In 1984, he rejected society (the mall, seeking financial gain, the status quo) and moved to Deep Ellum to live in a warehouse. This warehouse became the Theatre Gallery which was the catalyst for the modern Deep Ellum scene. In 1985, it was apparent that Dallas was hungry for more establishments which promoted true artists, Russell birthed The Prophet Bar and Deep Ellum Records. Newspapers referred to Russell Hobbs as the "King of Deep Ellum", the "Pope of Deep Ellum", the "Father of Deep Ellum", "The Guru of Ellum", etc. His janitor preached Jesus Christ and the Resurrection to him in December 1987. He was "born again" and poured out all the liquor, beer and wine, canceled 50 bands and started preaching the Good News to all the Deep Ellumites who had been following him in the Arts Rebellion.

Russell tried for 3 years to win the Deep Ellumites by booking Christian bands and having Bible studies and prayer meetings. Eventually he transformed The Prophet Bar into a restaurant, with leg of lamb, fresh red snapper and a juice bar. Each step of the way he told people how Jesus set him free from drugs, sex and loneliness. After a real estate scandal over the building which housed The Prophet Bar, which he was buying from the landlord who in turn sold it to another party, Russell left Dallas to spend three years in the wilderness of East Texas. Discouraged by the revelation that Dallasites were not as excited as he was about Jesus, he began to question why God would not just "save" them. Russell asked God for and received revelation about our true purpose as Christians and how to represent the creator with our lives. Here he penned 'In the Power of His Resurrection', a book about God's Agenda and church government today. God also gave Russell David Hobbs a new vision for Deep Ellum. Since he pioneered Deep Ellum in 1984, he knows what direction this unique community needs to go to please God and remain artisitcally inspired.