Raul Ries - History

Known, now, as a compassionate pastor with a tender mission, Raul Ries, 60, was once known as a violent, dangerous combatant.

As Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs, Raul Ries’ name has become synonymous with a zealous love to reach the troubled, down and out, and youth of America. Though the mention of his name today draws admiration, respect and love, his name once evoked fear in family, friends and foe.

Born in Mexico City in 1947, Ries grew up watching the abuses of his alcoholic father. Anger and hatred became his most intimate friends -- and as much as he hated the behavior of his father (so much, in fact, that he wanted to kill him), that very behavior became Raul’s trademark.

In 1957, at the age of 10, Raul moved to the United States with his mother. She brought her children to California, where her parents lived, to start a new life. Soon after, Raul’s father joined his family in the U.S., and the violence continued.

To his high school friends, Raul was a violent and dangerous foe. Well-versed in the martial art of Kung Fu San Soo, he fought his way through the early 1960’s.

After a brutal fight, Raul was given the “option” to go to jail or join the U.S. Marine Corps.

At the age of 19, Raul Ries headed towards Vietnam in the 1st Marine Division for a special combat role in a highly trained and aggressive Marine battalion. As he witnessed the deaths of his fellow Marines, Raul’s anger towards the world grew into fury. Those that battled beside him saw him as an angry, bitter individual.

Ries’ Tour of Duty in Vietnam lasted until 1967. After spending six months in Oakland Naval Hospital, he was honorably discharged, receiving two Purple Hearts from the Marine Corps.

In civilian life, Raul became successful in his Kung Fu studio and appeared to have everything he wanted, including a wife and children. Nevertheless, what Raul needed was peace, and that seemed unattainable. He was obsessed with violence and angry at the world.

After years of abusing his wife, Raul came home one night to find her bags packed.

“I knew she was going to leave me. The only thing on my mind was that I would not allow anyone to leave the house,” said Raul.

He took a .22 caliber rifle out of the closet and loaded it. His intentions were to kill his wife and children, then shoot it out with the police to end his life.

It was at that moment that a miracle took place. As the television came on, he saw Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa being interviewed by Kathryn Kuhlman about the miraculous transformation of the hippies during the Jesus People Movement.

“At first it made me angry, but, I kept listening to him talk about the love of God and I knew this was my last chance and only hope of life.”

Raul Ries dropped to his knees and prayed for the first time in his life.

“I knew something had happened,” said Ries. “The love of Christ flooded my mind and soul. The anger and hate was replaced with God’s love,” he concluded.

Raul had found peace at last.

This peace continued for the next 40 years, as he grew closer to the Lord, until that fateful night in February of 2007. At that Wednesday evening service, Raul knew something was wrong physically but what lay ahead was completely unexpected.

Over the next couple of days, Raul experienced flashbacks for the first time since the Vietnam War; he was alone and surrounded by the enemy in Vietnam. All five senses were alert to the sights, sounds and smells of the jungles of Vietnam.

He knew, rationally, that he was in his home in the United States but the fears of war came rushing back. He lay prostrate in his home office, praying and praising the Lord as tears ran down his face. Both he and his wife, Sharon, thought their time in ministry was coming to an end.

After some medical tests, it was discovered that he needed his gallbladder removed. The doctors thought, perhaps the stones were causing a chemical reaction in his body that was affecting his brain, so the gallbladder came out. However, that was not the end of the flashbacks; they grew more intense and more frequent. Further tests followed and Raul was diagnosed with seizures that affect the senses.

That could have been the end of his ministry but Raul’s family, the church and Pastor Chuck Smith prayed for him. After much prayer, he felt the Holy Spirit heal him.  Raul has not experienced a flashback since that fateful time in 2007 but his ministry has been enhanced by this experience.

Raul works both here in the states and throughout Latin America with conferences to equip the saints for the ministry. His wife, Sharon, focuses on preparing women for ministry and teaching through the Women’s Ministry and Women’s Conferences. Married for more than 35 years, they share the same desire to serve the Lord and see souls saved for Christ.

Today, more than 30 years after his miraculous conversion, Raul Ries is heard internationally on more than 350 radio stations and translators on the daily 30-minute syndicated radio program, Somebody Loves You. In addition, he pastors a congregation of more than 14,000 people.

He also serves as evangelist for the Somebody Loves You Crusades, which take place in arenas and stadiums throughout the country. These two ministries reach out to people of all ages and walks of life. Special emphasis is focused upon youth, troubled teens and young adults.

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.