Run The Race

<p>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.</p> <p>(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.&nbsp;</p> <p>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.</p> <p>(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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>

<p>After being a football star for Harris County High and the University of Georgia, Jordan Jenkins was drafted into the NFL almost a decade ago. (4:44) Fast forward to now, an injury forced him out of the sport and he's helping veterans in his hometown - after growing up being the son of an Army Sgt major. As the latest guest on our podcast, Jordan Jenkins talks about that charity effort...UGA football...being in pro sports...transitioning from pro athlete to real estate and still working out....military vets' mental health struggles...being back home, and more.</p> <p>(7:50) Jenkins, who had 22+ sacks in 5 years with the NY Jets, talks about the current Dawgs in the College Football Playoff...the changes in the sport including NIL and tough practices. He also gives us new info on almost playing at Alabama, where Coach Kirby Smart was back then. And a torn ACL ended his ride with the Las Vegad Raiders.</p> <p>(15:38) The former outside linebacker opens up about a rough end to his NFL career, then what he does for fitness and mental health post-football, with (20:57) God also opening doors for him in real estate and helping others through his new nonprofit "Harboring Change."</p> <p>(26:20) Growing up as an "Army brat" that moved around a lot, Jenkins is sensitive to what former soldiers go through, wanting to give them a second chance. He bought and donated 2 houses in Columbus GA to the Plummer Home nonprofit that provides transitional housing to vets that have dealth with life-altering challenges like homelessness, addiction, and/or prison. More info: <a href="https://theplummerhome.org/">https://theplummerhome.org/</a></p> <p>(33:21) He calls the Harris County and Columbus area "home." What's it like for him to watch football when he's off the field? And he doesn't miss the pain of being in the NFL. (39:35) I close out the episode in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Make sure to subscribe and share it with others, for more inspiring stories of fitness and faith.&nbsp;</p>

<p>You know the holiday classic Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Story" - with Scrooge at the center. A longtime evangelist and Columbus GA native has been playing that role for a decade now in "The Ebeneezer Experience." Pastor Joe Phillips took a break from the shows and sermons to join me on the podcast to also talk about using comedy to spread the Gospel...how his rough childhood and God whispers and basketball led him into ministry...what it's like being a traveling evangelist...hiking hundreds of miles on the Appalachian Trail and up a mountain out West, for his nonprofit ministry...and more.</p> <p>(2:20) Joe Phillips talks about the fast-pace show where he plays Ebeneezer Scrooge, then building a bridge from that character/story to the Gospel. The production has been seen by 52,000 people in more than 50 cities in a dozen states -&nbsp; with more than 19,000 making decisions for Christ. More than a "church play," it's a quality production they'll be performing this Sunday December 7 in Zebulon GA then several more places in Georgia and Alabama before Christmas. More on "Ebeneezer Experience" and going to it for free: <a href="https://www.joephillipsministries.com/the-ebenezer-experience">https://www.joephillipsministries.com/the-ebenezer-experience</a></p> <p>(16:03) We talk a little about churches using production or entertainment and comedy to reach people. Joe has long been part of a Christian comedy duo with Lee McBride.</p> <p>(23:32) Given up at age 3 by his mentally ill biological mom, Pastor Joe opens up about his childhood, hearing the Holy Spirit (like a ghost in the Scrooge story) in a GA night club, getting a bank loan to fulfill dream of college, playing basketball, and being called into ministry while with his team. God uses sports too!</p> <p>(34:55) To keep his non-profit Joe Phillips Ministries (JLM) afloat, he walked 100 miles on the Appalachian Trail to raise money for the ministry. He added more miles each year, then he discusses another fitness challenge recently: climbing 12,000 foot high Mt. Adams in Seattle with am ice axe and a friend. The hiking helped him learn a valuable lesson about negative vs positive self-talk.</p> <p>(43:08) After being a youth pastor for 15 years, what's it like as an evangelist? It's about grace. Joe also just wrote his 5th book "Irrevocable" - hoping to turn it into a stage show they can do year-round. He's also done a film called "Aren't You Somebody?" about human trafficking. (56:00) Joe closes our episode out in prayer...then leaves us with a laugh, a story that involves a bathroom break and wrong turn on the Appalachian Trail.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks so much for listening to the "Run the Race" podcast, focused on faith and fitness. Subscribe and tell others about it!</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">A popular singer shares a lot about faith, his songs, and their current Grace &amp; Glory Tour on our &ldquo;Run The Race&rdquo; podcast. Nationally known Contemporary Christian artist David Crowder aka CROWDER joined me via Zoom. He will be in concert this Sunday night 7pm at the Columbus (GA) Civic Center, along with more big names Zach Williams and Matt Maher on stage. They call it country grit meets front-porch gospel, with roof-raising praise!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">(4:29) David Crowder (solo artist name "Crowder") is up walking again after breaking his leg months ago, but he talks about a collaboration with fellow injured Christian artist Forrest Frank on "The Rock." How will the injury impact him on this tour? And he describes his genre of music as "sweet tea and gasoline."</p> <p class="MsoNormal">(10:35) As for the origins of his music career, it started where he grew up in Texas and went to school at Baylor, being on stage for a church start there. Now, they've lived in Atlanta for more than a decade.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">(14:09) Crowder gives insight on what songs are hitting on this tour and his favorite part, right before going on stage, as he hopes the audience feels that grace is available and God is pursuing them. How does he come up with the lyrics for these songs? Part of it is being broken.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">(18:30) And with his big success as a singer, what keeps him grounded is his wife and a normal life back home, including rooting on the Georgia Dawgs. Crowder also answers why Christian music is growing in popularity, the authenticity of it, what listeners are looking for. And there's all ages in the diverse audience for his concerts, including one again this Sunday in Columbus GA. Tickets are still available: <a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E0062B48C7F1A4F">https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E0062B48C7F1A4F</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and all past episodes, go to <a href="https://www.wtvm.com/podcast/">www.wtvm.com/podcast/</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This week&rsquo;s podcast guest is the all-time leader in interceptions in arena football &ndash; 117 of them by the former player nicknamed &ldquo;Night Hawk.&rdquo; Columbus GA native Damian Daniels is now the head coach of the Columbus Lions, the same team he won 4 championships with! We talk on &ldquo;Run the Race&rdquo; about football, fitness, changes coming for his Lions, and more.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(5:51) We start with how he got that NIGHT HAWK name, also the differences between exciting arena football and NFL/college football setup and rules and fans. (10:00) Damian Daniels started playing the game at age 7. How did he get from there to almost the CFL and a long, successful career in arena football &ndash; mostly as a corner.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(17:46) Coach Damian and I dive into fitness and strength and speed (or quickness) related to football, training players&rsquo; bodies for different roles. And he opens up about the brotherhood in this sport, plus what it was like to bring arena football trophies to his hometown, while also winning five Defense Player of the Year awards. Now, with a second chance, how is it different for him as a head coach for the arena football team he played for until retiring in 2016? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(35:03) The Columbus Lions have some changes coming, leaving the NAL and now in the American Arena League (AAL), but why the move? It has to do with travel and having more true arena football rules. Next up, is the announcement of a new team owner &ndash; not revealed yet, but Damian is excited about the local ties. We&rsquo;ll find out Thursday November 13 in a 1:30pm news conference at the Columbus (GA) Civic Center. He also touches on helping coach the Pacelli HS football team, the differences there&hellip;being a personal trainer (45:36) and the importance of family support for athletes/coaches. Damian Daniels loves being a father figure for young men, helping on and off the field. And the next season for his Columbus Lions may start in April 2026. (50:48) And as always, closing out the episode in prayer.</span></p>