Darin Kinder: A 9/11 Story of Courage, Faith & Purpose - (Part 2)

Darin Kinder: A 9/11 Story of Courage, Faith & Purpose - (Part 2)

How do people find hope in the darkest times? This conversation between host Jenny Bushkell and former Secret Service agent Darin (Darren) Kinder lands right in that question, using the events of 9/11 as the backdrop for a much bigger chat about courage, purpose, and faith. This is part two of Darin’s story from inside the World Trade Center, but it doesn’t just stay with the chaos of that day.

You’ll hear how his wife spent agonising hours watching the towers fall, believing she’d just seen her husband die, and how their reunion later was, as Darin jokes, “gross but beautiful” – tears, snot, ruined clothes and all.

He links that raw moment to grace, explaining that her embrace mirrors how “Jesus does not command us to go fix ourselves first… he embraces us as we are.” Darin explains the striking image behind his book title, *Bury Me in a Dirty Suit*: the contrast between bloodied, tattered agents and colleagues in spotless suits.

For him, it became a lifelong promise to spend his days “getting my suit dirty in the name of Jesus” and stepping into life’s messes rather than staying clean on the sidelines. The chat moves firmly into men’s ministry, calling Christian men to find “their guys” – those foxhole friends who will carry them to Jesus if needed, shoulder-to-shoulder.

He talks about “muscles of courage”, formed through small, faithful steps of obedience, and challenges men to start with their homes, protecting and cultivating what God has placed in their care. Grounded in scripture, practical examples, and a bit of humour, this episode is aimed at anyone interested in faith, purpose and resilience, especially men working out what courageous leadership looks like.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your pain and past can be used for something meaningful, this one might get you thinking about where you’re called to get your suit a bit dirty.