Blaine Bartel: From Secret Addiction to Resurrection in Jesus: Page 252
The Unfolding
Northwestern Media
4.9 • 867 Ratings
🗓️ 19 September 2025
⏱️ 53 minutes
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Summary
Content Warning: This episode deals with sexual addiction and mature themes; it may not be appropriate for younger listeners.
Blaine Bartel was a rising star in Christian ministry, hosting the nationally televised Fire by Nite, writing best-selling books, and leading one of the largest weekly student gatherings in America. But behind the platform and applause, Blaine was trapped in a 23-year struggle with pornography and sexual addiction, living a secret double life that ultimately destroyed his career, marriage, and reputation. In this episode of The Unfolding, Blaine shares his journey from despair and scandal to true freedom. He talks about the devastating consequences for his family, church, and friends, and how, through God's grace, he was led not just to recovery, but to a resurrected life in Jesus. Today, Blaine helps men, ministers, and marriages break free from sexual addiction and walk in hope through House of Resurrection.
Show Notes:
Website: https://www.blainebartel.com/
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Page 252 of the unfolding is the story of Blaine Bartel. |
| 0:05.6 | I would look in the mirror and I would say, I hate you. |
| 0:08.5 | It turned out to be 23 years of hiding this secret. |
| 0:11.4 | By this time, my life is out of control. |
| 0:14.8 | By God's terrifying grace, it all came undone and everything was exposed. |
| 0:23.6 | God's story has been unfolding. God's story has been unfolding. Since the beginning of time. |
| 0:26.6 | He invites you to be a part of it. |
| 0:29.6 | Wow. |
| 0:31.6 | Another page in the unfolding. |
| 0:35.6 | Hey, this is Meredith Foster. Before we begin, Another page in the unfolding. |
| 0:39.4 | Hey, this is Meredith Foster. |
| 0:42.7 | Before we begin, a quick content warning. |
| 0:47.5 | This episode deals with mature themes, including pornography and sexual addiction, |
| 0:50.3 | and may not be appropriate for young listeners. |
| 0:56.6 | Blaine Bartell was once one of the most recognizable names in Christian youth ministry. He hosted a nationally televised program called Fire by Night, spoke at the biggest events in the country, |
| 1:02.4 | wrote best-selling books, and led one of the largest weekly student gatherings in America. |
| 1:07.9 | On the outside, he was a success story. but privately, Blaine was drowning in a secret |
| 1:14.0 | that would nearly destroy his life. His addiction to pornography began in his 20s and escalated into a |
| 1:21.6 | 23-year descent into sexual addiction, culminating in scandal, the collapse of his ministry, and the loss of his |
| 1:29.1 | marriage. At one point, even a leading specialist in the field told Blaine, you are the poster |
| 1:34.8 | child for sexual addiction. I don't know if you'll ever find freedom. But that wasn't the end |
| 1:40.8 | of Blaine's story. Through God's relentless grace, Blaine discovered not just recovery, |
... |
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