Frontlines of Faith: Why the Free Burma Rangers are Deeply Connected to Austin and Central Texas

Frontlines of Faith: Why the Free Burma Rangers are Deeply Connected to Austin and Central Texas

Welcome to the very first episode of Light Up Austin, a conversation series that explores where The Kingdom of God intersects with the Community of Greater Austin and Central Texas. Your host, Pete Inman, opens this inaugural episode with a simple but powerful mission: to create a space where people can hear stories of the Kingdom at work — stories that don't always happen within the walls of a church building, but are no less miraculous for it. And for the first conversation, Pete sits down with one of the most remarkable men alive today: David Eubank, founder of Free Burma Rangers. David was born in Texas, raised as a missionary kid in Thailand, earned his commission through Texas A&M's Corps of Cadets, and served as a U.S. Army Ranger and Special Forces officer before answering a call to something even more dangerous — following Jesus into the longest-running war on earth. For over 33 years, David, his wife Karen, and their three children have served displaced peoples in Burma/Myanmar, Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, and beyond. The episode closes with a stunning, live acoustic performance by David's eldest daughter, Sahale Eubank — a nurse and singer-songwriter — of her original song "Deeds, Not Words. PODCAST CHAPTERS 00:00:00 — Cold Open: A former enemy soldier confesses his crimes to the people he wronged — and is forgiven and baptized 00:01:22 — Welcome to Light Up Austin — Pete Inman introduces the inaugural episode and the mission of the podcast 00:04:44 — Austin as a center of Kingdom unity: the unseen spiritual significance behind Texas's economic rise 00:06:35 — Introducing David Eubank: warrior, missionary, husband, father, and founder of Free Burma Rangers 00:12:10 — Life in the U.S. Army: Panama, the Ranger Battalion, Special Forces, and the call to leave it all behind in 1992 00:15:14 — The mission of Free Burma Rangers: sharing the Gospel, delivering medicine, blankets, and hope to people in war zones 00:16:29 — The hardest question: "What happens when you bring your children into a war zone?" 00:19:40 — Miracle in the jungle: 93 villagers, one newborn mother, an 80-year-old man with malaria, six Burmese Army battalions — and a spy with a misshapen head 00:25:21 — Free Burma Rangers today: 150 active teams, 33 years of service, 79 team members killed, 250 wounded 00:29:32 — The documentary film Free Burma Rangers: how it was made, Austin's role in it, and why it almost didn't happen 00:33:22 — The decision to make a movie: a year of prayer, the fear of scrutiny, and the conviction that Jesus is the point 00:36:31 — Burma today: the biggest fighting since World War II, Chinese jets, Russian jets, drones — and Free Burma Rangers still in it 00:37:41 — The full story of the former Burma Army soldier who confessed to killing a pregnant woman — and was forgiven and baptized by those he wronged 00:40:36 — What's next: David heads to Washington D.C. to speak to government; son Peter competes at West Point 00:41:49 — The sequel documentary: centered on the next generation — the Eubank children growing up between war zones and Texas 00:44:48 — Two gifts from the Middle East: a supernatural love for the Iraqi people, and the difference between justice and revenge 00:49:12 — The rescue of the little girl in Mosul 00:51:37 — Eight months later: the grandmother reunited with her granddaughter 00:57:19 — Introducing Sahale Eubank: nurse, singer-songwriter, eldest daughter of the Eubank family. 00:58:33 — Setting up the song: the story of Rito 00:59:50 — Sahale Eubank performs "Deeds, Not Words" LINKS & RESOURCES * Free Burma Rangers Website: freeburmarangers.org * The documentary Free Burma Rangers is currently in an exciting transition for new marketing and distribution. Please contact mailto:info@deidox.org for inquiries about how to eventually view the documentary film again. * David Eubank's Book: Do This for Love: https://www.amazon.com/Do-This-Love-Rangers-Battle/dp/1642935034