Is Bear Grylls a Christian?

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The National Churches Trust, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

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Edward Michael Grylls, more famously known as Bear Grylls, has become a household name for his daring survival shows, rugged adventures, and larger-than-life personality. Whether he’s drinking water from snake skin in the Sahara or jumping out of helicopters into the icy wild, Bear Grylls has captivated audiences with his fearless spirit and survival wisdom. But beyond his TV persona lies a quieter, deeply rooted identity—Bear Grylls, Christian.

For many fans, the question “Is Bear Grylls a Christian?” comes as a surprise. After all, in the world of Hollywood and extreme adventure, public professions of faith aren’t always common or well received. However, Grylls has never shied away from talking about his Christian faith. In fact, it is at the core of who he is, both personally and professionally.

Bear Grylls’ faith story began early. Raised in a Christian home on the Isle of Wight in the UK, he was introduced to prayer and the Bible from a young age. But like many people, his faith didn’t become personal until he experienced hardship. After losing his godfather, who was like a second father to him, Grylls began questioning life, death, and what really mattered. In his own words, it was during this emotional and spiritual search that he encountered Jesus Christ in a personal way.

RELATED: Adventurer Bear Grylls: Faith Has Changed Me ‘From the Inside Out’

In interviews and his autobiography, Mud, Sweat, and Tears, Grylls shares how he came to recommit his life to Christ while he was a teenager. He describes kneeling by his bed one evening and simply praying, “Jesus, I want you to come into my life.” It wasn’t dramatic or loud. It was quiet. But for Grylls, that moment changed everything.

Over time, his Christian faith has not only remained intact but grown deeper through the challenges he’s faced. From a near-death skydiving accident that broke his back in three places to the emotional toll of fame, Grylls has consistently leaned on prayer and Scripture. “Faith is personal,” he has said. “It’s about being held, being forgiven, finding peace—and that is a quiet strength that can sustain you through the storms.”

How Bear Grylls’ Christian Faith Shapes His Life and Work

Bear Grylls is known for surviving some of the harshest conditions on earth, but he often credits his survival not to sheer skill alone, but to his faith in God. Whether he’s climbing Mount Everest or camping on a remote island, Grylls often takes time to pray, read the Bible, and reflect on God’s creation.

In various interviews, he has shared that the Bible is his survival manual—one he reads daily. In fact, when he climbed Everest, he carried a small New Testament in his backpack. For Grylls, Christianity isn’t about religion or rules—it’s about relationship. He often says, “Faith is not about being perfect, it’s about being loved, forgiven, and free.”

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Staff
ChurchLeaders staff contributed to this article.

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