The World and Everything In It: DoubleTake — “The Good Fight”

Published: February 21, 2026
Podcast by: WORLD Radio
Summary: Detailed Episode Notes & Key Quotes

Overview

This episode of DoubleTake, hosted by Les Sillers and reported by Clay Ramirez, dives into the remarkable lives of South Sudan's armed Christian chaplains. Trained by Far Reaching Ministries (FRM), these “pastor-warriors” are a unique breed: they combine military prowess, unwavering faith, and deep biblical conviction to serve, protect, and preach amidst the country’s brutal ongoing conflicts.
The episode explores the chaplains' origin stories, their combat experiences, their approach to forgiveness and vengeance, and their vision for a peaceful, redeemed South Sudan — all grounded in their belief that faith should tangibly shape how one lives, even on the battlefield.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Faith in Action Under Fire

• War as a Test of Belief:
  • The show opens with the question: “Does what you believe affect how you live?” (00:29) The chaplains of South Sudan answer with their lives.
  • Peter Akesh, a chaplain since 1999, is introduced leading troops in battle, singing in defiance of flying bullets, armed with a cross in one hand and a gun in the other (01:40–02:45).

2. Origins of the Armed Chaplaincy

• The Birth of Far Reaching Ministries (FRM):
  • Wes Bentley, an ex-Marine, began protecting missionaries in the region in the 1990s before founding FRM. Key insight:

    “I realized that the only way to stop this war was if these men were taught a better way.”—Wes Bentley (12:18)

  • FRM’s chaplain school merges brutal physical training, spiritual formation, and Bible teaching (13:06–13:34).
• Distinct from Western Chaplains:
  • Unlike Western militaries, these chaplains are armed and actively engage in combat as part of their ministry mandate (04:25–05:45; 13:48–14:25).

3. Conflict, Trauma, & Survival

• Personal Testimonies from Chaplains:
  • Stories from several chaplains illuminate the hardships:
    • William Tong survived 18 gunshot wounds, mutilation, and being left for dead:

      “It is just off and on. It is just a game, either you or him. So that one you leave it upon to the Lord, you are going to fight definitely knowing that you will be killed or you kill someone.” —William Tong (20:06)

    • Lino Manuel: As a child, he shot a lion. As a soldier, he was shot in the head—he recounts survival and calm reliance on God (14:51–16:18).
    • Richard Longo Benson: Stared down rebels and survived assassination attempts through what he describes as divine intervention (26:56–27:54).
  • Discussion of coping with pervasive death — e.g., using fallen comrades as shields in dire moments (21:04).

4. Faith and Miraculous Survival

• Stories of Escape and Supernatural Protection:
  • Chaplains describe miracles in battle: bombs missing, bullets not wounding, and even seeming “teleportation” to safety.
    • Lino Manuel:

      “The bomb came to want to hit me. Something took me and put me there... But it is God protect me.” (25:22–25:34)

    • Peter Akesh:
      • His clerical garments stopped shrapnel:

        “It’s a good thing your clerical garments are bulletproof.” (22:56)

      • This led soldiers to request Bibles, believing in God’s direct intervention (22:56–23:16).
• Preaching in Danger:
  • Chaplains persist in gospel witness amid gunfire.

    “We pray and we go. E bullet is coming. We pray and we go.” —Chaplains (25:42–25:48)

5. Ethics of Christian Violence & Defense

• Warrior and Pastor Duality:
  • Chaplains justify armed defense as biblically mandated when protecting the innocent:

    “Turning the other cheek does not mean you let people murder your family... We needed to train these men to be able to defend those that cannot defend themselves.”—Wes Bentley (14:21–14:30)

  • Lino articulates:

    “When the enemies come, you defend yourself. When you capture an enemy, you preach to them. That is what we do.” (15:31)

6. Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Ongoing Struggle

• Personal Transformation:
  • Despite deep wounds, chaplains talk about the hard road from hatred to forgiveness.
    • Emmanuel de Chek:

      “For the sake of gospel, I can forgive them for the word of God.” (30:55)

    • Still, he admits the struggle:

      “It is a very fame in my heart to forgive the Muslim.” (30:41)

• Shift from Warfare to Evangelism:
  • As active fighting ebbs, chaplains increasingly describe their main battle as spiritual:

    “Now there is a war of preaching the word of God against Satan.” —Chaplains (28:06)

  • Their goals: reconciliation, spiritual transformation, and national healing.

7. National and Biblical Identity

• Parallels with Israel:
  • Chaplains see themselves in the story of Israel, referencing Sudan as biblical “Kush”:

    “God says that Israel and Kushite people are my people. God say like that in a Bible? Yes, God talk about quiz more than 40 times in the Bible.” (32:05)

  • Self-identified as “David’s mighty men,” fighting for their people and God (32:24).

    “I’m a young David in Africa, bro.” —Chaplains (32:34)

  • Desire for South Sudan to become a peaceful, “promised land” (31:17).

8. Present-Day Challenges & Resilience

• Continued Insecurity and Humanitarian Crisis:
  • Reporter follow-up: Ethnic violence, famine, and instability are worsening (34:40–36:16).
  • The chaplains’ commitment remains:

    “They believe in God, they trust in God. ...We’re not all supposed to live long lives.” —Wes Bentley (36:37)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On facing danger with faith:

  “If Jesus can command the wind and the rain, can't he also command the bullet's path?” —Peter Akesh (02:41)
  [In the middle of battle, Akesh dances and sings, rallying his unit in prayer and boldness.]

• On confronting unspeakable violence and seeking redemption:

  “All I can tell you is with Jesus Christ, there’s forgiveness, sin and hope.” —Wes Bentley, after hearing of a horrendous war crime (12:07)

• On the paradox of the chaplain’s role:

  “You have your gun and you, you have Bible?...You defend yourself and you defend your people.” —Lino Manuel (15:13–15:31)

• On everyday life amidst death:

  “You make your friend like a fence...the bullets cannot get in you. You hide yourself like a shield.” (21:04)

Key Timestamps

• Opening Thoughts on Faith and Action: 00:29–01:34
• Origins of Chaplaincy & Far Reaching Ministries: 09:12–14:25
• Chaplains’ Survivor Stories: 14:51–21:38
• Faith, Miracles, and Preaching Under Fire: 22:22–26:03
• Transformation and Forgiveness: 29:50–31:17
• Identity and “Promised Land” Vision: 31:17–33:23
• Current South Sudan Situation & Chaplains’ Perseverance: 34:40–36:46

Final Reflections

The episode expertly weaves together the tales of combat, trauma, faith, and redemption, painting a vivid picture of South Sudan’s combat chaplains as both fearsome warriors and humble pastors. Their stories challenge assumptions about faith’s place in crisis and violence, while their drive to forgive and rebuild inspires hope for a peace yet to come.

Reporter: Clay Ramirez
Host/Producer: Les Sillers
Field Voices: Wes Bentley, Peter Akesh, Lino Manuel, William Tong, Richard Longo Benson, Emmanuel de Chek, and unnamed chaplains
Tone: Gritty, reverent, honest, and deeply personal