The Redeemed Man

A Baseball Star Who Lost It All—and How He Got It Back

September 14, 2023 Season 3 Episode 37
A Baseball Star Who Lost It All—and How He Got It Back
The Redeemed Man
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The Redeemed Man
A Baseball Star Who Lost It All—and How He Got It Back
Sep 14, 2023 Season 3 Episode 37

Blake Russell says he was “19 years old but with a Hollywood-sized ego” when he went from merely doing drugs to selling them. That arrogance would cost him a promising baseball career, a girlfriend—and, eventually, his freedom, as he spent years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine. In prison, though, he had a “sentimental moment” that guided him to God and forever changed his life. Blake, now out of prison and serving as ministry director of Take the City in Columbus, Georgia, talks with Paul Amos about that moment of salvation, the bad decisions that led up to it, and how his life has taken on newfound conviction, humility, and meaning since then.

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The Redeemed is an organization giving men from all backgrounds a supportive, judgment-free environment, grounded in Christian love without demanding participation in any faith tradition, where they can open up about their challenges, worries, and failures—and celebrate their triumphs over those struggles.

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Show Notes Transcript

Blake Russell says he was “19 years old but with a Hollywood-sized ego” when he went from merely doing drugs to selling them. That arrogance would cost him a promising baseball career, a girlfriend—and, eventually, his freedom, as he spent years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine. In prison, though, he had a “sentimental moment” that guided him to God and forever changed his life. Blake, now out of prison and serving as ministry director of Take the City in Columbus, Georgia, talks with Paul Amos about that moment of salvation, the bad decisions that led up to it, and how his life has taken on newfound conviction, humility, and meaning since then.

Visit The Redeemed's website for downloadable discussion question sets, show notes, inspirational articles, more resources, or to share your testimony.
Join our Exclusive Newsletter: Signup today and be the first to get notified on upcoming podcasts and new resources!

The Redeemed is an organization giving men from all backgrounds a supportive, judgment-free environment, grounded in Christian love without demanding participation in any faith tradition, where they can open up about their challenges, worries, and failures—and celebrate their triumphs over those struggles.

Follow The Redeemed on Social Media:

Additional Resources:

Timestamps: 

0:00—Intro/”lightning round”

1:34—Blake’s background in baseball

3:59—Blake’s descent into drug addiction

11:57—How Blake ended up in prison

22:05—Blake’s prison journey, from drug dealing to sobriety and redemption

36:54—Blake’s relationship with Krista/what does redemption mean to you?

43:16—Where Blake is today/Krista’s health struggles/outro