Clergy Transition, Passing the Baton

As a teenager in northwestern Pennsylvania, Bob Russell hoped to one day become the high school basketball coach for his alma mater. However, during his senior year of high school, Bob felt a yearning in his heart to enter the ministry. So, he enrolled at Cincinnati Bible Seminary and graduated in 1965.

One year later, at age 22, Bob became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church, a newer church whose 120 members were still meeting in the basement of a house on the east side of Louisville, Kentucky. Forty years later, in 2006, Bob retired from Southeast, which had become one of the largest churches in America.

Through Bob Russell Ministries, he continues to preach at churches and conferences across the United States, offering his insights on church leadership and providing mentorship to pastors. An accomplished author with over a dozen books to his name, including “After 50 Years of Ministry: 7 Things I’d Do Differently and 7 Things I’d Do the Same,” Bob has also contributed over 600 articles to his blog at BobRussell.org, where he consistently offers Biblical guidance on contemporary issues.

Bob and his wife Judy, of over fifty years, have two sons, Rusty and Phil, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and one more great-grandchild on the way. Rusty is the Lead Pastor of the New Day Christian Church in Port Charlotte, Florida. Phil is a veteran police commander and provides leadership and management consulting. Judy recently authored a book, Elbows on the Table, which encourages Christians to open their homes to others and suggests ways to entertain with little hassle.

Bob enjoys playing golf and is an avid University of Louisville football and basketball fan.