How Do We Replace the Heroes We are Losing?
By Bunni Pounds
Over the last six months – I have lost five friends who I consider to be GENERALS on the front lines of America’s battles - men who exemplified faithfulness, servanthood, leadership, and wisdom throughout their lives.
Between the five of them and their deaths – the world lost decades of knowledge in economics, government, the U.S. Constitution, the Founding Fathers, the Word of God and more. Four died from coronavirus (with underlying conditions) and the other had been in poor, failing health for several years.
One was a Member of Congress, one a former Party Chairman, one a founder and leader in the Tea Party movement, one was the most faithful volunteer for conservative candidates in Collin County, and one a former economics professor from Texas A&M who taught thousands of students, including the former Financial Services Chairman in the U.S. House. The world, and definitely my life, is a darker place because they are not here.
Yesterday – we lost two national figures that have had eternal impact on my life – Christian music artist Carman and conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh. If you would allow me to briefly grieve publicly, I would greatly appreciate it.
Carman
When I was thirteen years old – a youth leader invited me to go with him to Dallas Convention Center to hear a Christian performer named Carman.
Surrounded by thousands of believers from all denominations – I experienced the Radically Saved Tour - genuine worship and songs that I will never forget, such as The Champion. I heard the gospel clearly for the first time. With tears running down my face – I knew I was a sinner and needed a Savior. I gave Jesus everything in my young life, and I have never been the same again.
Carman left us too soon at the age of 65 after years of battling cancer, but I know he has plenty of crowns to throw at Jesus’ feet.
Rush Limbaugh
I do not remember when I first heard Rush Limbaugh on the radio – but my dad listened to him when he wasn’t listening to sports or Christian preachers. In 10th grade - I remember tuning in to Rush on a little AM radio after school while I graded papers as a teacher’s aid. I was fascinated by the way he communicated ideas and made everything seem so clear.
Later in my life – I listened to Rush at my restaurant on 820 AM in DFW as I prepped food with my kitchen staff before the lunch rush and was “mentored” by other radio hosts who Rush helped raise up, like Laura Ingraham, Mark Davis, and Sean Hannity.
How Do We Even Begin to Replace These Patriots?
During this tragic season we are not only losing patriots and heroes in our nation – but heroes who have impacted generations. These are big shoes for us to fill – but regardless of whether we feel qualified, we must step up. It is time for us to lead!
I have been thinking about this sober reality for months - with every funeral I attend or tribute I write. It is time for us to step up and lead, friends. We must replace years of knowledge and education, moral and political clarity, and their unbridled boldness and courage for the sake of our nation. The leadership vacuum that we must attempt to fill is not going to be easy. It is going to require more work and commitment from us. We must impact the generations coming behind us - just as we have been impacted. This will require something from us.
Let’s dig down a little bit deeper into what exactly has been lost and needs to be replaced.
Education and Wisdom
With the passing of these individuals, we have lost years of education, knowledge and wisdom. Men and women who spent their lives pursuing knowledge and wisdom by educating themselves on the Word of God, government, economics, and the Constitution. I cannot overstate the breadth of knowledge that we have lost through the passing of these leaders.
We must educate ourselves and rise to the challenge. Without these generals on the front line, the ones who we have turned to to gain answers – where are we going to find solutions to the problems facing our world?
We must be the solution! This will require that we push ourselves to learn.
When I was twenty-nine years old with two young boys – I was inspired by talk radio host Laura Ingraham and the life of Karen Hughes, Communications Director for President George W. Bush, and I went back to college to study Political Science. I felt called as a “missionary to America” in the political world, and I wanted to learn.
As an adult student who was paying for my own tuition and for my own books, I read my textbooks cover to cover. EVERY SINGLE ONE. I made straight A’s (except for geology – I hate science) and graduated Magna Cum Laude three years later while homeschooling my kids. I observed many of my fellow classmates, eighteen-year olds, who, in doing the bare minimum, squandered their parents’ investments in their education.
With classes at our fingertips and resources abundant on the internet – we have no excuse. We must become educated.
It is time that we develop a hunger for knowledge and do whatever we can do to educate ourselves on the systems what we want to lead. Whether it is Christian ministry, government, business, or the arts – it is time to seek knowledge and wisdom.
Moral and Political Clarity
We are losing men and women who have moral and political clarity. They knew what to do and how to lead. They could make decisions quickly, and they saw through deceptions and scams. Life was simpler in the time in which many of these individuals grew up. They didn’t have the internet with noise and voices to sift through. It was easier for them to schedule their lives, stay committed to something, serve their communities, and make lasting impact. We have to pick up the torch - it is time for us now to lead.
To lead in our time – we must get back to the basics and simplify our lives. When we make a commitment – we need to keep it. When we say we are going to do something – we do it. When something is wrong – it is wrong. When we feel that uneasy feeling of getting the wool pulled over our eyes – we need to trust it.
The only way we gain moral and political clarity is to simplify, go back to the basics, and de-clutter our lives. Daily reading of the Bible for ultimate wisdom, reading biographies and studying history books, learning how systems work – all of these can provide clarity for our leadership, families, and careers.
Boldness and Courage
We are losing individuals with boldness and courage – who were not afraid to speak up, to lead, and do what is right regardless of the consequences. If something needed to be said or written – they would write an article for the local paper or a national paper. If an elected official needed to be held accountable – they led the charge with courage and respect. If a group of people needed an organizer and leader to keep them focused on a goal – they led. They were not afraid to step out because they understood the importance of the cause. If they didn’t lead – who would?
It is now our time! We must arise and carry on the mission. When we think about the heroes in our life who we have lost – do their legacies push us higher to greatness? It should.
When I think about Carman – I want to live my life sharing the Gospel consistently so that every little girl I encounter has an opportunity to meet Jesus.
When I think about Rush Limbaugh’s life – I want to impact my nation and communicate conservative values and our founding principles with just a fraction of his clarity and wit.
When I think about the economic professor, Dr. Steve Pejovich, who immigrated to the United States from Serbia, and excelled against all odds – I want to be a better American and encourage more leaders.
When I think about my friend, former client, and Member of Congress – Ron Wright – who flew back and forth to Washington DC while fighting cancer for over two years – I want to serve my nation more faithfully.
When I think about my friends and patriots who served on the front lines of a political party – Bill Baker, Jim Stanley, Carroll Maxwell – with just faithfulness and knowledge, I want to learn more and lead better.
How do we replace the heroes we are losing?
We step up and become the next generation of leaders, so hopefully when we pass on – others will be inspired by our lives and keep moving.
It is our time!
If you are looking for a beginning place to educate yourself – check out our On-Ramp to Political Activism Class for Christians. Also conversations we are having with key ministry and political leaders can bring so much insight – check out and make sure to subscribe to our podcast.
What does America need in this hour? America needs YOU!