#223: Warriors Set Free By God and Inspiring a New Song About Combat War Vet

I talked to a war veteran in Cusseta GA who survived 4 combat deployments, including one of the most famous battles from the War in Afghanistan. On the heels of darkness he also went through off the battlefield, this Army hero helped write a semi-autobiographical song "Warriors Set Free" that's now been adopted by a nonprofit for veterans based in West Georgia. (1:25) I give a quick faith-based take on politics on the Presidential election results, then (5:21) you'll hear most of the acoustic version of that song "Warriors Set Free" performed by singer/songwriter and fellow Army vet Tim Maggart. Hear the studio version at https://open.spotify.com/track/71Y7gxRldfsGq0pNfZUwfb?si=930427c932d7472f. (9:42) My wide-ranging conversation with 1st Sgt (Ret) James Clark starts with his 2 deployments to Iraq and 2 to Afghanistan, including his involvement in that war's second costliest battle for the U.S. - the Battle of Kamdesh (at COP Keating) that was portrayed in the movie "The Outpost." He goes into detail about that immense attack by Taliban insurgents and the trauma years later that led him to a nonprofit ministry. (17:22) Clark talks about his "come to Jesus" moments, how faith led him to a much better life, with the help of the Warriors Set Free's one-day "Freedom Appointment" while being on guard for Satan: https://warriorssetfree.org/freedom/. That led him to volunteer with the organization, where he's now on staff as the outreach coordinator for the ministry that also has 4-day "Warriors Battle" mens' retreats that also changed his life. (25:58) Collaborating with Maggart to write the song (just released a month ago), James talked about his testimony now being in music form and how he hopes it touches, inspires other veterans. He also says...it's no longer Army combat, but they're still in battle and spiritual warfare. And he discusses how encounters with God and growing in your faith can lead to transformation and fulfillment. (42:25) I close out the pod episode in prayer. Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast, which I hope you'll subscribe to! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.