Rev’s Background

Born in Brooklyn, New York to a single mother and loving family, Russell knew he wanted something different in his life. He moved to Maryland to attend Morgan State University, where he, before finding Christ, was a well-known party promoter. Now his mission and vision is to promote Jesus to everyone he meets.

Russell received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Morgan and his Master’s of Divinity degree from Howard University.  He was licensed and ordained in the AME Church under Dr. Jamal Bryant at the Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

While at the Empowerment Temple Russell was blessed to serve as the Minister to Teens, where he led the teen service “Teen Temple,” which allowed students to worship God in their own way through Step, Rap, Dance, Drama, and other styles of youth focused worship. Over 150 students attended each service.

Russell is formerly the Pastor of Students and Young Professionals at The Fountain Ministries, in Florida.  There he was able to create a new name, focus, and vision for the ministry.  The H2 (HYDRO) ministry is focused on “being a relevant light” for students.  While at the Fountain Ministries, Russell started several new ministries and improved/enhanced other ministries so that students became more involved in Church and more importantly more committed and connected to Christ. During Russell’s time at The Fountain hundreds of students connected with the ministry and Jesus Christ.

Russell has recently been blessed to create a student curriculum (2009-2010) & adult curriculum (2010-2011) for The Urban Youth Workers Institute’s National Youth Ministry Conference “Reload”.  In addition Russell was contacted by Outreach Magazine to be the “Youth Ministry Expert” for 2012 and asked to rate the top youth ministry resources of the year.  Outreach Magazine also highlighted Russell’s Eleven 22 Youth Ministry with a feature profile in it’s 2012 issue of the 100 Fastest and Largest Growing Churches in America.  Russell’s desire is to assist churches and youth ministries in doing ministry more effectively, to enable students the opportunity to grow in every area of their lives.  Russell currently has two books out one entitled “After The Music Stops: Ministry Beyond The Big Event” & the other entitled “Fresh: A 31-Day Student Devotional”, both are available to order in the resource section or just click here.  Russell is currently the Youth Minister at Reid Temple AME Church in Maryland, over the Eleven 22 Youth Ministry, where students Learn their faith, Live their faith, and Lead with their faith.  The Eleven 22 Youth Ministry has a student service on Saturday Night’s called “The Saturday Night Remix“, where hundreds of students have received and committed their lives to Christ since the service began.

Russell is the proud husband of Erica St. Bernard. They currently reside in Maryland.