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‘We Come in Jesus’ Name’: Former Army Special Forces Officer Helps Afghan Refugees

Photo from FBR Instagram

‘We Come in Jesus’ Name’: Former Army Special Forces Officer Helps Afghan Refugees

By Movieguide® Staff

Following the U.S. government’s decision to pull all military presence from Afghanistan, thousands of people, including American citizens and Afghan refugees, are at threat of arrest or death at the hands of the Taliban.

Many NGOs have sought to fight on behalf of those persecuted in Afghanistan, including missionary Dave Eubank and the Free Burma Rangers (FBR).

“We are in Tajikistan, which is a beautiful country, just north of Afghanistan. We’re here to help the Afghan people,” Eubank told CBN.

Eubank founded FBR in 1997 after a 10-year career in the United States Army Special Forces.

“I think the U.S. pullout is debatable,” Eubanks said. “I think there are good arguments for pulling out or for staying, but the way that we pulled out is dishonorable and a horrible breaking of promises; leaving 1000s of people behind that we promised we will take out with us, including American citizens.

“I feel very sorry, almost every day I have started to cry because I thought of these little girls left in the hands of the Taliban, and that’s the biggest thing,” he continued. “Then I thought of the dishonor that we brought on ourselves, to our country, to promise people, including Americans citizens, ‘don’t worry, you’ll all get out.’ And we even left early, and why we stuck to some kind of timeframe with the Taliban is beyond me.”

Eubank acknowledged that while the decision was not unanimous, it is up to Americans to apologize and help in any way possible.

“I know there are many brave people in our military who tried their best and did our best,” Eubanks said. “I know, there’s many great people in the State Department who did their best. However, the result was dishonorable, and in some instances, cowardly, that we left people outside, and some of them died. My prayer is that our country would look at this again and say, ‘Those are real people we left, we’re sorry, we’re human, we’re gonna try again to get people out.'”

Once the U.S. military left, the terrorist organization known as the Taliban immediately seized governmental control over Afghanistan.

“Unless you’re in the Taliban, you’re in deathly fear of the Taliban,” he said. “They are hunting down people right now trying to get all the names of anyone they perceive as an enemy. People who work with the U.S. government, people who work with other governments, people who work with nongovernmental organizations they don’t agree with, and many have been executed. I don’t know the scale of the killings and the arrests, but I believe it’s country-wide right now.”

While some Afghan refugees have escaped or have gone into hiding, Eubanks noted that that only makes it more challenging to get the physical supplies and aid they need to survive.

Despite their humanitarian efforts, Eubanks said that their priority is giving people the hope of the Gospel.

“The main reason we came is to be ambassadors for Jesus. And we say that straight up to every Afghan we meet,” Eubanks said. “We are in meetings with different Afghan leaders now saying, ‘God, sent us to serve you, we come in Jesus’ name, and we love you and care for you and we are trying to get in food, blankets, medical help for those that are in hiding, and we’re trying to help people get out any way we can.'”

Eubanks called on fellow Christians to pray for relief organizations like FBR for the displaced Afghans and persecuted people living in Afghanistan and that people would trust in God.

“I think, number one, pray for truth,” he said. “It’s not America’s fault that Afghanistan fell. It isn’t. We have our own guilt, of not being there all the time in love. We have our own guilt, in the way we pulled out. We, in my opinion, could have kept staying… it’s gonna take generations for Afghanistan to change. America can’t change it. We’re also sinners. But our presence created a space where generations can change.”

“Now we’re gone and so my prayer is just truth,” he added. “God always shows us another way. Pray for access to go in and help people. And most importantly say ‘there is a God in heaven, who is present with us and sent His Son Jesus has an answer for all of us, call on his name.’ So please pray that help would come that truth would come out from every side. Please pray that us, the Free Burma Rangers and many other groups like us who are on the ground, can have access to help people.”

Eubank’s FRB was depicted in the documentary FREE BURMA RANGERS.

Movieguide® reviewed:

FREE BURMA RANGERS is a gut-wrenching documentary about an American family, the Eubanks, who serve as missionaries in the face of foreign civil wars. The Eubanks tell their story starting from the 1990s in Burma to the present day, where they are currently serving in Syria. Aided by his wife and three children, Dave Eubank uses his prior military experience to help those in need in Burma and Iraq. Through their efforts, the Eubank family shares the love of Jesus.

FREE BURMA RANGERS is an extremely well-made documentary. The interviews are beautifully woven together with onscreen action and heartfelt memories. FREE BURMA RANGERS has a strong Christian, biblical worldview. Dave Eubank highlights how the Lord has worked within his missionary group to bring glory to His name. Dave also doesn’t shy away from confessing his anger and desire for vengeance at the injustice around him. However, God convicts him that vengeance is God’s to dish out. FREE BURMA RANGERS also contains instances of depicted prayer, kindness and service to those in need. MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for descriptions and depictions of violence.

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You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


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