Purpose

Crusade History

From the time Raul Ries received the Lord in 1972, during the Jesus People Movement, he became a regular at the Friday night concerts at the tent with Pastor Chuck Smith. He saw how effective the concerts were in bringing people of all cultures and faiths to Jesus Christ.

Soon after he was converted, Ries began organizing evangelistic concerts at high schools and parks, to reach the lost youth. He wanted to reach the world for Jesus Christ and, as the Lord brought more and more people to hear His Word, many souls were saved and the small concert outreaches grew into stadium festivals.

Eventually, the Exit Festivals, evolved from his desire to tell the world about the love of Christ. The festivals continued with cutting-edge Christian music and a simplistic Gospel message delivered by Pastor Ries. In South America, they were called the Escape Festivals, which saw thousands of lives changed as they packed out stadiums on the continent.

As the festivals grew in popularity, they gave birth to what is now known as, Somebody Loves You but no matter what the outreach is called, the message of hope, through Jesus Christ, remains the same.

The Somebody Loves You/EXIT Concerts are driven by contemporary, upbeat, innovative music. It is not unusual to find Christian Latin artists, such as Salvador and Fernando Ortega, sharing the stage with rock artists, Jeremy Camp, Tree63 and P.O.D.

Besides crossing the denominational lines, the concerts are reaching beyond racial schisms and attracting an ethnically diverse audience; holding concerts in cities from Bucharest, Romania to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The event’s purpose is straightforward — to reach all walks of life with the message of Jesus Christ and see souls saved; so that people, communities and the nation can experience a revival and a return to Christian values.

“The world is no longer coming to the church for answers, so we are taking the church to them through concerts in the local community,” states Raul Ries. “Somebody Loves You is bringing the message of hope, love and salvation to the world, one community at a time.”

The Somebody Loves You/EXIT team is just as concerned with individual’s physical needs as well as their spiritual needs. In many of the cities the concerts have gone into, we have collected canned foods to provide meals to needy families in the communities that have hosted the events.

“God’s Word is powerful and is the same yesterday, today and forever,” states Ries. “God loves man and proved it through His Son, Jesus Christ — and at the same time, we want to extend our love towards these communities by taking care of their needs and letting them know about God’s love.”

The Somebody Loves You Concerts are public evangelistic events, supported by area churches, businesses and organizations. The events are non-profit and do not seek monetary gain. No admission is charged at the events, because Jesus Christ has already paid the price.

Raul Ries – History

Known, now, as a compassionate pastor with a tender mission, Raul Ries, 62, 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. 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.

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/EXIT Concerts, which take place in arenas and stadiums throughout the country. These three ministries reach out to people of all ages and walks of life. Special emphasis is focused upon youth, troubled teens and young adults, with Somebody Loves You reaching out to the churches and EXIT reaching the hard core youth of today.

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. Because of his work with the many branches of the armed forces, Ries has made two documentaries to minister to them and their families. The first was “A Quiet Hope,” produced in 1990 and recently he has produced “Taking the Hill.”

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.

Questions and Answers with Raul Ries

Q. What idea(s) launched the Somebody Loves You Concerts?

A. In the 1980’s we began with the idea of concerts, the Exit Festivals. At that time, we identified the need for evangelizing non-believers, and felt that the best vehicle for reaching the unsaved was contemporary music. In the 1990’s the Exit Festivals gave way to the Somebody Loves You Concerts. Our goal — both then and now — is to reach non-believers and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with simplicity.

Q. What is the purpose of these concerts?

A. Our purpose is threefold. First, we need to offer an opportunity for evangelism, utilizing contemporary Christian music to reach the non-believer. Second, we desire to provide a non-threatening environment, where people can bring loved ones, friends and co-workers. Many people who attend may not have a desire to enter a church but will go to a stadium. Third, and most importantly, I hope to present the message of salvation and an opportunity for people to come to know Christ.

Q. After so many years coordinating major events, what have you learned in the area of evangelism?

A. We have learned two things since establishing the ministry. First, God has richly blessed this ministry. We have witnessed tremendous growth, but more importantly, we have seen God impact many lives. Second, people respond to the Gospel message. The simple truth of the Gospel has not changed in two thousand years. The intimacy of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ has transcended many trials and tribulations throughout the ages.

Q. How do you respond to those who say that the days of mass evangelism are over?

A. I don’t believe those days are over. I feel it is God’s desire to save people and our duty to take the Gospel message to the World. God’s message of hope and salvation has not changed and continues to meet the needs of individuals. God is in the business of changing lives and He meets people where they are.

Q. What has been the response to the use of contemporary Christian music?

A. The response has been favorable. It has reinforced our intentions of providing an uncompromised atmosphere, which draws non-believers to the stadiums. The church community has also responded favorably because this music allows us to reach a diverse audience. Our goal is same as Apostle Paul, who strived to be “all things to all people,” without compromising God’s Word.

Questions and Answers with Raul Ries

Youth

Q. What are the most critical issues that the youth face today?

A. First, the youth of today has no vision and are very complacent. They have this attitude, “Well, mom and dad have money in the bank, a house, and a car — and I’m going to inherit it all.” Young people have no motivation to go to work because they have no vision for their own personal lives. They desire security but do not know how to obtain it, but it’s not their fault, I believe society has shaped this viewpoint. Another critical issue they are facing is substance abuse. Many teenagers are nightclub addicts. They sleep all day and party all night. Drugs and alcohol are taking a toll on the youth of today.

Q. When you look at issues such as teen substance abuse and unwed pregnancies, who do you feel is to blame for these problems?

A. I blame the media and entertainment industries. They have glamorized premarital sex, the use of violence and the use of alcohol and drugs to our youth. Yet, at the same time, it is the responsibility of the parents to instruct their children. When we neglect our duties as parents, in training our children in the way they should go, they are going to rebel.

Q. What is the answer to these problems?

A. Parents need to spend time with their families. They need to love their children and communicate with them. The best prescription for families is to pray together, eat together and read the Bible together. It is a busy life today — but if we do this I think it’s the beginning of renewal in our nation.

Q. What role do you see yourself playing in reaching out to the youth today?

A. I want to pour my heart out to them —I want them to see how I really care for them. Like the prophet Jude said in the Bible, I want to go and pluck them out of the fire. In addition to the children in the church, I want to reach the kids who are really drowning in sin and going down fast. My heart is to reach them before it is too late, pulling them out of the fire before they burn.