Bear Grylls Shares His Faith Journey at Soul Church in Norwich
In an inspiring visit to Norwich’s Soul Church, renowned adventurer Bear Grylls opened up about the twin pillars that have shaped his remarkable life: adventure and faith. Speaking to more than a thousand eager listeners, including church members, scouts, and fans of his television exploits, Grylls revealed that these two seemingly distinct concepts are, in his experience, deeply intertwined. During this first-ever visit to Norwich, he shared wisdom gained from his military days when a fellow soldier imparted three crucial elements of faith: belief in oneself, in others, and in the Almighty. This philosophy has guided Grylls through his most challenging moments, both in the wilderness and in personal life. He acknowledged that faith’s true value often emerges during life’s inevitable hardships, noting that “whenever it is going great, it’s easy to think that we don’t need anything.” It’s when life delivers its harshest blows that our foundations are tested, a truth he’s witnessed countless times in the wild with companions who believe themselves invincible until confronted with nature’s unforgiving reality.
The wilderness, Grylls explained, humbles everyone eventually, including himself. Drawing a profound parallel, he described life’s challenges as personal “Everests” that will invariably arise for each of us. These mountains aren’t always physical peaks to climb but might instead be emotional hurdles—troubles at work, family difficulties, or the devastating loss of loved ones. Grylls spoke candidly about his own literal Everest experience, having reached the summit in 1998 at just 23 years old, remarkably achieving this feat merely 18 months after suffering a broken back in a parachuting accident. The 65-day climb exposed him to extreme conditions: steep terrain, bitter cold reaching minus 45 degrees, and a summit described as merely “the size of a small coffee table.” The human cost was sobering, with four climbers losing their lives during their expedition—two from the brutal cold and two from fatal falls. Throughout this ordeal, Grylls experienced his share of struggles and doubts, balanced by moments of profound clarity and awareness.
When asked what sustained him through Everest and countless other dangerous expeditions across deserts, jungles, mountains, and oceans, Grylls returns to that soldier’s wisdom about faith. He emphasizes particularly the importance of faith in others and in the Almighty. Despite his television persona suggesting otherwise, Grylls humbly acknowledges his own weakness when isolated: “I’ve learnt that on my own, despite what the TV always makes out, I’m actually pretty weak. But when we’re connected to something bigger, I get stronger.” This spiritual connection has been his anchor not just during physical dangers like quicksand, rapids, avalanches, and crevasses, but throughout life’s broader journey—supporting him equally in times of joy and periods of hardship.
Grylls described his relationship with faith as leaning on “the beautiful presence of Christ within,” a constant, quiet source of empowerment that has never failed him. However, he was quick to dispel any notion that faith makes life easy—quite the contrary. His spiritual journey has included numerous battles, struggles, and persistent doubts, which he views as natural components of life’s path. Rather than seeing doubt as faith’s enemy, Grylls portrays them as “two sides of the same coin—you can’t have one without the other.” He confessed to periods of trying to navigate life independently, finding temporary success but ultimately discovering that true empowerment remains elusive without spiritual connection. Drawing on his mother’s wisdom that “Man is never as tall as when he kneels down,” Grylls embraces humility as an essential quality for navigating life’s complex terrain.
One particularly moving anecdote Grylls shared involved discovering a remote mountain chapel with thick walls and an old door without a lock. Inside the empty building stood a rough wooden cross bearing simple yet profound words that would become a personal mantra: “Christ within me, Christ beside me. Christ to shield me and Christ to win me.” These humble words have quietly sustained him throughout numerous challenges, reinforcing his belief that adventure and faith are fundamentally inseparable. This perspective offers a unique lens through which to view Grylls’ extraordinary accomplishments and the inner strength that has propelled him through situations where many would falter.
The Soul Church audience glimpsed a more contemplative side of the man famous for surviving extreme environments and drinking his own urine for television. Beyond the daring exploits and survival techniques, Grylls revealed the spiritual foundation that grounds him amid life’s storms. His message transcended religious boundaries to touch on universal truths about human resilience, connection, and the power of believing in something greater than oneself. For those gathered in Norwich that day, Grylls’ testimony provided not just entertainment, but a compass for navigating their own personal Everests—whatever form those mountains might take. Through his honest reflection on both triumph and vulnerability, Bear Grylls demonstrated that true adventure encompasses not just physical conquest, but also the inner journey of faith that sustains us through life’s most daunting passages.
