Jack Stewart

May 11

10 min read ⭑

“I had reached the pinnacle of my career as a fighter pilot and graduated from the Navy’s Fighter Weapon School (TOPGUN). I had a great job as an airline pilot. I had a bestselling fiction series. I had it all. But I didn’t have the one thing I really needed — a relationship with Christ.”

With 23 years in the U.S. Navy, former TOPGUN instructor pilot Jack Stewart understands the world of combat. He’s flown missions from three different aircraft carriers. Deployed to Afghanistan. Served on a special operations task force in Africa. Now that he’s retired from the Navy, Jack puts his specialized knowledge and faith in Jesus to work as a bestselling fiction author of military thrillers like “The Battle Born Series” and co-author of the “Silent Horizons” series.

One-of-a-kind crab dip, walking neighborhood trails, going to church as a family and the Life Bible app are just a few of the things Jack talks about in today’s fascinating interview. Join us to learn more about how he transitioned from an exciting career in the Navy to an equally thrilling one writing fiction — plus how God guides him and ignites his creativity for every book he writes.

QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT

The meals we enjoy are about so much more than the food we eat. So how does a “go-to” meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?

Although I was raised in the Pacific Northwest and currently live in North Texas, I spent my formative years at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and it always feels like home to me. In what has become something of a family tradition, my wife and I travel with our three kids to Annapolis several times a year, where we rent a home in historic downtown and spend a few days enjoying a slower pace of life.

Inevitably, our first stop is always McGarvey’s, a tavern located a block from the city dock. Home of the “buck-a-shuck” oyster and Aviator lager, it is their famous crab dip that draws us there before we’ve even unpacked. Sometimes the place is crowded and filled with midshipmen dressed in their summer whites. Sometimes we have the place to ourselves and can fill the room with what every good meal needs — laughter.

I’ve traveled all over the world, dined in five-star restaurants in Europe and enjoyed food from street vendors in Africa. But my favorite meals, by far, are the ones where I’m surrounded by the people I love and not feeling rushed by the frenetic pace of life. Preferably with lump crab meat, Old Bay and toasted baguettes.

QUESTION #2: REVEAL

We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activity do you love engaging in that also helps you find essential spiritual renewal?

When my wife and I moved our family to North Texas from South Louisiana almost a decade ago, we settled in a neighborhood that was set apart from the hustle and bustle of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Although our small town (with a big heart) continues to grow and resembles nothing like the place where we chose to raise our family, I still enjoy pressing pause on my daily grind and getting outside to walk the trails in my neighborhood.

My favorite mornings are the ones when my wife and I set out from our house and walk side by side, taking the opportunity to reconnect without the distractions of kids, computers, televisions or smartphones. Hot or cold, sunny or overcast, getting some fresh air during those walks is more than an opportunity to nourish our bodies; it’s a way of nourishing our souls.

Because I travel a lot for work and spend a lot of time on the road, I find myself looking forward to coming home, lacing up my shoes and enjoying some distraction-free quality time with my wife.

QUESTION #3: CONFESS

Every superhero has a weakness; every human too. We’re just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re all broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite and how do you confront its power head-on?

As a midshipman at the Naval Academy, we were often required to memorize “the days.” How many days until Thanksgiving? How many days until Christmas? How many days until the Navy beats Army? How many days until graduation? It was a never-ending cycle of always looking ahead.

After graduation, I moved to Pensacola, Florida, to begin flight school. I found myself looking ahead to finishing Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (ground school) and moving on to Primary flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor. When I moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, for Primary, I found myself looking forward to Advanced jet training in the T-45A Goshawk. When I moved to Kingsville, Texas, for Advanced, I found myself looking forward to earning my wings and moving on to train in the FA-18 Hornet. Can you see a pattern?

During my 23 years in the Navy, I can’t recall a time when I didn’t constantly look forward to something. I looked forward to the next flight, the next port call and our squadron’s homecoming to be reunited with family. I traveled all over the world, saw and experienced some amazing things, but I never fully appreciated living in the moment because I was so focused on the next thing that was over the horizon.

Now that I’m retired from the Navy and settling into civilian life, it’s a constant struggle for me to just stop — stop chasing the next promotion, the next goal, the next book. It’s a daily battle for me to be still and give thanks for the many blessings in my life.

QUESTION #4: FIRE UP

Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?

I love writing. For me, there’s nothing more satisfying than sitting in front of the computer and giving life to a story that’s only in my head. But when I have the opportunity to write an entertaining story that resonates with readers in desperate need of hope, it feels more like a calling.

Agreeing to co-author the “Silent Horizons” series with Chad Robichaux was a no-brainer for me. I knew that Chad, like many veterans, had suffered physical and emotional wounds from his time in service and was dedicating his life to tackling those issues head on. For most, the physical wounds are the easiest to cope with because they are visible and easily treated. But the emotional wounds aren’t talked about enough; they’re the ones that have claimed too many of our brothers and sisters and almost claimed Chad.

I was inspired by Chad’s resilience and his steadfast commitment to addressing the issues of mental health and post-traumatic stress in our veteran and first responder communities. As a veteran who has struggled with some of the same issues, I connected with his mission of hope and felt called to join him in this fight as we introduce the world to our protagonist, Force Recon Marine Foster Quinn.

Foster is a dedicated husband, father and teammate. He’s like Chad. He’s like me. And he’s like so many people we served with. Our hope is that readers will connect with Foster, relate to his struggles and recognize light in the all-consuming darkness.

QUESTION #5: BOOST

Cashiers, CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?

When Chad and I set out to write “Silent Horizons,” we didn’t want to write “Christian fiction.” Yes, our book is faith-based. And yes, Christian readers will recognize familiar biblical references and themes. But we weren’t writing it for a Christian audience. We were writing it for those who related to Foster’s struggles and might not yet know the hope of our Savior.

Because both of us have experienced our own struggles and know what it’s like to carry the burden of being a husband and father while serving in stressful environments, we were able to convey emotions familiar to our target audience. During the writing of one scene in particular, I remember feeling crushing guilt that I was putting Foster through something traumatic and had to take a break from writing to gather my thoughts. After praying over it, I finished writing the scene with the sense that it would become a pivotal moment in the story and connect with readers who picked up our book looking for answers.

Our target audience might not be Christian, but we hope they read our books and walk away with a desire to know Christ. After all, if Foster Quinn’s faith helps him overcome the same physical and emotional wounds, then maybe there’s something to it. If that’s not the work of the Holy Spirit, I don’t know what is.

QUESTION #6: inspire

Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?

I grew up in a Christian household and had a strong relationship with Jesus for most of my childhood. When I left home for the military, I maintained my faith but turned my back on the practices that helped me feel closer to him. I didn’t attend church. I didn’t pray. I didn’t open the Bible and feel the power of his words.

And I suffered because of it. I had convinced myself that I didn’t need those things, that I didn’t need the Holy Spirit’s guidance in my life. From the outside, it looked like I had everything going for me. I had a beautiful wife and three amazingly talented kids. I had reached the pinnacle of my career as a fighter pilot and graduated from the Navy’s Fighter Weapon School (TOPGUN). I had a great job as an airline pilot. I had a bestselling fiction series. I had it all.

But I didn’t have the one thing I really needed — a relationship with Christ.

Chad and I wrote “Silent Horizons” with the mission to minister to those who might not know Christ. But we ended up ministering to me. Through the process, I came to recognize the one thing that had been missing in my life, and I called on the Holy Spirit to guide me. Now, my wife and I set aside time each day to open the Bible and pray over what we read. We go to church as a family and guide our children to nurture that relationship.

QUESTION #7: FOCUS

Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and your heart?

When my wife and I decided to strengthen our relationship with the Lord, we set out to do two primary things.

First, we wanted to know the Word. It wasn’t enough for us to know only a few hand-selected stories from the Bible; we wanted to know it in its entirety. But for anyone who has tried to read the Bible from cover to cover, you know how daunting that can be. We found “The Bible Recap” book and podcast by Tara Leigh Cobble to be essential in putting our daily readings into context.

Second, we wanted to find a church home. We both attended church regularly as kids, but our lifestyle with frequent travel as adults made that seem impossible. One day, as I was driving to the airport to begin a three-day airline trip, I found the “Hope Fellowship Teaching Podcast” on Spotify that lasted the duration of my commute. The message from John McKinzie spoke to me, and my wife and I attended service at Hope the next week. Now, when life gets in the way and we aren’t able to attend in person, we pull up the podcast and listen to the message wherever we are.

As a bonus, Hope Fellowship also has a “Weekend Worship” playlist on Spotify for when we want to listen to music that brings us closer to Christ.

We all have things we cling to to survive or even thrive in our fast-paced, techno-driven world. How have you been successful in harnessing technology to aid in your spiritual growth?

Most authors will tell you that they abhor technology like e-readers or audiobooks and prefer holding a physical book in their hands. While I enjoy sitting in a quiet room with a book, I also appreciate the modern devices that make it easier for me to read. This is particularly important in my spiritual journey.

My smartphone goes with me everywhere. But now, because of apps like “Life Bible,” I can read the Word wherever I am and review the notes I took during last week’s sermon. When I’m anxious or fearful, I can download a lesson plan that guides me to God’s Word and helps me confront life’s challenges guided by the Holy Spirit. I have access to sermons, playlists full of worship music and countless books that keep me focused and on the right path.

So while I still enjoy sitting in a quiet room with the Bible opened in front of me, I know that life doesn’t always allow me that opportunity. Thankfully, I have unlimited resources on my phone that I can pull out of my pocket no matter where I am.

QUESTION #8: dream

God’s continually stirring new things in each of us. So give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?

My first book was published in November 2023. My second only three months later in February 2024. By the end of this year, I will have five books published, with another two scheduled for 2026. My career is just getting started, but the opportunities for growth as an author seem limitless.

And that’s why I pray. I am proud of what Chad and I are trying to do with “Silent Horizons,” especially since it has opened my own heart to listening for what God wants in my life. My challenge for the future will be to continue letting the Holy Spirit guide my career in a way that honors and glorifies God.

Research shows that being present and enjoying your surroundings can reduce stress and boost positive emotions. And yet most of us can probably relate with Jack’s struggle of constantly looking toward the next thing instead of enjoying the current blessings God has given us.

King Solomon experienced this too, which led to this pearl of wisdom: “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God” (Ecc. 2:24, ESV).

Take some time this week to reflect on the good gifts God has given you in this season. Write a prayer in your journal thanking him for them.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Jack Stewart served 23 years as a fighter pilot. During that time, he flew combat missions from three different aircraft carriers and deployed to Afghanistan as a member of an Air Force Tactical Air Control Party. His last deployment was with a joint special operations task force in Africa. Jack is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), is an airline captain and has appeared as a military and commercial aviation expert on international cable news. He lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife and three children.