#271: Powerful Christmas Eve During Gulf War + Former Army Chaplain Bud Rupel's Ministry To Troops

A week before Christmas now, a Columbus GA pastor is remembering (2:15) a special Christmas Eve service he led for many soldiers in Saudi Arabia amidst war in 1990 when it was, at least briefly a "Silent Night." The story will move you. He gets emotional talking about service members singing that song, in a Muslim country, as the Gulf War began.

(9:05)This week's podcast guest, Pastor Bud Rupel, talks about the challenges for the military for the holidays and what he did as Army chaplain for 17 years, bringing hope through Jesus and listening through tears and anger. 

His path was not straight (17:10) to the Air Force then eventually the Army. Church life started for Pastor Bud Rupel as a Quaker, but he eventually asked Christ into his life and his now-wife to marry him. Even as an Army chaplain, he too was a broken sinner who was serving his nation and God.

(29:34) On staff now at Evangel Church in Columbus (south of Atlanta) for 20 years, Pastor Bud talks about the transition from military ministry to pastoral care, what he does for those that are sick or want to get married or for families of those who die.

Bud Rupel was also recently (40:30) diagnosed with cancer that he opens up about - trusting God through the discovery and treatment, as he continues to focus on reaching as many people as possible for the Gospel. (48:45) And Pastor Bud closes us out in prayer.

Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Subscribe to it! Tell others about this podcast and share it, for more to hear these inspiring stories of faith and fitness.

On your journeys of fitness and faith, we are helping you stay motivated to be stronger physically and spiritually on the new RUN THE RACE podcast. Host Jason Dennis - veteran WTVM news anchor, marathon runner and missionary, will talk to experts and people with inspiring stories as we dig deeper into the mind, body and soul.