#192: Survivor Contestant's Faith Tested In Her Love Story & Cancer Battle

Run The Race

With the new season of Survivor premiering soon - one of the most popular TV programs and reality shows of all time - a former contestant from Alabama shares about how she got on the show and what it was really like on the island. On this Valentine's Day, this mom and ministry leader also very open about her 2nd chance love story with her now-husband...a recent cancer battle that made her question God...and why experiencing faith is so important. (5:15) Krista Klumpp Russell describes having to break her own heart with her high school sweetheart Blake, when he was on the path to destruction that eventually landed him behind bars for a decade. Getting out and 13 years after they broke up, they reunited and have now been married 6 years. How did their Christian walks help make that happen? (15:30) In the last few years, Krista was also diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, at 37 years old. She breaks down the 18 weeks of chemo and all the other treatments, prayer that led her to being declared cancer free last Fall, with still more work to do. That cancer battle though made prayer and her faith difficult at times. She explains. And Krista says she no longer has a "boring testimony." (26:50) Krista (Klumpp) was on season 22 of Survivor, Rdemption island, lasting 15 days, but being the 4th person voted out. How did a random chance moment lead to her casting call for the show? How was she grilled about her faith and beliefs before being picked? And she has advice on how to get on a show like this. Krista details how tough it is, with cameras always on you, little food, other challenges on Survivor. She's also passionate about people (37:14) really experiencing faith, not just stating beliefs, but putting them into action beyond the church walls. That means getting out of our comfort zone. Krista and family did that for a full month in Africa. (45:49) As for fitness, this busy mom of 2 young kids doesn't enjoy working out, but enjoys the benefits, so she has a "use it or lose it" attitude. (52:57) She and husband Blake Russell are co-founders, leaders of 7M Ministries: https://www.7mministries.org/. He speaks at jails/prisons, schools, churches as an evangelist and former drug dealer who radically turned his life around through Jesus. Their goal or slogan is "Doing Our Part." How can you make a difference? Krista plans to step out more to share her testimony, including her cancer battle. As we do with all episodes, I close out in prayer. Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast, which I hope you'll subscribe to! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.