467 - Jamey Blakeley's Journey to Christ
Today’s guest is Jamey Blakeley, a businessman, outdoorsman, volunteer firefighter, and someone who has a powerful story of faith, perseverance, and God’s faithfulness.
Jamey lives in Jane, Missouri, and got his start in business back in 2018 when he opened a small outdoor store. After about 14 months, he closed the store and took a different direction, eventually building the businesses he operates today—Blakeley’s Trapping, The Trappers Pole, and Blakeley’s Baits & Lures.
But Jamey’s story goes far beyond business and the outdoors.
He’s also a volunteer firefighter and the founder of 4 State Chaplains, a nonprofit ministry providing chaplain support to first responders. Jamey has pursued training through Christian Leaders Institute, where he’s working toward his Diploma in Divinity and has also completed chaplain courses that he puts into practice through his ministry.
Jamey gave his life to Christ when he was about eight years old, but he’ll be the first to tell you that it wasn’t until early 2025 that he really began living his life fully for God. Earlier this year, his church recognized that growth and commitment by voting him in as a deacon.
And the road to get here certainly hasn't been easy.
At just 32 years old, Jamey has faced some serious challenges. In 2021, he experienced a severe medical event that nearly resulted in a heart attack and ultimately led to him receiving a defibrillator. Then, in 2023, he battled an infection that took nearly two years to overcome. Four surgeries and eight months with a wound pump left him unable to do much of anything for more than 16 months.
But what could have broken him became part of the testimony God is using today.
Jamey’s story is one of perseverance, redemption, faith, and learning that sometimes God uses the hardest seasons of our lives to prepare us for the work He has called us to do.
I’m really looking forward to this conversation and hearing how God has taken Jamey’s experiences—from the outdoors and business to firefighting, ministry, and some incredibly difficult seasons—and used them to give him a passion for serving others.
Jamey, welcome to the Christian Outdoors Podcast.
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Pete spends many days a year afield enjoying God’s creation while hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping. He has traveled to 49 states, as well as numerous Canadian provinces, pursuing his passion in the outdoors. Through these and other experiences, Pete has published more than 1,400 magazine articles and 4,000 photographs in his career. His stories and photographs have earned more than 60 awards in literary, photographic, and videography competitions. He is also the author of six books.
Christian Outdoors Podcast has been awarded “Best Podcast” four years in a row by the South Carolina Outdoor Press Association. His weekly episodes are exciting and uplifting and bring a passion for the outdoors and his Lord and Savior.
Currently, Christian Outdoors has more than 14 million downloads and is growing. More about Pete can be found at christianoutdoors.org/
A lifelong lover of God’s creation, Jon is an avid whitetail deer hunter and outdoorsman. His passion for the outdoors has also led to years of involvement in the outdoor industry, including serving on the CVA Pro Staff team. For Jon, hunting is about much more than the pursuit—it’s an opportunity to slow down, enjoy God’s creation, build relationships, and recognize the connection between faith and the outdoors.
Whether preaching from the pulpit, recording weekly devotions with Christian Outdoors, sharing his testimony at a sportsman’s banquet, or simply gathering around a campfire with fellow outdoorsmen, Jon enjoys connecting with people and pointing them toward Jesus. For Jon, faith, family, community, and the outdoors are opportunities to serve, build relationships, and give God glory.
Jon would love to connect with your group for a men’s gathering, sportsman’s banquet, church event, or conversation about faith and the outdoors. He can be reached at jon@christianoutdoors.org.
