Surviving 9/11: Darin Kinder’s Story of Faith, Courage & Rescue (Extended Episode)

Surviving 9/11: Darin Kinder’s Story of Faith, Courage & Rescue (Extended Episode)

September 11, 2025 · 1 hr 24 min

In this special extended episode, Haley and Dustin sit down with former Secret Service Agent Darin Kinder, who was just 100 yards away when the planes struck the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001.

In this powerful conversation, Darin walks us through that tragic day — what he saw, what he felt, and how God sustained him through the chaos. Along the way, we unpack how his experience sheds light on key biblical principles for our lives today.

We discuss the emotional and spiritual aftermath of 9/11 and how the Lord led him to share his story and start Fierce Faith Ministries after serving in the Secret Service for over 20 years.

Darin also shares about his new book, Bury Me in a Dirty Suit, its key themes, and what it means to live with “valiant purpose.” Darin’s testimony of courage and resilience is a powerful reminder of God’s presence in life’s darkest valleys.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more

(03:49) - Eternal Hope and Unexpected Opportunities

(12:48) - September 11

(18:45) - Brotherhood and Courage on 9/11

(27:43) - Escape From the World Trade Center

(36:47) - Acts of Kindness in Chaos

(44:48) - Unanswered Prayers, Obedience, and Men's Ministry

(47:12) - Bury Me in a Dirty Suit

(58:45) - Valiant Purpose and Faith Journey

(01:09:28) - Living by Faith and Purpose

(01:13:37) - Stepping Into the Unknown

(01:23:06) - Stepping Into Valiant Purpose

Darin Kinder resources

Get Darin’s book, Bury Me in a Dirty Suit: Discovering Man's Valiant Purpose in the Aftermath of 9/11 — tinyurl.com/22meaubk

Learn more about Darin Kinder and Fierce Faith Ministries — https://www.fierce-faith.com

Hope for the Heart resources

Learn more and sign up for our fall Hope Together conference: https://hopetogether.com/

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance  100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

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Bible verses mentioned in this episode

Proverbs 16:9 – The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

John 8:12 – When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 10:27 – “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

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Hope for the Heart is a worldwide biblical counseling, coaching, and caregiving ministry founded by June Hunt in 1986. We’re passionate about helping people