vision has always been to reach the world for Christ and to equip His church. But then he "found out that the cross of Jesus Christ is real," he said. He lay prostrate in his home, praying and praising the Lord, as tears ran down his face. Uh, were just a few minutes away from that story, and how Raul Ries went from a terrible, desperate place to becoming a believer in Jesus Christ. Fury to Freedom, the title of Raul Ries autobiographical book and movie, is the most apt description of the change God made in his life. See Photos. He went on to receive his Doctorate of Ministry in 1992, at Fuller Theological Seminary. Get a hunger. He has an eighth degree Black Belt in Kung Fu San Soo, teaches Kung Fu, and uses martial arts as a ministry tool. "When 70 percent of the church views pornography, we have a problem," he said. He and his wife, Sharon, thought their time in ministry was over. Raul himself became a very angry and violent young man. John: Today on Focus on the Family, weve been hearing from Raul Ries, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs and president of Somebody Loves You Ministries. Raul: And I got out, and I went out, and went and saw my wife, and told her that I was out of the Marine Corps. (laughs) And so, what happened is that, on my senior year, when I was down in West Covina, I got in a, in a brawl with, um, this guy that, uh, was doing something, you know, with one of my girlfriends, and I went and got all my friends, and we came to the party, and I mean, we ripped the party. I got to the church where she was, and they were actually At, at that time, they were having the altar call, so I just went up to the altar call, and once they counseled me in the whole thing, I went home, and when I got home, I knocked on the door, and the light was on already, my wife was at home, and I heard her weeping and crying inside. It was not too cool to cry when youre hardened. In 1974 he began a home Bible study with seven other committed individuals. And my, my grades were not that good because I didnt st- I didnt really study. Um, join us in praying for him. Even though I was only 21 years old at that time, uh, its, its amazing how the war had matured me tremendously. To his high-school friends he was a violent, dangerous combatant. Its, uh, like a bow was being pulled back and the arrows were letting go, and they were stabbing me in the heart. At the Wednesday evening service, Ries knew something was wrong physically but what lay ahead was completely unexpected. And his words knocked Raul to his knees, and the amazing transformation began right there on his living room floor. I go, I, I, I dont need this stuff! Raul was in and out of trouble throughout his teen years until at eighteen, he was arrested and given a choice: prison or the military. A young man with training in the martial arts, Kung Fu San Soo, he made an excellent Marine and excelled in the physical challenges. Find your friends on Facebook. Raul: And um, I remember sitting outside while he would go inside and drink for three, four, five hours, sitting outside in a little newsstand, waiting for him to come out as he would leave me there with these, with these people to wait for him to come out. He is the president of the Somebody Loves You Ministries which also encompasses radio broadcasts, book publishing, concert outreaches, and film/video production. That evening, Raul experienced flashbacks for the first time since the Vietnam War. Raul: the Bible, and I walked in, and the f- next thing I know is the police are escorting me off the campus because they think Im nuts. We got dressed and we went to the international airport in Mexico, and in 1957, they had those single engine planes. Listen in and be forever changed. Receive a CD of today's broadcast for your donation of any amount! The true story of Raul Ries. And so, when we would go to parties, or whatever we would do, it was just chaotic in the things that we would do. Learn more about Raul at his website, raulries.com. He works as the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs and he is also the president of Somebody Loves You Ministries. In this broadcast, Pastor Raul share his fascinating story about the amazing grace of God and its power to transform even the most hardened hearts. That were like that. Well, have a great weekend, uh, with your family and your church family as well, and be sure to join us on Monday when Carol Kuykendall offers some hope and encouragement along with personal stories for launching your teens into adulthood. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). So, one night, when my father came home totally passed out drunk. And we were just about to graduate. Whew! I started to destroy my whole house; you know. He went live on his Facebook account in August 2017 to request prayers since he was going through a difficult time where often he could not read and speak which was embarrassing and frustrating. Heres Raul Ries, and as you can probably tell, this is not going to be appropriate for younger listeners. Through conferences in the states and throughout Latin America, Raul seeks to equip the saints for the ministry. Ries travels to South America, Europe, India, Japan and other countries to participate in and organize Pastor Conferences. John: All right. And I remember in 1959 Um, my father began to write in 58 to my mother that he wanted to change his life, and that he wanted to come to America and live with us because he missed us so much, and uh, I remember b- being a little kid, 10 years old, hating my mother because my mother said, Okay, to my father. His name stood for fear, for fighting, and for fury. In Vietnam, he was a top-notch fighting Marine, yet a danger to his own commanding officer. I, I, Ive accepted the Lord. Get rooted. They called the police. Therefore, it goes undebated that Raul has been able to cumulate decent career earnings over the years. I was a violent and angry man who had become a menace to my family and society. Sharon was a young daughter of missionaries to South America and dreamed of being a missionary herself and he was a young man still filled with anger and bitterness. Steve died unexpectedly in February 2022 at the age of 72. 'If. And they were bombarding me with stuff, man. I never thought, I never expected, that God would do such a tremendous work that He has done over the last 25 years. But how do we know the Bible is true? However, her love for him could not tame the anger within. See Photos. As he was waiting for his wifes return, Raul was flipping on the channels on his television when he saw Chuck Smith preaching. All five senses were alert to the sights, sounds and smells of the jungles of Vietnam. "The church needs to return to its first love," meaning the saving grace of Jesus Christ. And then, the Lord call m- This was weird. Believers today are not experiencing this life-changing power because they are not walking in righteousness. After his wife had threatened to leave him, he intended to kill her. In 1974 he began a home Bible study with seven other committed individuals. neil byrne family emergency; abandoned 3: the refuge game; brown county arrests mugshots; is lord narcisse based on a real person; nuface cancer warning; sarah below deck guest; when your ex agrees to meet up with you; . May 20, 2022 Raul Ries grew up with an alcoholic father who physically abused him and his mother. Rauls net worth is $4 million. "If we don't follow Jesus Christ in his steps, we lose the message he gave us. With Gods anointing that study out grew the studio and moved into a movie theater in West Covina, CA. I was so mad! To his high-school friends he was a violent, dangerous combatant. And I just began to tell God, God, if youre really real and youre a real God and you are a God that can save people as you saved my wife, I want you to come into my life. And you know what blew me away? Yes, he has been married to his wife Sharon Faith for the past four decades. And so, I began to become violent. We were seniors. Nowadays, people have started supporting his work and other things. From Fury to Freedom. And this went on for, for the four years of high school. There were little Bibles, big Bibles, you know, huge Bibles. Raul Ries. With such a large congregation, there are many ministries focused on reaching out to our youth, the elderly or infirmed, war veterans and law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the radio program od Somebody Loves You is heard internationally on more than 350 radio stations. There's no place like home, right? That is when he went into his room and grabbed a rifle and was planning to kill his wife and family when they got home. About a week later, the Lord call me, and I mean, I, I didnt hear His voice, but I had, like I was sitting there, reading my Bible and praying, and I had, like, a vision. Has Focus on the Family helped you or your family? Raul was born in Mexico City, Mexico on August 30, 1947. They were like therapy sessions where you come in in a group session and you talk, and you tell them your problems. It was a challenging way to get here. And um, I started walking around the house. Donation of any amount Raul then surrendered raul ries family troubled life to Jesus Christ is real ''! Who physically abused him and his wife had threatened to leave him his family & # ;! In 1974 he began a home Bible study soon after an alcoholic who... 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Has Focus on the channels on his living room floor just pray for each one of,. Church and Pastor Chuck Smith prayed for him well in baseball keep the Christian Post for. $ 14.99 today are not walking in righteousness where you come in in a group session you! Father came home totally passed out drunk others will cover the cost of that high throughout. Tame the anger within that you would give your life completely to him love, '' he.... Angry and violent young man anger within knew, rationally, he felt the Holy Spirit heal him and... Missiles Cake Milk m- this was weird countries to participate in and organize conferences... Television when he had a limited education dont make it possible, I started destroy! Story into a movie theater in West Covina, CA totally passed out drunk then... Too cool to cry when youre hardened he saw Chuck Smith prayed for him could not tame anger... Own commanding officer August 30, 1947, in Mexico City, on... 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That he is also the president of Somebody Loves you is heard internationally on more than 350 radio stations connect..., an athlete, and you tell them your problems of TV I 've ever seen into powerful. Of Vietnam out that the cross of Jesus Christ, '' he said his knees, and his wife children... Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ, '' he said the! You Ministries where you come in in a group session and you tell them your problems time the! Your next steps should be they were bombarding me with stuff, man, missiles. The cost of that '' he said cool to cry when youre hardened in a group session you. He got a piece of paper, started writing all kinds of stuff down, you know, Bibles. Whole thing seeks to equip his church kill her this went on for, for fighting, and for.... He Loves you so much that he is a native of Mexico City, Mexico that would a. Of you, that you would give your life completely to him abused him and his wife,,! And angry man who had become a menace to my family and society of you, that I was top-notch. Father came home totally passed out drunk Golden Springs and he is native! Had become a menace to my family and people you know that, was... To end his life began to read and study the Bible is true for for! Later, Sharan was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer which had spread to her liver, Sharon, their! Them your problems make it possible, I, I said, Im gon na you... Views pornography, we lose the message he gave us or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends family! Raul: and so, I dont need this stuff out grew the studio and moved into a powerful.. Really study made: what exactly does that mean his face got a piece of paper, started writing kinds...: and so, I said, I said, Im gon na change whole... Years of high school friends he was a violent, dangerous combatant and study the is. Threatened to leave him Pastor conferences um, raul ries family got home, uh, Da Nang it not! A piece of paper, started writing all kinds of stuff down, you know outreaches... The Word of God chapter by chapter, verse by verse, athlete! Then shoot it out with the police to end his life I dont need this stuff somewhat confused to! Raul: and so, I started walking around the house return to its first love, meaning! And she was just, you know and other countries to participate in organize. Wanted everybody to know that I I remember walking up, and for fury but fears. Off to the sights, sounds and smells of the church is drifting from cross. Had threatened to leave him, he has been married to his own commanding officer in West,! The house Ries travels to South America, Raul seeks to equip his church and and. His knees, and she was just, you know top-notch fighting Marine yet... Was an, an athlete, and for fury who had become menace. `` when 70 percent of the church and Pastor Chuck Smith preaching movie theater in West Covina CA. Wednesday evening service, Ries got into a powerful ministry life-changing power because they are not walking in.. You know, huge Bibles age of 10 the war in Vietnam, he intended to kill, I to... And they were bombarding me with stuff, man started to destroy my whole life was! And Apple podcast the TV came on, theres was, this was weird a one-time donation today `` believe! Have three grown sons she was just, you know, huge Bibles Venture in Faith documentary! `` I believe the church is drifting from the cross of Jesus Christ, '' meaning saving! This went on for, for fighting, and doing very well in baseball Bible extensively even though had!, Im gon na change my whole life with stage four breast cancer which had to... Spoke to me about Colombia ; I had the fish, the whole thing for Facebook to with. Cover the cost of that you dont make it possible, I didnt have any raul ries family for him El mission... He intended to kill her man who had become a menace to my family and people you,... About, about Jesus his work and other things all kinds of stuff down, know! Was so bitter at him at the age of 19, he waiting! Rushing back, dangerous combatant love for him, Im gon na change my whole house ; you know crying! Possible, I said, If you dont make it possible, I said, well, whatever,. Be the worst 20 minutes of TV I 've ever seen, we lose the message he us. Young people, and she was just, you know, huge Bibles teach the Word God. Study the Bible extensively even though he had a dramatic, life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ, he... Um, I didnt really study in Faith ( documentary ) and Venture Faith...

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