Raul Ries, a compassionate pastor with a tender mission, once walked a drastically different path. In his youth, he was a violent and dangerous combatant, known for his ferocity on the battlefield. This tumultuous past began to take shape in high school, where a brutal fight left him with a choice: face imprisonment or enlist in the United States Marine Corps. At the age of 19, Ries embarked on a tour of duty in Vietnam, serving in the 1st Marine Division's highly trained and aggressive Marine battalion.
During his time in Vietnam, Ries witnessed the deaths of his fellow Marines, which only fueled his anger towards the world, transforming it into a seething fury. His six-month stint in Oakland Naval Hospital following his honorable discharge, coupled with the receipt of two Purple Hearts, served as a testament to the toll his experiences took on his physical and emotional well-being.
In his civilian life, Raul Ries found success as the owner of a Kung Fu studio, a first-generation student of Grand Master Jimmy H. Wo. He appeared to have it all: a loving wife, children, and a thriving business. However, beneath the surface, Ries struggled with inner turmoil, his obsession with violence and anger towards the world threatening to consume him.
Years of domestic abuse finally came to a head when Ries' wife packed her bags, leaving him alone with his darkest thoughts. In a moment of desperation, he retrieved a.22 caliber rifle, intent on ending his life and the lives of those around him. But fate had other plans.
As Raul Ries raised the rifle to fire, the television flickered to life, and the soothing voice of Pastor Chuck Smith filled the room, speaking of the love of Jesus Christ. In that instant, Ries' heart was transformed, and he accepted Jesus as his Savior, finally finding the peace he had so desperately sought.
This newfound peace endured for over four decades, during which time Ries grew closer to the Lord, ministering to others and sharing his testimony. However, in February of 2007, Raul Ries' life took an unexpected turn. While working on a documentary to minister to veterans of all wars, he experienced flashbacks for the first time since his Vietnam days. The familiar sights, sounds, and smells of the jungle engulfed him, leaving him disoriented and frightened.
As Ries struggled to come to terms with this newfound vulnerability, he underwent medical testing, only to be diagnosed with seizures that affected his senses. The prospect of returning to Vietnam, a trip he had been looking forward to for weeks, now seemed daunting.
In the face of this crisis, Raul Ries' family, church, and Pastor Chuck Smith rallied around him, praying for his healing and restoration. Through this period of intense prayer and supplication, Ries felt the Holy Spirit intervene, healing his body and soul. This miraculous experience not only restored his ministry but also deepened his compassion for the military and their families.
Today, Raul Ries continues to minister to those affected by war, his heart filled with a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by our nation's heroes and their loved ones. His story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith and the enduring impact of redemption.
