A Danger to the Devil
Victor and Eileen Marx, a couple working in high-risk situations, share stories from around the world to explain why they fight against forces of darkness. Watch their conversation with James and Betty Robison on today’s episode of Life Today.
Studio discussion:
JAMES: Welcome to Life Today! Victor and Eileen Marx are with us. They have been in the most dangerous places on earth. They have a service dog. If you ask Reagan to do something, will he do it? Show us.
VICTOR: Reagan. Plotz. Wait.
JAMES: Now, when he came in, he did that and I nearly started crying. You can say, why would you do that? Because of what I saw. I said, God, I want to respond to you like that with such honor and such respect that I just immediately respond and do what you want me to do.
Well, Victor, let me just ask you and Eileen, do you think that’s a good reference I made to us being like that with our Heavenly Father?
VICTOR: I think even more than you know. Because Reagan, one of our — canine dogs. They live to please, serve, and lay down their life for us. We’ve been in places where they showed absolute courage and absolute obedience. The highest form of dedication and obedience and love would be to protect us. These are one of the few dogs that actually faced ISIS in Iraq and Syria. But then, kids or women that we rescued or ministered to, she would let them hug them. So, yeah, it’s a beautiful parallel. Always watching. Whenever we’re in a room, I can walk out, and leave, they’re always watching. That’s why we can give them commands just by a look or slight whisper.
JAMES: Well, I want you to know I love you because we’ve known you for a while and what you do to save lives, and even what you’re doing right now. I want you to talk about what you wrote about here and about your journey. I want our viewers to know that — I would like for you to not only begin praying for them continuously but support what they’re doing.
VICTOR: We’ve been in ministry a little over two decades now. The whole deal of us following God wasn’t for the sake of trying to build a big ministry but to be effective in whatever he called us to do. A lot of times, it was unpopular, whether we’re visiting kids who are incarcerated here in the US, young people, or girls and boys who were trafficked. But then, when he called us into the high-risk work, that’s when some churches started stepping back from us. That was odd because we said we’re going into places where most won’t go in order to be a light on the threat.
I’ll never forget Dr. James Dobson, who I worked for many years ago. He was my boss who became a mentor and now as a friend. But we just said, Lord, whatever you want us to do, we’ll do. That’s what led us, and I think we got most known for reaching women and children who have been affected by ISIS. This time last year, we led a team to rescue a young girl who was kidnapped as a teenager and held captive for nine years by ISIS. Her family thought she was dead. She was used as a sex slave and had two children in captivity. When we found her and planned the mission, we planned it for about six months, and then Eileen was the point person for the mission. She was the first point of contact with this young woman.
EILEEN: Well, as a female because this woman was held in captivity for nine years, we had to have a woman to be the first contact. And that was incredible. Like we said, six months of planning; five countries were involved. Her family had thought that she was gone. Can you imagine? So the ISIS commanders who captured her, both had been killed. Now she has two boys, who in in that next realm and next phase for them would be recruited as ISIS fighters. So
God did an enormous, enormous job for this Muslim, for this young woman. He called us Christians to go out there and rescue her.
VICTOR: Something interesting is, the night we prepared for the operation I asked Eileen, “Hey! Can I just film you? Like, can I just get some video footage of you getting ready?” She’s like, “That’s kind of weird.” I said, “I know but we’re not going to do this forever. We’re raising up other people.” I videoed her putting a weapon in, two mags, a blade, body armor, and a nice jacket. She grabbed her backpack and put a tomahawk in it, and a grenade in her pocket. What we do is prepare to protect people or ourselves from the manifestation of evil. We don’t like violence. But I will tell you, when evil manifests, sometimes, it’s just a reality. It’s been that way since the Old Testament to the New.
I wrote the book, The Dangerous Gentleman but in one chapter, I focus on the dangerous woman because I live with one. When we say “dangerous,” let’s just start with the title, because the left side of the political realm, they are like “dangerous” because they believe all men are toxic masculinity; you know, have a backbone. I said, well, we’re dangerous for the right reasons. Because what do you do if someone tries to hurt a woman or child? Or like what happened to our country? So there’s different lanes that men should run in. Some are more in the media side, some are physical warriors, and some are legal, political, and ministry. But the key thing is to be dangerous against the kingdom of darkness. Make the devil concerned that you’re waking up every morning and living an uncompromised life.
EILEEN: Yes. And to be dangerous in a culture that is anti-God and anti-Jesus without fear. Because we know we’re on the winning side. We know that there’s darkness. We know that we have light and people need light. So yeah, it’s not popular. It’s not always popular to stand up for what’s right. Hopefully, we’re seeing a shift in our culture; right? Hopefully, we have the right people in leadership and they’re going to help facilitate that.
JAMES: Well, we’re seeing some miracles happen in our country right now. Would you agree? We’re seeing things happen in people’s lives you would have never expected to see those kind of things happen. I think our national leader right now is a totally different person than what he was eight years ago, six, seven years ago. I believe that’s the power of prayer. I spent a lot of time with the leaders, all these leaders you see that are holding positions right now. I’ve spent time getting people to pray for them, pray with them, bringing pastor leaders together across denominational lines and divides, to come together to pray for God’s will to be done on his earth, his way, and make a kingdom impact. I believe we’re seeing God’s kingdom impact being made right now. Would you agree?
VICTOR: Yes. And it is the power of prayer. We have a number of friends and colleagues who are being appointed to positions, really good positions in our government. It’s probably more personal for us because we’re like, that’s our friend. Or I’ve prayed with him or mentored this guy. Now look where he is. So it’s definitely the power of prayer. Christians who have prayed and prayed and even got weary, this is proof that you pray no matter what. No matter what you see. Because look what’s happening.
So, I think it’s a very good opportunity for us in America, let’s just say a minimum of a fouryear opportunity to advance the kingdom of God as much as we can. Because, you know, you never know what’s going to happen next. So that’s one of the reasons why I wrote the book. And it’s one of the reasons we started a think tank out of our ministry that formed the task force that’s called “Protecting Children’s Innocence.” It’s a task force based here in the U.S. where we are actively working by, through, and with law enforcement to stop child exploitation in the U.S. We’re known for doing it all over the world but here in the U.S., there’s a real disconnect with people to understand how bad it is.
Now, I’m going to say a few things to help educate those watching. And I don’t mean it to be offensive, but it is what it is. Child Sexual Abuse Material, CSAM is this tsunami that’s hitting the U.S. but the tsunami is made out of lava, and the ultimate end is to destroy children. We’ve heard the saying, if you build a child, you won’t have to repair an adult. But the enemy’s plan is always to go after children. So, when I say Child Sexual Abuse Material, the internet is the gateway from hell to take photos and videos of children being sexually abused or abused. I’ll give you an example. We did a one-hour snapshot of, we got it from ICAC of how many images or videos were transferred in one hour in the U.S. — just one hour. It was over 99,000. Out of that –
JAMES: And this is children?
VICTOR: Children. Horrific abuse! And the total number of investigations out of all of those, these are factual, was about 800 investigations. So it’d be like having the Border Patrol set up 99,000 people crossing over, all dangerous, and we only have 800 Border Patrol agents. So you can see the disparagement. What we’re doing with our task force is developing operational centers around the country, bringing all law enforcement together, and working together to go after those who are doing the worst things. We’re providing training, equipping, and funding.
Even some of our task force members have been sworn in.
JAMES: If you have the support, you know how to do it, and they can be rescued. It is possible the stage is set for that. I think the stage is set for the greatest awakening in the history of the world. I believe when you talk about being a dangerous gentleman, you are referring to danger. You may have been dangerous to a lot of people who just knew you were going to stand in their way, but you’re talking about being dangerous to the enemy.
VICTOR: Yes!
JAMES: And the whole church should be dangerous.
VICTOR: Yes! Somewhere along the line, Christianity became passive and linked it to, well, you know, behavior modification. It was Jesus who took time to form a whip and was actually physical in his church. He’s the one who said it’s better for a man to have a millstone tied around his neck and be dropped into the deepest part of the ocean than to mishandle the little ones or mess with kids.
So it is time for the church — we all want the government to do everything, but the church is the power and the backbone of any nation. With the family in the church, we utilize the government as a mechanism to carry out the best things necessary. So, yes, we’re in this place. And for us, we have the winning formula to make the difference.
JAMES: We have the ability to put the winning team in place. And that’s the principled team, the founders’ principles, biblical principles.
Betty, what do you think about when you see a couple so committed to doing what you and I did in 40 countries going to set people free, setting people free by the millions?
BETTY: I’m excited because I feel like with people like you, Christians are now beginning to wake up and say we’ve been passive long enough. Let a man be a man, a woman be a woman. I don’t feel inferior toward my husband. He helps me be who I am, who God made me to be. I help him be who God made him to be. Because we’re together, we’re one and we have more strength when we work together. Today, it seems like we’re pitting the man against the woman and that breaks my heart because I feel like there’s a lot of strength in a woman that she can offer to a man. The same for the man to the woman. He can give her security and make her feel safe. I can offer things to him, the sensitive side of it, and to make him — I don’t get insulted if a man weeps. I think that’s good. God wept. Jesus wept. So, I think together we’re so much stronger. We can serve the Lord better when we work together as one.
I’m excited about what you’re doing. You’ve been doing this a long time, right?
VICTOR: We have. And y’all have been both — I wouldn’t say role models, but I’d say real models for us and an inspiration. Y’all are a few steps ahead of us, and this is the way it’s supposed to look, the platforms that you have. We’ve watched your life, and you back when you were a fiery evangelist, just swinging for the — and talk about making the enemy nervous. And y’all are still doing it.
JAMES: We’re raising up an army that you don’t even know is coming and they’re changing things because they’re putting leaders who are principled in place. That’s what we can do. That’s what freedom has given us, not only the privilege and right to do but the responsibility to do. This is my inspiration. I lean on her. We’ve been married 62 years and we’ve been in the battle. I went into it two years before we got married in the ministry battle and this girl stepped right in with me. And then she didn’t know after doing 600 city-wide crusades, we were going to go to 40 countries, and half of them were in serious war when we were there. But we went from place to place in the civil war in Angola and became a peacemaker in amazing ways, and saved literally, millions of children’s lives. Did the same thing in Mozambique. We marched into hell helping the cause. I honestly believe that you’re talking about being dangerous to the enemy that is deadly, that is the great divider. This is just a tremendous, ongoing, living illustration of what God wants to do today.
Let me just say to both of you that we’re going to be praying for you, and we’ll help you and find ways that we can be a part. But we want our viewers if they want to know how to get ahold of you, maybe be involved or maybe get help from you for something that you can do for them, how would they find you to help you, or to find out how you might help them?
VICTOR: I think our website, Victor Marx with an X, VictorMarx.com is a great place to start. If they want to find out more about our task force, it’s just VictorMarch.com\pci. We’re on all social media. And again, we have a lot of initiatives running. Our goal is to help mend marriages, do media like we’re doing today, and continue with our mission to protect women and children.
JAMES: Well, I’ll tell you what, look them up. We’ll have all that online where they can see it. But if they call the prayer center or go to Life Today or LIFE Outreach they can find it. We want them to see you. I want to ask all of you right now to look at something that should move you to do the will of God on behalf of people who have been terribly, terribly torn, and trafficked sexually. We have got the key to setting them free and giving them a future. And right now, with your help, we can give them a home where they never had a home. But we got a place, with your help, we can give 50 girls almost immediately a new place to live and to be literally transformed and grow in that faith. Watch prayerfully.
Transition roll-in:
Human trafficking, what it means is modern-day slavery where vulnerable people are exploited in two categories. One is labor trafficking, forced labor, and the other is sex trafficking.
Traffickers who traditionally would sell guns or drugs are now turning to selling children. Because a gun you can sell once, a drug you can sell once, but a child you can sell over and over again.
Just tied the hand, both hands like that. That customer will be having sex with that child.
Our restoration home is overflowing. This is a problem. And guess what? It is a great problem to have. This is something where God is answering our prayers to rescue victims of trafficking. Now we’re saying, Lord, will you answer our prayers with another home?
TAMMY: Here’s the incredible news today! That our mission partners have found property. All we need to do is help raise some funds today, right now, to help renovate this home that will provide for up to about 50 girls. Which to me is incredibly exciting! So, if the Father is speaking to you right now to come alongside us and partner with us in continuing to restore this incredible space that the Lord has given us as the family of God to help restore one life at a time then come on! Come along with us. Let’s do it together.
Studio appeal:
JAMES: Just look at those children, Betty, being loved. When I see the joy that was there over a building where they rented every space they could for the last year, there’s nothing left. And then all of a sudden, this building became available, which was a miracle. All we have to do is renovate it; just bring it up to speed to take 50 girls to start with. I can’t help but believe they’ll find ways to even take it beyond that unless they’ve got some kind of law they can’t move past. But it’s going to be a whole new way of life for 50. We need $1,250,000. Now, you say that’s a lot! Well, how about a thousand people right now write a check for $1,000? That’s a million of it. And then another 250. Why don’t you join them and write a check for $1,000? You see, we can get it. People are listening right now who can give $10,000 or even more than that.
But you’re giving these girls a chance at life who have been subjected to total slavery and abuse. Horrible! Indescribable! We have been doing everything we can to rescue. When I say “we” I mean me and Betty, and our team, even the missionaries, you’re the ones who make it all happen. You’re the ones that send them there, keep them there, and they’re not empty-handed, and you help get the facilities.
Father, please help everyone watching to get their bank card and use it like a check and make a great gift. They write a check and make a great gift. Please, God, give us this prayer and give us hundreds of people who will give the $128 necessary just for the cost of rescuing one. Please God, in Jesus’ name.
There’s a level at which you can help. $128, that’s the money it takes to +save one to begin the restoration process. Reach them, rescue them, and then restore them. Would you please make that gift? If you can give toward the building, what a miracle that would be. Give the largest gift you can. I don’t care if it is $100, and that’s the best you can do, Jesus complimented a woman higher than anybody else who gave two mites. Just basically looked like nothing but it was big to God. So, whatever you can do to help us give life to these precious children who have been trafficked; give them this beautiful place to be able to grow and be restored, and then go out to set others free because they will.
This is the last week that we’re able to raise the money that we’re talking about and to take care of the girls for the next months. Thank you so much for doing this. Go and get your bank card. Use it like a check. Get a check. Make it to LIFE. Please do it right now. We have some gifts to send you that I know will bless you. You’re going to be giving the greatest gift. You’re giving the great gift of life because of God’s love flowing through you and the mission workers. Thank you.
Rescue Life – Last week Cause Spot:
ANNOUNCER: Innocent children longing to be loved and cared for are being abducted and sold into the evil industry of human trafficking. Through Mission: Rescue Life, your gift today of only $128 will help reach, rescue, or restore a child and change their destiny forever. Gifts of $64 or $32 will be combined with support from others to help rescue one more child from the shame and pain of sexual slavery. Currently, one of our Rescue Centers in Southeast Asia is at maximum capacity. With the need never greater, we need to secure and renovate a new Rescue home that will offer refuge and restoration for up to 50 trafficking survivors. Please consider an additional gift as we urgently need $1.25 million above our normal budget to secure and renovate this place of hope. With a gift of any amount, we’ll send you Sleep on This by Dr. David Jeremiah. This nightly devotional will help you let go of your anxieties and rest in peace as you reflect on inspiring promises from God’s word.
With a gift of $128 or more, you’ll receive the elegant mug set, “A Beautiful Morning.” Both generously sized mugs are inscribed with encouraging scriptures to begin your new day. Finally, please consider a gift of $1280 which will help save 10 children. And you may request our inspiring bronze sculpture, “Lion of Judah.”
This is the last week. Please call, write, or make your gift online.
JEREMIAH: Hello, this is David Jeremiah, and I’m excited to share a new resource with you. It’s called Sleep on This. An evening devotion I wrote to help you reflect on God’s word just before you rest for the night. Each brief reading will help you deepen your relationship with God and prepare your heart and mind for peaceful sleep. I hope you’ll request a copy of Sleep on This today. Be assured that you will be helping advance the Kingdom of God. God bless you.
Studio good-bye:
JAMES: I’m praying with all my heart, and Betty and I in oneness for God to give us one of the greatest outpourings of love we’ve ever seen. I would like you to know we will send you this incredibly inspiring book, The Dangerous Gentleman. This is an amazing couple, and what they’re doing is miraculous and it’s supernatural. And it also requires support. If you help us with this outreach that we just talked about, and this is the last week — this is the last week that we’re able to raise the money that we’re talking about, and to take care of the girls for the next months, please, we’ll gladly send you this book, and the other items we mentioned.
Thank you so much! Betty and I just say thank you to a beautiful couple. You know you are physically beautiful, but you have a glory and a glow of God on you, and we just praise him for it and we pray it multiplies millions of times. Thank you both.
Thank you for watching. Thank you for helping us share his love. Remember last week to help with this request and this opportunity. Thank you so much.